Australia: Quality education at a competitive price

Theres more to studying in Australia than sun, sand and surf.  While Australia is known for nice weather and beautiful beaches, it also offers great-quality education options to international students. 

The most popular courses in Australia include: business; commerce and management; engineering and technical studies; information technology; health, medicine and veterinary studies; and English as a foreign language.  Australian institutions also offer unique study opportunities in areas such as wine making, reef studies and Antarctic studies. 

Australias academic style challenges students with critical analysis and independent research rather than strict memorisation.  Developing these skills while studying will help you to succeed in your future career. 

Australias land area is about the same size as the 48 adjoining states of the United States of America, but its population is just over 20 million.  The larger cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide range in population from 4.2 to 1.1 million people and offer multicultural, vibrant city-living.  Australias regional cities offer a very friendly and safe environment, great for learning traditional Australian culture.  In general, the cost of living and studying for an international student in Australia is less than it is in the USA or UK. 

Australia Day, January 26, commemorates the landing of the First Fleet in Sydney Cove in 1788.  This group of ships from England carried people who established the first European colony in Australia.  Today many Australians celebrate this national holiday by having a BBQ with friends or going to the beach, and many cities have festivals and fireworks. 

We encourage you to contact a counsellor with any questions you have about study opportunities in Australia.

Dont miss out on studying in 2006

Australia - If you have accepted an offer to start studying in Australia in February/March 2006 (first semester), you should be applying for your student visa, making travel and accommodation bookings, and making other pre-departure arrangements.  Contact a counsellor with information on your study plans and we would be happy to help you with your pre-departure preparations. 

If you would like to start studying in Australia in July/August 2006 (second semester), we encourage you to apply early for best consideration. Contact us for assistance with selecting a course or completing your application.

USA - If you would like to start studying in the USA in September 2006 (first semester), we encourage you to submit your application early. Contact us or the institution with any questions.

UK - Applications are being accepted for students interested to start studies in the fall of 2006 (August/September) for most areas of study. Applications are now being reviewed on a rolling admissions basis.  Contact us to discuss your study plans and get help selecting a course. 

Applications have closed for 2006 entry into medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science.   Consider applying for 2007 or applying for a different course starting in 2006. Contact a counsellor for assistance in selecting a course.

Miss out on the tertiary entrance score you were hoping for?

With various organisations offering alternatives to direct entry into university, you can still realise your study goals despite a disappointing tertiary entrance score.

IBT is one such organisation offering a wide selection of pathway programs in conjunction with universities in Australia and the United Kingdom.  Studying at an IBT college means you will study a university-designed program with university lecturers on a university campus with small classes.

The IBT Education group has campuses in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, London and Hertfordshire offering high school, university foundation, university level Diplomas, Bachelor degrees, Pre-Masters / Postgraduate Qualifying Programs and Master degrees.

If you are eligible for the fast-track program, you can complete your entire Bachelor degree in less than three years because when you study an IBT Diploma, you study the same units as the first year or the first semester of a Bachelor degree. Therefore, upon completion you enter into either the second year or second semester of the partner university Bachelor degree.

QIBT Diploma of Design graduate Isabel Kemp did not receive a high enough OP to get into her degree of choice after completing high school.  Ms Kemp said she opted to do the QIBT course so she could enter straight into second year of the Bachelor of Design at Griffith University without wasting any time.

All IBT colleges have up to three intakes per year for most programs, so you can choose when to start your program.

To find a pathway that suits your needs, contact StudyLink.

International Students are satisfied with Southampton

The University of Southampton in the UK received top scores in a recent survey of international student satisfaction.

The International Student Barometer measured international students views of their study experiences at the end of the academic year, focusing on the importance and satisfaction of the learning, living and support elements of student life. 

Southampton received the top satisfaction scores in 13 categories: lecturer expertise, teaching, academic content, research, academic support, assessment, careers guidance, flexible study, sports facilities, internet access, financial support, Finance Department, and Graduate School, making it the top university overall.

The University of Southampton is located on the south coast of the United Kingdom and offers a full range of academic subjects at all levels  Foundation Year, Bachelors, Masters and PhD research programs.

If you are interested in learning more about studying at the University of Southampton, let StudyLink help you.

SIBT and Macquarie Uni offer students a global perspective

In todays global marketplace, companies are increasingly looking for graduates with cross-cultural awareness and proven leadership skills.

Sydney Institute of Business and Technology, together with Australias Macquarie University, is offering its students a way to develop these qualities though its newly developed Global Leadership Program (GLP).  The program provides you with practical training and experience in the areas of cross-cultural awareness and international issues, and focuses on the development of professional skills.

You are able to fulfil the requirements of the program by participating in an internationally focused range of activities and receive acknowledgement on your Macquarie academic transcript.

The GLP offers the opportunity to become involved in international exchanges, volunteer programs, internships and conferences. 

Commerce student Omer Faruk Sonmez said he recently attended a conference in London as part of the GLP program.  I think these activities help to give me an edge over other graduates, he said.

If you would like to find out more about the GLP program, contact StudyLink

Deakin Uni joins forces with industry

Australias Deakin University has created a multi-million dollar technology precinct at its Geelong campus to expand its research and development capabilities and provide opportunities for university-industry partnerships.

The benefits of this industry-institution collaboration are expected to be threefold.  Businesses will have the opportunity to improve their competitive edge by tapping into the schools expert network. The university will be able to identify its future research and training needs and students will be exposed to interesting case studies.

The activities of the precinct are centred on Deakins core research areas of biotechnology, nanotechnology, cool climate wine science and prototyping along with regional strengths in materials manufacturing and agri-processing.

Two of the precincts Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) have recently received funding increases for their manufacturing and product performance research. The research of both centres will have an impact on the automotive and light metals industries.

Ask a counsellor if you would like to learn more about Deakin Universitys courses.