What are some unique/interesting colleges?

Colleges and Universities in New Zealand and Australia

• Hello there! I?m a student looking into colleges in America and abroad. I?ve always had a large interest in Australia and New Zealand and am now considering going to school down under! I?ve read countless college books on schools in the U.S. But have failed to find anything about schools in Australia or New Zealand. Now I am sort of looking for a bit more than facts on the colleges and universities. More about opinions and reputations. In America I?ve focused on smaller liberal arts colleges such as Sarah-Lawrence, Vassar, Oberlin, Scripps and Bard. But I?m also open to schools such as UCLA, USC and NYU. I?m also interested in how difficult it might be for an international student to manage over-seas. Money and tuition are not a problem in this category thankfully, so it?s more about how difficult it might be to get student visa?s?etc. I really know nothing about schools there and want to learn more. My question has multiple parts so I?ll break it down. Hopefully it wont be too much of a nightmare to go over?I?m willing to tip big for good answers or even toy with the base price. I?m flexible for getting good advice on this subject! + First off I am looking for a list of colleges and universities in Australia and New Zealand. Basically their homepages and possibly any directories. + Then I am looking for more objective information about the colleges, something you might find in a college guidebook about the way of life, possibly student perspectives, community they are in, location, etc. Is it liberal or conservative? How?s the campus and dorms? How hard is it to get in? Is it well known? -- Generally I?m looking for a more liberal arts education? some possible interests are advertising and marketing, psychology, art, drama, design and possibly law. + Or is there actually a book out there about colleges ?down under? that I could purchase somewhere? (Amazon.com?) Perhaps the Australian version of said site, assuming there is one? Now from my previous research there doesn?t seem to be too many universities in these countries, in comparison to the US, so if this task is overwhelming, leave me a note and we can discuss it or prices. + I?m also looking for a bit of general info on what I?d need to get TO these countries, beyond a passport, which of course I have. Such as student visas?etc. + More about application ? more general; instead of for each school? Would I need to take extra examinations to get in or for applications? Would regular standardized tests be accepted and would Advanced Placement scores be looked at? Thank you for looking or attempting this question, feel free to ask for more clarification! - Reckless Charmer

• Answer:

  Hi Reckless Charmer, Holy cow - I can see how you could've become completely overwhelmed in your research! There is no shortage of useful information for students planning on studying abroad - the trick is figuring out where to begin and then following through from there. I'm going to suggest taking advantage of an organization that's set-up to help North American students study abroad, rather than trying to figure it all out on your own. There are several groups who will help you with everything, from enrolling in a university to making sure you have all of your travel documents, and I will focus on two that are non-profit. Using their services will reduce your stress and ensure that some little detail has not been overlooked. AustraLearn seems particularly interesting because it is affiliated with both Australia and New Zealand. >>>>>> INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ORGANIZATIONS 1) AustraLearn: North American Center for Australian [and New Zealand] Universities: "AustraLearn, a non-profit organization, assists students in studying abroad in Australia and New Zealand at the college/university level. Students may study abroad for a semester or year or earn an entire degree at one of 22 major universities, travel with an experiential summer program, or complete an internship. AustraLearn is the only non-profit specialist to offer students such an extensive range of program choices, unique on-site orientation excursions, pre-trip customer service coordination teams, on-site Resident Directors in both Australia and New Zealand, and complete scholarship and financial aid assistance." http://www.australearn.org/ "AustraLearn acts as the direct enrollment source for our Australian and New Zealand member universities. Our services span the entire process?from application to enrollment?with no charge to you for what we do." http://australearn.org/Programs/FullDegree/fulldegree.htm The AustraLearn Difference: Selecting the right study abroad program can be one of your most important decisions. * All of our staff have worked, lived or traveled abroad. * Each participant is assigned a special program coordinator. * Easy to read comprehensive pre-trip materials. * Toll-free telephone and email access to staff before, during and after your program. * Extensive scholarship and grant opportunities for study abroad students. * Guaranteed housing at all universities. * Pre-trip services are complete from the time you apply to the program. * Official university transcripts are provided upon completion. * On-site orientation adventures in Australia and New Zealand with informative workshops and field trips. * Volunteer abroad as part of your program. * Assistance with your immigration visa. * Easy group travel to/from the U.S. with a reputable agency and airline. * Alumni activities. * Opportunity to evaluate your experience. * Work with us when you graduate. http://www.aeo.us/about/australearn.html 2) IDP Education Australia, Washington: "IDP places students at virtually every university in Australia - you have your choice of just about any location and academic program that Australia has to offer." IDP's services: "IDP Education Australia will facilitate your study abroad experience in the following ways: 1. Help you to choose the best possible university based on your educational and personal priorities 2. Manage the application process for you - making sure that all documents are in order and complete 3. Help you through the visa application process 4. Provide you with information and contacts for housing 5. Explain the courseload and grading system of each university 6. Help to facilitate credit transfer and make sure that your Australian transcript is complete 7. Provide you with information on the most affordable flights and other pre-departure issues (such as obtaining the official Confirmation of Enrollment from the Australian university) 8. Serve as your advisor/contact through the application process and through your study abroad experience as necessary 9. Provide you with reassurance and support! http://www.idp.com/usa-canada/ >>>>>> Following are answers to your specific questions. >>>>>> UNIVERSITIES 1) First off I am looking for a list of colleges and universities in Australia and New Zealand. Basically their homepages and possibly any directories. > AUSTRALIA < -> Australian Capital Territory The Australian National University http://www.anu.edu.au/ieo/ University of Canberra http://www.canberra.edu.au/ -> New South Wales Avondale College http://www.avondale.edu.au/futurestudents/international/ Charles Sturt University http://www.csu.edu.au/ Macquarie University http://www.mq.edu.au/ University of New England http://www.une.edu.au/ipo/index.htm University of New South Wales http://www.studyabroad.unsw.edu.au/ University of Newcastle http://www.newcastle.edu.au/ Southern Cross University http://www.scu.edu.au/ University of Sydney http://www.usyd.edu.au/io/ University of Technology, Sydney http://www.uts.edu.au/international University of Western Sydney http://sites.uws.edu.au/international/ University of Wollongong http://www.uow.edu.au/ -> Northern Territory Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education http://www.batchelor.edu.au/ Northern Territory University http://www.cdu.edu.au/ -> Queensland Bond University http://www.bond.edu.au/ Central Queensland University http://www.international.cqu.edu.au/ Griffith University http://www.griffith.edu.au/ James Cook University http://www.isc.jcu.edu.au/ University of Queensland http://www.uq.edu.au/ Queensland University of Technology http://www.aeo.us/profiles/QUT.html University of Southern Queensland http://www.usq.edu.au/default.htm University of the Sunshine Coast http://www.usc.edu.au/apply/international/welcome.htm -> South Australia University of Adelaide http://www.international.adelaide.edu.au/ Flinders University http://www.flinders.edu.au/ University of South Australia http://www.unisa.edu.au/internat/ -> Tasmania Australian Maritime College http://www.uac.edu.au/uni/general/amcGeneral_Info.html University of Tasmania http://www.international.utas.edu.au/ -> Victoria University of Ballarat http://www.ballarat.edu.au/fdp/international/study_abroad_exchange.shtml Deakin University http://www.aeo.us/profiles/DU.html La Trobe University http://www.latrobe.edu.au/international/ Marcus Oldham College http://www.marcusoldham.vic.edu.au/html/s02_article/topic_view.asp?id=55 University of Melbourne http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/mro/students/studyabroad/index1.html Monash University http://www.monash.edu.au/international/ RMIT University http://www.rmit.edu.au/international/studyabroad Swinburne University http://www.swin.edu.au/edabroad/ Victoria International: http://www2.vuw.ac.nz/international/index.asp -> Western Australia Curtin University http://www.curtin.edu.au/ Edith Cowan University http://www.ecu.edu.au/ Murdoch University http://www.international.murdoch.edu.au/indexIE.asp? The University of Notre Dame http://www.ndi.com.au/ University of Western Australia http://www.international.uwa.edu.au/sesa/welcome -> Multi-state Australian Catholic University: http://www.acu.edu.au/course_areas/International_Students/index.cfm?&id=1C6170F8-D260-48BD-9B699BF2668C9D15 > NEW ZEALAND < The New Zealand university system: There are a few key differences in terminology between the US and New Zealand when discussing university study: * the word "college" refers to high school and not university * a course is called a "paper" in New Zealand * graduate study is called "postgraduate" study in New Zealand * a university catalogue is called a "calendar" in New Zealand New Zealand Universities: "There are seven state-funded universities in New Zealand, all of them internationally respected for their academic and research standards": The University of Auckland http://www.auckland.ac.nz/ The University of Waikato http://www.waikato.ac.nz/international/ Massey University http://www.massey.ac.nz/ Victoria University of Wellington http://www.vuw.ac.nz/home/index.asp University of Canterbury http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/ Lincoln University http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/ University of Otago http://www.intstudy.com/study_abroad/nzlist.htm >>>>>> COURSES / PROFILES 2) Then I am looking for more objective information about the colleges, something you might find in a college guidebook about the way of life, possibly student perspectives, community they are in, location, etc. Is it liberal or conservative? How?s the campus and dorms? How hard is it to get in? Is it well known? -- Generally I?m looking for a more liberal arts education? some possible interests are advertising and marketing, psychology, art, drama, design and possibly law. General: http://www.studyaustralia.com.au/system.htm PROFILES Australian Education Office: University Profiles: Each of the following universities are profiled and a .pdf brochure for each is available for downloading. http://www.aeo.us/profiles/profiles.html Accommodations: "On-campus Residential Colleges are a good place to meet local students and learn about campus life, while an apartment or homestay may allow a more independent view of the Australian or New Zealand way of life. As a full degree student, you have the options of living on or off campus. A brief description of each follows: On-Campus Accommodation: "Most universities have on-campus residential accommodation (called Colleges), which offers students a single room with bed, closet, and desk, and shared bathroom facilities. Students enjoy either full or partial meal plans or shared kitchen facilities. Space can be limited and refundable room deposits are typically collected prior to your arrival. Most first year students live on campus, although it is not required. Some university colleges are fashioned after the British System of tertiary education and require social participation, hall duties and meetings with the college Principal throughout the semester. You may sign up for catered meal plans or for self-catering facilities where you will shop for your own groceries and prepare your meals in a shared kitchen. Residence halls are typically non- smoking and all will offer access to television, phones, some Internet connection, student lounges and the campus services." Off-Campus Accommodation: "If you wish to live off-campus, you can become a part of the local community by leasing an apartment near the city or university. You should consider expenses for gas, electricity, phone and/or TV rental as well as other costs associated with apartment living. Each university community will offer different apartment options from a standard condominium style apartment to a shared house." Homestays: "Homestays are a suitable way to meet the local culture and can be extremely rewarding for the student who can appreciate the benefits and responsibilities of living in someone?s home. While only a few students choose this option each year, those that do stay with a family find their experience to be in-depth and culturally rich. Homestays are arranged on a person-to-person basis, often before your arrival, with a family, couple, or shared home situation. Unless requested, students from the same country are not generally placed in the same location. Deposits may be required upon arrival." http://australearn.org/programs/fulldegree/live.htm#Accommodations COURSES Which Course? Which University?: mix & match according to your interests: http://www.dest.gov.au/tenfields/detya/which_course.html LIBERAL ARTS http://www.iiepassport.org/webapp/controller/PassportSearchResultsMain?language=1&city=&organization=&country=57&restrictions=&successurl=PassportSearchResultsMain&term=&pagenumber=0&duration=&fieldofstudy=507&worldarea=&formatid=&failurl=PassportSearchResultsMain ADVERTISING / MARKETING Advertising: http://www.iiepassport.org/webapp/controller/PassportSearchResultsMain?language=1&city=&organization=&country=57&restrictions=&successurl=PassportSearchResultsMain&term=&pagenumber=0&duration=&fieldofstudy=199&worldarea=&formatid=&failurl=PassportSearchResultsMain Marketing: http://www.iiepassport.org/webapp/controller/PassportSearchResultsMain?language=1&city=&organization=&country=57&restrictions=&successurl=PassportSearchResultsMain&term=&pagenumber=0&duration=&fieldofstudy=169&worldarea=&formatid=&failurl=PassportSearchResultsMain PSYCHOLOGY: http://www.iiepassport.org/webapp/controller/PassportSearchResultsMain?language=1&city=&organization=&country=57&restrictions=&successurl=PassportSearchResultsMain&term=&pagenumber=0&duration=&fieldofstudy=674&worldarea=&formatid=&failurl=PassportSearchResultsMain ART http://www.iiepassport.org/webapp/controller/PassportSearchResultsMain?language=1&city=&organization=&country=57&restrictions=&successurl=PassportSearchResultsMain&term=&pagenumber=0&duration=&fieldofstudy=778&worldarea=&formatid=&failurl=PassportSearchResultsMain DRAMA http://www.iiepassport.org/webapp/controller/PassportSearchResultsMain?language=1&city=&organization=&country=57&restrictions=&successurl=PassportSearchResultsMain&term=&pagenumber=0&duration=&fieldofstudy=754&worldarea=&formatid=&failurl=PassportSearchResultsMain DESIGN Applied Arts: http://www.iiepassport.org/webapp/controller/PassportSearchResultsMain?language=1&city=&organization=&country=57&restrictions=&successurl=PassportSearchResultsMain&term=&pagenumber=0&duration=&fieldofstudy=782&worldarea=&formatid=&failurl=PassportSearchResultsMain LAW: "For Americans, most law degrees will not transfer back to the United States with the exception of New York and California." http://australearn.org/degreesearch/Search2a.asp?DEG_TYPE=7 >>>>>> BOOK 3) Or is there actually a book out there about colleges ?down under? that I could purchase somewhere? (Amazon.com?) Perhaps the Australian version of said site, assuming there is one? There are a few older books, but the information isn't as up-to-date as what is available online. >>>>>> TRAVEL INFO 4) I?m also looking for a bit of general info on what I?d need to get TO these countries, beyond a passport, which of course I have. Such as student visas?etc. Insurance: "All international students attending a university in Australia or New Zealand must have health insurance. Insurance is provided through the university, and you will have to pay for it beforehand in order to fulfill the student visa process. The Australian government regulations require that all overseas students, who are directly enrolled at an Australian university, purchase health insurance known as the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Medibank Private in Australia maintains the coverage. The plan helps you pay for doctor services in regular treatment or emergencies. We also recommend purchasing emergency evacuation coverage through Medibank Private to compliment the OSHC coverage in Australia. Payment for OSHC will be required prior to departure with your first tuition payment. International students in New Zealand pay a compulsory travel and medical insurance fee provided by Uni-Care. You will need to complete the application and pay for this insurance before leaving for New Zealand. This will entitle you to use the on-campus health facilities at your university or other general practitioners. We highly recommend that you consult with your own insurance company regarding your overseas experience. You may wish to investigate additional insurance for your baggage or unforeseen trip cancellation." http://australearn.org/programs/fulldegree/live.htm#Insurance Immigration And Student Visa "All travelers to Australia or New Zealand must have a VALID PASSPORT and VALID VISA inserted into their passport before entering Australia or New Zealand. To be allowed to enter as a student, you must be issued a student visa. AustraLearn will provide you with a checklist for your visa application, which will take you through step-by-step instructions. Student visa applications require a supplemental medical and radiological exam. Family and friends who wish to visit you while you are studying in Australia or New Zealand will most likely have to apply for a tourist visa. As a general rule, most international students studying in Australia or New Zealand cannot easily obtain a permanent resident visa or a work visa without first obtaining an offer for full-time employment or meeting other immigration regulations. http://australearn.org/programs/fulldegree/live.htm#Immigration%20And%20Student%20Visa Visas and Assessment: "Essential Information on the Educational Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act and Student Visa Reforms for ANU staff & International Students" http://www.anu.edu.au/ieo/esos.html#visas Australia Student Visa: Requirements and Links to Forms: http://www.graduateshotline.com/australian_visa.html Studying in New Zealand: "To study in New Zealand, you will need to apply for a Visa or Permit." "You will need to apply for a Student Visa if: you are outside of New Zealand, and are coming to New Zealand to study full time for longer than three months." http://www.immigration.govt.nz/study Application to Study in New Zealand: To make an application for a Student Visa or Permit or a Limited Purpose Visa or Permit to study you will need to supply: ? completed, signed ?Application to Study in New Zealand? (NZIS 1012) form ? the application fee (see the leaflet ?New Zealand Immigration Guide to Fees? (NZIS 1028)) ? your passport (must normally be valid until at least 3 months past the date you plan to leave New Zealand) ? a recent passport size photograph ? evidence of your financial support while in New Zealand. This may be: ? a completed Financial Undertaking for a Student (NZIS 1014) form; or evidence of NZ$10,000 per year (and provision for a ticket) ? if you are studying in New Zealand for under 36 weeks you must provide evidence of NZ$1,000 per month ? if you are a student from Tonga or Samoa you may supply a Sponsorship Form for Visiting New Zealand (NZIS 1025) for any length of study ? an offer of a place at a New Zealand education or training institute. In addition, for a Student Visa or Permit or a Limited Purpose Visa or Permit to study you must supply: ? evidence you have paid or are exempt from paying the course fees ? evidence of a guarantee of accommodation ? any other doucments or information requested by a visa/immigration officer ? scholarship/exchange/vocational students ? a letter from the programme provider outlining details of the programme. For people intending to study in New Zealand for more than 6 months, up to 2 years ? If you are aged 12 years or over you may be required to have a TB screening X-ray and provide a completed Temporary Entry X-ray Certificate form (NZIS 1096) ? see the Guide to Studying in New Zealand (NZIS 1013). For people intending to study more than two years ? if you are aged 12 years or over you must provide a completed New Zealand Immigration Service Medical and X-ray Certificate Form (NZIS 1007) ? if you are aged 17 or over you must provide a police certificate from your country of citizenship (unless you can provide satisfactory evidence you have never lived there) and from any country in which you have lived for 5 years or more since attaining the age of 17 years. http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/B96B35A2-73F7-4C55-A700-DA623F94A485/0/1012.pdf >>>>>> APPLYING FOR ADMISSION 5) More about application ? more general; instead of for each school? Would I need to take extra examinations to get in or for applications? Would regular standardized tests be accepted and would Advanced Placement scores be looked at? International Student Admissions Test (ISAT): "Certain programs at Australian universities are now requiring candidates to take the International Student Admissions Test (ISAT) for admission. The test measures the cognitive abilities of international students through two criteria: critical reasoning and quantitative reasoning. Critical reasoning is tested using questions from humanities and social sciences, while quantitative reasoning questions come from mathematics and sciences. ISAT scores, as an entry requirement, will vary from university to university." http://www.idp.com/usa-canada/examinations/default.asp International Student Admissions Test (ISAT): "What is ISAT? "International Student Admissions Test (ISAT) is a three-hour multiple choice test of a candidate's general academic abilities. The test is presented in units, with stimulus material followed by questions. It is not a test of curriculum knowledge." There are two components of the test: * critical reasoning ( recognition of meanings, interpretation, extending concepts, drawing conclusions ) * quantitative reasoning ( analysis, decision making, deliberation) http://www.acer.edu.au/tests/university/isat/intro.html ISAT Sample questions: http://www.acer.edu.au/tests/university/isat/documents/ISATsamplequestions.pdf ISAT Scores: "Individual universities will determine the range of acceptable scores that they will consider for entry into courses. Universities will verify results by consulting the ISAT Results Database." http://www.acer.edu.au/tests/university/isat/scores.html Admission Tests "For entry into any course falling under `higher education? category a student is required to have a score of six or more on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) conducted by British Council. For Vocational Studies and Training courses as well as for secondary school courses an overall score between 5-6 is required, depending upon the choice of course. A score of 213/300 and above in TOEFL is also accepted. Some Universities also accept Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (Grades A or B). Most postgraduate applications have to be referred to Faculties and may take 6 weeks to process." http://www.graduateshotline.com/australia.html TOEFL "The main reason behind TOEFL is that you can complete your Education in English successfully." http://www.graduateshotline.com/toefl.html Sample TOEFL Test: http://www.graduateshotline.com/sampletoefl.html International English Language Testing System (IELTS): http://www.ielts.org/ >>>>>> ADDITIONAL LINKS OF INTEREST Institute of International Education, Inc. (IIE): http://www.iiepassport.org/ Other U.S. Programs http://www.aeo.us/about/others.html Peterson Guides - study abroad advice: http://www.petersons.com/stdyabrd/articles.html General Information for Students: Australia: http://www.studyabroad.com/content/portals/Australia_port.html General Information for Students: New Zealand: http://www.studyabroad.com/content/portals/New_Zealand_port.html Study Abroad Handbook: http://www.studyabroad.com/handbook/handbook.html Transitions Abroad Magazine: http://www.transitionsabroad.com/ Education Planet: http://www.educationplanet.com/ Edvisors Network: http://www.edvisors.com/ HELL: http://www.iberry.com/ "Librarian's Index to the Internet": directory results for "foreign study": http://lii.org/advanced?query="Foreign+study"+or+"Students+foreign";searchtype=subject "Digital Librarian" page for "college & university": http://www.digital-librarian.com/college.html CWA Education Web: "A New Zealand site which provides links to education related sites in NZ and including a list of NZ K-12 schools, trade schools and colleges with web and email addresses, plus a messageboard for visitors,and an online database of Science and Technology related materials." http://www.cwa.co.nz/ NAFSA's Section on U.S. Students Abroad (SECUSSA): http://www.secussa.nafsa.org/ List of Australian Universities: http://www.australian-universities.com/list/ Colleges and Universities in Australia: http://www.mit.edu:8001/people/cdemello/au.html Individual Universities in Australia http://www.avcc.edu.au/australias_unis/individual_unis/ 3) Center for International Studies (CIS): Serving Your Individual Needs: "From the moment you contact CIS, an experienced staff member will begin working with you to ensure you are well prepared for your Australian experience. We will play an integral role by becoming the liaison between you, your home institution, and the Australian university. Here is what we will do for you: * Assist in processing your application and student visa * Advise you throughout your experience about course selection, credit transfer, financial aid and work entitlements while you're abroad. * Counsel you regarding pre-departure issues ensuring that you are well prepared * Provide options for inexpensive travel arrangements and health/travel insurance * Arrange accommodation that fits your needs and budget Additionally, as part of any program you select, we will give you a personal pre-departure orientation (face-to-face or by phone), meet you and take you to your accommodation upon arrival in the host country, provide you with an orientation at your host university, and give you an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) which gives you discounts on air travel, road travel, concerts, movies and much more. So, if you're thinking of studying abroad, take the first step of your 'journey' by contacting us at CIS." http://www.aeo.us/about/cis.html New Zealand Universities [with links]: http://www.fulbright.org.nz/studynz/uni.html AUSTRALEARN List of Universities: http://australearn.org/programs/fulldegree/list-uni.htm Graduates Hotline: http://www.graduateshotline.com/ >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Well, there you have it, Reckless Charmer - that should keep you busy for awhile! I want you to be completely satisfied with my answer, so if you have any questions, or if I missed something, please post a clarification request before closing/rating my answer and I'll be happy to assist you. Thank you and good luck with your studies, hummer Google Search Terms Used: australia universities australian universities international australian liberal arts degree international student international students admission australian universities new zealand universities new zealand universities international etc. Most of the research was done by following up with links found on websites. We also made extensive use of our own bookmarks.