Request Info
Win FREE Round-Trip Flights Enter Now
Apply Early. Roam Freely. View Promos
Spring Deadlines are Here! View Programs & Apply

Study Abroad | Perth

Australia | Murdoch University | Summer 2026
Sea turtle in the ocean in Australia.
Perth skyline at night.

Overview

This three-week summer program offers students the chance to study marine biodiversity and processes in Western Australia, including Ningaloo Marine Park, which is home to more than 250 species of hard coral, over 450 fish species, and various marine animals such as whale sharks, whales, sea turtles, and manta rays. The curriculum includes lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions, and fieldwork centered on marine reef ecology and associated topics. Participants will also take part in a ten-day field trip to the Coral Bay Research Station, where they can apply information learned at the Murdoch campus.

What’s Included

The AIFS Abroad inclusive program fee includes all of the great features below in addition to many pre-departure, on-site and upon-return services to help students make the most of their time abroad.

Review Our Policies

  • Tuition

    4 semester credits

  • Courses

    Tropical Marine Biology

  • Housing

    Student apartment and field camp accommodations

  • Excursions & Day Trips

    Glass Bottom Boat Tour in Coral Bay; Charter Boat Wildlife Cruise and a Snorkeling trip

  • Cultural & Social Activities

    AIFS Abroad-organized activities and social events to enrich your experience

  • On-Site Program Director

    To help with any questions or advice you may need throughout the program

  • Health & Safety

    24/7 emergency support and comprehensive insurance

  • Personal/Professional Development

    Access to the renowned Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment and alumni network

  • Green Initiative

    Carbon offsetting for all participants’ flights to and from their program location

Additional Options & Opportunities

  • AIFS Abroad Travel Package

    U.S. to Perth/Perth to U.S. flights
    Airport transfers to and from campus

Program Details: Study Abroad | Perth Tropical Marine Biology

Dates

June 27, 2026 – July 22, 2026

Term

Summer

Institution

Murdoch University

Application Deadline

March 1, 2026

Inclusive Fees

$7,490

Eligibility

Open to Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Minimum of 2.5 GPA

 Additional requirements may vary by course selection. See Academic section below.

Visa Requirements

Electronic Tourist Visas (ETAs) are required for entry into Australia. Directions on how to apply will be given upon deposit and participants will apply directly with the Australian government.

Academic Interest

  • Marine Biology
  • Marine Sciences

Rolling Admissions

Admission into this program is done on a rolling basis. You can expect confirmation of your acceptance within 2 working days of completing all required tasks.

Academics

AIFS Abroad offers a unique global educational experience for students on this program, with the following academic options available:

Universities

Murdoch University

Murdoch University is a public university with a culturally diverse and vibrant student body of 22,000 students including over 3,000 international students. It offers a wide range of courses across many disciplines including some subjects you won’t necessarily find at home. The campus has an impressive reputation for Marine and Environmental Science – Murdoch was the first university in Australia to offer Environmental Science and the first in Western Australia to offer Marine Science.

Murdoch University is home of the Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, with links to the Western Australian Marine Science Institute (WAMSI). The University also owns and operates the Coral Bay Research Station, located on the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef.

Coral Bay and the Ningaloo Marine Park

Coral Bay, located 1100km north of Perth in Ningaloo Marine Park, offers easy access to the 280km-long Ningaloo Reef. The area features warm waters and clean, white beaches, with the reef forming a sheltered lagoon ideal for fishing, snorkeling, and diving. Situated near the Tropic of Capricorn, Coral Bay lies centrally within the marine park, which stretches from Red Bluff to Bundegi and includes the Cape Range National Park coastline. Declared a Marine Park in 1987 to protect Western Australia’s largest coral reef, the region is notable for its proximity to the continental shelf and exceptionally clear waters. Listed as a World Heritage Area in 2011, Ningaloo Coast supports over 250 coral species, 470 fish species, and marine life such as whale sharks, manta rays, whales, and turtles, making it one of the world’s most pristine and accessible coral reefs.

Areas of Interest

  • Marine Biology
  • Marine Sciences

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements for Tropical Marine Biology

  • Open to Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Minimum of 2.5 GPA
Participants should have completed at least two classes of animal or plant biology, with a focus on ecology, before the program begins.

Summer Program Options

View All Courses For Tropical Marine Biology

Living Abroad

AIFS Abroad provides excellent accommodations, activities, resources, and staff to help students learn about and integrate into their host community.

Housing

University Apartment & Field Camp Accommodations

In Perth, you’ll reside both on campus at Murdoch University in twin self-catering rooms in a student residence and camping at the Ningaloo Reef Adventure camp during the field portion of the program.

  • Single room in a 5- or 6-bedroom apartment
  • Shared full kitchen, living room area, table and chairs, fan and two bathrooms
  • Wide range of facilities including a swimming pool, student lounge, TV room, e-library and study spaces, high-speed Internet, volleyball court and barbecue zone
  • 24-hour support for residents, with a dedicated team of Resident Assistants (RAs) and an evening duty manager
  • A shared tent at Ningaloo Reef Adventure camp
  • Meals included while in Coral Bay

Internet access is included in all AIFS Abroad housing in Perth.

City Facts

Weather

Perth is considered the sunniest capital in Australia, boasting over eight hours of sunshine each day, even in the colder months.

Geography

With its strategic location, set between South East Asia and Eastern Australia, it only takes three hours to reach Bali in Indonesia.

Site Staff

AIFS Abroad in Perth Director, Summer Programs

On campus study abroad support staff when in Perth with accompanying faculty for the duration of the program.

The Program Director provides academic advice, introduces you to the community and handles communication with the University.

Cultural Activities

  • Glass bottom boat tour in Coral Bay
  • Charter Boat Wildlife Cruise
  • Snorkeling trip (snorkeling equipment provided if needed)
  • Swimming with whale sharks and manta rays
Barcelona,Spain
A group of happy students at a carnival.
A view of Prague.

Cultural Resources

One of the best things you can do before departure is enter into the journey knowing that your time abroad will be unique to this experience. The resources, community, and support available to you when abroad will likely be different as well. In order to help you prepare for your experience, we have compiled the General Cultural Resources and Site Specific Cultural Resources for you to review. Your program staff will also provide you with more details during pre-departure and orientation.

Learn more

Important Dates & Deadlines

Request Info

Open

Dates & Deadlines

Details

  • Early Application Deadline*
  • Application Deadline
    March 1, 2026
  • Deposit Deadline
    March 20, 2026
  • Scholarship Deadline
    March 1, 2026
  • Visa Deadline****
  • Balance of Fees Payment Deadline
    April 1, 2026
  • Optional Departure Flight from US***
    June 25, 2026
  • Program Begins
    June 27, 2026
  • Program Ends
    July 22, 2026
  • Optional Return Flight to US***
    July 22, 2026
  • *** Included for students on AIFS Abroad travel package.
  • **** AIFS Abroad offers visa processing services to applicants who enroll into the program by this date. All other applicants who enroll after this date will be responsible for securing their own visa with guidance from AIFS Abroad.

Optional Travel Package

Participants can select an optional transportation package for all AIFS Abroad programs that includes a round-trip flight from 25 U.S gateways and airport transfers to and from campus. Participants who choose to book their own flights will be responsible for connecting with the group at the program location and will need to make their own ground transportation arrangements from the airport.

Below are fees by departure city based on average historical costs and subject to change. If you select this option on your application, the total travel package price will be confirmed approximately one month prior to departure. Your program fee is guaranteed, and the optional travel package is an additional fee. Please note that once we have finalized the pricing for your flights the cost may change, and you will be responsible for making the additional payment if you want to participate in the travel package. Your program advisor will be in touch should there be any changes in the price of your flights.

Depature City

Fee

  • Atlanta
    $3,520
  • Boston
    $3,420
  • Buffalo
    $3,420
  • Charlotte
    $3,360
  • Chicago
    $3,280
  • Cincinnati
    $3,380
  • Columbus
    $3,340
  • Dallas
    $3,260
  • Denver
    $3,400
  • Des Moines
    $3,420
  • Detroit
    $3,500
  • Houston
    $3,460
  • Los Angeles
    $3,100
  • Miami
    $3,280
  • Minneapolis
    $3,460
  • Newark
    $3,390
  • Orlando
    $3,380
  • Philadelphia
    $3,400
  • Phoenix
    $3,240
  • Pittsburgh
    $3,420
  • Raleigh/Durham
    $3,400
  • San Francisco
    $3,320
  • Seattle
    $3,220
  • St. Louis
    $3,340
  • Washington/Dulles
    $3,360
  • View more View less

See what others are saying

Trustpilot

You May Also Like

View Similar Programs
Two students walking in a field.

Ready to Study Abroad in Perth?

For more dates or questions, contact your program consultant:
(203) 399-5163 or email: aifsabroad@aifs.com

Apply Now Request Info