State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo
State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo
University at Buffalo (UB) or SUNY Buffalo is a research-intensive public university, the largest in New York with around 31 000 students enrolled in 13 colleges. UB was founded in 1846 as a private college but in 1962 was absorbed into the State University of New York (SUNY) system. It belongs to the prestigious Association of American Universities and includes among its alumni astronauts, Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, Fulbright scholars and Academy Award winners.
Academic Highlights
In addition to the College of Arts and Sciences, the university houses the largest state-operated medical school, dental school, education school, business school, engineering school, and has the only state law school, architecture and urban planning school, and pharmacy school in the state of New York. UB spends more than $349 million annually on research and UB researchers have developed new ways of regenerating bones, improving the efficiency of solar power and synthesizing new chemical compounds.
Location
UB is located on three campuses across Buffalo and Amherst in New York state. Buffalo is a 30-minute drive from Niagara Falls and the Canadian border and about two hours from Toronto.
Did you know?
One of UB’s most popular traditions, Oozefest, is held every spring, bringing together more than 1,500 players, volunteers and spectators for one of the largest mud volleyball tournaments in the United States.
Language of Instruction | English |
Program Duration | 1 semester, 2 semesters |
Academic Level | Undergraduate, Postgraduate |
| Minimum Result Required | 60% WAM |
| Previous Round Cut-off (WAM % or GPA) | 60% WAM |
Anticipated Places in Semester 2, 2027 | 10+ places |
Green | |
Eligible Monash Campus | Monash Australia, Monash Malaysia |
Agreement Scope | All Faculties |
Handbook/Catalogue
Please refer to UB's Class Schedules (from the previous year) instead of the Course Catalog. The Course Catalog lists every course that has ever been offered by a department, but doesn't show up-to-date information on whether the course will be offered in the required semester.
Academic Restrictions
- Undergraduate students are required to study 12 credits minimum, 15 credits maximum. Note that some Faculties at Monash require students to do a full-time load of 15 US credits to count as 24 Monash credit points. You will need to confirm this with your crediting Faculty.
- Graduate students are required to study 9 credits minimum, 12 credits maximum.
- 100-400 level courses are for undergraduate students, and 500 level courses and higher are for graduate students.
- Many ART and ECO courses are not open to exchange students.
- Units taught at the Law School are not available, but you are permitted to study undergraduate legal studies courses.
- Restricted subjects for exchanges students are as follows: ART 221, ART 309, ART 320, ART 322, ART 419, ART 422, courses numbered 198 or 199, all MIS courses, all MGA 300 & 400 level courses, MGG 303, MGG 433, MGO 403, MGQ 408, and MGT 403.
- There are some academic departments where SUNY are unable to do advance registration on behalf of exchange students. Those departments include: Economics, Political Science, Romance Languages & Literatures, and Medical Technology
Full-time Credit Load Equivalents
| Semester | |
|---|---|
Min. 18 Monash points | Max. 24 Monash points |
12 credits - UG | 15 credits - UG |
9 credits - PG | 12 credits - PG |
Amended October 2019.
| Year | |
|---|---|
Min. 36 Monash points | Max. 48 Monash points |
24 credits - UG | 30 credits - UG |
18 credits - PG | 24 credits - PG |
Academic Calendar
UB Spring Semester (Monash semester 1): late January – mid-May
UB Fall Semester (Monash semester 2): late August – late December
Anthropology | Architecture | Biological Science | Biomedical Sciences |
Chemistry | Chinese language and culture studies | Communication and media studies | Design |
Economics | Engineering - civil | Engineering - electrical | Engineering - mechanial and aerospace |
English as an international language | French language and culture studies | Geography | German language and culture studies |
History | Information Technology | Italian language and culture studies | Japanese language and culture studies |
Jewish language and culture studies | Korean language and culture studies | Legal Studies | Linguistics |
Literary studies | Mathematical Science | Nutrition | Philosophy |
Politics and international relations | Public Health | Religious Studies | Science |
Social work | Sociology | Spanish language and culture studies | Theatre and performance studies |
Note
- The listed disciplines are not necessarily exhaustive and other fields of study might also be available at the institution.
- Approval to study particular subjects at any institution is always at the discretion of the departmental/discipline and faculty advisers in your managing faculty(ies) and subject to available places at the host.
Accommodation
Due to limited space, UB cannot officially guarantee on-campus housing to all exchange students. However, exchange application deadlines have been set to give exchange applicants the best chance for securing an on-campus room.
UB offers further information on on-campus and off-campus accommodation.
Visas
International exchange students studying in the U.S. must obtain the J-1 Exchange Visitor’s visa before leaving their home country. The application process requires a personal interview at the Consulate.
For more information on visas, please refer to the the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Australia here, and the U.S. Visa Information Service for Australia here.
UB offers some advice on applying for a US J-1 visa.
Health and insurance
The University at Buffalo requires all international students to have health insurance that meets the requirements mandated by the State University of New York. The UB international health insurance policy meets these requirements and all international students are automatically enrolled in this policy. The cost of the policy is billed to the UB student account. It is also a requirement of the J-1 visa to be covered by health insurance.
UB provides further information on health insurance here and here.
When travelling on a Monash Abroad approved program, you are automatically covered under the Monash University Student Travel Insurance policy. This will provide cover to and from your exchange.
Orientation and extra-curricular
You are required to attend the International Student Orientation that is sponsored by the UB Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office. An invitation will be included in your UB acceptance packet and you will be required to register online for the orientation.
UB has a vibrant student life, including student clubs and organisations, fraternities and sororities and recreational services such as intramural (social) sports.
Cost of living
UB estimates that exchange students will require approximately 12,500 AUD per semester, inclusive of housing, meals, book/supplies, fees, health insurance and personal expenses.
Funding
For information about funding available to support study on exchange overseas, see the Financial Information page on the Monash Abroad website.
To begin your application and study plan, click the button below.
Have you been to State University of New York at Buffalo and want to share your experience?
If you'd be willing to write a testimonial, email us at monashabroad.enquiries@monash.edu.
Adam Hollier
Bachelor of Science/Engineering
Semester 1, 2017
Studied: Engineering units
Study Experience
The classes in Buffalo had less contact hours than Monash. There was more emphasis placed upon assignments and the self motivation that frequent tests require.
Culture
I found the clubs and societies at UB very engaging. This was because the clubs received much more funding from the university than Monash and as a result were much more active. Many of their activities were also free to attend.
Benefits of going on exchange
It allowed me to pursue electives at Buffalo that would not have been available to me as Electrical and Computer Engineering electives at Monash. These electives included classes such as Nano-communications Networks and Nanotechnology & Science.
Career Benefits
It gave me a rare insight into the subtle cultural differences between Australia and the USA. This will help me better improve my cultural awareness in future employment.
Money and Budgeting
Make sure to get the best possible exchange rate when you exchange your money as this can affect how much money you lose/gain in the long run. Also be aware of any additional costs when you get to your home university (I probably ended up paying $1000 more on service fees etc than I previously thought).
Top tips
- Be social and join as many clubs and societies as you can.
- Be aware of any differences in laws etc in your home country (for example laws involving driving, valid ID, legal drinking ages etc).
- Get used to having to affirm people's Australian stereotypes!
- Cooking your meals every week may sound like a good idea but in my case it was too troublesome and actually turned out more expensive in most cases.
Don't restrict yourself to living on campus. In my case I found cheaper accommodation off campus that was with a reputable organisation (American Campuses), offered me nicer accommodation (my own bathroom) and actually turned out cheaper. I went in Spring semester when they were desperate to get people to cover their leases so I did get a good deal.