The lazy student’s guide to getting a visa

Sorting out your student visa takes a little time and planning. But it needn’t be as hard as you think. Just be prepared with these five simple tips to getting your student visa.

1. Get the timing right

You must wait until you have an acceptance letter for your course before you apply. But you also need to apply well in advance of leaving. Allow at least three months to be sure, and wait until your visa is confirmed before you pay for your flights.

2. Check all visa requirements carefully

Every country is different. And some embassy websites are, unfortunately, a little confusing.

So if you’re not sure of exactly what documentation you need, call first to check. This is especially important if you have to travel far for a visa interview – you don’t want to be stuck in another city waiting for extra paperwork.

It’s also worth asking someone else who has been through the same process already. If you don’t know anyone, why not post the question on the StudyLink discussion forum?

Study smarter, not harder: Top 10 study tips

Better results mean more choice and opportunity. So pick up a few new study tips, and prove your outstanding ability in your assignments and exams!

1. Don’t miss a class

‘A’ students never miss a class. They also never miss the beginning or end of a class, because important announcements about exams and projects are often made then. If you find you lose concentration during lectures, record them on your phone or a simple voice recorder and listen again later.

2. Review your notes quickly and often

After a lecture or class, read through your notes quickly again. It helps store the information in your long-term memory.

Australia: Study, work and live at Education City

Imagine a community that was designed just to meet the needs of students from around the world. A campus offering study and work opportunities, brand-new accommodation and all the lifestyle amenities you need, all within walking distance. It’s the ideal student lifestyle – and it exists in Queensland Australia.

Education City is in Greater Springfield, just 30 minutes from Brisbane’s city centre and about and hour from the long sandy beaches of the Gold Coast.

The idea behind the unique campus is to offer multiple learning opportunities to the local and international community by bringing education, training and learning providers together to the one location. So no matter what you want to study, or what pathway you need to take to get there, you can achieve your dreams at Education City.

UK: Financial support for Sheffield’s global students

When Sameeruddin Shaikh, from India, was choosing an MBA course in the UK, he was looking for support. “I short-listed Sheffield Hallam, because it offers a lot of facilities for its students,” he recalls.

“It has an international student support team, always ready to help students in any matter they need. It has accommodation services. The University arranges an induction program. And I received an International Achievement Scholarship, worth £1,000.”

The Sheffield Hallam University International Achievement Scholarship program is open to students from any non-EU country. Each scholarship is worth between £1,000 and £4,000, and is awarded to qualified students who show academic, personal or professional achievement in their application form.

Canada: Sauder kick-starts your Canadian business career

The Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is certainly a business school like no other.

Regarded as Canada’s leading business school it has an excellent reputation for research, learning and global partnerships. But it’s campus location, just 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver on Canada’s west coast, is also breathtaking.

Snow-capped mountains meet the sea and forests, views abound, and some of the city’s best attractions are right on campus.
Vancouver has been ranked as the world’s most liveable city, and its pacific-rim setting provides an excellent perspective on global business. The school’s 29,000 alumni work in over 70 different countries.

They also work in leading companies throughout Canada. As one marketing graduate remarks, “If you’re looking to settle in Vancouver and break into the job market here, the UBC MBA does an excellent job of providing you with industry contacts.”

Student Poll

How important is a post-graduate visa?

For many international students, the main point of studying overseas is the option to stay in that country to work once they finish their studies.

It’s not as challenging to do this as you might think. While you study, you have the chance to network with business and potential employers, especially through internships. You become more confident speaking the local language. And your university will usually have a career office to help you with your CV and interview skills.

But some countries make it easier than others. We’re talking about visas, of course. You cannot work anywhere legally without a work visa. And if you work illegally, you could get into far more trouble that you anticipated.

Ask Anna

Question:

"Can you help me understand the new UK points based visa system for international students?"

Answer:

If your native language is not English the answer is “yes”. All international students have to prove a certain level of English ability before undertaking undergraduate or postgraduate study where the mode of instruction is in English.

Application Deadlines

Australia and New Zealand –– If you have applied to start in July/August 2009, you should be receiving an update on the status of your application soon. 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 2010. Applications are reviewed on a rolling admissions basis and the earlier you apply, the earlier you will have an answer you’re your chosen institution. Submit your application and supporting documents to us now. 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, completing your applications and confirming your enrolment.

A recession-proof career in health

Around the world, many university graduates face a shrinking job market. But there is one career sector that will always be in demand – medicine and health.

Even now, doctors and medical specialists enjoy an almost 100% employment rate. And bonus migration points for qualified medical staff in some countries, such as Australia, can also make it easier to work abroad, especially if you’re willing to work in rural areas to start with.

Although that shouldn’t be your only reason for considering a career in health, if you are genuinely interested in helping people and making a difference to their lives, then it can also be a very rewarding career.

‘Medical studies’ is such a broad term. Although your parents may be keen to see you graduate as a doctor or surgeon, there are many other options. This guide will help you choose the best specialisation for your interests and abilities.

Your entry into the Health Industry

The University of Queensland has introduced a three-year degree program that can open doors to a wide range of health careers.

The Bachelor of Health Sciences (CRICOS code: 055897K) is an innovative, undergraduate program developed in consultation with the Australian health sector. The degree has been designed to be highly relevant to today’s health environment, where childhood obesity, cardiovascular disease and other ‘lifestyle’ induced health problems are in epidemic proportions and where there is a shortage of both clinical health professionals and health prevention experts.

It provides a broad overview of healthcare in areas such as biomedical sciences (e.g. anatomy, physiology, and psychology), the business of health (e.g. health systems) and preventive health (e.g. health promotion, nutrition and physical activity, and behavioural change). To ensure graduates of this degree are “job ready”, all students undertake an industry placement program which provides hands-on experience and an insight into future career options.