Learning the laws of the world

So you want to be a lawyer. Or a solicitor, barrister, attorney. Or you want to fight for human rights, or negotiate complex business deals.

You’ll need a law degree. But laws are different in every country – so is studying law abroad a good idea?

Yes - especially if you want to practice Common Law, or English Law, somewhere in the world. Make sure you find the right law degree for you, with this guide to studying law overseas.

Student Poll

Should you study abroad during a recession?

A global financial crisis. Mass unemployment. International firms closing their doors.

In this current economic climate, it’s not surprising that many students are reluctant to pay for international study.

But a recession can be the perfect time to take on a new degree. An education will only make you more employable when things pick up. Because things always do pick up.

Building a better world…

Which engineering course is right for you?

For over two hundred years, engineers have solved the world’s problems. They have found better ways to do things, and created the structures, machines and technology that we often take for granted.

If you have a technical or scientific interest, you’ll find a wide range of career options as an engineer. And, there is a global shortage of qualified engineers. Driven by the demands of new technologies, new consumer needs, and new problems, over the next ten years this demand for qualified engineers will continue to increase.

In fact, a recent report by the Confederation of British Industry predicts that the UK will need to double the proportion of science and engineering graduates leaving university by 2014, or see those skilled jobs go overseas.

So, what type of engineering course should you study? Civil or chemical? Mechanical or electronic? In this article, we’ll explore the latest trends in engineering study.

Top 10 tips to choosing the right course for you

“Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire.” W.B. Yeats

This guide is all about passion. Your passion for your course, and for your future career. Because the secret to happiness is being able to love whatever it is you do in life.

And what does this all have to do with choosing the right course for you? It all starts here. Find the right course, at the right university or college, and you will be inspired to succeed.

So how do you make the right choice? Check our Top 10 tips on choosing your course for the lowdown on getting where you want to be – faster.

Top tip #1: What are you really interested in?

This is not necessarily what are you good at, but what do you love doing? You might be great at maths, but you spend your weekends fixing up bits of old computers. So don’t study maths, focus on IT or computer engineering instead. Specialise in your passion, and learn more about it from the world’s best teachers.

Learn a language, take on the world

For many international students, studying abroad means also having to learn, or at least improve their skills in, a new language. And this is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss – it will open up your world to new work, study and travel opportunities, let you truly understand new cultures and make new long-lasting friendships.

In this article, we talk to leading English language provider Navitas about what you should look for in a language course, and offer our top five tips on getting the most from your language study. Whether you decide on English, Japanese or Finnish is up to you. Just take a deep breath and have the confidence to speak it. Practice makes perfect!

All about English

English is the international language of business and diplomacy, spoken in over 100 countries by over 1.5 billion people. And almost another billion people are studying it right now. So no matter where you want to study, work or live; understanding and speaking English will be very useful.

English is also a language rich in culture, history and literature. But it can seem challenging – with over half a million words to learn, where do you begin? We asked Richard Arkell, the General Manager of the ELICOS and TESOL programs at Navitas, for his advice.
Navitas run English language pathway programs at their ACL and Hawthorn-Melbourne colleges, and general English language/travel programs at their ACE colleges.

Investing in your future: why study an MBA?

Every year, over 100,000 students choose to study an MBA (Masters of Business Administration). For some, it’s a basic pre-requisite to get into their chosen career. For others, it’s the best way to make sure they stand out in a difficult job market.

Many of you will commit to an MBA because you know it’s a quick step up the salary ladder. MBA graduates do make more money, right from the start.

But there are so many options now available around the world – full-time, part-time, distance learning, executive MBA… How do you decide which MBA program is right for you?

The most important thing is to work out why you want to study an MBA in the first place. You’ll need to demonstrate a very clear vision of your future career plans in your application, so get that straight in your mind first.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Do you want to switch careers, or progress where you are now? If you need to get new skills to switch careers, choose a school that specialises in that area (for example, engineering or IT). If you want to progress in your current role, talk to your firm about sponsoring your study, based on your commitment to them.

Do you want to keep working while you study? Look at online or distance learning options, or flexible part-time modules.

Top Business School - MBA Guides

Clear Admit School Guides offer objective reports on MBA programs, so you can compare schools in a meaningful way.

If you have a shortlist of business schools you want to attend, and you want to make your application really shine, you need to understand the unique aspects of each school. But it’s difficult to find the time to compare all the different websites and glossy prospectuses – so Clear Admit has done all the hard work for you.

The Guides provide detailed information for your application essays in a timesaving format. Everything you need to know about a school is in one place, including:

• The core curriculum and first-year experience
,
• Leading professors in key fields,
• Student clubs and conferences,
• Full-time job placement by industry and location,
• Student demographics,
• International and experiential learning programs,
• Tuition, financial aid and scholarships


Top 10 tips on getting that scholarship

Many of you will rely on some financial support to pay for your international education. For some, a scholarship could mean the difference between studying… and not studying. For others, it just helps with the cost of living, and also provides a bit extra to enjoy student life.

There are many scholarships available, and not all of them require you to prove you’re the most academically gifted person on earth. But they are incredibly competitive. So how do you make sure you get the scholarship or bursary you deserve?

Top tip #1: You usually can’t apply for a scholarship until you have been accepted into the course
This may seem like it’s the wrong way around, but you do need to know you can pay your tuition fees and travel expenses without a scholarship. That way, if you do win a grant, you can pay back your local bank loan or have a bit of extra spending money.

Subject guide: Hospitality and tourism

Do you love travelling, learning about new cultures and meeting people? Of course you do – that’s why you want to study overseas. But these are also the qualities you need to enjoy a career in hospitality, the world’s largest service industry.

There is a growing shortage of well-trained senior managers in the hospitality and tourism industry, so a well-regarded hospitality qualification is a great way to launch your career. And it could take you around the world, working for international hotels, entertainment venues or amazing restaurants.

Ask Anna

Question:

"How can I meet a StudyLink counsellor to get personalised advice about studying abroad in 2009?”

Answer:

“StudyLink is holding an exclusive online chat event on Wednesday 25 February. At the event you will be able to get personal answers on the following topics:

• Finding the right course
• Completing and submitting your online application
• Entry requirements
• Scholarships
• Career prospects
• Applying for a student visa

…and more!

Click the following button to register for the event. Please remember to include your name and contact telephone number when you register.