Today, reminders of the boom-town past can be seen in the grand Victorian buildings lining the main streets of the old town. The University Located six miles outside of Ballarat, the University of Ballarat was founded as the School of Mines and Industries in 1870. Today, the university enrolls about 4,500 students in nine schools, and retains a small-college atmosphere. The academic year follows the standard Australian calendar, which is the reverse of the calendar used in the northern hemisphere. Fall semester runs from late February to late June, and Spring semester runs from late July to early December.
Exchanges are possible for a semester or a year.
The university provides on-campus accomodation for exchange students. Most rooms are singles. Students may, depending on their placement, prepare their own meals in residence-hall kitchens or take meals at the University cafeteria. Only a limited number of exchange slots are available each year. Students who are awarded an exchange slot will pay regular NC State tuition and fees.