Semester at Griffith University

Most courses at Griffith University are 10 points, which is the equivalent of 3 - 4 US semester credits (as determined by your home institution). Students will enroll in 3 - 4 courses (12 - 16 US credits) at Griffith. We encourage you to discuss credit transfer with your home institution prior to departure. Refer to the “Academic Records Policies” form in your Student Portal for more information.

You'll enroll in four courses for your semester program.

The Griffith University academic year begins each February. As you review course options, keep this in mind to ensure that you select courses from the correct semester. 

• Trimester 1 (Tri 1): February – June (US Spring Semester) 

• Trimester 2 (Tri 2): July – November (US Fall Semester) 

In Australia, “courses” typically refer to degree programs, while “units” or “subjects” refer to classes. Courses are not set in stone. You will be able to make changes to your initial list throughout the enrollment process. Although courses do not change tremendously from year-to-year, please be aware that you may need to make additional selections once units are officially published, past when courses are submitted.

Worldstrides can submit courses to Griffith on your behalf for evaluation, although it is not guaranteed that the course will be approved as it is ultimately up to the Griffith University Program Coordinator. Some courses at Griffith University such as Marine Science Courses have limited entry due to high demand and are likely to be denied.

Courses that have intensive lab or practical components may find difficulty in being approved. You will not receive your course approvals list until closer to the program start date.

Your eligibility to enroll in courses will be determined by Griffith faculty based on previous coursework reflected on your college transcript(s). Some subjects may indicate prerequisites. Griffith will review your transcript to ensure you have met these prerequisites with equivalent classes, though not necessarily the exact class named in the prerequisite.

• 1000-level course is the equivalent of a 200-level/sophomore level US course.

• 2000-level course is the equivalent of a 300-level/junior level US course.

• 3000-level course is the equivalent of a 400-level/senior level US course. (Note: These courses require a high level of competency, and you will most likely need to fulfill numerous pre-requisites.)

• 4000-level + courses are graduate level and for the most part, are not open to study abroad students.

The following areas of study are only available to students who major in the same area: Architecture (ENV), Education (EDN), Criminology (CCJ)

Study Abroad students are not able to enroll in

• courses with a practical or clinical component (such as Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and Teacher Education).

• internships except for the Community Internship (3002LFC).

• courses that state "Restricted: Course must be listed in Program” in the course description.

The Griffith University Community Internship is a 10-credit point course (equivalent to 3 - 4 U.S. credits). The internship places you in a community (not-for-profit) organization related to your major where you put into practice your academic learning and give back to the Gold Coast community. With more than 395 different placement options, you will be matched to a placement related to your major. A volunteer placement is a great way to demonstrate real-world experience to future employers and get to know the Australian community. The course requires a 50-hour (minimum) commitment in the placement. More information will be provided to interested students upon application to a Griffith University program.

Program Eligibility:

• Must be enrolled in a two-year or four-year degree-granting institution at the time of enrollment at Griffith University

• Second semester, Freshmen students may be considered for acceptance.

• To undertake the Community Internship students must be in their second year