The University of South Australia (UniSA) is a truly international university that is successful in striking a balance between knowledge and application. Spread over five campuses in central Adelaide and the regional city of Whyalla, it’s one of Australia’s largest institutions offering more than 200 postgraduate and 140 undergraduate programs.
Its international students are extremely well-catered for. International student advisers are located on each of the four metropolitan campuses, while UniSA also has specifically-designed services to assist with orientation, accommodation, counselling and English language support.
Fast facts
It’s all about: UniSA graduates not only leave with a degree – they graduate ready to succeed in their chosen profession or to progress to a career in research.
Total students: 31,450
Total international students: 8,700
Teaching staff: 2,500
Yearly course fees: A$12,500 to A$19,300
Renowned for: An innovative approach to teaching and research that is both economically and socially relevant.
www.unisa.edu.au
The University of Adelaide
Australia’s third oldest university has a prestigious record of achievement, and is known internationally for its research and research training. Its five faculties are supported by state-of-the-art teaching laboratories and classrooms, and it also has an outstanding teaching and research library of more than two million items.
The university has been welcoming students to Adelaide for more than 60 years – in fact, its peer mentor program for new overseas students was last year voted the best of its kind in Australia.
Fast facts
It’s all about: 132 years of learning and teaching; Adelaide’s oldest university produces outstanding graduates recognised for their creativity, knowledge and leadership qualities.
Total students: 19,646
Total international students: 4,925
Teaching staff: 1,207
Yearly course fees: A$14,000-A$33,900
Renowned for: being among the world’s finest universities; association with five Nobel Prize winners and 100 Rhodes Scholars; alumni who have become national and international leaders in government, business, the professions, and many fields of science and technology.
www.adelaide.edu.au
Flinders University
One of Flinders University’s greatest strengths is the quality of its teaching. The university has won national recognition in 2006 and 2004: the Prime Minister’s Award for University Teaching. Courses are supported by strong links between teaching and research. Flinders consistently ranks among Australia’s top universities on a per capita basis for research spending, and for the citation of our work in scientific and professional journals.
The International Student Services Unit provides all services to international students, from airport pickup to ongoing academic and social welfare support. The only on-campus accommodation in Adelaide overlooks the city and the sea and provides for catered accommodation in University Hall or more independent living.
Fast facts
It’s all about: cutting-edge courses taught by award-winning teaching staff to produce top graduates.
Total students: 15,923
Total international students: 3,379
Teaching staff: 712
Yearly course fees: A$14,000-A$39,000
Renowned for: innovative world-class research; biotechnology; nanotechnology; student satisfaction. In the last six years, over 90% of students expressed satisfaction with their overall Flinders experience (Graduate Careers Council of Australia Course Experience Questionnaire).
www.flinders.edu.au
Carnegie Mellon University
Just over a year ago, Australia’s first foreign university, Carnegie Mellon University, opened its doors in Adelaide – offering US degrees from Australia. It’s consistently ranked among the top universities in the world, and as a result, its graduates are highly sought by organisations in all sectors.
The H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management has an international reputation for excellence in educational programs and faculty research. The Heinz School is consistently ranked among the top 10 public policy programs in the US and is ranked first in information technology.
Fast facts
It’s all about: problem-solving, collaboration and innovation.
Total students: 71
Total international students: 20
Teaching staff: 7
Renowned for: giving graduates the ability to work in teams, tackle unstructured problems, work with ambiguity and produce results under tight deadlines – the same demands that organisations will place on them during their careers.
www.heinz.cmu.edu/australia
TAFE South Australia
TAFE stands for Technical and Further Education and its here that you’ll get qualifications from certificates to advanced diplomas and degrees, in everything from beauty therapy and fashion design to hospitality and engineering.
TAFE South Australia is a group of 54 campuses offering a huge range of vocational education and training (VET) courses, designed to provide real and relevant work skills. Qualifications are valued highly by workplaces around the world, but they can also see you safely into university.
Fast facts
It’s all about: learning, gaining work skills and enrichment.
Total students: 80,000
Total international students: 1,000
Teaching staff: 4,300
Yearly course fees: A$8,000-A$21,750
Renowned for: ELICOS; interpreting and translating; hospitality, cookery and food science; business and financial services; tourism; accounting; nursing; engineering; horticulture and community welfare.
www.tafe.sa.edu.au
And then there’s:
Foundation studies: If you need extra qualifications to meet university entry requirements, Adelaide-based Foundation Studies and Pathway Programs might be the way to go. www.studyadelaide.com
Hospitality and Hotel Management: Adelaide is home to two of Australia’s most prestigious hotel management schools: the International College of Hotel Management (ICHM) and Le Cordon Bleu (LCB). www.ichm.edu.au or www.lecordonbleu.com.au
English language: Adelaide has full-time English Language courses (both beginner and advanced) running from one to 48 weeks. English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) are especially popular, with some courses tailored towards specific fields such as tourism, IT and business. www.studyadelaide.com
School education: Adelaide’s government and nongovernment schools have an outstanding reputation, and an excellent history of providing high quality educational opportunities to overseas students. Young people who complete their secondary education (age 17) receive the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) which is highly regarded by tertiary institutions around the globe. Adelaide’s International Baccalaureate program is one of the world’s largest.
