Business study tours and immersion programs
- Business study tours and immersion programs
- Jakarta, Indonesia: A New Colombo Plan Program
- Philippines Study Tour
Philippines Study Tour
This study tour allows you to undertake a cultural and responsible business immersion experience in the Philippines, one of Southeast Asia’s fastest emerging markets.
This unique program will allow you to better understand Philippine culture, responsible business practices and social enterprise projects that aim to positively impact on community wellbeing, economics, social reform and policy. You will fully be supported for the duration of the program by an academic from the Business School.
This program attracts standard unit of study fees and a program fee. Sydney Global Mobility and the Business School offers a number of scholarships to help support students undertaking this program.
By participating in this program, you will:
- develop your research, resilience, collaborative and communication skills
- receive a total of six credit points towards your degree by successfully completing the Business School elective or selective unit of study, BWIL2260/BWIL6260 (Philippines Study Tour) and the in-country component (and assessments)
- receive, if selected, a minimum of $2,000 through the Sydney Global Mobility (SGM) grant to assist with program costs.
The program cannot count towards your major, minor or specialisation. As you’ll need to have at least six credit points of elective or selective space available to participate, we recommend planning your degree early to ensure you have the credit points available. For more information on how this unit can contribute towards your degree, check your handbook or consult with your academic advisors.
If you're approved to participate in this program, make sure you read the student responsibilities statement to ensure you understand your responsibilities.
A minimum enrolment number is required for the unit to proceed. If minimum numbers are not met the unit may be cancelled.
This program is open to eligible Business School undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply you need to be enrolled in one of the following Business School degrees:
- Bachelor of Commerce (including combined degrees)
- Master of Commerce
- Master of Commerce (Extension)
- Master of Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Master of Professional Accounting
- Master of Professional Accounting and Business Performance.
You'll also need to:
- maintain a WAM of 50 (or above)
- for undergraduate students, have completed a minimum of 24 credit points of business units by the the commencement of the program
- postgraduate students may apply at any point regardless of how many credit points have been completed.
- have six credit points of available space in your degree. Students are not able to exceed their degree requirements to participate in this program.
How you'll be assessed
Acceptance and enrolment into the Philippines Study Tour is competitive. Students will be assessed against selection criteria based on:
- Program objective's fit
- Teamwork and diversity
- Research acumen
- Cultural competence
- Resilience
These will be assessed through a written application and your academic transcript.
Additional requirements
If you're selected into the program, you must participate in all components of the in-country program (language and cultural classes, seminars, talks, organisational visits, networking, volunteering and official events) and the compulsory pre-departure session.
If you will complete the requirements of your degree before completing this program and the associated unit of study, you are not eligible to apply.
You can check whether you have six elective credit points of available space in your degree using the course management form. Please select 'Request a degree check' from the dropdown menu; the checking process may take up to 10 working days.
How to apply
Online application
You will need to lodge your application through Sonia Online by the application deadline. You can find instructions in the Sonia Online application user guide (pdf, 859KB).
As part of your application, you will be asked to include:
- a personal statement explaining your motivation for applying to this program and the SGM funding
- a copy of your academic record printed from Sydney Student.
Your documents need to be submitted as a single Microsoft Word document, no larger than 12MB.
Key dates
| Philippines Study Tour Intensive February 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Program duration | 2 weeks in country (from Sunday, 8 February to Saturday, 21 February 2026) |
| Application deadlines |
|
| Information session (online) | Thursday, 25 September 2025 |
| Students notified of application outcome | Friday, 24 October 2025 |
| Students’ confirmation of participation and $1000 deposit due (non-refundable unless program is cancelled by the University of Sydney) | 9 am, Friday, 31 October 2025 |
| Full program fees $2550 due (non-refundable unless program is cancelled by University of Sydney) | 9 am, Friday, 14 November 2025 |
| Compulsory pre-departure session | Late 2025/early 2026 |
| Arrive in Manila for Welcome Dinner | Sunday, 8 February 2026 |
| Depart from Manila after Farewell Breakfast | Saturday, 21 February 2026 |
| Semester 1, 2026 commences | Monday, 23 February 2026 |
Program and study requirements
Unit of study
If you’re successful in the application process and offered a place in the program, you’ll be enrolled in the unit of study Philippines Study Tour, BWIL2260 (for undergraduate students) or BWIL6260 for (postgraduate students).
To satisfy the requirements for this unit, you’ll need to complete:
- all pre-departure classes in Sydney
- all in-country program
- preparatory coursework in culture and research methodology
- graded assessments focused on developing reflection skills, group work, critical thinking and research methods, report writing and presentations.
You’re expected to represent the University in a positive manner. Inappropriate behaviour or misrepresentation of the University's name and resources, either professionally or otherwise, may result in immediate termination from the program and refund of any scholarship, if applicable.
During the program, you’re not permitted to participate in any deviated activities outside the itinerary, travel interstate on your own, seek placements or work arrangements in Philippines, and/or stay at a different accommodation other than the designated setting for the cohort.
There is a maximum of fifteen places only. Selection is competitive.
Financial information
Fees and costs
| Program package fee | The program package fee is A$3,550 for sharing rooms. A deposit of A$1000 is due by 9 am (Sydney local time) on Friday, 31 October 2025. The balance of the program fee is due by 9 am (Sydney local time) on Friday, 14 November 2025. The fees are to be paid in Australian dollars. The fee includes:
|
| Unit of study tuition fee | You'll need to pay tuition fees for the BWIL2260/BWIL6250 unit of study which is separate to the program fee. |
| Additional costs | Additional costs you’ll also need to pay include:
|
Financial assistance
You may be eligible to apply for financial assistance to cover the cost of some of your overseas travel and study expenses.
General bursary
If you think you might experience financial hardship by undertaking this program, you can apply for a general bursary through Sydney Student (go to ‘My finances’, ‘Scholarships, prizes, bursaries and loans’, then ‘Apply for financial support’). These are valued up to $2,000 and can assist with essential living and study expenses.
Your application will be assessed by the Student Life team.
Find out more information about general bursaries.
If you have any questions about financial support, or need help to apply, please reach out to Student Life by submitting a financial support enquiry.
Sydney Global Mobility (SGM) Funding
The Sydney Global Mobility (SGM) team offers two types of scholarship to eligible students who successfully enrol in this program. Scholarships are available under two categories:
- Merit & Equity
- Merit & Leadership.
The number of scholarships awarded in each category will be determined by the Business School. The term and conditions of the scholarships will be communicated to the eligible students upon selection.
- Merit & Equity Scholarship: covers the full program fee of $3,550, funded by SGM and the Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Hub.
- Merit & Leadership Scholarship: provides a $2,000 grant.
To apply, complete the relevant section of the program application form and submit all required supporting documentation at the time of application. Late submissions will not be considered.
Priority will be given to students undertaking their first work-integrated learning unit of study. If you have previously received a scholarship or funding (including Business School scholarships, NCP, Endeavour, or the Vice-Chancellor's Global Mobility Scholarship or Award) for any Business School work-integrated learning unit, you will only be considered for a second scholarship or funding in exceptional circumstances.
Refunds
If the program is cancelled by the University prior to 23 January 2026 due to unforeseen circumstances, you’ll receive a 100% refund of the program fee.
If you withdraw from the program after paying the deposit or the full program fee, you won’t be entitled to a refund for any of the program fee. You will also be asked to return any scholarship if already disbursed.
The University will not refund any additional or personal expenses you incur, even if the program is cancelled by us.
The University’s standard policies apply to the refund of the unit of study tuition fee if the unit is cancelled or you withdraw.
Passport and visa
You’ll need a current passport with six months validity after your date of return and a visa.
For further information about visas, please refer to the Philippine Consulate General website. You should contact the Philippine Consulate General directly with any enquiries.
We strongly advise that you don’t travel overseas until you receive your visa.
Accommodation
The University will arrange accommodation for students. You're required to stay in this accommodation for the duration of the program and must remain in Philippines. In order to meet the program's risk protocols, you won't be able to stay with family or friends or arrange your own accommodation during the program.
If you need accommodation before or after the program dates, you'll need to arrange this yourself at your own expense.
Travel insurance
You’ll be covered by the University of Sydney travel insurance for the duration of the program.
You won’t be covered for periods of extended personal travel taken before, during or after the approved University travel activity.
Flights and transfers
You'll need to organise your own travel to and from Philippines, ensuring you arrive in Manila by Sunday, 8 February 2026 to attend the mandatory orientation and briefing session.
We strongly advise that you do not confirm or pay for your flights until you've been officially accepted into the program. We also encourage you to consider booking fully flexible airfares.
Withdrawing from the program
If you need to withdraw from the program, please email business.placements@sydney.edu.au.
Make sure you read our information about refunds.
Media
You are expected to agree to photographs and video taken in connection to the program being used for marketing purposes by the University of Sydney Business School and partner organisations. You may also be invited to participate in the marketing and promotion of the placement program by sharing your experience.
Confidentiality
Student information as required for administering all aspects of the program will be transferred from the University of Sydney Business School to partner and host organisations.
More information
If you have any questions about the program, or wish to discuss special circumstances, you can contact us at business.placements@sydney.edu.au.