Study in Brisbane (in English)
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Study alongside a welcoming community of 6,000 students on a lush campus featuring picturesque views and a free shuttle service that takes you to major hubs in the city.
• Explore diverse and cutting-edge academic offerings at Australian Catholic University in Brisbane including Criminology, Business, Education, Social Work, Health Sciences, and renowned programs in Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Exercise Science, and Rehabilitation.
• Join a thriving student community at ACU with facilities such as a fully equipped gym and fitness classes, an art gallery focusing on religion and social justice issues, a medical center, indigenous student hub, and recreational spaces for social activities.
• Contribute to a greener future while studying at ACU, the #1 university in Australia for energy efficiency, where all seven campuses are powered by 100% renewable energy and supported by campus-wide sustainability initiatives.
LIFE ABROAD
Embrace an outdoorsy lifestyle by exploring city parks, riverfronts, botanical gardens, and nearby natural wonders like Mount Coot-tha, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, and world-famous beaches along the Sunshine and Gold Coasts. Learn more about the city’s history and culture as you explore Brisbane’s vibrant art scene, a hotspot for world-class shows, music festivals, and local talent.
LIVE
Located just outside of Brisbane, you'll live in UniLodge Herston—an authentic and historic Queenslander residence with sweeping wraparound verandas that let in the cool breeze. You’ll share a fully furnished room with a fellow student and enjoy modern, accessible facilities including a MasterChef-inspired kitchen, gym, game room, and private cinema. Dive into a dynamic residential life program featuring workshops, cultural events, and exciting trips. Connect with fellow residents during organized barbeques, movie nights, and sporting events.
DINE
Satisfy your cravings by shopping at a nearby supermarket and cooking in your residence hall’s shared facilities, equipped with ovens, microwaves, fridges, and freezers. When you’re ready to explore local flavors, take part in Brisbane's brunch culture or street food scene and try popular Asian cuisine and local favorites like Moreton Bay Bugs (flathead lobster), macadamia nuts, Australian Finger Lime, and tamarind.
EXPERIENCE
Access everything Brisbane has to offer through environmentally friendly options, from biking along the scenic waterfront to taking advantage of ACU’s free shuttle bus connecting campus to major hubs across the city. Discover what gives the city its dynamic and youthful appeal with free visits to the Gallery of Modern Art and Queensland Art Gallery, or dive into the urban oasis of South Bank Parklands, featuring a large artificial lagoon with sandy beaches and palm trees. Brisbane is a city for everyone—from thrill-seekers excited to climb Australia's longest bridge, to foodies eager to savor global flavors with a visit to Eat Street Northshore or the tropical farmer’s market.
EXPLORE
Take an easy day trip to the world-famous Gold or Sunshine Coasts for an idyllic beach day, spend an afternoon exploring breathtaking World Heritage-listed national parks like Lamington National Park, Queen Mary Falls, or take a ferry to Moreton Island (Mulgumpin) to experience its natural beauty and pristine beaches. When wanderlust calls, quick access to airports makes it convenient to fly to other destinations in Australia—like Sydney, Melbourne, and the Great Barrier Reef—or to nearby bucket-list destinations such as New Zealand, Fiji, and Indonesia.
THRIVE
ACU Brisbane offers a wide range of resources to support your success. Adjust to a new campus environment with access to the Academic Skills Unit, Peer Assisted Study Sessions, and free counseling services. Support your wellbeing through fitness programs at the campus gym and multi-faith chaplaincy, which foster an inclusive and enriching university experience. The university also has a dedicated team to support students seeking accommodations for learning or physical disabilities.
SERVICE-LEARNING
The Community Engagement Program offers study abroad students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Australian society through a community placement and a 3-unit class. This experience goes beyond typical tourist activities, allowing students to gain real-world experience and is strongly encouraged for all study abroad participants. Please see additional details in the course description.
What We Love About ACU
ACU Brisbane’s smaller class sizes highlight the university’s focus on teaching and its warm, supportive campus community. With a vibrant city like Brisbane as your base, you’ll enjoy the perfect balance of a thriving cultural scene and endless outdoor adventures!
See ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses
Please note that as of Jul 1, 2025 the cost for an Australian visa has increased to AUD $2,000 (approximately USD $1,300).
Course Description
Studying at ACU means students have essentially a full catalog of classes and programs available to help advance them through their degree requirements. Below is a chart of some of the more popular classes ISEP student have taken in the past to help get you started on your academic journey to Australia.
Credits Earned
Students who complete the program in good standing can expect to earn up to 40 credit points per semester which ISEP recommends is the equivalent of up to approximately 15 U.S. Credit Hours. Each class is usually worth 10 credit points. (See "Other Academic Conditions" for more details.)
Participants in the Community Engagement Program receive a community placement and a class for 10 ACU points. Student can take this alongside the rest of their full-time study load. Your ACU Program Coordinator will work with you to suggest an academic unit that best matches your study plan. A list of current community engagement opportunities can be found on the ACU website.
If you use financial aid, please speak with a qualified financial aid advisor to understand your academic obligations and the requirements for using financial aid.
Sample classes available:
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Criminology |
Business |
Education |
Social Work |
Health Sciences |
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Criminal Justice System and Policy |
International Business |
Literacy And Diversity Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment |
Race And Identity: Anti-Racist Social Work Practice |
Exercise and Sports Science: Starting the Journey |
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Juvenile Justice |
Social Entrepreneurship |
Early Years Curriculum and Play-Based Pedagogies |
Social Works Skills in Practice With Individuals |
Health and Exercise Psychology |
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Introduction to Forensic Science and the Law |
Sustainable Human Resource Management and Global Stakeholders |
Effective Teaching 2: Curriculum Planning and Pedagogy |
Research In Social Work |
Biomechanics |
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Criminal Law and Procedure |
Marketing Communications: Engaging Stakeholders |
Effective Teaching 3: Positive Environments to Engage Young Learners |
Social Work With Children, Youth and Families |
Indigenous Health and Culture |
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Foundations Of Law and Legal Research |
Marketing Analytics |
Science And Technology Education
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Human Rights and Social Justice in Social Work and Human Services |
Health Care Ethics |
For detailed instructions on how to search for all available courses, please click on the "other academic conditions" dropdown link below.
Academics
Other Academic Conditions
A “course” is a program of study and a “subject” or “unit” is a class. Classes are composed of both required “lectures” and required complementary “tutorials” or “seminars”, which are like discussion groups. Students can take up to the maximum full time study load per semester of 4 units (40 credit points). For reference, 1 ACU unit = 10 ACU credit points = 7.5 ECTS = 3-4 US credit hours.
This site operates on the Southern Hemisphere calendar. Be sure to search for courses using the correct semester parameters: Southern Hemisphere SM1 is February to June; Southern Hemisphere SM2 is July to November.
If you are planning to study for a full-year in Australia, you should consider starting your program at the beginning of ACU’s academic year in February.
The ACU Study Abroad Program is very flexible and available in both undergraduate and postgraduate level for study abroad. You can take all your units (subjects) within your major or several across different faculties. However, when looking up units at Subject/Unit Search, be sure you are looking at classes available at the correct campus (Brisbane or "BRIS").
Study Abroad and Exchange students have restrictions for various study areas including Paramedicine, Midwifery and Occupational Therapy.
In addition to the TOEFL and IELTS, ACU accepts Cambridge Certificate of Advance English (CAE) or the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) with the following scores:
Undergraduate
- Cambridge Certificate of Advance English (CAE): 176 Overall
- 169 Writing and Speaking
- 169 Listening and Reading
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): 180 or Grade C1
Graduate
- Cambridge Certificate of Advance English (CAE): 176 Overall
- 169 in All Sections
- CPE not accepted for Graduate studies
Semester & Prices (based on your filters)
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