Brisbane is the capital of the Australian state of Queensland and is the largest city in that state. With a population of approximately 2,000,000 it is also the third most populous city in Australia, behind Sydney and Melbourne. The city is situated on the Brisbane River on a low-lying floodplain between Moreton Bay and the Great Dividing Range in south-eastern Queensland. The local indigenous people knew the area as Mian-jin, meaning 'place shaped as a spike'.
As Australia's fastest growing city and one of the most affordable, Brisbane offers a friendly, safe and multicultural environment in close proximity to some of the world's most beautiful natural attractions, including Fraser Island, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Queensland attracts more than half of all international tourists to Australia. Its tropical coastal strip includes sandy beaches, coral islands and plenty of sunshine.
Getting to Your Program
You are responsible for arranging your own transportation to Brisbane, but are given guidelines for arrival dates and times.
Visa
A student visa is required. U.S. citizens must have a U.S. passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the program. You will apply for your own visa. IAP will provide you with visa information.
Orientation
IAP expects you to be an active participant in preparing yourself for your study abroad experience. As a participant on an IAP program, you will receive a pre-departure orientation, either in-person or online. The type and format of this orientation will vary by program and will be provided to you upon acceptance to the program.
Upon arrival in Australia, you must attend several orientation sessions, which take place before classes begin. One session ("Getting Started") is designed for those new to Brisbane. It covers information about the city, enrolling and obtaining student ID cards, orientation week activities, banking, making contact with other students, and public transport. The other session provides an overview of services and support systems available, as well as information on UQ's special resources and facilities.
Orientation Week is a university-wide celebration for both international and Australian students beginning their studies at UQ. It's an excellent opportunity for you to meet people and make friends soon after you arrive in Brisbane. There are special sessions for international students on finding part-time work, safety, and the Australian health system. Other highlights include campus tours, advice and information about classes, and entertainment activities.
Housing
You may choose to live on or off campus during your stay in Brisbane. If choosing to live on campus, you will work with University of
Queensland Accommodation Services to arrange housing in dorms similar to UW residence halls. These halls generally provide individual bedrooms with shared bathrooms, meals, internet connections, phones, laundry facilities (at an extra charge) and common social and recreational spaces.
Most international students live
off campus. More than 90 percent of UQ students live off campus - shared houses and apartments are the most common form of student housing, allowing students to save on costs and develop friendships. Most students arrange this type of housing their first few days in Brisbane. UQ offers free temporary accommodation for students who choose this option. It is important to note that you should arrive in Brisbane a few weeks prior to the commencement of class in order to secure this type of accommodation and settle in.
If you are interested in living with other American students, you may want to considering housing through
The Education Abroad Network, TEAN. You may contact TEAN directly if you are interested; be sure to reference the housing-only option.
Excursions and Activities
You can get involved at UQ by joining one of the 130 different clubs and societies on campus. You are automatically a member of UQ SPORT, the student organization that manages the University's recreational activities and facilities. You can access facilities at discounted rates and have the chance to enroll in classes such as Shaolin Kung-Fu, breakdancing, and massage. Competitive and social sporting activities are offered at the University, which are a great way to meet other students.
The University of Queensland offers a busy and buzzing social life. In addition to a large campus filled with student organizations and activities, there is plenty to do in the city of Brisbane and the state of Queensland. Activities such as bushwalking, diving, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, surging and white water rafting are all fun ways to spend weekends while attending UQ. Enjoy the Brisbane International Film Festival in July, the bizarre ritual of Cockroach Races in January, or just a day at the beach swimming any time of year in Brisbane!
Insurance
You will be enrolled in the UW System required health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and the cost of the insurance coverage is included in program fees.
The Australian government also requires all students have Overseas Health Cover (OSHC).
On-Site Support
Staff from the Study Abroad and Exchange Office at the University of Queensland
Handbooks
Use the links below to find out more information on academics, daily life and student impressions for this program.
2013 UQ Abroad Information Sheet (Calendar Year - 2012-13)
Study Abroad and Exchange prospectus (Calendar Year - 2012-13)
2013 UQ Abroad Information Sheet (Spring - 2012-13)
Study Abroad and Exchange prospectus (Spring - 2012-13)
UQ 2013 Prospectus (Fall - 2013-14)
UQ 2013 Prospectus (Year - 2013-14)
The University of Queensland is said to be one of the most beautiful campuses in Australia. With nearly 40,000 students (7,000 of which are from 124 countries), UQ is one of Australia's premier learning and research institutions. It is a founding member of the Group of Eight (GoE), a leading group of Australian Universities.
UQ offers more than 4,000 courses across seven schools, known as faculties:
Faculty of Arts
Faculty of Biological and Chemical Sciences
Faculty of Business, Economics and Law
Faculty of Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Courses cover disciplines as diverse as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies, mining and minerals engineering, religious studies and zoology. Many of these courses focus on Australian topics or offer field trips to unique locations in Southeast Queensland. UQ is the only university in Queensland that offers programs in agricultural science, food technology, speech pathology and veterinary science. Unique courses such as Coastal Management and Marine Science may be of particular interest as they are not offered at UW-Madison.
You can choose to study at one of two UQ campuses: UQ St. Lucia or UQ Gatton. St. Lucia has a variety of courses and is just a 10-minute drive from the heart of Brisbane. Gatton offers courses in agriculture, animals, natural resources and environmental sciences. Gatton is a 1.5 hour bus ride from St. Lucia.
Affiliate Institution(s)
University of Queensland
Program Web Page(s)
UQ Study Abroad & Incoming Exchange
Foreign Courses
Available Courses
Course Equivalents
Use the links below to see a list of courses that students have taken on this program before and the UW equivalents. Note: this list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses or departments. You will get instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance.
Sort by Foreign Course Titles
Sort by UW-Madison Course Titles
Group by host institution and Sort by Foreign Course Titles
Group by host institution and Sort by UW-Madison Course Titles
