Semester Abroad in Australia

University of Sydney Law School, Sydney

• Overview
• Location
• Course Offerings and Credits
• Academic Calendar
• Application Process and Timeline
• Housing
• Contact Information

Overview

The first law school established in Australia, Sydney Law School’s strong history is matched by its innovative approach to education. It is one of the few law schools in Australia where students must complete at least one unit in international law. The scholarship of the faculty extends across the entire range of international law specialties, including human rights, migration law, and private international law. In addition to the special emphasis Sydney Law places on international and comparative law, it also maintains a strong profile in taxation, corporate and criminal law, and delivers programs in specialist areas such as environmental and health law.

Location

The law school is located in the heart of the oldest part of the campus of the University of Sydney with its striking neo-gothic Victorian sandstone buildings. To the north the law school has views across Victoria Park to the city, which is about two miles distant. Around the campus there are several suburbs with an inner-city village feel such as Glebe and Newtown where many students attending the university live and socialize. The delights of Sydney Harbor including the famous Bridge and Opera House are a short trip by train or bus, and the Pacific Ocean beaches of Sydney such as Bondi (where students also tend to congregate) are a few miles to the east of the campus. Many of the main sporting venues of Sydney are close to the campus including the Sydney Cricket Ground and Sydney Football Stadium.

As part of the HLS–Sydney exchange agreement, HLS students will receive a discounted transit pass that provides significant savings on transportation costs.

Course Offerings and Credits

HLS students may select courses (units) from Sydney Law’s extensive LL.B. curriculum.

Generally, a full-time courseload for a semester consists of 24 credits, which is comprised of three 8-credit courses each semester (a Sydney Law 8-credit course is usually the equivalent of an HLS 4-credit course). Each 8-credit course typically requires four hours of class each week.

HLS students are permitted to enroll in up to two postgraduate units on a special permission basis—where there is availability in a unit, and permission is granted by the course convenor. A separate application form needs to be completed for each postgraduate unit, and Sydney Law recommends that students initiate this approval process prior to their arrival in Sydney.

HLS students may receive a total of 10 to 12 ungraded classroom credits in relation to work done through the semester abroad program.  Please see the HLS semester abroad webpage for more information about semester abroad credits and course requirements.

Academic Calendar

The academic year at Sydney Law is divided into two semesters. In 2010, first semester runs from March 1 through June 26. Second semester runs from July 26 through November 20. 

Application Process and Timeline

Students interested in the Sydney Law exchange program should follow the semester abroad application process described on the HLS semester abroad webpage.

Students approved by the HLS Study Abroad Committee must also complete two University of Sydney forms as part of their application: the Sydney Study Abroad & Exchange Application Form, and the Sydney Unit of Study Enrollment Form.

There is no application fee for HLS students.

The exchange agreement with Sydney Law stipulates that one HLS J.D. student may study in Sydney each year. HLS may recommend more than one candidate but ultimately selection of the student will be made by Sydney.

Housing

The University of Sydney does not have a central housing accommodation service, so students must apply directly to their preferred on-campus residences. However, the on-campus residential colleges that are available request that students sign a lease for Sydney’s full academic year (February to November). Please see the Sydney accommodations webpage for more information.

The Sydney University Village (SUV) which is affiliated with the university may be able to take students for one semester either starting in the March or July semesters in 2008.

Students who wish to live off-campus should contact the International Student Support Unit (ISSU) Housing Officer before the start of the semester. Sydney encourages students to arrive at least 2–3 weeks prior to the semester both for orientation and to allow enough time to review rental properties. The ISSU Housing Officer runs daily information sessions to explain the system in Australia, outline the suburbs and geography of Sydney, transport and rental agreements, and tenant rights and responsibilities.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact either Sara Zucker at (617) 495-9030 or szucker@law.harvard.edu or Ben Cook at (617) 496-0899 or bcook@law.harvard.edu.

The University of Sydney also provides an online study abroad brochure with helpful information.