Originating in 1870, the University of Ballarat (UB) is the third oldest educational institution in Australia. They have a long and established history for developing industry linkages and for preparing graduates for employment in Australia and around the world.

Undergraduate and postgraduate courses are available in the following Schools — Arts (visual, graphic and performing Arts), Behavioural and Social Sciences and Humanities, Business Education, Human Movement and Sport Sciences, Information Technology and Mathematical Sciences, Nursing, Science and Engineering.

Technical and Further Education (TAFE) courses are available in the following fields of study — Arts Academy, Business Services, Business Administration, Hospitality, IT, Primary Industries, Human Services, Children’s Services, Community Services, Further Education, Health Services, Humanities, Manufacturing Services, Applied Science, Building and Construction, Engineering and Automotive.

You are required to submit along with your application, certified copies of awards, certificates or academic transcripts issued by your educational institution(s), certified translations of documents that are not in English, together with certified copies of the documents in the original language, other relevant documents, such as letters from schools or employees research proposal, if relevant.

The University does not have set closing dates for applications. However, students are warned that applications should be sent as early as possible to reserve preferred accommodation and to obtain student visas.

As a condition of your student visa, you must have sufficient funds to meet the cost of living and study in Australia. There are no fees for applying direct to the University. Course fees are fixed for the normal duration of a course. Fees cover the full cost of tuition but exclude the cost of living and non-compulsory course expenses.

Living costs in Ballarat are significantly lower than in the large Australian capital cities. If you are a single student you would normally require approximately Australian $12,000 a year for living expenses. This covers housing, food, transport, clothing and some modest entertainment.

International student programmes is located on the Mt Helen Campus and is set up to assist international students to settle quickly into the university and into Ballarat, to live and function effectively within Australian society and to be successful in their studies.

The university provides information and advice about how to prepare for arrival in Australia and what to expect on arrival. New students arriving from overseas are met at Melbourne International Airport by staff or senior students and are transferred by car or bus to Ballarat. Students are taken to their accommodation and assisted with basic needs such as changing money, calling home, buying food and other items.

Staff of the International Student Centre helps organise accommodation for students in advance of their arrival. A free orientation programme is conducted before classes begin and is compulsory for all newly arriving international students.

An ongoing social activities programme runs throughout each semester and provides opportunities for students to enjoy a range of activities. Continuing study assistance is provided by specially trained staff on a one-to-one basis to assist students with note taking, essay writing, assignment preparation, seminar and tutorial presentations, using the Library resources and English language skills.

In addition to English language support available in the International Student Centre, there is a special interdisciplinary elective subject, English and Academic Culture, offered in both semester one and semester two, which can be counted for credit towards degree studies. This special course is designed to develop further understanding of the linguistic and cultural factors that underpin academic discourse, particularly academic writing.

Students receive continuing cultural and welfare support throughout their stay in the university. Cultural activities are arranged which students can participate in. Students also receive advice and assistance from experienced and qualified staff in relation to financial and personal welfare matters, as well as visa, health insurance and general administrative matters. For further information, contact

www.ballarat.edu.au or www.idp.com