International Agreements at the University of Sydney
The University of Sydney’s position as a leading global university is enhanced by the establishment of partnerships with top higher education institutions worldwide.
International agreements, which formalise the University’s international partnerships, are established by a process of consultation, negotiation and approval, in accordance with the University’s rules and procedures.
You can search the University's International Agreements Database for an overview of where the University is engaged regionally and globally. The agreements recorded on the International Agreements Database are those that formalise the University's education, mobility and general partnerships.
International agreements, which formalise the University’s international partnerships, are established by a process of consultation, negotiation and approval, in accordance with the University’s rules and procedures.
You can search the University's International Agreements Database for an overview of where the University is engaged regionally and globally. The agreements recorded on the International Agreements Database are those that formalise the University's education, mobility and general partnerships.
The following agreement-types are recorded on the International Agreements Database:
- Credit Recognition Agreements
- Clinical Placement Exchange Agreements
- Dual Degree Agreements
- Erasmus+ Agreements
- Fieldwork Program Agreements
- International Placement Agreements
- Joint PhD Principal Agreements
- Joint Study Abroad and Exchange Agreements
- Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) - (note: not involving substantive research)
- Offshore Program Agreements
- Sponsored Student Scholarship Agreements
- Staff Exchange Agreements
- Student Exchange Agreements (Including CEMS Exchange Agreements)
- Student Placement Agreements
The process for setting up an international agreement (including MOUs that don't involve substantive research) of a type handled by Sydney Future Students is as follows:
- The University of Sydney agreement sponsor must complete a Proposal to Negotiate which sets out relevant details of the proposed agreement, including parties, scope of proposed activities and benefits to the University of Sydney.
- The agreement sponsor will need to secure the approval from relevant stakeholders at the University for the Proposal. Such approval will typically include obtaining the signature of the relevant Dean(s) or Head of School(s) on the Proposal, and as appropriate, the delegated signatory for the agreement (see item 7 below).
- Once a Proposal has been completed it should be submitted to the Head, International Agreements for review and feedback.
- As a quality assurance step, signed Proposals are recorded on Records Online so that prior to any renewal of an agreement, the outcomes of the agreement can be evaluated against the stated objectives and desired outcomes outlined in the Proposal.
- The Head, International Agreements will then prepare a draft agreement for review by the agreement sponsor.
- The draft agreement will be shared with the partner for its review and comment. Any proposed amendments will be considered, with appropriate input from the Office of General Counsel.
- Once the University has reached consensus with the partner on the language of the agreement, it is ready to be signed. The principal signatory for the University of Sydney shall be in accordance with the University’s Delegations of Authority for the particular type of agreement. Additional USYD signatories (such as a Dean or Head of School) can be included, if desired.
- The Head, International Agreements will typically prepare a final clean version of the agreement, and deliver it to the University’s principal signatory for execution.
- Once fully executed, a scanned copy of all international agreements are recorded on the University’s contract register (Records Online / TRIM) by the Head, International Agreements.
Preparation and negotiation of draft agreements can be a lengthy process. The Head, International Agreements will be able to advise on indicative time-frames. Urgent agreements will be given corresponding priority.
The Joint PhD Program (previously called the Cotutelle Program) is administered separately and does not use the Proposal to Negotiate document. Joint PhD partnerships are only established with the University's key international partners, and where there are strong prospects of a sustainable two-way flow of students. Contact the Head, International Agreements in Sydney Future Students for further details.
The Research Portfolio at the University (rather than Sydney Future Students) provides support in relation to all research agreements (commercial, government and non-commercial) that involve the management of research and intellectual property. This includes MOUs that involve substantive research.
If you are a University of Sydney student interested in the option of studying overseas as part of your degree, you are an outbound student and should refer to the University's Global Mobility Database.
If you are an international student looking to study in Australia as part of your degree, you are an inbound student and should take a look at the University of Sydney's study in Australia webpage.
The Joint PhD Program (previously called the Cotutelle Program) is administered separately and does not use the Proposal to Negotiate document. Joint PhD partnerships are only established with the University's key international partners, and where there are strong prospects of a sustainable two-way flow of students. Contact the Head, International Agreements in Sydney Future Students for further details.
The Research Portfolio at the University (rather than Sydney Future Students) provides support in relation to all research agreements (commercial, government and non-commercial) that involve the management of research and intellectual property. This includes MOUs that involve substantive research.
If you are a University of Sydney student interested in the option of studying overseas as part of your degree, you are an outbound student and should refer to the University's Global Mobility Database.
If you are an international student looking to study in Australia as part of your degree, you are an inbound student and should take a look at the University of Sydney's study in Australia webpage.