GO (Global Opportunities) Program
Combine travel and culture with USC's award-winning GO Program. The GO Program provides enrolled domestic and international students with the opportunity to study overseas as part of their undergraduate degree. You can choose from partner institutions in North, Central and South America, Europe or Asia.
Going overseas
Why study overseas?
The GO Program allows you to enjoy an overseas travel experience and earn credit towards your undergraduate degree. The GO Program provides exciting opportunities for you to:
- experience and understand other cultures
- gain language skills
- develop a competitive edge in the job market
- build networks for travel and friendship
What can I study overseas?
You can study courses that are similar to those offered at USC, or you may choose courses from a different area of interest to broaden your study experience further. For example, you could choose from general academic courses, participate in a sports activity program, or enrol in an intensive overseas language program to improve your foreign language skills and fluency.
Many of USC’s partner institutions in non-English speaking countries conduct a variety of classes in English, while also giving you the opportunity to learn the native language outside of class. Or, if your language proficiency allows, you can take classes with local students.
Where can I study overseas?
The University of the Sunshine Coast has exchange partnerships with higher education institutions * in North, Central and South America, Europe or Asia.
If you are considering taking part in the GO Program, take the time to talk to the GO Program Coordinator about options, and then research your preferred country, city and host institution.
To find out more information about study destinations visit the GO Program on the USC portal (under the Student Resources tab).
Where will I live?
In most cases you will have the option of living in a residential college on campus, or in accommodation close to the university. You may decide to live with a host family - you will quickly find there is no better way to understand a country’s culture, language and customs.
How long can I go?
You can study overseas for a few weeks in a short-term program, for one semester, or even for a full academic year. Intensive language programs in Japan and Italy provide an excellent opportunity to become fluent in a foreign language.
Students undertaking two semesters of overseas study are not restricted to studying in the same calendar year. For example, you can study in the second semester of one academic year, and the first semester of the next year.
When deciding which semester/s to study overseas, it is important to remember the Australian academic year differs from the academic year in the Northern Hemisphere.
During the GO Program semester:
- you enrol full-time at the University of the Sunshine Coast
- you usually do the equivalent of 4 courses (0.500 EFTSL) of study
You should plan your overseas study well in advance, and seek the advice of the Program Adviser in your faculty as to the overseas courses that can be credited towards your USC degree.
The census date for withdrawal without financial or academic penalty is the University of the Sunshine Coast's Semester 1 or 2 census date.
Note: EFTSL - Equivalent Full-Time Student Load. One year of full-time study equates to 1.000 EFTSL.
How much does it cost?
When you participate in the GO Program, you are not required to pay tuition to the overseas institution - GO Program fees are paid under the same arrangements that apply to your current University of the Sunshine Coast degree:
- students eligible to pay fees under HECS or HECS-HELP pay student contributions
- students who are not eligible to pay fees under HECS or HECS-HELP pay full tuition fees
- students on an international student visa pay fees based on their program of enrolment
You will need to budget for your own travel and living expenses (including accommodation and health insurance). Costs will vary depending on the country in which you choose to study.
The GO Program has a number of subsidies, such as grants/scholarships and OS-HELP to assist with your overseas study.
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Who can apply?
To be eligible to apply for the GO Program you will normally need to:
- be a domestic or international student enrolled in a full-time undergraduate degree program
- have completed eight courses in your degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast (and complete a total of 12 courses by the time you commence overseas study)
- have at least an academic average GPA of 4.5
- have your faculty's approval to obtain full credit transfer for your studies overseas
- return to the University of the Sunshine Coast for a further semester of study after your overseas study is completed
- meet appropriate language requirements
While the above criteria are the normal requirements for entry to the GO Program, the following criteria will also be taken into account:
- academic references
- personal motivations
- the number of applications received
- the number of places available
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Grants and scholarships
Overseas study grants
USC offers all GO Program participants, who do not receive any external funding, a USC Overseas Study Grant. The grants, which are used to help offset air travel expenses to the overseas institution, are awarded each semester to students studying at partner institutions. Each grant is worth up to A$2,000 towards a return economy airfare.
Other grants, such as grants under the Endeavour Program, may be available depending on the country in which you are studying.
OS-HELP
Students participating in the GO Program may also apply for an OS-HELP Commonwealth Government loan. OS-HELP provides financial assistance (up to A$5,410 in 2009) to eligible students completing part of their undergraduate degree program overseas.
Intensive language program scholarships
Some countries and overseas institutions offer scholarships to eligible USC students who are coming to study an intensive language program in their country. The scholarships can be used to cover language preparation and travel and living expenses while studying overseas.
Australian Government subsidies
In 2009, a range of scholarships and subsidies are offered by the Australian Government to help increase the number of Australian university graduates with cultural, language and professional experience relevant to the European and Asia Pacific region. Contact the Global Opportunities Program Coordinator for the latest available scholarships.
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Application deadlines
For participation in the GO Program to North America:
- 27 February 2009 for semester commencing August/September 2009
- 17 August 2009 for semester commencing January/February 2010
For participation in the GO Program to all other destinations:
- 16 March 2009 for semester commencing August/September 2009.
- 17 August 2009 for semester commencing January/February 2010.
For participation in the in-country language program to Italy and Japan:
- 17 August 2009 for overseas studies in 2010
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More information
Future USC students
Current USC students
- Contact the Global Opportunities Program Coordinator.
- Book a consultation with the Global Opportunities Program Coordinator (consultation times are every Tuesday and Thursday between 2–4pm on Level 5, ICT Building).
- Attend one of the GO Program information sessions held on campus during the year. These sessions will provide you with more information about partner institutions, eligibility criteria, the application process and the types of financial assistance that may be available to you.
- Refer to the GO Program information on the USC portal (under the Student Resources tab).
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