Language of instruction
Generally available as a second or third preference.
The University of South Carolina is located on a tree-lined campus in the heart of downtown Columbia. The campus dates back to 1805 and is one of the oldest public institutions in the US.
In 2012, after a 2000 piece acquisition, USC became the holder of the largest published Hemingway collection in the world.
South Carolina is known for its warm southern hospitality and Columbia has been named the third best college town in America.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Spring Semester | January–May |
| Semester 2 | Fall Semester | August–December |
Guides and additional information
UofSC has online resources to help you get more from your exchange:
- International student handbook
- International student services
- UofSC buddy program
- Student disability resource centre
South Carolina Information
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Student testimonials
- B Engineering (Honours) / B CommerceSemester 2, 2022
- B Communications/ArtsSemester 1, 2019
The University of South Carolina gave me the best few months of my entire life, and blessed me with friends all over the globe.
Full-time study load
15 credits at UofSC is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Host university requirements
GPA
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.5 to study at UofSC.
Study Options
Not applicable to this university. However, you will usually be expected to take the majority of courses (50%) within a single faculty.
Find courses
Search UofSC's course catalogue if courses do not appear in the database.
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.
You must still check the host university course catalogue to see if courses from the Credit Precedent Database are still on offer and in the correct semester of your exchange.
Study areas taught in English
Academic restrictions
Additional academic information
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Accommodation
All undergraduate exchange students are guaranteed housing on-campus in residence halls. These halls are equipped with kitchen facilities and remain open during semester breaks. Please note that on-campus housing is very limited, and while a place is guaranteed, students may not receive their first housing preference. More information regarding the accommodation options at USC can be found on the housing webpage, including the costs associated with campus housing.
Cost of living
UofSC provides an outline of the estimated cost of living for students studying in Columbia.
Additional Mandatory Fees
UofSC has a mandatory technology fee of $200 USD (as at September 2019) applicable to all students including exchange students. Additionally, laboratory fees and fees associated with field trips are regarded as non-tuition, and therefore must be paid by the student.
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.
For the remainder of 2022, incoming exchange students to UofSC are required to purchase the UofSC Student Health Insurance Plan.
Starting in the Spring 2023 semester, all incoming exchange students to UofSC can elect for the UofSC’s insurance plan or choose from one of these three U.S. based alternative insurance plans: ISO Student Health Insurance, PSI Insurance, or PGH Global. UofSC insurance offers the most coverage and access to UofSC on-campus health services. The three alternative plans are also approved plans for the UofSC insurance coverage requirements and sufficient for use within the U.S. health care system.
Exchange students may be eligible to waive the Health Insurance Plan if they have additional cover that meets UofSC's minimum requirements. UQ’s Corporate Travel Insurance does not meet UofSC's minimum waiver requirements.
Before purchasing an additional policy, students should confirm that the policy meets UofSC's minimum waiver requirements. Please note that the waiver of the Health Insurance Plan is not guaranteed and subject to approval from UofSC.
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
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (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 the Global Experiences team is not a visa-issuing authority we cannot provide visa advice.
UofSC provides visa and immigration information for international students.
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
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)