Language of instruction
Since 1819, the University of Virginia has continued to reflect Thomas Jefferson’s founding intent to produce independent and intelligent citizens ready to make their mark on the future. The University of Virginia has been named the number 3 best public university in the United States for 2018.
Charlottesville has been ranked as the best college town and happiest city in America! Located in Central Virginia, just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the city offers stunning beauty, extraordinary culture and an inexhaustible list of things to do.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Spring Semester | January–May |
| Semester 2 | Fall Semester | August–December |
* There are 2 places available to nursing students for Spring Semester/UQ Semester 1 only. Students must apply by the May deadline.
View UVa's academic calendar.
Guides and additional information
UVa has 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 EngineeringSemester 2, 2018
- B Arts/CommunicationSemester 2, 2018
You will never regret going on exchange, but you will regret not going. It's the experience of a lifetime.
- Bachelor of Commerce/EconomicsSemester 1, 2018
If you are looking for the quintessential American college experience, then UVa is definitely the place for you!
Full-time study load
Undergraduate: 15 credits at UVa is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Nursing students: 12 credits at UVa is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Minimum academic requirements
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.5 to study at UVa.
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 UVa's course catalogue if courses do not appear in the database.
Study areas taught in English
Course restrictions
Exhange students can only study courses from:
- College of Arts and Sciences
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
- School of Nursing
Applications to study architecture are reviewed by the UVa School of Architecture
Courses from the following schools are not available to exchange students:
- Darden School of Business
- Law School
- McIntire School of Commerce
Postgraduate studies are not available to exchange students.
Additional academic information
Course numbering at Virginia:
- 100-999: Non-credit courses
- 1000-1999: Undergraduate Lower-level courses
- 2000-2999: Undergraduate Lower-level intermediate courses
- 3000-3999: Undergraduate Upper-level intermediate courses
- 4000-4999: Undergraduate Upper-level advanced courses
- 5000-9999: Postgraduate courses.
UVa has online resources to help navigate their academic policies:
- Academic information including grading systems
- School and faculty information
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Accommodation
Exchange students are eligible for on-campus housing at UVa. If you elect not to live in residential student housing there are many accommodation options available near the university. UVa provides information on a variety of off-campus accommodation through the Off-Ground Housing Service.
Cost of living
The University of Virginia provides a breakdown of estimated costs for students studying in Charlottesville.
Additional Mandatory Fees
The University of Virginia does not have any additional mandatory fees for exchange students.
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 have adequate health insurance for their exchange period. The University of Virginia will automatically enrol you in the Student Health Insurance Plan with Aetna Insurance.
Exchange students may be eligible to waive the Health Insurance Plan if they have additional cover that meets UVirginia's minimum waiver requirements. UQ’s Corporate Travel Insurance has previously met the minimum waiver requirements for UVirginia's Student Health Insurance. 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 UViginia'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.
UVa 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 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.