University of Florida

The Univeristy of Florida (UF) can trace its origins back to 1853 in the first state education institution. Formerly the "University of the State of Florida"; the name was simplified to the "University of Florida" in 1909.  Today the student population is approximately 55,000 and it is one of the largest single-campus universities in the United States.  It is also one of three Florida public universities to be designated a "preeminent university" by the State which means it receives additional funding intended to improve the national reputation of higher education within the state of Florida.

Academic Highlights

The University of Florida is the flagship university of the state with 16 different colleges. It has more than 150 research, service and education centres, bureaus and institutes, offering more than 100 undergraduate majors and 200 graduate degrees.  The University is well known for its work in plant, animal, agricultural and environmental sciences.

Location

The University moved to its campus, encompassing over 2,000 acres (or 8.1 km2), in Gainesville in 1906 shortly after it was formed from a merger of four smaller colleges.  A number of the University's buildings are historically significant and are on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places for their architectural or historical significance such as the Century Tower, built in 1953 to celebrate the University's centenary in the centre of the old part of campus.

Did you know?

The alligator became the University mascot in 1911.  The Independent Florida Alligator is the largest student-run newspaper in the United States, and operates without oversight from the University administration.

Handbook/Catalogue

Information about the units (called "courses") is available are in the Undergraduate Catalogue online. Note that not all units are offered every semester. Refer to the schedule of courses for each term's specific offerings.

Our agreement is only with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, so students must take the majority of their units from one or other of these colleges. You may be permitted to take an additional unit from a different college, but this is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of the host institution.

Full-time Credit Load Equivalents

Academic Calendar

UF Fall Semester (Monash Semester 2): late August to mid-December
UF Spring Semester (Monash Semester 1): early January to late April

See UF's academic calendars here.

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

On-Campus Housing is limited and therefore not guaranteed but students can indicate interest in living on-campus via their online application. Students will be considered on a first come, first served basis until beds are filled. Exchange students usually stay in Weaver Hall, part of the International Living Learning Community. Alternatively students can look for off-campus housing with the assistance of the Off Campus Life office but are responsible for that housing themselves.

Visas

As a general rule, a student visa is required to study in the US. To obtain a visa you will need to do so through the US Consulate General in Melbourne.

UF also provide some advice on visas, which can be found here.

Health and insurance

All students are required to have health insurance that meets the Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage standards. The UF Health Insurance policy is an “opt-out” system. All students, including exchange students, will be automatically enrolled in UF’s Health Insurance Plan. Students can either stay enrolled in the UF Health Plan or submit a waiver to request approval for an outside policy but it must be comparable to ACA coverage.

When travelling on a Monash Abroad approved program, however, you are automatically covered under the Monash University Student Travel Insurance policy.

Orientation and extra-curricular 

Orientation is mandatory for all students as well as attending a check-in orientation session when your visa will be confirmed.  More information for all international students is available on the UF International Centre website.

Cost of living

Students are expected to have about US$1,500 per month at UF.  For more information go to the Partner School Exchange Students web page and scroll half way down the page to the heading "Cost of Attendance".

Funding

For information about funding available to support study on exchange overseas, see the Financial Information page on the Monash Abroad website.

Important notes

English Proficiency

If you want to apply to UF, you must be able to prove that you are proficient in English. You can do this by:

1. Being a passport holder of a country where English is an official language.
2. Having attended a tertiary institution in a country where English is an official language.
3. Having a sufficient score in an English language test such as:

• IELTS: 6.0 overall
• MELAB: 77
• TOEFL iBT: 80
• TOEFL PBT: 550
• Verbal GRE: 140
• getting a letter verifying your proficiency.

You will not need to provide this proof until you are allocated a place at UF and asked to complete the UF application form.

This program is not currently accepting applications.

The University of Florida is a new partner university. Be one of the first and tell us your story via this survey form!