How to choose a Uni or College; Part 2; Choosing what and where to study

We continue our series on what to consider when selecting an overseas institution by offering important things to think about when choosing what and where to study.

There are so many ways to get information and recommendations on a college or university –friends, family, ranking guides, websites and student blogs and forums. In addition to using the advice of family and friends, you can also do some independent research to identify three or four universities or colleges where you could be happy learning, growing and networking.

Choosing where to study
Where you study can be almost as important as what you study. Wherever you go, you'll want to feel happy and settled. First you need to think about:

• Know who you are and what you want from your overseas study experience
• Choose a subject area, research topic or main academic focus based on what motivates you
• Find universities that meet your criteria – at home and overseas
• Narrow your choices based on your personal goals, the course cost and entry requirements

Independent search sites like StudyLink are a good place to start. Here you can search and compare courses from around the world. Try getting in touch with alumni from your preferred universities or talk to friends who have studied overseas.

Facilities, accommodation and costs
Although course and location are crucial when you're choosing a place to study, it's also worth thinking about:

• Size of the institution: is it one campus, or are the buildings far apart? What size are the classes?
• Social facilities: what are the clubs, venues, cinemas and sports facilities like? It may be easier to make friends at a smaller university but the choice of facilities can be more limited.
• Accommodation: what are the halls of residence like, and how much does the university and private accommodation cost?
• Cost of living: how high are the costs of food, entertainment and transport?

Quality and standards of your place of study
Before making a final choice about where you'd like to study, take time to look at official accounts of the college or university's performance such as teaching and research quality, and national student survey results.

It’s also important to find out about the entry requirements for particular courses at your chosen institution. Can you realistically make the grade? Similar courses can have different entry requirements so it's worth doing some research.

You might like to find out more about the research interests and strengths of members of staff and what links exist with employers or other universities.

To find out more about your institution:

• Look at the reports on the quality assurance agency for education website of that country – QAA in the UK and AUQA in Australia
• Find data on the student mix of the institution by looking at the university’s website statistic pages
• Look at their research and teaching profiles. Try to do this for the faculty you’re interested in and not just the whole university.

StudyLink Australia has been providing people with information on career and study options since 1991. Talk to a StudyLink counsellor today.

Stay tuned for Part 3 of ‘How to choose a Uni or College’ in next month’s Student Adventures where we tell you what you need to know about student visas and employment overseas.

Don’t miss out on your course of choice: Important deadlines for your application

Australia and New Zealand – If you have applied to start in July/August 2007, you should be receiving an update on the status of your application shortly. If you have an offer, you should be starting your visa application process and/or accepting your offer. Your counsellor will provide you with detailed information and assistance.

Apply early for 2008. Applications are reviewed on a rolling admissions basis and the earlier you apply, the earlier you will have an answer from the institutions. Submit your application and supporting documents to us now for early consideration. Keep in mind that you do not need to scan and attach your documents, a counsellor can do this for you. Contact a counsellor for assistance with selecting a course or completing your applications.

USA and Canada – The main term starts in September 2007 for most institutions. English language schools and some other institutions allow students to start throughout the year. Application deadlines vary and we encourage you to apply well in advance for best consideration and to allow time to apply for a visa. There are a few institutions still accepting applications for September 2007. Contact a counsellor for assistance with selecting a course or completing your applications.

UK – Submit your application to StudyLink now to start in September 2007. The undergraduate application deadline is 30 June. Postgraduate applications should be submitted by the beginning of July. Our counsellors will help you find a course and institution to meet your background and interests. Contact a counsellor to discuss your study plans.

Deakin research to improve safety and energy use of cars and planes

Cars and aeroplanes in the near future could be lighter, stronger, safer and more energy efficient thanks to research at Deakin University.

Dr Bronwyn Fox, of Deakin’s Centre for Material and Fibre Innovation, leads a team of doctoral research students who are investigating the use of carbon fibre materials in car and aeroplane manufacture. Their work could see a new generation of cars and aeroplanes with lower energy consumption and improved safety.

Dr Fox said: “Carbon fibre has a higher stiffness to weight ratio than steel, but it also absorbs more energy per kilogram, with the potential to make cars lighter and safer. Lighter cars are more fuel-efficient.”

“Similarly, as well as making aeroplanes lighter and more fuel efficient, the melding process we are investigating also works to make them safer. The fewer the number of joints and rivets you have, the fewer points for fractures there are,” she said.

Enter Quickstep, a new faster process for producing carbon fibre invented in Western Australia and being road tested at Deakin. The research is supported by Quickstep Ltd and the Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing.

Projects such as these show the difference Deakin University is making to industry and the community.

For more information on studying at Deakin, talk to a StudyLink counsellor now.

Bath Spa University Students Sign Record Deal

Four Bath Spa University commercial music students have signed their first major record deal after winning an international competition run by leading videogames company, EA Games. __The band, Showing Off To Thieves, was named European winner of the 2007 Burnout Bandslam, sponsored by EA Games. The competition received entries from more than 2,100 bands from all over Europe, and culminated in an intense public ranking process, with over 2,500,000 MySpace users participating, followed by final selection by an expert panel. The band will receive a demo recording deal in a collaboration between Virgin Records and EA and a chance to have their song included in a future 'Burnout' videogame. __Showing Off To Thieves consists of Bath Spa students Phil Maggs (bass), Tom Lloyd (drums), Andy Bradshaw (guitar), and Bath Spa graduate Andy German (voice). They formed in 2005 at Bath Spa University, and began recording together as part of the commercial music degree course, which also requires students to undertake a national tour to promote their work. The band signed their first independent record deal in 2006 with Bath-based independent record label Lockjaw records. _

Guitarist Andy Bradshaw said: "The commercial music course has given us the opportunity to develop our sound and get started on the live circuit, so when we graduate this summer we'll be able to launch straight into the music industry as a signed band." __Head of Department of Music at Bath Spa University Joe Bennett said: “Throughout their time here they [the band] have been relentlessly writing, rehearsing, recording and gigging - this success is the result of two years of intense hard work, and it's richly deserved."

_The band's winning track 'Everyone Has Their Secrets' is available on their MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/showingofftothieves.

If you want to launch your music career at Bath Spa University, contact a counsellor today.

VCC ranks highly in student survey

An overwhelming 84 per cent of Vancouver Community College graduates rated their training as useful or very useful in landing their main job, according to a 2006 survey conducted by the college.

Other survey findings were that 83 per cent of the college's graduates felt VCC's training prepared them well to perform their job and that 87 per cent of graduates were completely or mostly satisfied with their VCC programs. __Based in British Columbia, VCC serves 25,000 full- and part-time students a year in over 100 programs which include: health, hospitality, business, English as a Second Language, adult basic education, career access and trades and technology. As an international student you’ll be in good company with approximately 10 per cent of the student population hailing from over 60 countries outside Canada.

At VCC you can choose your learning path. You can take ESL and learn English to reach your desired language skill level or choose ESL Plus! and go on to a career, university transfer or further education programs to complete your educational goals.

As a community college, VCC offers a smaller, friendlier post-secondary educational experience, while at the same time offering an extensive range of programs and extra curricula activities.

Yohan, a VCC student from Korea, said: “VCC teachers are very dedicated to the students. When I have a problem with my studies, they are willing to spend time with me and teach me how to solve the problem.”

Asa of Sweden said: “The extra curricula activities and resources that VCC offers, beside classroom hours, are a big bonus. A learning centre, conversation club, free tutoring, audio labs – I am more than satisfied studying here.”

To find out more about what VCC can offer you, talk to a counsellor today.