Curtin University
Study on the beautiful west coast at one of Australia's most research-intensive universities, ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide.
Ranked #2 in the world for mineral and mining engineering, and top 200 for other fields of engineering, Curtin is an excellent institution for engineers. Other notable rankings include 1st in Australia for Math, 2nd in Australia for Earth Sciences, and 8th in Australia for Psychology! (2021 QS, THE, SHR)
With over 25,000 students, Curtin's main campus is centrally located in Perth, near the Perth Zoo. Perth has an enviable standard of living and has been consistently voted one of the top ten cities in which to live by The Economist, as well as being ranked 25th in the inaugural Best Student Cities Ranking, released by QS Top Universities.
Perth also has Australia’s best international student diversity according to Australia Education International. Curtin itself is ranked as the #1 university for diversity in Australia and has many resources for students of diverse identities, such as Australia's first peer mentoring program for neurodivergent students, and robust cultural programming & course offerings through Curtin's Centre for Aboriginal Studies.
Key information
Application information
Student experience
This video features Sidonie, a Curtin student who explains the diversity of campus life & unique opportunities available for exchange students!
Program details
Areas of Study: Curtin University offers a variety of courses, many taking an applied/practical approach to learning and focused on connections to local industries, cultures, and Indigenous perspectives. Subjects include Agricultural Science, Anthropology, Astronomy, Communications & Media (including Journalism & Screenwriting), Biology (including Marine Biology), Chemistry, Drama/Theatre Studies, Graphic Design, East Asian Studies, East Asian Language Studies (Chinese, Japanese), Economics, Engineering (Chemical, Civil, Electrical & Computer, Mechanical, Software, Petroleum, and General Engineering), Environmental Science, Geology, Health Sciences, Indigenous Studies, International Relations, Law, Math, Psychology, Social Work, Sustainability, Visual Arts, and much more.
You can browse for units in the Handbook. Please click here to view information from Curtin about units and how to use the Handbook. By scrolling down the page, you can also view a list of units that are pre-approved for exchange students. (It is allowed to select other units as an exchange student, however, please check the pre-requisites.)
Course requirements: Courses at Curtin are called "units" and are usually worth 25 credits each (a "course" at Curtin is a degree). A standard full time workload is 4 units (100 credits) per semester, though exchange students may take as little as 3 units (75 credits) if desired. 3 units at Curtin is equivalent to 3 semester courses at UCalgary; 4 units at Curtin is equivalent to 5 semester courses at UCalgary.
The academic year is divided into 2 semesters:
- Semester 1 runs from late February to mid June (this aligns with UCalgary Winter semester)
- Semester 2 runs from mid July to late November (UCalgary Fall semester)
If seeking a full-year exchange, it is required to attend the semesters in order from February to November.
For applicants from the UCalgary Faculty of Law, please note that Curtin's Law faculty operates on a trimester system. You will be permitted to go on exchange during Trimester 3 (September to December).
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Costs
Exchange students pay their tuition and academic fees to the University of Calgary. Other expenses are paid directly to the service provider.
Compared to other major cities in Australia, Perth has a low cost of living! The estimated weekly budget for a single student in Perth is $475 for rent & living expenses, although you may need more funds available at the start of your exchange to cover rental deposits, etc. For more information, click here for Curtin's budget page.
Additionally, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for all students studying in Australia. This is an insurance that covers you within Australia and you will receive instructions to apply for it from Curtin. You will later be required to provide evidence of OSHC for the duration of your Student Visa at the time of your visa application.
Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations, etc. in your budget planning.
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Funding
Did you know you can take your UCalgary funding with you? Since you remain a degree-seeking student at UCalgary while on exchange, you remain eligible for awards & scholarships as well as student loans.
Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund (a funding-first model where students apply prior to committing to a global learning program) and the Global Learning Award (students apply after being accepted to a global learning program). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.
Curtin is part of UCalgary's Global Indigenous Skills Program. Exchange students who are Canadian citizens or PR are eligible for the GIS Scholarship, worth up to a maximum of $10,000 with priority given to Indigenous students and students with disabilities. This scholarship is only available for Curtin exchanges in Fall 2024 semester. Exchange students will be guided on how to apply for the scholarship.
The university offers a variety of accommodation options, both on-campus and off-campus. Student residences in Perth are typically apartment-style with private rooms & a shared living space, although some residences may feature double rooms. More information can be found on Curtin's website (click here).
Curtin recommends that exchange students apply for housing early, as accommodation is not guaranteed. After you have applied & been approved by UCalgary, you will be nominated for the exchange and given instructions to apply for housing right away, even before being officially accepted by Curtin.
If you do not wish to live in student residence, there are options to arrange alternate forms of housing. More info is provided at the links below:
- Curtin website about alternative housing options & off-campus housing
- Room rental databases in Perth (run by external companies, not the university): flatmates.com, student.com
- Homestay Network Perth (a reputable private organization arranging homestays with vetted Australian families)
Note: Exchange students from the UCalgary Faculty of Law may wish to arrange private accommodations, as the majority of student residence contracts offered through Curtin are allocated per semester and not per trimester.
This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at UCalgary who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
For applicants from the UCalgary Faculty of Law, a minimum GPA of 2.7 is required, as well as an academic reference letter. Please click here to view the reference letter guidelines & submission instructions. It must be submitted at the time of your application to UCalgary.
Curtin has a smoke-free campus policy. Smoking on campus is not permitted.
What student programming is offered?
- Orientation program for incoming exchange students
- Mentorship program for incoming exchange students
- Free bus on weeknights to commute safely around campus & student housing
- Hundreds of clubs and community volunteer opportunities
- Pop-up events on campus and weekly social gatherings
Find out more on these pages: Health & Wellbeing at Curtin, Sport & Social Clubs at Curtin, The Curtin Student Experience, Curtin Campus Events
What diversity & accessibility resources are available?
Fun fact: Curtin is the #1 University for Diversity Nationally in Australia!
It is a welcoming space for LGBTIQ+ students, with social events, counselling, allyship training, religious support, and more.
The university is also extremely supportive of neurodivergent students and offers Australia's first (and largest) peer support & mentoring program specifically designed for neurodivergent students who have autism and related conditions - learn more here.
Curtin's AccessAbility Team provides comprehensive academic support to students with disabilities. Exchange students are welcome to use these services and register for accessibility support. The UCalgary Global Learning Advisor can help you navigate this process as you prepare for your exchange.
What's so special about Perth?
Perth is the capital of Western Australia and has the nicest weather around - it's the sunniest capital city in the entire country! A multicultural city representing over 200 nationalities or ethnic groups, it has a vibrant culture while being small enough to remain intimate & friendly, giving you a sense of belonging from the moment you set foot on its shores. It's also surrounded by parkland and some of the best sandy beaches in Australia, making Perth a perfect destination from which to set out and explore the wild beauty of Western Australia. Check out more info about Perth here!
Finally, it's good to note that commuting around Perth as an exchange student is both easy and affordable! The government of Western Australia sponsors a 40% discount on public transit for all full-time international students.
Have questions?
The exchange advisor for this program is: Kathryn Bauer
How to Apply
Download the application guide
This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.
Identify three programs of interest
We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.
Check requirements and deadlines
These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.