Global E3: University of Newcastle- Australia

 

Overview: 

Spend a semester studying engineering in Australia,  a country with diverse wildlife, endless beaches, growing international cities, and well-established engineering programs!

In its 50 years of existence, the University of Newcastle (UoN) has transformed its local focus into a global vision for the future.  Ranked in the top 3 percent of universities worldwide, UoN has earned its reputation as a place of equity, excellence, and engagement, making an impact in the local community, the Hunter region, Australia, and the world. 

This exchange program is College of Engineering (ENGR) specific, meaning only undergraduate ENGR students may participate. Newcastle and Pitt are members of Global E3, an exchange consortium of over 60 Engineering Schools from around the world. This consortium is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE).  For more information about the university, see the Global E3 Newcastle page and the University of Newcastle website   

Typically, semesters are: 

 

  • Fall: (Semester 2): late July to late November
  • Spring (Semester 1): late February to late June

UoN accepts students for Fall, Spring or Academic Year 

 

Learning Objectives: 

 

As an active and engaged participant on this program, you will have the opportunity to develop: 

  • the ability to succeed independently in a foreign education environment. 
  • non-US based perspectives on your field of study and/or future career path. 
  • a global network of peers in similar fields of study and connections with faculty in Australia

 

 

Partner Information: 

Office Responsible for International Exchange Students
Study Abroad
Ms Erin Hilaire
Mobility Officer
E-mail: study-abroad@newcastle.edu.au
 

Location Description: 

The University of Newcastle is located in Callaghan, a suburb of the vibrant and diverse city of Newcastle.  With a population of 350,000, Newcastle is Australia's seventh-largest city, and has been named by the well-respected Lonely Planet travel guide as one of the world's Top 10 Cities.  Newcastle is nestled on the fabulous coast of New South Wales, surrounded by some of the state's world-famous travel destinations, including the Hunter Valley Wine region, historic Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, and Barrington Tops National Park. 
Formerly known as the "Steel City," Newcastle - much like Pittsburgh - is in the midst of an ongoing renewal, reinventing itself as the "place to be" for the creative arts.  Currently, Newcastle has the highest ratio of artists per capita in Australia.  This thriving local scene is further enhanced by the great weather, beautiful surroundings, and lifestyle that are characteristic of Newcastle.  The city itself is an interesting mix of historic and modern architecture, the magnificent Christ Church Cathedral presiding from atop The Hill.  Take part in all that Newcastle has to offer, including world-class galleries, museums, theaters, and an emerging small bar scene!

Housing Description: 

The University of Newcastle offers a range of on-campus accommodation at both the Callaghan and Ourimbah campuses.  To learn more about available options, costs, and the application process, please review the UoN on-campus accommodation guide. In addition, the University Accommodation Service maintains a comprehensive database of off-campus housing options.
(If you are interested in familiarizing yourself with the University and the surrounding area before you start school, you might want to consider staying in temporary accommodation).

Academic Description: 

Use the links below to see if the specific departments offer the types of courses you would like to take while studying abroad.  W

Academic Departments: 

Visit the University's website to learn more about course offerings and check the GE3 website for general course information. The following disciplines are available: 

  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechatronics Engineering
  • Software Engineering

Minimum Requirements: 

  • SSoE student in good standing 
  • Minimum 2.75 GPA for engineering students 
  • Sophomore standing or higher 

 

Of note: 

  • All courses must be approved by the Faculty Director of your department in the Swanson School of Engineering. A course approval form must be completed and submitted to SSoE’s Engineering International Initiatives Office. 
  • Additionally, for the purpose of full-time status here at Pitt, students should be prepared to take what is equivalent to at least 12 Pitt credit hours.   
  • Courses taken at Newcastle will be treated as transfer credits and will be marked as pass/fail (S/NC) on a Pitt student's transcript. In other words, transfer credits will not affect your Pitt GPA. However, students must receive a C grade or higher in order for the credits to transfer. Actual grades earned will appear on the transcript from the exchange university. 
  • Language Requirements: Non-native English speakers may be required to show evidence of English proficiency.      

 
 

Students who have attended this program in the past have taken classes in the areas of:: 
Engineering
University Course Catalog: 
course catalog
Grading: 

For information about the grading scale at Newcastle, please see the UoN website.
Transcripts

Please have Newcastle provide a hardcopy to the Engineering International Initiatives Office. Make sure that you follow their instructions on how to ensure that an official copy of your grades are received. Hardcopies should be sent the following address: International Engineering Initiatives, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 152 Benedum Hall, 3700 O’Hara Street,  Pittsburgh, PA  15261, USA. 

Exchange university transcripts typically do not arrive from the exchange university until 3 to 4 months after the end of exchange period. Therefore, Pitt students should be mindful of how this may affect their ability to graduate, especially when exchanging during one's senior year. Another consideration is how this may affect your financial aid package, as the S/NC grades are not posted until transcripts are received. 

 

 

Experiential Learning Description: 

N/A

Program Fees: 
Pitt students participating on an exchange program will pay regular Pitt tuition and fees, according to their in-state or out-of-state residency status. In addition to the Study Abroad Administrative Fee, this also includes all Mandatory Fees, such as the Student Activity Fee, Wellness Fee, Computing and Network Services Fee, and the Security, Safety, and Transportation Fee.
 
 
Pitt Students on financial aid and/or tuition scholarships will need to consult the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid or respective entity providing the funds to confirm coverage for study abroad. 
 

Items Billed by Pitt

 
Tuition: Check Pitt's website to verify current costs:https://ir.pitt.edu/undergraduate-tuition/ 
 
 Program Fee: Check Pitt's website to verify current costs https://ir.pitt.edu/undergraduate-tuition/ 
 
 Study Abroad Fee $400 
 
 Total Billed by Pitt: Estimate your Pitt expenses based on current tuition and fees
 
 Pitt students participating on an exchange program will pay regular Pitt tuition and fees, according to their in-state or out-of-state residency status. In addition to the Study Abroad Administrative Fee, this also includes all Mandatory Fees, such as the Student Activity Fee, Wellness Fee, Computing and Network Services Fee, and the Security, Safety, and Transportation Fee.
Pitt Students on financial aid and/or tuition scholarships will need to consult the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid or respective entity providing the funds to confirm coverage for study abroad. 
 
 

 

How Much To Budget: 

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs

 
 
 
Travel Expenses: Airfare, Passport, Visa, Resident Permit  $2,000 
 
Room & Board $3,000 - 5,000 
 
Personal Expenses $1,000 - 5,000
 
The Estimated Costs reflect information provided by exchange partner and are reported to OAFA to calculate financial aid packages. The listed costs are defaulted to one semester. Multiply the costs by two for two semesters.
 
Personal expenses vary with individual students. Review the Global E3's specific page, as well as our budgeting page for more information. 
 
The University of Pittsburgh provides comprehensive health insurance as a part of studying abroad. More information about the type of insurance and coverage will be provided to you by the Engineering International Initiatives office.  However, you may need to purchase additional insurance if the school you will attend requires you to purchase a specific health insurance per their regulations. It is your responsibility to ensure you know the cost of that insurance prior to committing to the program.  
 

Questions about Funding study abroad?  Check out the Study Abroad’s funding search page and note that SSoE has funding specifically for Pitt engineering students- check it out on the PittFundSMe!

 

Program Dates: 

Pitt students enroll at UoN for either a full semester (fall or spring) or a full academic year (two full semesters). UoN’s calendar may differ from Pitt's normal fall (August through December) and spring (January through April) semesters, so Pitt students should check the academic calendar at the exchange university. Unlike Pitt, UoN’s academic calendar follows a Spring-Fall progression, meaning Spring is the first semester followed by the Fall semester as the second. Typically, UoN's semesters are as follows: Fall (Semester 2): late July to late November Spring (Semester 1): late February to late June. The dates listed above are estimated and therefore subject to change according to the host university’s schedule.

Application Instructions: 

You must first be accepted by the Swanson School of Engineering International Initiatives Office, then you will be directed to apply to Global E3. (Typically SSoE application deadlines are late September for Spring and early February for Fall.)  A formal nomination from SSoE Engineering International Initiatives is required for Pitt students to be recognized as an exchange student at UoN. Therefore, Pitt students must complete all necessary Pitt steps in addition to UoN's requirements. In other words, acceptance by Pitt Engineering International Initiatives does not guarantee acceptance by the exchange university.  

Prior to being accepted, please visit the Global E3 website and read the application instructions and application deadlines. (In the past, Global E3 application deadlines have been October 1st for spring semester programs and March 1st for fall semester programs.) Each university might have an additional application.  Please refer Please refer to the Global E3 UoN website or details.  

Requirements: 

  • SSoE student in good standing 
  • Minimum 2.75 GPA for engineering students . 
  • Sophomore standing or higher 

 

 

 

Additional Information: 

Questions about funding? Check out our funding pages and note that SSoE has funding specifically for engineering students! There are many other national funding sources you can review. One place to search is the Institute of International Education website. 
 

Language Requirements: Non-native English speakers will be required to show evidence of English proficiency. 

 

 
 

 

Insurance Requirements: 

 

The University of Pittsburgh provides comprehensive health insurance as a part of studying abroad. More information about the type of insurance and coverage will be provided to you by the Engineering International Initiatives office.  However, you may need to purchase additional insurance if the school you will attend requires you to purchase a specific health insurance per their regulations. It is your responsibility to ensure you know the cost of that insurance prior to committing to the program. 

 

Visa Requirements: 

 

n order to study as a student in specific countries, a visa is required. A visa is formal endorsement by the host country to grant permission for an individual to enter, live or stay in that country for a specific purpose and period. In addition to a visa, some host countries may require a residency permit upon arrival. 

For those without the host country’s nationality, students may need to obtain a student visa to study on this exchange. Pitt students should also research the visa and/or permit process through the specified country consulate website.  

In general visa application requirements may include but are not limited to the following requirements:  

  • Visa application 
  • Valid Passport 
  • Verification of acceptance from sponsoring university (exchange university) 
  • Financial Documents, such as bank statements, tax documents or pay statements.   
  • Passport photos 
  • Application fee 
  • Medical/physical examination (likely to require a doctor's appointment so plan accordingly) 

 

You're seeing student-submitted photos from Australia. There may be photos that do not necessarily represent this program or it's inclusions, but we hope you enjoy seeing what Panthers around the world are doing!