With the Aussie Dollar at a 12 year low against many European currencies, there has never been a better time to consider studying in Australia. If you are looking for top quality education combined with real value for your money, consider the benefits of enrolling in one of the huge range of tertiary courses offered in the state of Victoria, Australia.

If English is not your first language, you will find that we can offer you a range of courses. You can start with an ELICOS course. ELICOS stands for ‘English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students’. This course is accredited by the Government, and can be tailored to each student’s requirements with their level of English language assessed in order that they take the most efficient course to fits their needs. Once a student has reached the right level of competence in English, they can proceed to further study.

TAFE and University

There are two kinds of tertiary institutions in Victoria - TAFE and universities. TAFE (Technical and Further Education) offers vocational education and training, similar to Polytechnics in the UK or Community Colleges in North America. Courses are mostly one to two years full time, are very practical and tied directly to particular occupational skills.

TAFE courses will suit overseas students who want to do an intensive course which skills them for a particular job, and are open to people who have just completed their secondary schooling. University graduates with general humanities or science degrees should also consider TAFE courses to give themselves practical work skills which employers seek from new employees.

In Victoria, we aim to have a ‘seamless’ education system, so it is easy to move from secondary school into TAFE, and from TAFE into university or vice versa. If you study a Diploma course at one of Victoria’s TAFE Institutes, you can apply to a university to have some of your course recognised for credits in an undergraduate course. In fact, five of Victoria’s nine universities are also ‘dual sector’ educational institutions. This means they offer both TAFE and university courses to their students.

So, for example, you might start with a two year TAFE Diploma then choose to go on to a university undergraduate degree in the same area of study. In this case, you may be able to apply for credit transfer, which could shorten the length of your degree by up to one year.

Most full time courses commence in February or early March and finish in November or early December, with a mid year break of two or three weeks, and two other shorter term breaks during the year. It is also possible to start some courses at mid year in July, and English language courses can usually be started every month.

A wide range of vocational studies

If your general education and English skills are sufficient, you may be able to enrol straight into a TAFE course at the Certificate or Diploma level. Courses are offered in a very wide range of vocational studies, including:

• Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and Natural Resources
• Automotive
• Building and Construction
• Business, Administration, Retailing
• Computing and Information Technology
• Engineering
• Food Processing and Technology
• Furnishing
• Health, Social and Community Services
• Manufacturing
• Printing
• Textiles, Clothing and Footwear
• Tourism and Hospitality
• Transport and Storage

Where can you study?

The state of Victoria has nine universities, with campuses in Melbourne, the capital city, and in several regional cities, including Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Wodonga and Mildura. The TAFE network is even wider. There are 15 TAFE Institutes, plus five TAFE sectors which are part of universities. Melbourne has many city and suburban TAFE campuses, and every major regional city in Victoria has a TAFE campus.

If you would enjoy the real country friendliness and small community atmosphere of a regional city, there are a range of tertiary courses available to overseas students, in cities such as Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Wodonga, Mildura, Warrnambool, Bairnsdale, Shepparton, Horsham and Wangaratta.

These country towns, with populations between 60,000 and 200,000 are all within easy reach of Melbourne by public transport. They offer the chance to find self contained local accommodation, or to stay with an Australian family in their own home, while you are studying.

TAFE classes are small and every student can ask for and receive individual help. TAFE institutes and universities which enrol students from overseas offer a range of support services for them. These might include meeting you at the airport on arrival, helping you to find temporary and permanent accommodation, giving you an orientation tour of the city where you will be studying and arranging for you to meet other local and overseas students through social clubs.

Why choose Victoria?

The cost of living as a student in Victoria is lower than in many other English speaking countries, including the UK, USA and Canada. In addition, students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during their stay in Australia.

If you want to study in a multicultural society with strong links to Europe, and a wonderful climate, then Victoria should be high on your list.

International students who want a taste of Europe with an Australian flavour have been discovering the unique attractions of Victoria for many years. Today, there are more than 12,000 international tertiary students studying in Melbourne and other Victorian regional cities. Located in the south east corner of the country, Victoria is a small state with a temperate climate which most Europeans enjoy.

European students will find it easy to fit into the Victorian lifestyle. Almost a quarter of Victoria’s people were born overseas, the majority in Europe. Melbourne, Victoria’s capital, is a multicultural city, and you will hear many languages of Europe and Asia spoken in its streets.

Melbourne, with a population of more than three million, is the second largest city in Australia. It has a clean and safe environment, quality fresh food and housing, and a strong cultural life. It is also Australia’s major manufacturing and industrial centre, and has major business and financial institutions. There is strong support of the Arts in Victoria, and international students will be able to attend high class performances by local and international artists.

The State of Victoria is famous for its natural attractions - a spectacular coastline with many sandy beaches, magnificent mountain forests, beautiful rivers and lakes, interesting wildlife and some of Australia’s best farming lands.

The climate of the state might surprise those who expect Australia to be hot and dry. Victoria is called a ‘green state’ because of its mild climate, with four distinct seasons. Winters in Melbourne average 13 to 15 degrees Celsius during the day, and snow falls only on the higher mountains about two to three hours travel from the coast. Summers in Victoria are temperate with low humidity. The climate is ideal with a year round outdoors lifestyle, and Victoria offers world class facilities for many sports.

Welcome to Victoria

Studying away from your home country is a challenge. But you will find that the people of Victoria welcome overseas students and are interested in their culture and traditions. In turn, you will learn much more about Australia than books and television could ever show you.

If your aim is to improve your English, you will have many opportunities as a student and in everyday life to practice your language skills. You will become part of the local population during your stay here, gain an educational qualification which is highly regarded throughout the world, and return home with unforgettable memories of your time is Australia as a student.

Author: Jan Martin, Department of Education, Victoria, Australia

This article first appeared in TransWorld Education