Courses

This program operates under a 1 + 3 course model. You’ll take a full credit load of 16 US credits (24 units): one intensive 4-credit (6-unit) course for 4 weeks followed by three 4-credit (6-unit) courses for 10 weeks. Both sessions are required elements of participating on the program.

• Please be flexible – we can’t guarantee specific courses. If your participation in the program depends on a particular course, be sure to make a note on your online preferences form.
  • Under "Term/Session," please indicate using Australian nomenclature.
  • Please choose two intensive courses and 5-7 regular term courses (see below for further information).
• Please review your courses with your academic or study abroad advisor to ensure they will transfer back to your home school and that you are following your home school’s policies.
  • UNSW Sydney may request that you submit syllabi or an updated official transcript.
  • Most courses (with some exceptions in Science and Engineering) award four credits each.
• Please read this full page for comprehensive information. To choose courses and navigate the handbook, please follow the instructions below:
  • U.S. Fall Students
  • U.S. Spring Students

Course Restrictions

You may not enroll in:

• Any courses with the "Z" prefix.
• AVIG, BEIL, GBAT, IEST, JURD, MDIA, MNGT, OPTM, PSCY, SWCH courses
• For those interested in the Acting course, successful applicants will only be accepted into the first year of the Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Acting).
  • For Acting: successful applicants will only be accepted into the first year of the Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Acting).

Choosing Your Courses

University of New South Wales Sydney Courses

Term Courses

Refer to the credit translation scale below when selecting your regular term courses.

US Fall Semester:

• The intensive term (T2C) course list is not published in the handbook. We will update the list each semester. See UNSW Sydney 2025 Winter Term Course Guide. (Last Updated: 31 Jan 2025).
  • Please select two from this list for your Academic preferences form. You will ultimately enroll in one.
  • T2C/Winter Intensive Course (August) = US Fall
• When selecting your regular 10-week term courses, please refer to the university's handbook. You may find it easiest to navigate the handbook by clicking on "course" and filtering (on the left-hand side of the page) for the year you are attending and setting the offering period to "T3."
  • Please select 6-8 courses for your Academic Preferences Form. You will end up enrolling in 3 of these.
  • Term 3 (September to December) = US Fall

US Spring Semester:

• You can use the UNSW Sydney university's handbook to find the intensive course list (U1 or Summer Term)
  • You may find it easiest to navigate the handbook by clicking on "course" and filtering (on the left-hand side of the page) for the year you are attending and setting the offering period to "Summer Term"
• When selecting your regular 10-week term courses, again please refer to the university's handbook. 
  • The offering period is called Term 1 (February to May) = US Spring Courses
  • Please select 6-8 courses for your Academic Preferences Form. You will end up enrolling in 3 of these.

Course Approval

UNSW Sydney will review your course preferences and contact you directly via email with the outcome of your course approvals. If you would like any additional courses to be considered for approval please contact your Program Manager.

Special Nomenclature

Enrollment Process

You first need to have a list of approved courses. Your Program Advisor will send UNSW Sydney a list of courses to get you started on this process. You will be able submit more courses for approval to UNSW Sydney once you have access to your UNSW Sydney Endeavor Account (a student account).

UNSW Sydney will send you communications on how to enroll in courses once their enrollment period opens. You will work with UNSW Sydney directly to enroll in courses based on what you already have approved. 

The online course form students submit to Arcadia prior to departure does not guarantee approval or enrollment in those courses. There is a drop/add period at the beginning of each semester that allows students to make changes to course enrollments. If you make any changes it is your responsibility to inform your home institution.

Miscellaneous/Fees

Additional course fees may be associated with some of your overseas course work (i.e. courses that include laboratory work, field excursions or theater trips).

For studio art, graphic art, art media production, drama, dancing or music courses, you will need to submit a non-returnable portfolio or audition on 8-12 slides or a CD.

Grade Scale

The following information is vetted and provided by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) on the Electronic Database for Global Education (EDGE).

*Note: The Conceded grade is not offered by all institutions. Where a host institution uses the Conceded, Conceded Pass or Pass Conceded grade, a D will be issued. Where the host institution does not use Conceded, Conceded Pass or Pass Conceded grade, an F will be issued.

Intellectual property copyright AACRAO EDGE.