Market Research in China

Will I receive academic recognition?

To participate in this overseas experience, students must receive academic recognition. This trip provides a partial credit towards an elective Marketing unit. To apply for academic approval, students will need to provide their Academic Course Advisor (ACA) or Director of Academic Program (DAP) with supporting documentation about this program. For further information – see Academic Approval.

What type of accommodation will I be staying in?

Students are usually provided accommodation in 3-star + hotels.

How much does it cost?

• Eligible students will be entitled to a $3,000 grant as part of the Federal Government's New Colombo Plan initiative. According to the budget, the total cost of the travel exceeds $3,000 per student. Therefore, you will pay around $1,909 to participate in this program. The costs cover:
  • International airfare
  • Visas;
  • Accommodation;
  • All breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners;
  • High-speed train to Shanghai and coach trips;
  • Airport transfers in Beijing and Shanghai;
  • Entrances for cultural sites;
  • Gratuities for meals, guides and drivers
• Students will need to cover:
  • Personal spending
  • Meals not listed above
• Program Fee Changes: The School of Business reserves the right to vary program fees in the event of changes in exchange rates or price rises made by partners or other suppliers. If the cost of any service increases due to exchange rate fluctuations, price increases, tax changes or any other reason, participants are required to pay the increase when notified or may cancel a program which may result in cancellation fees.
• Program Cancellations: The School of Business reserves the right to cancel any program if there are insufficient registrants (in the rare case that minimum numbers may apply) or if the School of Business determines it is in the best interest of the applicants’ safety and quality of programming to cancel the program. The School of Business is not responsible for costs incurred by applicants preparing for a program. Should a program be cancelled for any reason, applicants will, where possible, be offered the option of positions in other School of Business opportunities, or a full refund on all fees paid.

Am I eligible for the New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant?

• The New Colombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the region.
• Each eligible student selected for this opportunity will be supported by a $3000 New Colombo Plan Mobility grant
• To be eligible you must be:
  • an Australian citizen
  • enrolled in an undergraduate degree at Western Sydney University
  • be aged 18-28 years
  • must not have received a New Colombo Plan Mobility grant on a previous occasion
  • receive academic recognition for the experience
• Note: The Government requires that 70% of participants in the program must be between the ages of 18 and 28. Therefore 30% of participants can be 29 and over. If you are over the age of 28, you are still encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest

What is OS-HELP?

• You may be eligible for OS-HELP, a deferred HELP debt loan for undergraduate Australian citizens - loans of $4,000 or $8,149 are available. Academic Approval is required; have completed 80 credit points of study, and have 10 credit points remaining on return.

Conditions of Participation

• The University of Western Sydney University is committed to demonstrating high standards of personal and professional conduct at all times. When participating in an overseas program, students must assume certain obligations to Western Sydney University (WS), the prospective country and other participants in a program. See Conditions of Participation in an Overseas Program.
• The university reserves the right to vary program fees in the event of changes in exchange rates or price rises made by partners or other suppliers. If the cost of any service increases due to exchange rate fluctuations, price increases, tax changes or any other reason, participants are required to pay the increase when notified or may cancel a program which may result in cancellation fees.

STEP 1: Register Your Interest

• To be considered for this opportunity, you will be required to answer the following questions and submit your Expression of Interest and CV (opens in a new window) by Sunday, 15 September 2019
  • What is your motivation for participating in the program? (up to 50 words)
  • What do you hope to achieve from participating in the program? (up to 50 words)
  • How do you see the program contributing to your career? (up to 50 words)

STEP 2: Apply for Academic Approval

• Discuss your preferred option with your Academic Course Adviser (ACA) or placement coordinator - visit your School website and see 'Contact'
• To receive recognition for your overseas experience, it is important that you seek advice from your Academic Course Advisor and apply for academic approval at least 3 months prior to commencement. Find out how to apply for Academic Approval below: 
  • Approval for Study Abroad / Non-Exchange+

STEP 3: Apply for OS-HELP

• You may be eligible for OS-HELP, a deferred HELP debt loan for undergraduate Australian citizens - loans of $4,000 or $8,149 are available. Academic Approval is required; have completed 80 credit points of study, and have 10 credit points remaining on return.
• Note, depending on the program, some of the opportunities below provide a scholarship, tuition waivers, free or cheap accommodation etc.

STEP 4: Complete the 'Before I Go' Online Checklist

Complete the Online Checklist (opens in a new window) to ensure you have completed the important tasks before heading overseas. This includes applying for a Student Mobility Travel Grant and information about travel insurance