Description
Study abroad in Brisbane, Australia at Griffith University. Ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide, Griffith ranks 8th among Australian universities, according to the latest research rankings in the Nature Publishing Index for the Asia-Pacific region. Griffith is renowned for its excellence in teaching and high student satisfaction ratings.
Quick Facts
Partner Program Type – Academic Programs International (API)
This program is facilitated by UCSC in collaboration with API. Therefore, program information indicated on the API website may differ from the program details indicated here.
API is an organization that UCSC has partnered with to provide students with this opportunity. API stands for Academic Programs International which is an organization that was founded in 1997 to connect U.S. college students to the world. API has staff in the United States and abroad to support students through every step of their journey.
Minimum GPA – 2.85
Eligibility – Good academic and disciplinary standing, Min Age: 18, Open to All Majors, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior Standing by the time of departure
Term Options
Fall Semester: early July – late October
Spring Semester: late February – late June
- Students must miss both winter and spring quarters at UCSC to participate in this session
Cost
Location
ity & University
Named the “World’s Best Downtown” and “Australia’s Hippest City,” Brisbane is the capital of the state of Queensland. Known for its sunny climate, Brisbane is ideal for outdoor living and an active lifestyle. The city offers world-class restaurants, museums, art galleries, and more!
At Griffith University in Brisbane, students will take coursework at the Nathan, South Bank, Mt. Gravatt campuses.
Accommodations
Brisbane students will be housed in a student apartment complex within a 20-25 minute walk/bus ride to all Brisbane campuses. Students will have their own private bedrooms, and share common areas such as a kitchen, dining/lounge room, and bathroom facilities with their roommates. The housing cost includes internet, utilities, linens, and kitchen supplies. Apartments can range in cost depending on where the apartment is located. Students will work with API to choose the best fit for them.
Included Excursions
Included excursions for this program are:
- Byron Bay (Orientation Program)
- AFL (Australian Football League) Game
- Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
- Gold Coast Hinterland
- Stradbroke Island
- Wildlife Sanctuary
- Wildlife Conservation OR Environmental Conservation
Note: excursions vary by term.
If you would like more detailed information about the excursions, please reach out to globallearning@ucsc.edu or studentoutreach@apiabroad.com
Student Support
API teams will support your study abroad journey from application through re-entry. API staff will help guide you through the final phases of the application process after you have been nominated by UCSC, then upon arrival in-country, you will meet the API onsite team who will provide assistance during your time in-country. API staff is readily available and able to assist you with any academic, social, cultural, health, and safety questions or issues that you may face during your time abroad.
Country Information Resources
- U.S. Department of State Country Information Page
- CDC Travelers’ Health
- OSAC Country Security Report
Students with Disabilities
If you need support services abroad, notify your UCSC Disability Resource Center (DRC) Coordinator.
Please contact API directly if you have any concerns about disability accommodations abroad at studentoutreach@apiabroad.com.
Identities Abroad and Away
UC Santa Cruz Global Learning is committed to inclusion and equity in our various program options as well as striving to make everyone’s experiences abroad enriching, positive, and safe.
Learn more on our Identities Abroad and Away webpage.
Academics
Host University Courses
As a Griffith University exchange student, enroll full-time in courses alongside other local and international students.
Course Search
- UCSC students have access to Griffith University’s full library of course options. Please view commonly available courses here.
- If you have any questions or need to request syllabi please contact the API advising team at studentoutreach@apiabroad.com
Satisfying Requirements
It may be possible to satisfy major, minor, GE, and/or electives on this program.
Learn more about:
- How to request major or minor credit
- How to request GE credit
Course Load Requirements
You are required to enroll in a full-time course load while abroad as defined by your host institution:
- A typical course load is the equivalent of 18-24 quarter credits.
As a UCSC student, you must also continue to meet UCSC Satisfactory Academic Progress, which requires students to enroll in a minimum of 12 UCSC quarter credits per quarter. At Griffith, you are required to ensure you meet this requirement by enrolling in the equivalent of at least 12 UCSC quarter credits in fall semester and at least 24 UCSC quarter credits in spring semester after conversion (see below).
If you are not enrolled in the minimum number of quarter credits required, then you will fall out of Satisfactory Academic Progress. This could lead to financial aid and academic repercussions.
If you are unable to enroll in the minimum number of quarter credits through courses at your host university, you may be able to fill in the gap by enrolling in one remote course through UCSC or UC online.
Credit Conversion
Griffith uses local semester credits. These will be converted to UCSC quarter credits when added to your UC transcript.
- 10 semester credits = 6 UCSC quarter credits
- 15 semester credits = 12 UCSC quarter credits
- 20 semester credits = 15 UCSC quarter credits
- 30 semester credits = 24 UCSC quarter credits
Academic Restrictions
Some courses abroad may have enrollment limitations and/or restrictions, such as prerequisites. Review course information provided by API, and work with assigned API program manager, to understand any course limitations and/or restrictions prior to official course enrollment abroad.
If you are unsure about your eligibility to enroll, please contact UCSC Global Learning at globallearning@ucsc.edu before applying to this program.
Academic Differences
Please note that the academic system, such as assignments, exams, course structure, grading system, etc., at your host institution may be different from what you are used to at UCSC. We highly recommend researching the academic system at your host university in advance to best prepare for your experience abroad.
Academic Calendar
We recommend comparing the host university academic calendar to the UCSC academic calendar to see how the academic calendars, holidays, and breaks differ.