Program Description

The Iowa Regents Semester in Australia program in Tasmania offers undergraduate students an opportunity to study for a semester at the University of Tasmania. Participants are fully integrated academically and socially with their Australian peers.

The program at Tasmania begins with a week-long orientation program that prepares students for the academic and cultural experience ahead. Students then enroll in regular courses offered by the university. Most courses in UTas' course catalog are available to visiting students, as long as the necessary prerequisites are fulfilled. This means students from the U of I can sit in class with locals, enabling a type of immersion found in few location.

Academic Program

Academic credit earned at the University of Tasmania transfers to the University of Iowa. Study abroad students must enroll for a full-time load of courses while studying at Tasmania. A full-time load is typically 3 or 4 courses and is generally equivalent to 12 or 16 s.h. of credit at Iowa.

While planning to study abroad, students should browse through UTAS's course listings to see which classes are likely to be available during their term in Australia. Some courses may have prerequisites—please discuss this with your study abroad advisor if you have questions.

Read the following PDF before looking for courses: UTAS Course Selection Guide

• UTAS Courses and Units: http://courses.utas.edu.au/

Program Dates

The Iowa Regents Semester in Australia is offered for both the spring and fall semesters. Semesters at Australian universities generally run February-July and July-November. The University of Tasmania's academic calendar is available at http://www.utas.edu.au/keydates/.

For More Information

If you are ready to learn more, please call 319-335-0353 and schedule an appointment with the relevant study abroad advisor. Students should also discuss their study abroad plans with their academic advisor.

The University of Tasmania

The University of Tasmania enjoys a national and international reputation for teaching and research excellence. It offers Iowa students a broad array of courses in the arts and humanities, sciences, social sciences, business, agricultural sciences, architecture, and engineering. Tasmania offers strong support services for international students, excellent recreation facilities, and dozens of student organizations from the Bushwalking Club and the Rugby Union to the Cinema Society and the Environmental Studies Club.

The University of Tasmania, established in 1890, is the fourth oldest university in Australia. It has two major campuses, one in Hobart (12,000 students) and one in Launceston (4,000 students).

Hobart and Launceston

Salamanca Place, Hobart

Tasmania, Australia's island state, offers a stunningly beautiful natural environment and a friendly ambience. The two major cities are Hobart and Launceston. About 40 percent of Tasmanians, nearly 200,000 people, live in and around the capital of Hobart in the south. Launceston, in the north, has a population of nearly 100,000.

Tasmania is a treasure trove of natural wonders. The jagged mountain peaks and glacial lakes are products of past ice ages. The forests have 60 million-year-old roots in the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. One-fifth of the state is dedicated as a World Heritage Area, a vast reserve of temperate rainforest linking 16 national parks where visitors can see first-hand Tasmania's natural wonders. Tasmania is home to the world's tallest flowering plant (swamp gum) and the world's oldest tree (huon pine), not to mention the Tasmania devil (and a host of other curious creatures). From miles of unspoiled beaches to magnificent mountains, Tassie is a special place, and the wilderness is easily accessible to University of Tasmania students.

Why choose Tasmania?

26 Reasons You Wish You Were in Tasmania Right Now

Great Southern Land

Tasmania, Australia HD video

As far south as Iowa is north, Tasmania enjoys four distinct seasons. Tempered by the surrounding sea, the temperatures are rarely extreme. The climate is generally dry and fine—"about the equivalent of Northern California but without the fog."

Australia

Australia ranks as one of the best places to live in the world according to measurements of income, human development, healthcare and civil rights. The sixth-largest country in the world by land mass, its comparatively small population of approximately 23 million people is concentrated in the highly-urbanized east and southeast coast of the Australian continent.

Australia is home to some of the globe's most stunning and recognizable World Heritage Sites, such as the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree National Park and Uluru. Its major cities, including Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, regularly rank among the most liveable and safe destinations in the world, and for good reason. Australia has a well-earned reputation not only for its beautiful environment and sunny days, but also for the sunny disposition of its hospitable locals. Beyond surfing, kangaroos and coffee, Australia is also well known for its robust healthcare and technology industries, as well as its rich arts and culture scene, which encompasses everything from Aboriginal art, to contemporary dance companies, to classical opera. A world leader in environmental conservation, with over 500 national parts and 2,700 nature conservation areas, you'll always be near an adventure.

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Living Arrangements

Students may apply for a variety of housing options on campus or may live off campus. Board plans and costs vary. (Note: On-campus accommodation is not guaranteed). More information is available from your study abroad advisor, or at Tasmania's accommodation page.

Travel Arrangements

Students will receive instructions on making travel arrangements during a program-specific orientation session and will be able to arrange their own flights to Sydney, then onward to Hobart, Tasmania. Upon arrival, ground transportation is available to take students to the program site. More information is available on the University of Tasmania's Web site at Tasmania's Flights and Airport Pickup page.

Eligibility

To apply for the program, you must be a student at one of the Iowa Regents Universities: University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa, or Iowa State University. Students must have at least sophomore standing at the time of application, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and must be in good academic and disciplinary standing.

Costs

The Semester at the University of Tasmania program is one of the least expensive options you will find worldwide.

Cost Sheet University of Tasmania - Fall 2024

Spring 2024 total cost of attendance

The program fee includes tuition and study abroad fees. It does not include room, board, round trip airfare, passport and visa fees, Iowa Regents CISI health insurance, the Overseas Student Health Cover mandated by the Government of Australia for international students studying in Australia, or any personal expenses.

For more information regarding the mandatory Regents' insurance policy, follow this link: Insurance FAQs

Scholarships & Finacial Aid

For more information about receiving financial aid while studying abroad, please review the following:UI Financial Aid Information

You can find more information about options for funding your study abroad experience including scholarships on Undergraduate Scholarships for Study Abroad.

How to Apply

Click here to apply.

This is a two-part process. You apply first with the University of Iowa. If approved, you will create a student portal with the University of Tasmania, and complete the 2nd half of the application in their system. Once accepted by UTas, you can begin your housing application on their web site.

• Meet with the appropriate study abroad advisor to discuss your study abroad plans well ahead of the application deadline. Your application will not be approved until you've completed this step. You can set up an appointment by calling UI Study Abroad at 319-335-0353 or through the Advising Appointment section of your MyUI account.
• Meet with your academic advisor(s) to discuss how this program might fit your graduation plans, and make a back-up plan in case your preferred courses are not available when you arrive on your host university’s campus (see the Flexibility Regarding Course Offerings section for more information.)
• If you and your academic advisor agree that the program is a good match for you, request the online UI study abroad program application for your chosen program from your UI study abroad advisor. Note that a non-refundable $50 application fee will be charged to your U-Bill as part of this online application.
• Request nomination to your host university by submitting the online UI program application by the due date.
• Your study abroad advisor will review your program application and, if you meet the requirements for the program, your advisor will nominate you to the host university.
• Once nominated, you will complete a visiting student application for the host university abroad.
• This application will be reviewed by the host university, and they will contact you with a final acceptance decision.

Post-Acceptance Confirmation

If you are accepted to your program, you will be asked to commit to participating in your program by submitting the University of Iowa Confirmation of Participation form, as well as completing requirements for your host university.

After you have formally confirmed your plans to participate, you will work both with UI Study Abroad and your host university. Follow instructions from both. Later in the semester, your UI study abroad advisor will contact you regarding orientation sessions, registration, and other required UI procedures and documentation.

Application Deadline

Fall semester: March 15

Spring semester: October 15

Acceptance & Confirmation Materials

After the application cycle has finished, students will receive an email, an acceptance letter, and more information about accepting their place in the Iowa Regents Semester in Australia program, as well as information on applying for visas and purchasing plane tickets. Continue to check this website for more information on post-application procedures.

Visas

US passport holders must obtain a student visa from Australia in order to participate in this program. US passport holders should follow the visa application instructions provided by UTas. Unlike other countries, Australian student visa applications do not require applying at a local embassy in person. Australia visa applications are generally completed online, with Visa Grant Notifications often issued within 2-4 weeks after submitting your application. Please note that you will only receive an email notification – no physical documents will be sent to you. You will need to keep a copy of your visa grant number notification with your passport. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after the conclusion of your semester to satisfy Australia’s entry requirements. Students are ultimately responsible for obtaining the necessary visa to enter Australia.

Non-US passport holders should consult with UTas regarding their visa requirements.

Health Insurance Information

Orientation Information

All UI students will attend a general orientation for students studying abroad. Additional individualized meetings will address Tasmania-specific topics, as well as billing and credit procedures.

UTAS Arrival, Orientation and Enrollment Information

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1111 University Capitol Centre
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1802
USA

Phone: (319) 335-0353
Fax: (319) 335-0343
E-mail: study-abroad@uiowa.edu