DEGREES AND COURSES
UNIVERSITY COURSES
Undergraduate courses
Bachelor Degrees are granted after a minimum of 3 years of study. Some Bachelor's degrees may need up to 6 years, e.g., Medicine and Veterinary Sciences, etc. Honors courses have more course content and are granted to students who are considered capable. The honors course can be done in an additional year after graduation or additional courses can be taken from the 2nd year of graduation.
Courses offered are in several disciplines:-
Agriculture - Agriculture, Forestry, Parks and Wildlife
Business, Administration and Law - Economics, Accounting, Commerce, Management, Administration, Secretarial Studies, Sales and Service, Law, Justice, Legal Studies
Education - Education Studies, Teaching
Engineering - Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Electronic, Structural, Mechanical, Automotive, Aeronautical, Mining, Industrial, General Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications
Health Sciences - Medical and Therapeutic Technologies, Nursing, Nutrition, Medical Sciences, Environmental Health, Optometry, Dentistry, Personal and Family Health Care
Humanities - English, Philosophy, History, Ethnic Studies, Foreign Language Studies, Religious Studies, Communications, Women's Studies
Mathematics and Computing - Mathematics and Statistics, Computer-based Information Science, Computer Science
Science - Biological Sciences, Physics, Earth Sciences, Pharmacology, Veterinary Science, Animal Husbandry, Chemistry
Social Studies - Geography, Library and Archival Studies, Behavioral Studies, Welfare and Counseling, Sport and Recreation, Political Science, Sociology
Visual and Performing Arts - Art, Graphic Arts, Fashion Design, Crafts, Performing Arts, Music
Dual degree
Many Australian universities offer a range of double or dual Degree programs. Students can study in two faculties and graduate with two Degrees. Double Degrees generally take four years to complete and are very popular, as they allow the student to obtain two qualifications for just one additional year.
Postgraduate courses
Postgraduate courses are either certificate courses, diploma courses or degree courses.
Postgraduate degree - This is a 2 year course for Bachelor's degree holders. Those who have completed an Honors Bachelor's course can complete the same course in one year. The method of study includes a combination of course work and thesis or even research.
PG certificate - PG Certificate is granted after a semester of study which can be done after a graduate degree.
PG diploma - PG Diploma is granted after 2 semesters of full time study after a Bachelor's degree. These courses are valuable when a student seeks admission to a Master's program. They also provide learning in specific areas.
Master's degree usually takes one year to 18 months while research Master's degree takes 2 years of full time study.
Doctorate (PhD)
This is available to students after post graduation or after honors graduate course. It takes 3 years of full time study.
Graduate students planning to undertake research in an Australian institution at Masters or Doctorate level are assured of considerable research facilities often with state-of-the-art equipment. Institutions in Australia also receive research grants from other government organizations and the industry. Universities also undertake research activities in collaboration with both industry and Government together.
PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITION
Degree programs designed to qualify candidates for entry into various professions, e.g., Medicine, Law, Accountancy, etc., must be approved by professional organizations. Graduation from a course which is accredited fulfills the requirements for entry into the concerned profession.
COURSES THROUGH THE VOCATIONAL ROUTE
Links with university
Many vocational institutions have links and agreements with universities. Through these links, universities offer up to one year of advanced standing into a Bachelor degree as well as guaranteed entry into your course, as long as you achieve the required grades at your vocational institution. Students can achieve two qualifications in the same time it would normally take to achieve one.
These courses are often called degree programs or university transfer programs, and are a well-respected alternative to direct university entry. Students are usually required to complete at least one year of full-time vocational study before transferring to university.
TAFE courses
TAFE courses can be undertaken full time or part time or slotted along with a job. TAFE courses are both for semiskilled and for professional training. Courses cover all fields, e.g., Engineering/Technology, Building and Architecture, Aviation and Maritime Studies, Art and Design, Computing, Music, Computer and Information Science, Applied Science, Hospitality and Tourism, Agriculture, Horticulture, Health, Community, Management and Marketing, Child care, Baking, Gardening, Women's Studies, etc. TAFE courses lead to the award of diplomas and advanced diplomas and certificates. The two and three years courses take the student into 2nd year of degree courses in most cases. This advanced entry into degree courses is becoming increasingly popular in the Asia Pacific region and in India where entry and reentry into competitive courses may be very exasperating. TAFE route is certainly more experiential and safe. TAFE courses offer Certificate, Advanced Certificate, Associate Diploma, Diploma programs.
Certificate courses are designed to provide basic employment skills for some skilled trades. Full time courses take one year to complete.
Advanced Certificate courses are designed to train supervisors. These are also one year courses and credits can be transferred for higher courses.
Associate Diploma courses train junior professionals who have both knowledge and skills for that profession. Training for managerial skills is also incorporated. These courses are of 2 years duration and offer its students advanced placement in TAFE Advanced Diploma courses and in the university degree courses which means a student with a good academic performance may enter university in the 2nd year.
Diploma and advanced diploma courses are of 2/3 years duration and are professional in nature. They combine knowledge and skill training in the course. Diploma holders can complete a university degree in 1to2 years.
TAFE courses may appear quite similar to the Industrial Training Institutes (ITI's) in India but their distinction lies in its facilities and linkages. TAFE institutions have the best possible equipment and laboratories. Very popular and much in demand are specializations such as hotel management, plastic production and manufacture, computer manufacture, etc.
Study routes, quality assurance and credit transfer - TAFE liaises with Australian schools and universities, and is able to provide students with routes into higher education through course articulation and credit transfer (advanced standing).
TAFE courses are accredited by each Australian State or territory which ensures that the quality of curriculum, teaching and resources meets Australian competency standards set by industry.
TAFE courses are widely recognized in Australia by industry, employers and universities. In overseas countries, TAFE is negotiating with polytechnics, ministries of education, universities, employment authorities and professional associations to ensure that the TAFE qualifications gained by international graduates are officially recognized in their home countries.
EXAMPLE OF TAFE PATHWAYS
TAFE Diploma 2 years + University Bachelor = 4 years
Or TAFE Certificate Degree (2 years)
Or TAFE Matriculation (1 year) + University (3 years) = 4 years
Private institutions
Private institutions offer the same range of qualifications as TAFE institutions. Some provide courses in a very wide range of fields while others specialize in one area such as hotel management or aviation. Private vocational institutions also vary in size, ranging from a full-time student population of 50 to 500 students.
Foundation and bridging courses
If you want to enter a university undergraduate course but you do not meet the minimum academic requirements, then foundation and bridging courses will give you the knowledge and skills you need. Usually, you will do the foundation and bridging courses at the university you plan to attend, and the university will hold a provisional place for you in the undergraduate course. Some courses will earn you advanced standing in your university course.
Foundation and bridging courses usually take one year. There is no public examination involved. Your teachers and lecturers will assess you and give you exams to test your level.
Foundation and bridging courses are divided into streams, such as business studies or science studies, which offer a variety of compulsory and elective subjects depending on the individual's English language proficiency and academic qualifications. Courses are very similar to what students would study to achieve the Australian senior secondary school certificate (Year 12).
Classes will be very similar to what you will experience at university with large group lectures and small group tutorials. Small tutorial sizes guarantee that you will get individual attention.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES
English language courses are for those international students who need to improve their English language skills to prepare them for studies at an Australian institution or for social or work use.
Many universities and VET institutes have English language centers attached to their campuses. There are around 100 private English language centers found in all the capital cities and some rural areas. English language centers do not usually have any entrance requirements.
DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSES
Some Australian universities also have facilities to offer a number of their courses externally. These programs are conducted by the Distance Education Centre (DEC) in certain specified institutions and in some foreign countries. The degree granted is equivalent to an award offered through a regular program on-campus. This system permits overseas students to spend one or two final years on campus in Australia, the rest of their studies can be taken in their home country.
