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Australia - Melbourne

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Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) 

Hosting a student body of over 56,000, RMIT is one of the largest universities in Australia.  Located in the central business district (CBD) of Melbourne, capital of the Victoria region, students will find this urban campus an exciting location from which to begin their studies.  RMIT is well known for teaching excellence and its focus on practical, application based learning.  Nearly every major is available for study, with especially strong offerings in Communication, Information Technology, the Sciences, and Art & Design.

City Overview

Melbourne has been consistently voted as one of the most liveable cities in the world, making it an exciting suburban mecca for students to explore.  City streets are lined with both modern and Victorian architecture, trendy shops, sidewalk cafes and great nightlife.  Along the Southbank district lining the Yarra River, you will find Federation Square, considered "Melbourne's meeting place" and a hub of culture and energy.  A short distance south by light rail brings you to St. Kilda, Melbourne's most famous beach and home to many events and festivals year-round.  Further south, you can find some of the best surfing beaches in Australia.  Truly there is something for everyone in Melbourne!

Program Highlights

  • Courses available for most majorsrmit city campus
  • Mates at RMIT (Peer-mentoring program)
  • Extensive Club & Organization Listing through the Student Union

Academic Calendar

  • Fall Semester:  Mid-July to mid-November (Semester 2)
  • Spring Semester:  Late February to Late June (Semester 1)

Academic Year students cannot be accommodated at this time.

Please see the 2024 Academic Calendar for specific dates.

Academic Focus

  • Exchange students can enroll in any class, provided they meet the prerequisites.  Certain fields may be reserved for continuing RMIT students and unavailable for visiting students.  Selection preference will be given to students seeking courses in their academic majors.
  • Generally study abroad students can expect Level 1, Year 1 classes to be introductions to the field, and as such, lower-division.  Most upper-division, study abroad students could hope to enroll in Level 2 & 3 classes, having some prior knowledge of the subject under study.
  • Teaching will usually resemble a composite of both lecture and discussion sections.  Emphasis will be placed on course readings and outside research, therefore it is imperative that students bring with them a solid foundation of academic writing and research methods. Roughly 70% of final grades are generally based upon a comprehensive exam. Additional course work might also include research papers or projects. For this, keeping up with assigned and supplemental reading becomes critically important.
  • All work transfers back to San Marcos and can be used to fulfill all graduation requirements.
  • RMIT Grading Scale

Language of Instruction

English

Requirements

  • Class Level: Upper-division status (completion of 60 units)
  • GPA of 2.75 or above and good academic standing to departure
  • Prerequisites: Level 2 & 3 classes generally require significant experience in the field. Check the course description for course prerequisites. If, based upon transcript review, you do not have the necessary prerequisites, you will be asked to consider an alternative course.
  • Special Note to Business Majors: In order to receive credit for upper-division courses abroad, you must have already completed your Pre-Core course work at CSUSM

Units

12-16 semester units.  Typically this equates to 4 courses/semester, with each full time course worth 12 RMIT units, or 4 CSUSM credits.

Housing

While there are no on-campus dormitories, there are numerous university owned and affiliated housing options.  Student apartments, hostels, and homestays are widely available and each has its own fee structure and application process.  Please see the Accommodations page for further information.

Estimated Expense

  • Students pay their normal State University Fee to CSU San Marcos, currently $3,858/semester.  No tuition or fees due at RMIT except for additional course fees for certain disciplines.
  • Accommodation:  On average, $1,000+/month for housing near the city center (phone, internet, electricity included).  Many of the hostels will offer better value than the newer, more costly student apartments.
  • Health Insurance:  Australian Compulsory Overseas Health Cover is AUD$350/$238 a semester.  Supplement travel medical insurance (accidental death, medical evacuation coverage) is required for our office and comes at a rate of $69.
  • Cost of meals and personal expenses will vary, but average $500 per month.
  • Australian Visa:  $391/575AUD (allows up to 20 work hours/week)
  • Sample 2024-25 Budget
  • Students on approved study abroad programs are entitled to apply Title IV federal financial aid to their program costs.

Application Deadlines

For Fall Semester Study:  March 15

For Spring Semester Study:  October 1

How to Apply

  1. Meet with the CSUSM Study Abroad Advisor in ELB 588 to determine if you are eligible for this program.
  2. Visit the RMIT website and the Exchange page to learn about the university.  For life in and around Melbourne, visit a good tourism site such as Visit Melbourne or City of Melbourne
  3. Obtain course descriptions from the RMIT Course Information page.  Be sure to read through important course prerequisite information.
    • For practical planning, read over the RMIT Study Abroad Guide full of important information from the International Office.
  4. Consult with a faculty advisor in you major/minor department to determine if RMIT courses will count toward your major/minor.  If so, complete a Study Abroad Credit Approval Form
    • At this time, we are unable to send students abroad to take GE specific course work.
  5. Order an official transcript from CSUSM and any other college from which you have taken a semester or more in classes (even if you have already transferred credit to CSUSM).  Please pick up official, paper transcripts in person and deliver them to Global Education in ELB 588
    • Keep in mind that transcripts are now taking 7-10 business days to process.  Plan accordingly.
  6. Read about student accommodations and decide which option is within your budget and comfort level.  Please be sure to review the important information about housing scams so that you do not fall into any of these traps!
  7. Request to be nominated by the Study Abroad Advisor and an RMIT Application will be emailed to you. Submit a copy of it and all supplemental documents to the Study Abroad Advisor.
  8. Submit additional application details to Global Education:  CSUSM General Study Abroad Application
  9. Submit your flight details to Global Education:  Flight Information Form
  10. Attend the pre-departure orientation and consult with the Study Abroad Advisor as necessary regarding the Student Visa process after RMIT acceptance.

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