IFSA specialises in the design, development, and implementation of Customised Group Programs. With eight levels of Chinese language instruction, it’s easy to find the perfect fit your skills, with IFSA Summer in Shanghai.

Designed for rapid improvement, our language classes include plenty of time to get out of the classroom and practice both with peers and around the city.

Fields of study

  • Economics
  • Chinese Language

You can choose up to two courses from Session 2 classes. For more detailed information regarding the courses available, visit the IFSA Butler website.

Credit equivalent

3-4 US credits = 2 UQ units. Maximum of 4 UQ Units following successful completion of 6-8 US credits (pending UQ faculty approval). 

Visa Information

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.

Please review the IFSA webpage for visa and immigration information.

Eligibility and application

All applicants must meet the UQ short-term experience criteria and IFSA's entry requirements.

If you intend to undertake your experience for-credit, it is strongly recommended that you submit your application to the Global Experiences team at least 4 weeks before applying to the host to allow sufficient time for faculty to complete the credit assessment. Please note however that it is your responsibility to meet the host application deadline.  

Apply to UQ  Apply to host 

Costs and funding

The participation mode of this experience is Study Abroad, meaning you pay tuition directly to the host. The program fee is $6,075 AUD and includes tuition, excursions and accommodation. Students will be required to pay a $500 program deposit upon confirmation of attendance, which is deducted from the total program fee.

More information regarding program fees can be found on the host university's website.

Accommodation

Accommodation at the international student dormitory of Shanghai University of Economics and Finance (SUFE) is included in the program fee. More information regarding accommodation can be found on the host university's website.

Funding

Global Experiences Grants

When you submit your application for an experience, you are automatically considered for funding that is relevant to your nominated experience. Please refer to the Short-Term Experiences Funding page for details. 

OS-HELP Loan

You may also be eligible to submit an application for an OS-HELP loan if your program is for-credit and you are enrolled as a Commonwealth-supported student.

Key Dates

Application Deadlines

UQ: 14 April 2026
Host: 15 March 2026

Program Dates

Session 2: Summer 2026 (Australia Students) 
Start: 29 June 2026 
End: 24 July 2026 

Fast Facts

Type: Study
Mode: Study Abroad
Location: Shanghai, China
Credit: For-credit or Not-for-credit
Cohort: Undergraduate and Postgraduate

OS-HELP Loan

If you participate in a short-term program you may also be eligible to submit an application for an OS-HELP loan if your program is for-credit and you are enrolled as a Commonwealth-supported student. 

Application Deadlines

OS-HELP loan applications open on 5 January each year.

OS-HELP loan applications can’t be accepted:

  • any earlier than 6 months before the official start date of your overseas study
  • any later than 3 months before the official end date of your overseas study.

*OS-HELP Loan applications are closed between 17 December and 5 January. Please visit the OS-HELP Loan website for more information on how to apply for an OS-HELP loan.

Refer to the funding page for more information on eligibility requirements and loan amounts

Global Experiences Information Sessions

Students are encouraged to register and attend an information session to receive more details on the short-term application process, eligibility criteria, funding etc.​

Register