Language of instruction
Generally available as a second or third preference.
The University of Massachusetts, Amherst offers the choices of a large, diverse campus with the community feel of a small college. Founded in 1863, UMass is the largest public research university in New England and is currently ranked 29th among the USA’s top public universities. It's also a haven for satisfying student cravings – in 2017 UMass Amherst was ranked number 1 nationally for "Best Campus Food".
UMass is located in the rural college town of Amherst, one hour north of Hartford, two hours west of Boston and three hours from New York City. Hiking, biking, museums, music, theatre, history, food, and farms – it’s all in Amherst.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Spring Semester | January–May |
| Semester 2 | Fall Semester | September–December |
Guides and additional information
UMass have online resources to help get the most out of your exchange:
Exchange deadlines
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Register interest by: 21 May
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Register interest by: 21 October
Applications close: 31 October
Full-time study load
Undergraduate: 12 credits at UMass is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Postgraduate: 9 credits at UMass is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Host university requirements
GPA
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.5 to study at UMass.
Study Options
Not applicable to this university. However, you will usually be expected to take the majority of courses (at least 50%) within a single faculty.
Find courses
Search UMass's course catalogue (click “Search Classes/Catalog” under the heading Catalogs & Schedules) as well as the program webpages.
UQ Credit Precedent Database
The first step is to review the host university's most recent course catalogue and identify the courses available to exchange students in the semester you plan to attend (e.g. Fall/Spring or Semester 1/Semester 2).
Once you have identified suitable courses, you can search the Credit Precedent Database (CPD) to check whether any of those courses have previously been assessed for UQ credit.
Please note:
- Always use the host university course catalogue to identify available courses. The CPD should only be used to check whether those courses have previously been assessed for UQ credit.
- The CPD is a guide only and does not represent the full or current range of courses available at a host institution.
- Previous credit assessments may have expired or no longer reflect the current course content.
- Courses that do not appear in the CPD can still be considered for UQ credit through the Study Plan assessment process.
Study areas taught in English
Academic restrictions
Additional academic information
Exchange deadlines
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Register interest by: 21 May
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Register interest by: 21 October
Applications close: 31 October
Accommodation
UMass guarantees on-campus housing for undergraduate exchange students as long as deadlines and instructions are met.
Currently there is no on-campus housing available to post-graduate students.
Off-campus housing information is available to undergraduate and postgraduate exchange students.
Cost of living
UMass provides estimated semester expenses for exchange students on their fact sheets (see overview tab).
Additional Mandatory Fees
UMass has additional mandatory fees, of which the Student Activity fee and Technology Fee are applicable to exchange students, which are outlined on the undergraduate tuition rates page. These fees cannot not be waived.
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 a Semester-based Exchange 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.
All exchange students are required to purchase UMass Student Health Benefit Plan. Exchange students are not eligible to waive this requirement.
Exchange deadlines
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Register interest by: 21 May
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Register interest by: 21 October
Applications close: 31 October
Organise your visa
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As the Global Experiences team is not a visa-issuing authority we cannot provide visa advice.
UMass has F-1 and J-1 visa and immigration information
Contact the US Embassy and Consulates for more visa information.
Travel risk levels
The University of Queensland cannot and does not allow 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, experiences to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.
Find out the risk level and travel advice, and sign up to receive updates for your host country on the Smartraveller website.
Exchange deadlines
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Register interest by: 21 May
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Register interest by: 21 October
Applications close: 31 October