Language of instruction
Generally available as a second or third preference.
The University of Washington is a preeminent public university, ranked 25th in the world. Go purple and become a UW Husky!
Located in the heart of the beautiful Pacific Northwest, UW has campuses in Seattle, Tacoma and Bothell. The region is characterised by impressive mountain chains, plentiful parks, and evergreen forests, helping Seattle earn the nickname “Emerald City”.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Winter & Spring Quarters | January–March & March–June |
| Semester 2 | Autumn Quarter | September–December |
View UW's academic calendar.
Guides and additional information
UW has online resources to help get the most from your exchange:
Campuses
The University of Washington has 3 campuses:
- Seattle campus
- Tacoma campus
- Bothell campus
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: 18 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 23 November (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Student testimonials
- B Environmental ManagementSemester 1, 2019
UW was everything I could have hoped for and more
- B Science/ArtsSemester 2, 2018
Full-time study load
- Undergraduate: 15 credits in UW's autumn quarter is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
- Postgraduate: 10 credits in UW's autumn quarter is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Winter & Sping quarters:
- Undergraduate: 24 credits across UW's winter and spring quarters is equivalent to 8 UQ units (students must take at least 12 of the 24 credits in the winter quarter).
- Postgraduate: 24 credits across UW's winter and spring quarters is equivalent to 8 UQ units (students must take at least 12 of the 24 credits in the winter quarter).
Host university requirements
GPA
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.5 to study at UW.
Study Options
Undergraduate Students are admitted through the College of Arts & Sciences. Postgraduate students are enrolled as undergraduate students but are considered 'visiting graduate students' and may be permitted to enrol in postgraduate courses. Further details are outlined in the Additional Academic Information section below.
Semester Restrictions
All students who apply for exchange in UQ Semester 1 must complete both the winter and spring quarters.
Note: Host university eligibility criteria are at the discretion of the host and may change without notice.
Find courses
Search UW's course catalogue by campus 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: 18 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 23 November (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Accommodation
As an incoming exchange student to the University of Washington, you are free to make your own housing arrangements. UW provides information to help students choose between on- or off-campus housing options.
Cost of living
The University of Washington provides an outline of the estimated cost of attendance for students studying in Seattle, with further information on estimated student budgets. Keep in mind that exchange students do not pay tuition to their host university.
Additional Mandatory Fees
The University of Washington has additional mandatory fees for U Pass (transport card). For more information, see the University of Washington costs of attendance webpage. Additionally, laboratory fees and fees associated with field trips may be 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.
All international students in F-1 or J-1 status are required to purchase the UW International Student Health Insurance Plan (ISHIP).
Exchange students may be eligible to waive the Health Insurance Plan if they have additional cover that meets UW's minimum requirements.
Before purchasing an additional policy, students should confirm that the policy meets UW's minimum waiver requirements. Please note that the waiver of the Health Insurance Plan is not guaranteed and subject to approval from UW.
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: 18 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 23 November (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.
UW has visa and immigration information for exchange 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: 18 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 23 November (for Semester 2 of the following year)