University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) , Te Rōpū Ako ki Tāwāhi (USAC)

The University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) is a group of universities that allow exchanges between their students.

Most USAC programmes are different to a regular exchange, where you apply directly to a host university. A USAC programme could be a good fit if you're learning a language as part of your degree, or you want to start learning one.

Find out more on the USAC website

Fees and costs

As a Massey student, you won't pay the fees listed on the USAC website. You'll keep paying your usual fees to Massey instead.

Most USAC universities have Resident Directors based on campus who organise activities like field trips and weekend excursions. Some optional tours, field studies, and courses with materials might require an additional fee.

Types of programme

There are two types of USAC programme: Specialty and Partnership. How many courses and the type of course you can study depends on the programme a university offers.

Specialty programmes

Specialty programmes offer a limited selection of courses taught in the local language or in English. The courses you can choose from:

• will mostly relate to the language and culture of the country you're studying in
• may include some more general subjects, like international business, history, fine art or politics
• will be taught separately to courses for the university's regular students
• are listed on the USAC website.

At some universities with Specialty programmes, you may also be able to choose from some regular courses.

Get more information about Specialty programmes at the USAC website

Countries and universities with Specialty programmes include:

• Chile –Santiago
• Costa Rica – Heredia
• Costa Rica – San Ramon
• Czech Republic – Prague
• France – Lyon
• France – Pau
• Germany – Lüneburg
• India – Bengaluru
• Italy – Reggio Emilia
• Italy – Torino
• Italy – Verona
• Italy – Viterbo
• Spain – Bilbao / Getxo
• Spain – Madrid
• Spain – San Sebastián
• Spain – Valencia
• Thailand – Chiang Mai
• Uruguay – Montevideo

Credits and course levels

Specialty programmes usually follow the American credit system. 15-16 USAC credits are worth about 60 Massey credits.

USAC Speciality programme course level numbers are usually higher than the Massey level they are equal to:

• USAC 400-level courses are the same as Massey 300-level courses
• USAC 300-level courses are the same as Massey 200-level courses
• USAC 200-level courses are the same as Massey 100-level courses.

Partnership programmes

Universities with Partnership programmes offer a wide range of courses in English. As an exchange student, you'll usually be able to enrol in almost any course. Check the Courses information on the USAC website to make sure.

Learn more about Partnership programmes at the USAC website

Some universities with Partnership programmes are shown in the list below.

• Australia – Gold Coast
• UK (England) – Brighton
• UK (England) – Bristol
• UK (England) – London
• UK (England) – Reading
• Ireland – Cork
• Israel – Haifa
• Netherlands – Maastricht
• Netherlands – The Hague
• Portugal – Lisbon
• UK (Scotland) – St Andrews
• UK (Scotland) – Stirling
• South Africa – Stellenbosch
• South Korea – Gwangju
• Thailand – Khon Kaen

If you have questions about the courses you can study, contact USAC. Don't contact your host university directly – some staff may not be familiar with the USAC programme.

Email: studyabroad@usac.edu

Credits

Partnership programmes usually use the credit system of the host country. Contacts us if you need more information.

Email: studyabroad@massey.ac.nz

Applying to USAC

After Massey has approved you as an exchange student, you can apply to USAC.

How to apply to USAC

If you're applying to a university with a Partnership programme, you may also have to complete some extra application documents for your host university. USAC will tell you if you need to do this.

Exchange Student Travel Grant

If you're a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident and you apply to go on exchange to a USAC institution, you'll be considered for a Massey University Exchange Student Travel Grant. This will happen automatically – you don't need to do anything extra.

Find out what you could get with an Exchange Student Travel Grant