Language of instruction
Establishing Arizona's first university in the middle of the Sonoran Desert was a bold move, but it hasn’t stopped the University of Arizona from becoming one of the Top 100 universities worldwide. UA has grown to cover a significant area in central Tucson, a rich breeding ground for discovery. Where else in the world can you find an astronomical observatory mirror lab under a football stadium? An entire ecosystem under a glass dome? Who else is bringing back samples from asteroids?
Tucson is surrounded by five mountain ranges and receives over 350 sunny days a year – perfect for outdoor activities.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Spring Semester | January–May |
| Semester 2 | Fall Semester | August–December |
View UA's academic calendar.
Guides and additional information
U.Arizona has online resources to help you get the most from your exchange:
- International Student Services
- Orientation
- Buddy program for international students
- Program and events
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Student testimonials
- B. Engineering / ScienceSemester 2, 2016
Full-time study load
Undergraduate: 15 credits at UA is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Postgraduate: 12 credits at UA is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Minimum academic requirements
Undergraduate: You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.5 to study at UA.
Postgraduate: You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 5.0 to study at UA.
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 UA's course catelogue and academic programs if courses do not appear in the database.
Study areas taught in English
Course restrictions
A full list of course restrictions at the University of Arizona can be found here.
Exchange students will register for classes during Orientation Week when they arrive in Tucson - therefore, it is recommended that you have several backup classes chosen or have maximum flexibility in the courses that you select.
Students will need to submit portfolios or complete auditions for the following areas:
- Architecture
- Fine arts
- Performing arts
- Media arts
- Music
- Dance
Exchange students cannot study the following:
- Business – finance, marketing, management, management information systems, accounting, entrepreneurship, economics, or retailing and consumer sciences
- Visual communications – graphic design, illustration or typography
- Pharmacy / Nursing
Postgraduate students are not permitted to focus on research while on exchange at UA.
Exchange students cannot take courses in pharmacy or nursing.
Additional academic information
Course numbering at the University of Arizona:
- 100-199: Undergraduate primarily introductory and beginning courses.
- 200-299: Undergraduate intermediate-level courses.
- 300-399: Undergraduate advanced-intermediate-level courses.
- 400-499: Undergraduate advanced-level courses.
- 500-699: Graduate courses.
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Accommodation
UA has information for exchange students exploring their housing options. Students may apply to live on campus in UA's residence halls, however, spaces are limited and fill quickly.
If you choose to live off-campus, the University of Arizona has an off-campus housing department which offers free services for students.
Cost of living
The University of Arizona provides an outline of the estimated cost of attendance for exchange students living and studying in Tucson, Arizona.
University of Arizona has an student exchange application fee of US$75
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.
As an international student, regardless of visa type, you are required to purchase the UA-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan.
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.
UA provides visa and immigration information for exchange students after their admission.
Contact the US Embassy and Consulates for more 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.