Language of instruction
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
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Student testimonials
- B. Mechanical Engineering and CommerceSemester 2, 2016
- B. Commerce and EconomicsSemester 1, 2016
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.
Minimum academic requirements
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.5 to study at UMass.
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 UMass's course catelogue as well as the Undergraduate or Postgraduate program webpages if courses do not appear in the database.
Study areas taught in English
Course restrictions
Students must have flexibility in the courses they choose at UMass. It is recommended that students have several UQ general electives available to study at UMass.
Course enrollments and schedules may be finalised until after you arrive at UMass.
Undergraduate students do not have access to postgraduate level courses.
Courses in Communication, Economics, Isenberg School of Management (ISOM), and Engineering are limited to students who have these study fields as their majors and may have limited availability in upper level courses (course codes 300 and above). If choosing upper level courses in these departments, be sure to select multiple back-up courses.
The following areas of study are not available to exchange students:
- Art
- Dance
- Music
- Nursing
- Computer Science
- CPE (Continuing & Professional Education)
- Indipendent study courses
Additional academic information
Course numbering at UMass:
- 100-199: Lower Division Undergraduate – Freshman (first year) level
- 200-299: Lower Division Undergraduate – Sophomore (second year) level
- 300-399: Upper Division Undergraduate – Junior (third year) level
- 400-499: Upper Division Undergraduate – Senior (fourth year) level - Instructor Permission may be required:
- 500-899: Postgraduate and Doctoral courses.
UMass has online resources to help navigate their academic policies:
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Accommodation
UMass guarantees on-campus housing for undergraduate exchange students as long as deadlines and instructions are met.
On-campus housing for postgraduate students is also available, however, is not guaranteed.
Off-campus housing information is available to undergraduate and postgraduate exchange students.
Cost of living
UMass provides estimated semester expenses for exchange students studying undergraduate (page 3) or postgraduate (page 9) courses.
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 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.
All exchange students are required to purchase UMass Student Health Benefit Plan. Exchange students are not eligible to waive this requirement.
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.
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 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.