2025 Science NCP International Study Experience: China

Program fee covers:

• flights
• accommodation
• tours and cultural activities (including admission)
• language classes and learning activities
• local transport
• most meals.

Program fees

• Discovering Smart and Sustainable Urban Landscapes: An interdisciplinary Journey in Shanghai — AUD $5,000
• Seeds of Innovation: Expanding Horizons in China AUD — $5,500

Successful applicants are awarded with a AUD $4,000 New Colombo Plan mobility grant to put towards program fees. This NCP mobility grant will be paid directly to successful applicants.

Final program fees are subject to change. Any additional expenses for meals and incidentals are to be paid by student participants (expected out-of-pocket expenses while in China — AUD $500 to AUD $1,000).

To be eligible to participate in this mobility program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Australian citizenship
  • you will be required to submit a valid Australian passport as part of the acceptance process if successful
• age requirement
  • aged 18-28 at time of travel
  • note: provisions are in place for a percentage of students over the age of 28 to apply
• program enrolment
  • undergraduate student
  • current enrolment, and will be enrolled in Summer Semester 2025-26, in any Faculty of Science undergraduate program (including dual programs)
  • minimum cumulative GPA of 5.0
  • have 2 units elective space available in your program to complete the NCP-funded study tour towards AGRC2031 or SCIE3050 enrolment in Summer Semester 2025-26
• hold (or be eligible for) a valid Australian passport with more than 6 months validity from the date of return to Australia
• be available to attend the full length of the program (Monday 24 November – Monday 22 December).

You will need to declare whether you have received an NCP short-term mobility grant previously, as this may make you ineligible for this program (we will double-check this if you apply). 

No prior knowledge of Mandarin language is required. 

Other considerations

These study experiences involve significant walking and hiking during site visits and on university campuses. We encourage applicants to consider the physical demands of the program and reach out if they have any concerns, or need accommodations, prior to submitting an application.

NCP encourages participation by students from diverse backgrounds. If you fit into any of the categories below, and do not fully satisfy one or more of the eligibility criteria above, please reach out to see how we might be able to support your application:

• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• low SES background
• from a regional or remote area
• first in your immediate family to attend university
• a person with a disability
• non-English speaking background.

You will need to provide the following details:

• UQ Student ID number
• UQ email address
• degree and plan in which you are enrolled
• current year of study
• current cumulative GPA (supported with unofficial transcript)
• equity/diversity groups, e.g. 
  • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
  • low SES background
  • from a regional or remote area
  • first in your immediate family to attend university
  • a person with a disability
  • non-English speaking background 
• citizenship or residency status
• personal statement outlining your motivations for taking part in this study opportunity in China, including how your experience and skills might contribute to improving interdisciplinary learning for you and your peers (not to exceed one page)
• optional: reference letter from a UQ academic that provides evidence of your academic performance, engagement in the classroom and interpersonal skills (not to exceed one page).

A selection panel consisting of academic and professional services representatives from the Faculty of Science will consider all applications and notify you of the outcome by early June.

Students participating in short-term international study tours must:

• meet all international travel requirements for China
• participate in all mandatory pre-departure activities and completion of pre-departure requirements - including the learning requirements and assessment for the course you are enrolled in and receiving credit for
• commit to and complete the full program duration, and engage actively during all learning activities
• comply with behaviour expectations outlined in the UQ Student Code of Conduct Policy
• be considerate and mindful that while abroad, you are representing the Australian Government, the university, and yourself!

Students who withdraw are required to reimburse UQ (up to the amount of the grant) for:

• all cancellation fees associated with flights, accommodation, and other non-refundable program costs, and;
• any funds that may have been received prior to cancellation.

What are the international travel requirements?

To be considered for an international study tour, you will need to have:

• a valid Australian passport (with a minimum of 6 months validity from the end of the program, i.e., the date of return to Australia)
• the means to obtain relevant entry permission for China.

This involves:

• applying for, and obtaining a visa in advance through an online platform or in-person location.

If your passport has expired or will expire in the 6 months following the program's end, you should commence the passport renewal process. Note - this is not a consideration in your application, but rather a general eligibility criteria. Participants are liable for their own passport application/renewal fees.

Students with pre-existing medical conditions or accessibility requirements are encouraged to apply, and this will not disqualify you from participation. Please note that dependent on the condition, participants may be required to undergo assessment by a qualified medical professional to endorse fitness for travel.

It is recommended that all applicants familiarise themselves with UQ's Student Travel Procedure prior to submitting an application.

Do I need travel insurance?

All participants of Faculty of Science study tours will be covered by an appropriate level of travel insurance under UQ’s existing policy.

All participants are required to attend a UQ Travel Insurance briefing session prior to departure. Information will be provided about such events to successful applicants.

UQ Travel Insurance covers students for activities that are part of the study tour program schedule. Some activities that participants may take part in during personal time may not be covered under UQ Travel Insurance, e.g., extreme sports, high-risk leisure activities, etc.

It is the participant's responsibility to check the UQ Travel Insurance policy to confirm what activities are and are not covered. Organise adequate personal insurance coverage as required. 

Do I need to organise my own flight or accommodation?

No. Flights and accommodation will be included in the program fees.

Do I need to apply for a visa?

Successful applicants are required to organise and provide evidence of their own entry visa for China within the required timeframe.

All costs for relevant entry visas are borne by participants, including the cost of the visa and costs associated with obtaining the visa. 

The Science International team can provide supporting documentation for your visa application, e.g. an invitation letter from the host institution. However, UQ and the Science International team are unable to assist further or with the provision of information relating to the visa, aside from what is publicly available on trusted government websites.

Will I have free time?

Yes! You will have free time in between the time with your host institution and attending events and activities throughout the program. You will be required to attend events and activities organised by the Faculty of Science and the local hosts throughout the program. You are advised to view the program schedule before making plans for your free time.

Typically, participants can expect to have evenings free.

The 2024 NCP Seeds of Innovation China Academic Program saw 17 of our best and brightest science students travel to China for a 2 week academic program, in collaboration with Sichuan Agricultural University.

View the highlights in this YouTube video (04:28):

Read more about the 2024 program