University of Tasmania

Tasmania, Australia

The University of Tasmania, located on the Australian island state of Tasmania, is one of Australia’s oldest and most highly regarded teaching and research institutions.  The University’s two campuses, in Hobart and Launceston, offer small class sizes, accessible lecturers, and a wide variety of courses.  This, together with Tasmania’s stunning natural beauty, low-cost and crowd-free lifestyle makes the University of Tasmania an ideal place to study.

Through Butler’s student exchange program, you can study for one or two semesters at the University of Tasmania, and you can use 100% of your Butler financial aid (i.e., scholarships) during your period of study abroad.

Tasmania is an island of majestic mountains, fantastic gorges, temperate rainforests, wild river rapids, forested hills, and white, sandy beaches. Separated from the Australian mainland by 240 kilometers of ocean, it boasts a unique environment, including many plants and animals not found anywhere else in the world.  In addition to the many recreational opportunities in Tasmania’sWorld Heritage areas and national parks, the university towns also offer a thriving weekly market, a food and wine festival, rock concerts, an annual celebration of music, art, literature, food and wine, a yacht race and much more.

The Academic Calendar and the Seasons

The Australian academic year consists of two semesters—the first typically runs from late February through early July, and the second runs from late July through late November.  Because of its location in the southern hemisphere, the summer months in Australia are December, January and February, while the winter months are June, July and August.

Tasmania itself has four distinct seasons.  Spring and fall have mild temperatures and bring extraordinary beauty to the natural environment.  Winter rarely brings snow to the cities, but the mountain peaks are often snow-capped.  Summers are mild to warm.

What Can I Study at Tasmania?

You can study just about anything at Tasmania that you would study at Butler, and then some. 

Opportunities are particularly good for Education students because of the close connections between the Education programs at Butler and Tasmania.  Elementary and secondary education students will have many opportunities to gain first-hand experience in Australian primary or secondary schools during their studies at Tasmania.

The University of Tasmania has many strong programs, including business, English, fine and performing arts, environmental and wilderness studies, animal and marine sciences, and many other fields in the liberal arts and sciences.

A full listing of available courses can be found on the University of Tasmania website (note: Australian academic units are called faculties, i.e. the Faculty of Arts):

http://www.its.utas.edu.au/cgi-bin/org_chart.cgi?opt=aca#10HAA0

You can also begin at the University of Tasmania homepage:

http://www.utas.edu.au/

Where will I live?

The University of Tasmania offers several different living arrangements, depending on which campus you choose to attend.  The picture below shows a garden area outside one of the residential colleges (we would call them residence halls).  Both campuses have residential colleges, as well as alternatives to the residence hall lifestyle. 

Hobart

The Hobart campus maintains three residential colleges: Christ College, St. John Fisher College, and Jane Franklin Hall.  All three are co-ed, with single bedrooms, shared bathrooms, and full meal plans.  Residential colleges offer the best access to local friends and are generally quite popular with study abroad students. 

Shared housing units, available through the Tasmanian University Union (TUU) Housing Office, are a good option for students who want a little more freedom.  Shared houses have private bedrooms with shared common areas, but meals are the students’ obligation. 

Launceston

Leprena Hall houses 154 students and provides single bedrooms with shared bathroom and lounge facilities.  It is a self-catering facility—no meals are included.

The Australian Maritime College, adjacent to the University also has halls of residence available to study abroad students.  These have similar facilities and include meals.

More details about accommodations at the University of Tasmania can be found on this website:  http://www.international.utas.edu.au/static/accommodation.php

Note:  Those interested in shared houses or private apartments should keep in mind that they will also be responsible for the cost of electricity (approximately $200 per semester).  Also, remember that TUU and private landlords require a security deposit, payable at the start of the lease term.  This money is usually refunded when the student moves out if no damage is done to the property.

How Much Does it Cost?

Except for the cost of international airfare (roughly $2500), it should be no more expensive to spend a semester (or two) at UTAS than to study at Butler for the same period.  Because this is a reciprocal exchange program, you will pay your regular tuition obligation and mandatory fees to Butler.  You can use 100% of your Butler aid (scholarships) to support your period of study at Tasmania.

Housing at one of the residential colleges, which include meals, costs around $3000/semester.  Shared university housing, where you must provide your own meals, runs around $1200/semester.  Meals will cost about $1400/semester.

Other expenses will include books, entertainment and recreation, any personal travel costs, and mandatory Australian health insurance (in 2003, the fee was $202 for one year; rates can change).

More budget information is available online at http://www.international.utas.edu.au/static/costOfLiving.php

How Do I Apply?

You should start by talking with your academic advisor about how a period of study abroad (at the University of Tasmania or elsewhere) can contribute to achieving your academic, career, and personal development goals.  You apply for the University of Tasmania exchange program through Butler’s Center for Global Education, located in 212 Jordan Hall.  You must follow all of Butler’s regular procedures for studying abroad.  These are designed to insure that you get the most out of your experience at Tasmania, that you can make normal progress toward the completion of your degree at Butler, and that you are able to utilize all of the financial aid for which you are eligible.

Butler University’s Exchange Student Application must also be completed through the Center for Global Education.  This internal application assists the office in the review process to nominate students for exchange participation.  The Center for Global Education will begin reviewing applications for exchange programs on March 1 for Fall semester study and October 1 for Spring semester study.  Applications will continue to be accepted as long as openings remain. 

The University of Tasmania has its own application form for admission as an exchange student.  It is available online at: http://www.international.utas.edu.au/static/application.php

The University of Tasmania has no specific deadline for exchange applications.  However, we recommend you apply as early as possible in order to allow time to secure a student visa and accommodation choices. 

Some Useful Websites

University of Tasmania homepage: www.utas.edu.au

Study Abroad and Exchange Students:  http://www.international.utas.edu.au/index.php

University of Tasmania Housing Information:  http://www.international.utas.edu.au/static/accommodation.php

About Australia:  www.acta.com.au or www.csu.edu.au/australia

Tourism in Tasmania: www.tourism.tas.gov.au

Tasmanian National Parks:  www.parks.tas.gov.au

For More Information, Contact

Dr. Monte Broaded
Director of Center for Global Education
212B Jordan Hall      
Tel: 940-8312;  Email: mbroaded@butler.edu

LaTasha Malone
Associate Director of Center for Global Education
212D Jordan Hall
Tel: 940-8473;  Email: lmalone@butler.edu

back to top