University of Notre Dame Australia in Fremantle
The University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA) is a private Catholic university committed to ensuring that students receive a personalized, high quality education. The Fremantle campus is located in the 19th century West End precinct of the city. It operates in restored former warehouse and commercial heritage buildings, which have produced a town university of great character. The Fremantle Campus is home to the schools of Arts & Sciences, Business, Education, Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Nursing and Philosophy & Theology. UNDA’s Catholic tradition is reflected in its style of education, its commitment to pastoral care of students, and its encouragement of a spirit of community service and social justice awareness. Community service opportunities are also available and encouraged.
Dates & Deadlines
| Term | Year | Application Deadline | Decision Date | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2025 | October 1, 2024 | TBD | February 9 | June 14 |
| Fall | 2025 | March 15, 2025 | TBD | July 13 | November 16 |
Program Description
We encourage you to check out UNDA's Study Abroad Brochure.
Australia enjoys a special reputation as being one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, with a deep respect for its multiculturalism and cultural heritage. Western Australia is the largest Australian state with approximately one-third of the Australian land mass. Not surprisingly, given its vast area, the State has distinct regions, each with quite different climatic conditions.
Please visit the UNDA Fremantle website for more information on student life.
Orientation
Upon acceptance to the program you will be required to attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation. During this orientation further details about the course and program details will be discussed. The pre-departure orientation will be held in November for spring semester students and in April for fall semester students.
Upon arrival at UNDA you will attend a mandatory orientation week. This is an important and informative set of sessions organized by UNDA Student Life. The information at these sessions includes:
- A familiarization tour with staff of the City, using metro-rail and bus systems;
- An academic orientation from the academics with an explanation about the tutorial/lecture system at the University of Notre Dame Australia, reading the timetable and add/drop requirements
- Tours of the University, your residence and the City of Fremantle
- Information from Student Life outlining life on campus, sport, volunteering, mentor programs and counseling services
- A visit and briefing from the US Consul General
- Safety information
- A community meal—this is a great opportunity to meet with other students on the program and get to know some of your academic staff
- University Welcome Day
- Welcome Mass for Study Abroad Students
Home to a vibrant mix of cultures, the city of Fremantle is a historic, working port city. With its “university town” vibe, Fremantle is unique for its heritage architecture and artistic cosmopolitan atmosphere. An ideal location for study and recreation, Fremantle is home to beaches, sporting facilities, museums, cultural events, shops, markets, restaurants and cafés all within easy walking distance. The city supports a thriving arts and internationally diverse cultural community which has a social calendar that includes many music, theater, wine, food, arts and craft festivals throughout the year. If that’s not enough, an efficient suburban rail service connects Fremantle to central Perth, the capital of Western Australia, only 20 minutes away.
Courses
When looking for courses, be sure that you are looking at courses for undergraduate students only and that you are looking at classes in the correct term of study. Since UNDA is in the southern hemisphere the terms are reversed. The fall semester at SHU is listed as S2 (semester 2) at UNDA and the spring semester at SHU is listed as S1 (semester 1) at UNDA. You will need to take 12-15 SHU credits while at UNDA to remain a full time student.
Featured Courses
- ARTS3750 Australian History and Society (includes extended field trip with additional cost)
- SOJS3170 Social Justice, Service Learning and Community Engagement
- GEOG1110 Physical Geography: Climates, Geology & Soils
- ARCL3010 Maritime Archaeology: Ships and Harbours
- COMM3630 Australian Cinema
- ENGL3160 Australian Literatures
Eligibility
You must have an overall GPA of 2.75+ and be in good disciplinary and financial standing with SHU.
Course Credit
SHU approved courses taken on this program will count towards your general graduation total. Course grades will also factor into your cumulative grade point average (courses are not available for pass/fail).
Students can reference the Course Equivalency Database to see which courses have already been approved. Approval for courses not yet approved can be requested through Global Engagement. Email studyabroad@sacredheart.edu for more information.
The Junior Nursing Experience - UNDA Fremantle
The DHCON has designed a program that allows junior nursing students to study abroad and complete their course requirements within the usual four-year time frame. As a nursing student abroad, you are a part of a seamless continuation of the SHU nursing curriculum. At UNDA, you will take three required nursing courses alongside Australian nursing students, as well as two courses of your choice. Features of the program include the completion of required liberal arts courses with an Australian focus and building a professional identity with a global perspective.
You must have at least a 3.0 GPA and be in good academic and professional standing to be accepted to this program. The Nursing Experience is limited to six students. Applications are competitive and must be approved by the DHCON prior to proceeding with Global Engagement. Please note, you cannot spend both the spring sophomore and fall junior years abroad.
Sample Fall Course Registration
UNDA Course
- NURS1042 Research for Practice (SHU Equivalency NU 365)
- NURS1039 Nursing Health and Wellness (SHU Equivalency NU 210)
- NURS3038 Maternal Care (SHU Equivalency NU331)
- Clinical and curricular gap component completed upon return (SHU Equivalency NU 332)
*Upon return to U.S. in November, students are required to take a 1 credit/1-week immersion course at SHU, that includes simulation, clinical, lecture and ATI proctored examination in maternal child nursing. This is required in order to progress to the following semester. Housing is the student’s responsibility. There is a lab fee associated with this course. Please note, the prerequisite program requirement: you need to successfully complete MA 131 Statistics prior to beginning the UNDA Fremantle program.
While at the University of Notre Dame- Fremantle you will be provided residential housing within its campus vicinity. The rooms are fully furnished room and include a fully equipped self-service kitchen facilities, cleaning services, and regular laundering of linen. Bedrooms and bathrooms are typically shared and selections are subject to availability. Visit UNDA Fremantle's website for more information.
Included in your study abroad program fee are the weekly residential community dinners. The meals also serve as a venue for weekly meetings where everyone has a chance to share their highlights/concerns and hear about upcoming events as well as participate in other activities. These community meals are part of your residential housing package and are a great way for you to spend time with everyone in your hall.
Housing costs and community dinner meal costs are included as part of your study abroad program fees.
University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle: Fall 2025 - Spring 2026
| Budget Item | Amount | Payable To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $45 | Global Engagement | Payable upon application to the program |
| Confirmation Fee | $250 | Global Engagement | Due within two weeks of acceptance to the program |
| Total | $295 | ||
| SHU Undergraduate Tuition | $26,045 | Student Accounts | 2025-2026 tuition rate |
| UNDA Program Fee | $4,090 | Student Accounts | This is an estimate. Program fee for fall 2025 has not yet been confirmed and may be slightly higher. |
| Study Abroad Fee | $450 | Student Accounts | |
| Estimated Total | $30,585 | Total will be billed in accordance with student accounts billing cycle |
Additional Expense Estimates
| Budget Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Meals | $3,000 | You do not pay for SHU meals. Weekly community dinners at UNDA Fremantle are included as part of your study abroad program fee. All other meals are on your own. See the accommodations tab for more information. |
| Immigration - Visa | $1,000-$1,200 | Medical checks may be required by Australian Home Affairs |
| Transportation - International Airfare | $2,500 | Airline/flight of your choice |
| Program Materials - Books & supplies | $200 | |
| Personal Expenses | $3,000 |
All costs subject to change.
Fees Include: Housing, weekly community dinners, local health insurance, student ID card, program orientation, arrival airport transfer and mandatory basic international health insurance.
Fees Do Not Include: Travel to/from host country, major medical insurance, on-site course fees, visa/ resident permit fees, program materials or any personal expenses.
Additional Billing Information
All expenses are subject to change based upon currency fluctuations, flight demand, personal spending habits, etc. Actual expenses may be more or less than the listed estimates.
Program withdrawal fees, penalties and refunds are subject to the withdrawal policies of each program.
Scholarships are a great way to support the cost of your study abroad experience. In an effort to make a study abroad experience more accessible, we have prepared a list of scholarships and financial resources. Global Engagement encourages you to apply and take advantage of as many relevant scholarship opportunities as possible.
Students in the Thomas More Honors Program are eligible to use a one-time study abroad scholarship of $500 towards the cost of their program. Students will need to apply for this scholarship post-acceptance within their study abroad accounts.
Please speak with Student Financial Assistance to determine how your aid package will apply towards studying abroad.
- Mid-July to late November (fall semester)
- Mid-February to mid-June (spring semester)
UNDA Fremantle will communicate directly to enrolled students all move in, orientation and move out dates.
All dates are subject to change. Do not book your flight until you have been accepted by UNDA Fremantle and your move in and move out dates have been confirmed.