Macquarie Student

Macquarie University

Before you meet with an education abroad advisor be sure to complete the "Advising Form" linked at the top of this page.

Please note that you will not be able to apply for semester or yearlong study abroad program until you've met with an education abroad advisor. To make an appointment, please contact internationalprograms@noctrl.edu or call the Center for Global Education at 630-637-5132.

Program Overview

Fall Term

Eligible participants must be at junior or senior level with a 3.0 GPA preferred.

This program is limited to two students per academic year. Additional fees may apply.

Macquarie University, located just 30 minutes by train from downtown Sydney, is the perfect destination for students who want the best of both worlds—a cosmopolitan experience in one of the world’s most multicultural cities, and the ability to retreat back to a large parklands campus. Sydney, with a population of 5 million people, is famous for its magnificent harbor and opera house.

Set in its own parkland, the university is served regularly by city buses and trains. On its campus of 38,000 students, 12,000 of whom are international, students can take courses in a variety of areas, including science, social science, humanities, business, computer science and environmental studies. Additionally, Macquarie offers extra-curricular activities throughout the semester, such as the Global Leadership Certificate program and a very dynamic student life with more than 100 student associations.

Certificate programs are available for significant study in major.

  • Macquarie was named Australia's best modern university by QS and Times Higher Education in 2012
  • Sydney has more than 70 beaches along its coastline
  • Kangaroo park on campus
  • Program Duration:  17 weeks (early/mid July - early/mid November)

Academics

Students are required to complete GLS 277 in the spring term prior to studying abroad in the fall and earn 9-12 credits (depending on courses selected) studying abroad at Macquarie University. There is a drop/add period at the beginning of the semester to adjust your course schedules. All grades earned abroad affect your North Central College GPA when transferred back. You cannot take courses pass/fail.  

Students have access to the curriculum across four faculties:

  • Arts
  • Business and Economics
  • Human Sciences
  • Science

To explore specific courses and view course descriptions at Macquarie University, please visit their website. Under Undergraduates select "Units" (these are courses). From there, there are more drop down options (e.g. offering, code, department) for you to organize your search.

Courses may only be offered certain semesters or times of the school year. Please, read unit (course) descriptions carefully to make sure each course will be offered when you are abroad. For those studying in the fall term, look for courses offered during Session 2.

Note:  Students must have courses pre-approved by North Central College prior to taking them abroad. If students change their course schedules while abroad, they must get this change approved. Some departments only permit students to take a certain number of courses that count toward their major abroad. To ensure that all courses count towards their degrees, students must get their department's approval.

Housing and Meals

Students live on-campus MU residence halls. Most of our students live in Macquarie University Village. The Village is a 15 minute walk to the center of campus, and provides fully furnished apartments, ideal for groups of friends, international and domestic students and those seeking independent living.

Featuring communal social areas including a student and TV lounge, pool tables, table tennis and a volleyball court. A large outdoor balcony is ideal for barbeques and study spaces, and the computer rooms are ideal for studying with friends. Accessible rooms are also available.

Located right next door to campus, sport fields and the popular Sport and Aquatic Centre. The sprawling modern village is situated among green surrounds and perfect for those seeking spacious and open grounds. MUV is also close to some local eateries.

For photos and additional information, please visit MU's accommodation webpage.

Meals: Not included in program cost. Students have a kitchen in the Village apartment that they share with their other "flat mates". There are a variety of places nearby to shop for groceries and a frequent bus/train service to downtown Sydney. There is also variety of places to eat on campus, about 15 in total, which cater to all tastes and budgets.

Estimated Costs

Students studying in Australia are required to purchase Australian national health insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)), as well as, an Australian student visa in order to particiate in a study abroad program. Together, the insurance and visa can cost, depending on the exchange rate, about $650 USD. These costs are not covered in the $4,000 program fee and must be paid by each student.

A $30 non-refundable application fee is due at the time of application submission. Students in Direct Enrollment programs (i.e. Macquarie University) pay North Central College tuition plus a $4,000 program fee. This fee includes placement, orientation and guidance fees, as well as standard self-catered housing. The College selects accommodations; if students choose to upgrade, they are responsible for paying any difference in cost. Unless otherwise noted, the fee does not include airfare, travel to and from airport, meals, visa fees, departure tax, books, national insurance, personal travel or spending money. North Central College financial aid does apply.