Language of instruction
As a leading university in the United States, American University (AU) offers a classic US-style comprehensive liberal arts curriculum. An answer to George Washington’s call to create a national university in the nation’s capital, AU was designed to train public servants for the future.
Located in a beautiful residential district of Washington, DC, AU’s campus – an accredited arboretum – combines the advantages of a traditional college setting with the energy, culture, and opportunities of a global capital city.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Spring Semester | January–May |
| Semester 2 | Fall Semester | August–December |
Guides and additional information
American University have online resources available to help out get the most out of your exchange:
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Student testimonials
- B. ArtsSemester 2, 2014
Full-time study load
12 credits at American University is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Minimum academic requirements
American University requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 5.0.
Find courses
Search the Credit Precedent Database to find courses offered by your host university that have been previously approved for credit at UQ. The database should be used as a general guide only.
Search American University's course catalogue.
* A full list of courses and their description can be found by clicking 'Course Information' in the left menu bar after selecting the relevant course catelogue.
Study areas taught in English
Course restrictions
Not all courses at American University are open to exchange students. View the American University course information page to find out more about exchange restrictions.
Additional academic information
Course numbering at American University:
- 000-099: Non-Credit Courses
- 100-299: Undergraduate Introductory or Undergraduate Foundation Courses
- 300-499: Undergraduate Upper-Level or Undergraduate Advanced Courses
- 500-599: Graduate Courses that allow qualified, advanced undergraduates
- 600-899: Graduate Courses. Not open to undergraduate students
American University have online resources to help you understand their academic policies:
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Accommodation
University-managed housing is limited and cannot be guaranteed for exchange students at American University. To be considered for university-managed housing, students must submit their confirmation and deposit by the relevant deadline. Alternatively, American University's housing website also provides information on off-campus accommodation available in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Cost of living
American University provides an outline of the estimated costs of attendance, on their application and costs webpage. Keep in mind that exchange students do not pay tuition to their host university.
Additional Mandatory Fees
American University has additional mandatory fees which are outlined on their application and costs webpage. These fees cannot not be waived. Fees listed may be for a full academic year, and may be less if attending for one semester.
Please note: Students are required to pay USD$500 deposit within two weeks of acceptance by American University. The above mentioned mandatory fees, as well as any other fees accrued by the exchange student, will be subtracted from the deposit. Should the student account be in credit after all these fees are deducted, the student would be eligible for a refund.
Financial support
A range of funding for student exchange including scholarships, grants and loans are available to UQ students.
Insurance
Students approved to participate in the Student Exchange Program are automatically covered by UQ’s Travel Insurance for the country of their host university only.
For more information, read the Student Travel Insurance Policy Summary on UQ’s Travel Insurance web page (login required).
If you plan to travel outside of your host country, you should purchase additional insurance.
Exchange students will be automatically enrolled in the American University Student Health Insurance Plan and charged the applicable premium. Further details can be found on American University's website.
Exchange students may be eligible to waive the Health Insurance Plan if they have additional cover that meets American University’s’ minimum waiver requirements. UQ’s Corporate Travel Insurance has previously met the minimum waiver requirements for American University’s Student Health Insurance Plan. However, waiver eligibility is assessed by the host university and is not guaranteed as requirements are subject to change.
Before purchasing an additional policy, students should confirm that the policy meets American University’s minimum waiver requirements.
A waiver is not automatic. Do not assume that a waiver will be approved or that you will receive a waiver based on the experience of a friend from UQ who studied at the same institution on exchange.
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Organise your visa
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As UQ Abroad is not a visa-issuing authority we cannot provide visa advice.
Contact the US Embassy and Consulates for visa information.
Travel risk levels
The University of Queensland cannot and does not allow UQ Abroad students to travel to any country with a risk level of 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) or above, as assessed by the Australian Government.
If a country's risk level changes to 3 or above, UQ Abroad programs to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.
Find out the risk level and travel advice for your host country on the Smartraveller website.
Register your travel plans
We recommend that you register your travel plans on the Smartraveller website so that the Australian Government can contact you or your family in an emergency.
Non-Australian citizens should register with their closest consulate.
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.