(May 2014)
2
Introduction Australian universities have a strong reputation for excellence and quality across its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITIES – LISTED ALPHABETICALLY
Australian Catholic University http://www.acu.edu.au/ Australian National University www.anu.edu/ieo Bond University http://www.bond.edu.au/ Central Queensland University http://www.international.cqu.edu.au/ Charles Sturt University www.csu.edu.au/division/internat/ Curtin University of Technology http://www.curtin.edu.au/ Deakin University www.deakin.edu.au/international Edith Cowan University www.ecu.edu.au/iso/ Flinders University of South Australia http://www.flinders.edu.au/ Griffith University www.gu.edu.au/centre/guic/Students/home.htm James Cook University www.isc.jcu.edu.au/ La Trobe University www.latrobe.edu.au/international/ Macquarie University http://www.mq.edu.au/ Melbourne University Private www.muprivate.edu.au Monash University http://www.monash.edu/ Murdoch University www.murdoch.edu.au/international Northern Territory University www.ntu.edu.au/international Queensland University of Technology http://www.qut.com/ Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology http://www.international.rmit.edu.au/ Southern Cross University www.scu.edu.au/intoff/ Swinburne University of Technology www.swin.edu.au/isu/welcome.html University of Adelaide www.international.adelaide.edu.au/ University of Ballarat www.ballarat.edu.au/international University of Canberra http://www.international.canberra.edu.au/ University of Melbourne www.unimelb.edu.au/international University of New England http://www.une.edu.au/ University of New South Wales http://www.international.unsw.edu.au/ University of Newcastle http://www.newcastle.edu.au/ University of Notre Dame Australia http://www.nd.edu.au/ University of Queensland www.uq.edu.au/international/ University of South Australia www.unisa.edu.au/internat/ University of Southern Queensland www.usq.edu.au/international/ University of Sydney http://www.usyd.edu.au/
University of Tasmania www.international.utas.edu.au/
University of Technology Sydney (UTS) www.ipo.uts.edu.au/
University of the Sunshine Coast http://www.usc.edu.au/
University of Western Australia http://www.international.uwa.edu.au/
University of Western Sydney www.uws.edu.au/international
University of Wollongong www.uow.edu.au/discover/international
Victoria University of Technology http://www.vu.edu.au/
3
Entry into most higher education courses in Australia is highly competitive and a high standard of English proficiency is required for undergraduate study. Each university will have different entrance requirements so it is important to contact individual universities to check. There are two main types of undergraduate qualifications offered by most higher education institutions: Bachelor degree: provides initial preparation for professional careers and postgraduate study, and involves a minimum of three years full-time study (or two years if the university offers a trimester system). Entry typically requires completion of the IB Diploma or an equivalent qualification. Bachelor degree (honours): may require an optional, additional year of study following the three year degree or it may be awarded for academic achievement in degrees of four or more years. The Studies in Australia website has in-depth information on courses, institutions and scholarships: www.StudiesInAustralia.com. www.australian-universities.com/universities-in-australia.php This website enables you to click on a map of Australia and show the universities available in each of the states. It also provides links to the homepage for each university. http://www.go8.edu.au/ This site gives an overview of the Go8 (Australia’s top universities) university group. http://www.atn.edu.au/ This site has information on the Australian Technology Network group of universities. http://www.iru.edu.au/ This site gives information on the Innovative Research Universities of Australia. Tertiary Admissions Centres:
New South Wales www.uac.edu.au
Queensland www.qtac.edu.au
S. Australia www.satac.edu.au
Victoria www.vtac.edu.au
W. Australia www.tisc.edu.au
Northern Territory www.cdu.edu.au
Tasmania www.utas.edu.au
The above sites provide a step-by-step guide to completing application forms (paper or online) for Australian citizens/domestic students.
4
Support from outside agencies – Hong Kong Australian Consulate General HK (Education Section).
Provides free and independent advice to prospective applicants. Maintains a good library of Australian education resources. Address: 23/F, Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wan Chai Phone: 2827 8881 Fax: 2585 4457 Email: [email protected]
I.D.P. Education Australia (HK). Deals primarily with international applicants. This agency is paid by Australian universities to promote their institutions and be a point of contact outside Australia. Will also assist in visa applications and IELTS test. Address: Room 2807, 28/F Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wan Chai Phone: 2827 6362 Fax: 2827 9286 Email: [email protected]
Australian Education Consultancy. Represents a small number of universities & colleges. Will help with applications and IELTS test. Address: Suite 2502 25/F Office Tower, Convention Plaza, Wan Chai Phone: 2598 6166 Fax: 2598 6390 Email: [email protected]
5
Application Most students apply online following the publication of the IB exam results in July. The universities will request an applicant’s final IB results and possibly a final school transcript which the Careers Department will help the student prepare. Although it is optional, we strongly recommend students submit a personal statement to support their application as this forms a fuller picture of the student.
Scholarships Some universities grant scholarships automatically with application, others require the student to apply separately so you should check with individual universities or relevant organisations. Some useful scholarship websites include: Australian Leadership Awards www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/ala.cfm The Endeavour Programme www.deewr.gov.au/EndeavourAwards International Federation of University Women www.ifuw.org
Timeframe Most students apply from July onwards after they have received their final IB results.
IELTS - The International English language Testing System The IELTS is a language proficiency test to assess your ability to communicate in English for university studies. The test has four parts: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The IELTS website (www.ielts.org) has information on the test, how to register, practice tests, course providers, etc. It is usual for universities to ask undergraduate applicants to have an IELTS band score of between 6.0 and 6.5. The highest IELTS band score is 9.0. Although WIS provides a letter in the transcript documents that the medium of instruction is English at WIS, some universities still prefer students to have the IELTS. You should research whether the universities that you are applying to will require you to take the test. No preparation instruction for the test is given at WIS. NOTE: Some universities would also accept a TOEFL score, and students applying to Australia and North America, may wish to consider sitting the TOEFL test (http://www.ets.org/toefl) instead of the IELTS.
6
Entry requirements As entry to some degree courses requires certain prerequisites, we advise you check with the individual university. If there are prerequisites, these typically fall into one of three categories: Obvious subject requirements (background knowledge), e.g. Maths and Physics for
Engineering degrees Unique subject requirements (knowledge required for a specific course), e.g. English for
Commerce/Business degrees Preferred IB subjects or assumed knowledge. While these aren’t always essential, you’ll
stand a greater chance of obtaining a place if you can show evidence of prior learning in certain areas.
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) and IB points (Australian nationals) ATAR is a system which calculates and awards a percentage to students with qualifications like the IB Diploma for admission onto undergraduate courses. The maximum rank attainable in ATAR is 99.95 with a minimum of 0.00 and increments of 0.05. The greater the demand for a course, the higher the ATAR percentage will be and the more likely a university will look for evidence of assumed knowledge in an application. ATAR applies to universities in all Australian states except the ones in Queensland. The ATAR applies to Australian nationals studying at WIS. Example of how IB points-ATAR conversion University of Adelaide - (2013 entry) – Bachelor of Laws ATAR score - 85
7
The 2013 International Baccalaureate Combined Rank and Notional ATAR table ( Source: http://www.vtac.edu.au/pdf/ib_notional_atar.pdf ) The Australasian Conference of Tertiary Admissions Centres (ACTAC) has agreed on, and passed to the IBO for communication to all Australian IB schools, the table to convert 2013 IB scores for 2014 university admissions in New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. This conversion table, together with the Higher Education Study increments in terms of ATAR points is provided as the 2013 Combined Rank and Notional ATAR table. The combined rank is based on the following weightings and state conversion tables:
2013 Passing IB Score including bonus points
Combined Rank / Notional ATAR
45 99.95 44 99.80 43 99.60 42 99.25 41 98.70 40 98.05 39 97.30 38 96.30 37 95.50 36 94.30 35 92.85 34 91.35 33 89.75 32 88.00 31 85.80 30 83.25 29 80.75 28 78.75 27 76.80 26 74.60 25 72.20 24 69.35
8
International students: WIS students who are not Australian nationals but wish to apply for entry into an Australian university do not need their IB final points converted into an ATAR score. http://s3.amazonaws.com/media.international.unsw.edu.au/uploads/file/2013/04/17/2014_Entry_Guide.pdf https://www.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/documents/ATAR%20Tables_pages%20from%20ATARs%20Admission%20%26%20Bonus%20Points.pdf
UNSW (2013 entry) Domestic student Int’l student
Degree course IB points ATAR IB points ATAR
Commerce 38 96.30 34 92
Economics 35 93.00 33 90
Law Dual degree 43 99.65 36 94.50
9
Comparing University Costs (approximate cost 2013) Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/foreign-student-fees-in-canada-competitive-hsbc-finds-1.1386766
US Canada UK HK Australia
University Many private as Public Public Public Public
Funding well as public
Costs Highest (From HK$187,600 upward). Lower for US citizens
Medium (HK$143,500). Lower for Canadian citizens
Medium (HK$143,500). Lower for EU residents
Low – HK$98,000. Lower for HK residents
High- HK$188,000. Lower for Australian residents
Financial aid for Many Many small, several Few scholarships Few Few
international full scholarships Nearly all < 30% of
students total cost
Undergraduate 4 years 4 years 3 years, 4 years in 4 years 3-4 years
degrees Scotland depending on
honours programme
When to choose Usually by end of Usually by end of At time of At time of Application (except HKUST)
Combination - major 2nd· year 2
nd·year application some at time of
application, some choose later Broad or Liberal arts at many Usually have Only specialized Only specialized Tends to be some
specialized universities distribution programmes (no programmes (no but depends on
requirements distribution distribution university requirements) requirements)
Application costs US$150 upward (fee waiver available)
CAN$I50 upward (generally no fee waiver)
Pay a single UCAS fee £12 (single) £23 (multiple). No fee waiver
Approx. HK$450 Approx .AUD$100
Application system Apply individually Generally apply Maximum 5 through UCAS
Individual Individual
to each university individually
Predicted grades Emphasis on Emphasis on Most emphases on Most emphases on Grades achieved at time of application predicted grades predicted grades predicted grades predicted grades
Type of offer Unconditional Usually Conditional on IB Conditional on IB Grades already
unconditional results results achieved
SATs Most require SATs SATs only for US Not required but can Can support None
students support application application
Examples of IB applicant profiles (university entry 2012)
10
Subject Academic Profile and Predicted University offer
university grade
Engineering Business and Management HL 5 University of Sydney
Chinese Language B HL 6
Physics HL 4
English A1 SL 5
Music SL 5
Mathematics SL 5
TOK C
Extended Essay B
Media English HL 6 University of Melbourne
Film Studies HL 6
Philosophy HL 6
Biology SL 6
French Ab Initio SL 7
Maths Studies SL 7
TOK C
Extended Essay A
Geography Geography HL 7 University of Melbourne
Visual Arts HL 6
Physics HL 5
English SL 6
French Ab SL 5
Mathematics SL 5
TOK B
Extended Essay B
Examples of IB applicant profiles (university entry 2012)
11
Subject Academic Profile and Predicted University offer
university grade
Art English HL 5 National Institute of Dramatic Art
Psychology HL 5
Theatre Arts HL 6
Biology SL 4
Maths Studies SL 5
Spanish Language B SL 6
TOK C
Extended Essay B
Examples of IB applicant profiles (university entry 2013)
12
Subject I/GCSE IB Achieved Grades University offer
Engineering / Science (Double Degree)
English Language B Chemistry HL 5 UNSW ATAR: 91.35
English Literature A Physics HL 6 IB: 34
French A* Geography HL 6
Geography A French Language B SL 5
Mathematics A* English A1 SL 5
Physical Education A* Mathematics SL 6
Science Double Award AA Theory of Knowledge B
Technology A Extended Essay D
Education English Language A English A1 HL 5 Macquarie ATAR: 76.80
English Literature B Film Studies HL 5 IB: 27
Drama B Psychology HL 4
Mathematics D Environmental Systems SL 4
Physical Education B French AB Initio SL 4
Religious Studies B Mathematical Studies SL 5
Science Double Award CC Theory of Knowledge D
Spanish D Extended Essay C
Examples of IB applicant profiles (university entry 2014)
13
Admission as International Students
Subject I/GCSE IB Achieved Grades University offer
Sports Exercise Science
Drama A Biology HL 6 Queensland ATAR: 96.30
English Language B Chinese Language B SL 6 IB: 38
English Literature A* English A1 SL 5
Mandarin Foreign Language A* Mathematics SL 6
Mathematics A Psychology HL 6
Physical Education A* Spanish Language B HL 7
Science (Double Award) AA Theory of Knowledge A
Spanish A* Extended Essay C
Architecture Art A* English A1 SL 5 Queensland ATAR: 95.50
English Language B Mathematical Studies SL 5 IB: 37
English Literature B Philosophy SL 6
Film Studies A Physics HL 5
Mandarin Foreign Language C Spanish Language B HL 7
Mathematics B Visual Arts HL 7
Science Double Award CC Theory of Knowledge B
Spanish A* Extended Essay B
Architecture Business Studies D Business and Management HL 5 Melbourne ATAR: 85.80
English Language B Chinese Language B SL 6 IB: 31
English Literature B English A1 SL 5
Film Studies A Mathematics SL 4
Mandarin Foreign Language A Physics HL 4
Mathematics C Visual Arts HL 5
Science (Double Award) BB Theory of Knowledge D
Technology (Graphics) A Extended Essay A
Examples of IB applicant profiles (university entry 2014)
14
Admission as Domestic Students
Subject I/GCSE IB Achieved Grades University offer
Science Art A Biology HL 6 Melbourne ATAR: 97.30
Drama A English A1 HL 6 IB: 39
English Language A Geography HL 7
English Literature A Mathematical Studies SL 7
Geography A* Spanish Language B SL 5
Mathematics A Visual Arts SL 6
Science (Double Award) AA Theory of Knowledge C
Spanish A* Extended Essay A
Geography English Language A* Biology HL 5 Adelaide ATAR: 89.75
English Literature A English A1 HL 6 IB: 33
Geography A Film Studies SL 6
History B Geography HL 5
Mandarin Foreign Language C Mathematical Studies SL 5
Mathematics A Spanish Ab Initio SL 5
Science Double Award AA Theory of Knowledge B
Technology B Extended Essay C
Science Drama A Chemistry SL 5 Queensland ATAR: 94.30
English Language A Chinese Language B SL 5 IB: 36
English Literature A English A1 HL 7
Geography A* Geography HL 6
Mandarin Foreign Language B Mathematics SL 4
Mathematics C Theatre HL 7
Religious Studies A Theory of Knowledge B
Science (Double Award) AA Extended Essay B
Examples of IB applicant profiles (university entry 2014)
15
Admission as Domestic Students
Subject I/GCSE IB Achieved Grades University offer
Media Communications
Drama A* Chinese Language B SL 6 Sydney ATAR: 96.30
Economics A English A1 HL 6 IB: 38
English Language A Environmental Systems SL 7
English Literature A Mathematical Studies SL 6
Geography A* Psychology HL 5
Mandarin Foreign Language A* Theatre HL 7
Mathematics B Theory of Knowledge B
Science (Double Award) AA Extended Essay C
Arts and Education (Double degree)
Drama A* English A1 HL 6 UNSW ATAR: 98.05
English Language A Environmental Systems SL 7 IB: 40
English Literature A* Film Studies HL 6
Film Studies A History HL 7
History A Mathematics SL 5
Mathematics A Spanish Language B SL 6
Science Double Award A*A* Theory of Knowledge B
Spanish A* Extended Essay A