Overview of Australian Academic Life

Academic Culture

Perhaps the most important thing to bear in mind about Australian universities is that they place a premium on independence. The student controls their own study program. Students decide on their own study priorities, almost as if they are an independent researcher. Consistent with this academic culture your students may find that they have fewer class hours than in the U.S however they are expected to undertake a substantial amount of private study, and will spend a lot more time in the library. Many subjects (courses) do not rely on just one textbook, so students will have to show they have undertaken a broad amount of research in order to pass in a particular subject. In an Australian university the primary function of academics is research and therefore, the universities have a research-focused approach and they will look to the students to develop the same approach.

Students may find that a full load in Australia involves fewer subjects than the number of courses they would take at home. The Australian university international office will normally be able to provide advice to your students on a reasonable course load.

Australian universities generally release academic results in July (for first semester subjects) and December (for second semester subjects). Transcripts are made available shortly after the results are published.

Types of degrees

The Bachelor degree is the fundamental Australian university qualification. Studying an Australian Bachelor degree involves acquiring a systematic and coherent body of knowledge, its underlying principles and concepts, and associated problem-solving techniques. Students will develop the academic skills and attitudes to comprehend and evaluate new information, concepts and evidence from a wide range of sources. They will also develop the ability to review, consolidate, extend and apply the knowledge and techniques learned.

A Bachelor degree qualification usually involves major studies in an area where significant literature is available. Course content is to a significant depth and progressively developed to a high level, preparing students for further postgraduate study if desired. The normal length of a general Australian Bachelor degree is 3 years. This is shorter than the average American Bachelor degree as the student launches straight into their major upon starting their studies. The Australian Bachelor degree contains little, if any, general educational subjects.

A Bachelor degree with Honors requires the student to undertake an additional year of study after formally completing the requirements for a Bachelor degree. The Honors year normally requires the student to write a thesis based on a research project undertaken over a full academic year.  Honors may also be granted where outstanding achievement is recorded in a Bachelor degree course of four or more years, such as law or engineering.

Teaching styles

The teaching style within Australian universities is a combination of traditional learning with interactive, innovative group work. The core material of the subject is nearly always given in lectures followed up with tutorials. Depending on the subject and the level at which it is taught the size of a lecture may vary from as little as fifty to as many as a few hundred students. In very small and often advanced subjects, lectures may be replaced by a seminar-style presentation. In a lecture there is little interaction between student and lecturer. The material is normally presented in the form of a monologue from the lecturer, perhaps supported with slides and videos.

Opportunity for discussion occurs in the tutorial, which has a much smaller number of students, and where the tutor and the students engage in dialogue and academic debate relating to the content of the subject. Preparing for tutorials is essential as generally tutorial participation contributes to the final grade a student receives in that class and as such they are expected to actively participate in tutorials. Tutorials are a way for students to become comfortable talking about the issues surrounding the subject.

In addition, psychology, science and technology-based subjects, generally require laboratory work. Language subjects usually require time in the language laboratory.

Testing and examinations

The format of testing depends on the subject. Many subjects are assessed by written assignment (essays, papers, and tutorial presentations), a mid-semester and an end of semester examination. Examinations can last up to three hours in duration and can be either “open book” exams (students may bring your books and/or notes into the examination) or closed book exams (students can not bring notes into the examination). In some cases students may also be given the questions or topics beforehand. It is important that a student is aware of the examination procedure for each unit in which they are enrolled. It is also important to note that the examination period can be up to three weeks after the official end of the semester and exceptions are not made to accommodate international students wishing to return home early.

Grading System

Australian universities have a grading scale of 1 – 7, which may be expressed in terms that correspond to a percentage or number grade. The following is a general guideline for the most commonly used grading system and terminology:

7. High Distinction (100-80%)
6. Distinction (79-70%)
5. Credit (69-60%)
4. Pass (59-50%)
3. Conceded Pass (49-45%)
2. Fail (46-25%)
1. Fail (24-0%)

Academic year

The Australian academic year begins in late February/early March, often with an orientation for new students in mid to late February. Most universities and vocational institutes have two semesters with exams at the end of each semester in June and November. There is a four to six week break between semesters with the long summer holiday from December to February. Some institutions operate on a three semester (trimester) calendar or a four semester (terms) calendar. Many programs, including study abroad programs, have start dates in either session. The Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee (AVCC) website provides a list of university semester dates for any given year. 

Campus life

Australian university life can be somewhat different to that of North American university life. Most Australian university students live nearby in apartments or with their families and commute to their campus each day, so only a small proportion of students live on campus in colleges or dormitories. These residences form a social community in many cases and can be quite busy during evenings and on weekends.

A lot of the daily non-class time of students is centered around the university’s student services and recreation facilities. These generally include cafeterias, coffee shops, bars, games rooms and much more. Most Australian universities also have a variety of clubs, associations, societies and sporting teams for students to become a part of and are generally based in the student union.

Food

On most Australian university campuses, students will find a variety of dining options available including cafeterias, coffee shops and restaurants. Australia is a very multicultural environment and as such students will find a wide selection of international cuisine available to them both on and off campus.

International student services

Most Australian institutions will have an international department with responsibility for ensuring the welfare of international students. This department will be able to assist your students with most issues they have while studying in Australia. The international department generally assists students with:

• Finding accommodation
• Financial aid information
• Finding employment
• Visa extensions
• Tax file number applications
• Travel advice
• Counseling services

Most international departments will also organize sessions for international students in the areas of immigration, health, study requirements and emergency contacts. Many will also organize special events and trips for their international students.

Resources for students with disabilities

Most universities in Australia offer a range of services designed to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities. Liaising with the disability services department through the international staff on campus is a good way to ensure your student has a seamless transition into a new academic life.

Glossary of Academic Terminology
College	Either a university housing option, a private vocational institute or high school, but generally not a university.
Commencing Students	Refers to a student starting their first semester of study in a degree.
Course	Entire program of study (eg Bachelor degree) made up of a set number of units.
Drop/Add	Refers to changing the units you are enrolled in. Generally this must take place no later than two weeks into the semester.
Enrolling Students	Refers to a student who has already commenced studies and is continuing their degree
Lecture	A large formal classroom setting in which the core information of the subject is given to students
Prerequisite	A course required to have already been taken in order to undertake another course.
Tutor	An academic or graduate student who teaches the tutorial.
Tutorial	Smaller classes, generally 20 students to one tutor, that allow a student to engage in discussion with the tutor and other students on the information thy have obtained from the lecture.
Unit	Subject
University	A higher education institution