University of Newcastle

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Education Abroad office has been helping students from across the United States study at the University of Newcastle (UoN) in Australia since 2007. Students from more than 25 universities nationwide have chosen to study abroad in Newcastle, Australia through UW-Platteville Education Abroad.

Details

You may participate for one semester or for a full academic year, enrolling in at least 12 credits per semester. Courses are taken alongside Australian and international students.

UoN is an Australian public university established in 1965 comprised of five campuses. Conducting groundbreaking research in health and medicine, science and engineering, and energy and the environment, UoN consistently ranks in the top ten universities for research in Australia. With a total enrollment of about 36,000, the 7,500 international students from 115 countries bring a unique international perspective to UoN.

Callaghan, the main and largest campus, is located in the Newcastle suburb of Callaghan, just seven miles from Newcastle city. The campus is comprised of over 345 acres of natural bushland and includes university buildings and lecture halls, sporting fields, a sports and aquatic center, and four residence halls.

Newcastle city, which is easily reached by train from the UoN campus, has a population of over 155,000 and offers a range of shops, restaurants, pubs, cafes, museums, galleries, and nightlife. In addition, Sydney is just 101 miles away, two hours by train, and can be easily reached for a day or weekend trip.

Eligibility

Each applicant to the University of Newcastle (UoN) through UW-Platteville Education Abroad must:

Be a degree-seeking undergraduate student who is currently enrolled at a U.S.-based college or university.
Have completed at least one full-time semester of college at the time of application and have at least sophomore standing at the time of participation.
Have a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA
Be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the time of application and participation.

Application Requirements

In addition to any application procedures required by your' home institution, the following must be submitted via the UW-Platteville Education Abroad online application system:

$75 application fee
Copy of U.S. passport: If you do not currently hold a U.S. passport, you must apply for one and submit proof of application before the program application deadline.
Education Abroad Statement of Purpose
International Study Course Approval Form (UW-Platteville students)
Official academic transcript
Signed statements of responsibility and understanding
Two letters of recommendation
UoN Application Form
UW-Platteville Education Abroad Application

You will also have access to information to assist you throughout the application process. Upon acceptance, additional pre-departure information and requirements will be provided.

Co-curricular Activities

Students studying abroad at the University of Newcastle (UoN) have a wide range of opportunities available to them to enhance their experience outside the classroom. Opportunities include:

Excursions

Excursions are an integral part of the program and have been designed to complement studies in Australian history and culture. The UW-Platteville on-site coordinator organizes excursions each semester, many of which are included in the UW-Platteville Education Abroad program cost. Past excursions have included day and weekend trips to locales of historical and cultural significance in and around Newcastle, and students will learn more about the excursions available during their on-site orientation.
Clubs and Organizations

International Leadership Experience and Development Program
iLEAD is an extracurricular leadership program that enables domestic and international students to participate in additional activities on top of their coursework and program activities. By participating, you will develop leadership and communication skills, and will also achieve an appreciation of cross-cultural concepts and gain valuable skills through personal experiences related to leadership, international awareness, and community engagement.

Student Clubs and Societies
Joining a student club or society is a great way to meet other international students and domestic students with similar interests. The University of Newcastle offers a wide range of opportunities to get involved on the Callaghan campus, including: Anime Club, Exercise and Sport Science Club, Psychology Society, Christian Students, Environmental Collective, and local sporting clubs including football, rugby, and cricket

Housing

Students studying abroad at the University of Newcastle (UoN) through UW-Platteville Education Abroad will live in pre-arranged off-campus accommodation with other students studying abroad at UoN through UW-Platteville Education Abroad. Under no circumstances will students be allowed to live in accommodation that is not under the direct supervision of the UW-Platteville Education Abroad on-site coordinator.

Located in Newcastle city, the accommodation is within easy reach of all that the city has to offer including beautiful beaches, restaurants, shopping, cafes, cultural events and exhibits, and other city attractions.

As UoN is on the outskirts of the city, students easily use public transportation to get to campus. Transport to UoN by train is conveniently located within a short walking distance, and UW-Platteville Education Abroad’s program cost includes a semester local rail pass.

The student apartments or houses are typically complete with 2 to 3 shared bedrooms, living space, kitchen, and a bathroom. All units are fully furnished with kitchen utensils, crockery, cutlery, towels, and linens.

Meals are not included in the UW-Platteville Education Abroad program cost and must be arranged and paid for out-of-pocket by the student. Students typically cook at home with their housemates or enjoy the many cafes and restaurants nearby.

Wi-fi is provided, but adjustments with regard to speed and availability must be anticipated. Each apartment or house has its own laundry access.

Academics

The UW-Platteville Education Abroad program at the University of Newcastle (UoN) is designed to provide students with a personalized and integrated living and learning experience at an Australian university. You may participate for one semester or for a full academic year, enrolling in at least 12 credits per semester. Courses are taken alongside Australian and international students, and the courses available to U.S. study abroad students can be found on UoN’s website.

Semester Codes

UoN uses a coding system in their online course finder to identify the semester in which the course is delivered. Semester I translates to the U.S spring semester, and semester II translates to the fall semester.

Course Locations

Since UoN has multiple campuses, you need to ensure that you are selecting courses offered at the Callaghan Campus or Newcastle City Campus. You are discouraged from taking courses on other campuses due to timetable conflicts and long commutes.

Business courses are hosted on the Newcastle City Campus.

Australian Units of Credit

10 Australian Units are equivalent to 4 U.S. Credits.

Required Courses
All students studying abroad at UoN through UW-Platteville Education Abroad are required to enroll in two courses:
1. ANTH 1010: Cross-Cultural Understanding (1 U.S. credit): Taught by the UW-Platteville on-site coordinator in Newcastle, this course is offered just to students studying abroad through UW-Platteville Education Abroad and is designed to help you examine your own experiences in Australia and discover the aspects of Australian life and culture that underlie them. These experiences are supplemented with group and individual excursions to explore various aspects of Australian culture including politics, philosophy, society, art, education, history, and the media. It is intended to stimulate personal reflection and a cross-cultural perspective and consists of lecture, discussion, journal writing, and excursions.
2. One course on Australian Culture (10 Australian Units, 4 U.S. Credits): For this requirement, you may choose any course offered at UoN that has significant course content about Australian life and culture, and may include courses in the areas of art, culture, history, literature, media studies, or social science.
Credit Transfer

Credits will be validated on an official UoN transcript at the end of the semester.

10 Australian units is equivalent to 4 American credits, and the grades students receive abroad will be converted to the U.S. grading system of A, B, C, etc. based on the official transcript that is received from the institution abroad. UW-Platteville Education Abroad uses the following conversion guide as a guideline, provided by World Education Services, in converting students’ grades.

Please note that this only serves as a general conversion guideline.

While all credits should be transferable, you should work with your academic advisor at your home institution to choose appropriate and beneficial courses from the UoN curriculum prior to your semester abroad. Courses that may fulfill specific requirements for major, minor, general education, or elective requirements towards an American degree must be approved by the appropriate person(s) at the home institution.

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