Outline

The French language, traditionally the language of diplomacy, is shared by many other countries throughout the world. Known for fine chocolates, great skiing and cuckoo clocks, Switzerland has a reputation for the luxurious and the unusual. Beyond these stereotypes, the country has a long history of nominal neutrality, yet remains a major player in banking, politics, diplomacy and other areas of global cooperation, hosting the International Red Cross, among other organisations. Major cities include Geneva, Zurich, Basel and Bern. Culturally diverse, the country is organised on a federal system (cantons) with a unique form of participatory democracy involving frequent referenda, and it combines ethnic and linguistic groups who identify as French, German, Italian and Romance speaking.

In exceptional circumstances, students with advanced competence in French are required to take approved substitute subjects (see the list of approved substitute subjects). Any variation in the International Studies program is subject to the approval of the Board of Studies of the Institute.

977417
In-country Study 1: Switzerland

24cp; prerequisite: completion of relevant subjects appropriate to the student's International Studies major

In-country Study subjects are only available to students doing the BA in International Studies.

978417
In-country Study 2: Switzerland

24cp; prerequisite: 977417 In-country Study 1: Switzerland

Information on In-country Study inSwitzerland

Content and assessment

Students spend two consecutive semesters studying at Université de Lausanne, Switzerland.

The location and content of each students's period of In-country Study in Lausanne is determined by the level of their language competence in French. Generally speaking, students who have a sound working knowledge of French before their entrance to UTS – usually defined as HSC 3-unit or a good pass in 2-unit French – can study study an appropriate two-semester program of host university subjects broadly relating to Francophone language, society and culture.

All other students spend a first semester engaged in the study of language and culture at the special language program, currently available at Lausanne's Ecole de Français Moderne, going on to a second semester of subjects chosen more broadly from the University's curriculum.

Students are assessed on each semester separately. Assessment is based on the subjects studied at the host university, as well as project work administered by the Institute for International Studies.

Locations

Lausanne

Lausanne, in French-speaking Switzerland, is in a stunningly beautiful location, built on a series of steep hills with views of Lake Geneva and the snow-capped mountains of the Alps in the distance. The built environment isn't as charming as the natural one, but there are still pockets of medieval buildings, lovely 17th century monuments such as the town hall, and wonderfully ornate hotels and blocks of apartments, with florid wrought iron decoration, from the late 19th century. As the seat of the International Olympic Committee, Lausanne also offers a natural point of exchange with Sydney, as well as a healthy sporting environment.

The Université de Lausanne (UNIL) has around 10,000 students and seven schools – Law, Arts, Social and Political Sciences (including Sports Sciences), Business, Science, Medicine and Religious Studies, mainly located at Dorigny on the banks of Lake Geneva, a 10-minute metro ride from the city centre.

Costs

The two semesters of In-country Study are full-credit subjects at UTS for which HECS is payable. Students receiving student financial support in Australia are still eligible to receive it while they are engaged in a period of In-country Study in Switzerland. The costs of tuition in host institutions overseas and travel between Sydney and the designated host institutions are borne by UTS, except in cases where a scholarship has been awarded to the student with provision for these costs. Under those circumstances, the funds that would have otherwise been allocated towards the student's tuition and travel are redirected to support the In-country Study program in general. Other costs, e.g. accommodation and food, are normally met by students who should be aware that costs of living in Switzerland are generally slightly higher than in Australia, with eating out particularly expensive. However, it is possible to spend a year there on an amount roughly comparable to living away from home in Sydney. Students studying in Lausanne may currently apply for a University accommodation grant.

The information on the program of In-country Study in Switzerland is correct at the time of printing. However, the Institute for International Studies reserves the right to make alterations to the location and content of any program of In-country Study at any time.