CORE3001 Pilgrimage Elective

Spain & Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage 2026

The School of Philosophy and Theology invites you to Spain in June 2026 for CORE3001: Pilgrimage.  Following an initial period of study in Madrid, you will travel to the province of Galicia in Northern Spain to join pilgrims walking along the Camino de Santiago, which translates as the Way of St. James, a historical pilgrim route that ends in the city of Santiago de Compostela. An estimated half a million people walked the Camino in 2025.

The pilgrimage

You will begin your time in Spain at our partner university Saint Louis University (SLU) Madrid. Our week in the city will be a rich cultural immersion; including excursions, visits to nearby cities, free time, and workshops with teachers from SLU Madrid.

Following your week in Madrid, you’ll be transferred to Sarria to walk the 120km path over one week to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Although the pilgrimage can be a profound religious experience for those who seek such, today many people who are not religious undertake the Camino and find it both spiritually and personally enriching. If you enjoy walking, encountering people and culture and experiencing companionship this pilgrimage is for you. You will be accompanied throughout by Notre Dame staff from the School of Philosophy & Theology or the Chaplaincy team.

The requirements of CORE3001 can only be completed by participating fully in the programme on campus in Madrid and walking the Camino.

View 2025 pilgrimage gallery
Colosseum from a distance

Important information

  • When is the pilgrimage?

    This course takes place in Winter Term during Study Period 2 from 15 June - 12 July 2026. During this time and leading up to the international travel component, you will attend a series of mandatory online and in-person workshops to prepare you holistically for your pilgrimage.

    International Spain Travel Dates: 20 June 2026 - 7 July 2026 (inclusive)

  • Eligibility requirements

    To be eligible for CORE3001 Pilgrimage, you must meet the following requirements:

    • Be a domestic Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident
    • Completion of CORE1000 Foundations of Wisdom by the end of Summer Term, 2026
    • Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree at the University of Notre Dame where the CORE3001 Pilgrimage elective course can contribute towards completion of your degree.
    • A minimum of one year of completed study at The University of Notre Dame, Australia
    • At least 18 years of age
    • Possession of a valid passport that covers both the duration of the pilgrimage and three months after your return from Spain.
    • Please be advised that participants will be expected to walk at approximately 20km a day across consecutive days over a week, as part of this experience.

    If you do not meet all these eligibility requirements, you may still be eligible to attend the International Immersion - Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage 2026 conducted by the Notre Dame chaplaincy team.

    If you have any questions about these eligibility requirements, don’t hesitate to contact us. .

Fees

The overall cost of the international travel component in CORE3001 is estimated at $6,000 - $8,000. This estimate is inclusive of all airfares, accommodation, group meals, activities, travel insurance and transfers.

Students must choose how they would like to fund the international travel component of this course. You will be able to self-fund, apply for the government OS-HELP loan or apply for the International Core Grant.

OS-HELP Loan

The OS-HELP loan is intended to provide financial assistance to Commonwealth Supported Students (CSP) who wish to pursue a portion of their studies overseas. Your OS-HELP loan will be added to your HECS-HELP liability (if applicable).

Each student is eligible to apply for a maximum of two OS-HELP loans during their degree, and this option is only available for students who have completed at least one year of study.

If you're interested in applying for OS-HELP, please check the eligibility criteria and application process. This should only be done after you have successfully secured a place in the CORE3001 Pilgrimage.

International Core Grant scholarship

The International Core Grant aims to support students who have experienced financial or educational difficulties in participating in study abroad programs at the university.

This grant is specifically designed for those enrolled in an International Core Curriculum course such as CORE3001 Pilgrimage. The grant will cover necessary travel expenses, such as international flights, accommodations, mandatory activities, and provided meals. International Core Grant recipients will have their travel booked for them by the university.

  • Who is eligible for the International Core Grant?

    To be considered for the International Core Grant, you will need to demonstrate financial hardship and/or challenging circumstances that have impacted your education, such as:

    • Being the first person in your immediate family to attend university
    • Relocating from a regional or remote area to attend university
    • Experiencing a disability or ongoing medical condition
    • Being an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person
    • Having carer or sole parenting responsibilities
    • Experiencing displacement; such as having an out of home care, refugee or asylum seeker background

  • What does the International Core Grant cover? 

    The Internation Core Grant covers:

    • Return airfares
    • Transfers to and from accommodation
    • Accommodation
    • Meals: group meals (typically 1- 2 per day)
    • Compulsory day trips and activities
    • Limited bursary

    Some individual expenses may not be included:

    • Individual meals
    • Travel insurance
    • Discretionary spending

  • How do I apply for the International Core Grant?

    Simply fill out the International Core Grant section as part of your online application for the International CORE3001 Pilgrimage.

    You are asked to provide the following supporting documents:

    • A personal statement (up to 500 words) explaining your situation and how receiving the International Core Grant would enable you to participate in the pilgrimage.
    • Other applicable evidence to support your application such as:
    • Proof of receipt of Centrelink payments
    • Proof of regional address
    • Evidence of disability or ongoing medical condition
    • Evidence of responsibilities of caring for another person who needs ongoing support due to a long-term medical condition, a mental illness, a disability, frailty, or the need for palliative care
    • Proof of humanitarian visa
    • Any other relevant supporting documents

    Successful International Core Grant applicants will be notified at the same time as they are advised of the outcome of their application to participate in the international course.

    The deadline to apply for the International Core Grant is the same as the overall application deadline for the CORE3001 Pilgrimage course.

Application process and timeline

Application

Submit your application online through our CORE3001 Pilgrimage Application Form . Complete the International Core Grant section of the application (if applicable).

Applications will close on Sunday 22 February 2026 at midnight (AWST).

Interview

As part of the application process, you will be contacted for an interview. Interviews will be conducted 16 February – 27 February (week 1-2 of semester 1).

Acceptance

You will be notified of application outcome within three weeks of your interview date.

Enrolment

If you are accepted, you will be provided with a permission code to enrol into CORE3001 Pilgrimage via the student centre. Permission codes will be provided alongside your confirmation of acceptance or deposit payment.  
You will be emailed an invoice showing all fees, due dates for payment, and containing a payment gateway link. You will be able to pay using a card of your choice.
Please note that a deposit will be required to secure your place in the course. This deposit will contribute to required travel costs such as accommodation, transport, required activity/entry tickets, and group meals.

Apply now

Contact us

If you have any questions about this pilgrimage or the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Core Curriculum
Email: corecurriculum@nd.edu.au

School of Philosophy & Theology
Email: philosophytheology@nd.edu.au
Fremantle: 08 9433 0137
Sydney: 02 8204 4175