Applying to Australian NZ Universities An overview of

Applying to Australian & NZ Universities An overview of the application process for parents and students Updated: 17 September 2014

Agenda § Why Australia or New Zealand? § Education in Australia / New Zealand § The academic year § Researching courses § Applying with the IB § The application timeline § Student visa § Tuition costs / living expenses § Useful websites § Q&A

Why Australia or NZ? ▪ Many Patana students are returning to ‘family home’ (applying as a domestic student) ▪ For others - proximity to South-East Asia / Thailand ▪ Similar time zone ▪ Short(er) flights involved ▪ Appealing climate ▪ Applications made with final IB grades ▪ Flexible courses of study available (a mix of broad study or more specialised undergraduate degree options) ▪ Very diverse student population ▪ ‘Sunshine and space’ - climate / lifestyle / enjoyment of outdoors ▪ High regard for IB programme

University of Queensland ▪ “We recognise that the International Baccalaureate Diploma is a comprehensive and challenging program. Our experience is that IB diploma graduates are incredibly well prepared for university success. The program's international flavour, academic rigour and emphasis on inquiry based learning means that IB Diploma students enter university with a global outlook, an excellent work ethic and the critical thinking skills to ensure they achieve great results”.

Further Education in Australia and New Zealand ▪ Regular undergraduate (Bachelor Degree) course ▪ Australia: 39 universities – all accredited ▪ New Zealand: 8 national universities – all accredited ▪ Foundation Courses ▪ One year ▪ Maybe an option if you do not meet the typical entrance requirements for an undergraduate degree ▪ Not all universities offer these - research options available ▪ Vocational Education and Training pathways

The academic year is different ▪ University start date is February – through to November Time… About 7 months! June – complete final IB studies and graduate from BPS July – Await IB results and enjoy a well-deserved break over the summer Late August / Sept – Watch many of your friends excitedly pack to head off to the UK / US to commence their courses… You are waiting… September – Time to start applying to your target universities (with final IB grades) Oct – Dec – You wait… Mid January – Offers made Confirm accommodation February – Start your course!

The academic year is different Have a plan before you leave Patana Request a reference from counsellors before you leave. Can be used when applying for student housing. Oct – Dec – Mid January – Take a short break… then… July – September – You wait… Offers made Work Experience / Internship / Work shadow / Family business / Short courses / Learn something new / Paid Await IB results and enjoy a Time to start employment / Volunteer work / Travel / Visit universities well-deserved break … applying to your target universities (with final IB grades) Confirm accommodation February – Start your course!

§ It’s a long gap – have a PLAN! § The application process is surprisingly straight forward § Massive window of time that you can apply (from Sept to Dec). This even allows for November re-sits (quite handy - if students need this) § Be aware that some courses do require a personal statement, or details of work / community experiences relevant to the courses you are applying to. § The wait can be agonising. If you apply in August you don’t find out until mid January § Students need to be patient. Especially when they see their friends head off to university. § Research entrance requirements carefully. The entry requirements as a domestic and for an international are different.

Popular University Destinations https: //go 8. edu. au/ There ARE other options offering GREAT COURSES!

Recent changes to degree structure 2008 – a shift from 96 undergraduate degrees on offer. . . …now only 9 broad undergraduate degrees available. Specialise at Post-Grad level.

Shifted to a similar undergraduate degree structure

Use rankings carefully. A note about rankings ▪ 2013 -14 ▪ Times Higher Education World University Rankings ▪ Teaching ▪ Research ▪ Knowledge transfer ▪ International outlook Does the university have a course that is right for you?

EXAMPLE: “I want to study Psychology at The University of Melbourne” ‘Psychology’ is not available as an undergraduate degree at this university Pathways: • Bachelor of Arts • Bachelor of Science • Bachelor of Commerce • Select a specified number of ‘Psychology’ based subjects as a Major. • 3 years Graduate programme follows this.

Make use of the Course Search websites

Not sure? RESEARCH! § Search for courses across the country § State specific search § University specific search § Attend talks – speak with university representatives § Use the counsellors § Try and visit some campuses – attend open days (August)

Applying with the IB § IB is highly regarded § Rigorous § Broad study § Extended Essay is excellent preparation for demands of university study § Some universities will offer credits for IB subjects – Student needs to investigate possibilities with target universities ▪ Some universities do allow BPS students to apply early with predicted grades for entry into courses mid-year (Semester 2 – July start)

Applying with the IB AUSTRALIA: ▪ IB score is converted to an ATAR ▪ An ATAR score indicates how a student’s academic performance ranks relative to his/her peers ▪ Example: ▪ Applying with a final IB score of 33 points ▪ Converts to an ATAR of 89 ▪ Indicates that our student has performed better than 89% of his/her peers. Examples of minimum entry scores: • University of Melbourne – Bachelor of Biomedicine needs an ATAR of 95 (IB Score 36 -37) • University of NSW – Bachelor of Engineering needs an ATAR score of 88 (IB score 32)

Applying with the IB NEW ZEALAND: ▪ Students applying with the IB must achieve the ‘University Entrance Standard’ ▪ 24 IB points (a ‘Pass’) ▪ This is a minimum. Specific entrance requirements will vary between universities and dependant on the course.

An example only. Specific entrance requirements Research IB entrance requirements with target universities. Course Entry requirements for IB ARCHITECTURE May require HL Maths and / or Physics and portfolio is recommended ART & DESIGN Portfolio usually required; IB Art may be required BUSINESS & COMMERCE May require HL or SL Maths ECONOMICS May require at least SL Maths ENGINEERING May require SL or HL Maths; May require two Sciences SCIENCE Recommend HL Maths and 1 or more HL Science LAW At some universities, this is no longer available as an Undergraduate option. Others may require English A ENGLISH LITERATURE Recommended IB English A: Literature MEDICINE At some universities, this is no longer available as an Undergraduate option. Others may require Chemistry, Physics, Math at HL or SL PSYCHOLOGY May require at least SL Maths

ATAR requirements / conversions can change (but only very slightly) from year to year. Students use ATAR information from previous year as a guide.

Applying with the IB Important to check the application process that is relevant to you with target universities. Are you applying as a domestic or an international student? § Through the various state application systems OR § Online – directly to the university § (This is the only application option in NZ) State application systems:

Application Steps - Australia Universities can take between 4 -6 weeks to process application and reply The university considers the application – Student may receive an offer Ensure all documentation is complete (visa / evidence of language proficiency, etc. ) Register with university / state application system Student receives letter from university confirming a vacancy set aside for them An invoice for payment is also sent to student, should they wish to accept the offer After payment is made, student receives a Co. E (Confirmation of Enrolment) from university • Official and important >>> allows application for visa

Applying as an International Student (Australia) Apply for this Student Visa once accepted to a course – allow plenty of time for application to be processed Documents required: • Co. E (Confirmation of Enrolment) • Letter of Offer – both documents are issued to you by the course provider • Financial evidence • Evidence of health cover for duration of stay Strongly recommended that parents / students investigate visa requirements early Current Student Visa application fee is AUD $535

Applying for the student visa - NZ ▪ Documents needed: ▪ ‘Offer of Place’ ▪ Receipt of tuition fees paid ▪ Transcripts ▪ Evidence of funds to pay for outward travel ▪ Passport ▪ Evidence of funds: ▪ Proof of access to approx. NZ$15, 000 to cover cost of living ▪ Proof of intent to leave: ▪ Evidence of enough money accessible to purchase plane tickets to return to home country ▪ Medical insurance

Costs Recent study by HSBC Bank - compared the combined cost of university fees and living expenses in major countries: Australia is the world’s most expensive country for international students to study. The typical annual cost for international students: Australia $42, 000 § Singapore $39, 000 § US $36, 000 § UK $35, 000 § Canada $29, 000

Q & A § If I apply after I leave Patana, how do I get my IB results to my target universities? § I have completed a bilingual diploma. Does this mean that I will be given a higher ATAR rank? § I am sitting the ‘Certificate Plus’ programme. What are the options available to me? § Does the IB Diploma satisfy English language requirements? § Do I need a Personal Statement or Reference?

If I apply after I leave Patana, how do I get my IB results to my target universities? If you are organised and clear about where you are going to apply to, you can ask the school to do this for you: § Towards the end of Year 13 you can authorise release of your results to the state Admissions Centres via the Request for Results Service on the IB website. § Contact Mr Roff and / or your link counsellor before the deadline to confirm that your school has submitted this request on your behalf. § If still deciding over the Summer, you can visit the IB website to request that your final IB results are released. You may have to pay a fee for this personalised service.

I have completed a bilingual diploma. Does this mean that I will receive a higher ATAR rank? § No § Sorry.

I am sitting the Certificate Plus programme. What study options for degree programmes are available to me? § If you were not awarded the IB Diploma you won't be eligible for a IB rank. You may, however, be considered for an place on a course where offers are based on other selection criteria. Note that this applies to only a small number of courses. § Check with admissions offices for further information about alternative pathways. § The trick is to be organised, make good use of the support you have at school, be pro-active, do your research and plan.

Does having the IB Diploma satisfy university English language requirements? § Not necessarily. § You may have to provide proof of your English language proficiency. Check the websites carefully. § Communicate with university representatives and admissions officers. § If in doubt, take an English language proficiency test (IELTS).

Do I need a Personal Statement or Reference? § It depends. § We advise you to prepare a Personal Statement while your are at Patana. § Can be asked to include this as an optional item on application forms. § You generally do not need academic references for applications to Australian universities. § Ask for specific subject areas / teachers (before teachers move on from Patana) § You may end up needing a Letter of Recommendation from the school as part of your application for student housing Do your research. Plan ahead. Make good use of us!

State Application Systems: NSW and ACT – UAC ( www. uac. edu. au ) (ACT: Canberra and the region) Queensland - QTAC ( www. qtac. edu. au ) South Australia - SATAC (www. satac. edu. au ) and Charles Darwin University (NT) Victoria - VTAC (www. vtac. edu. au ) Tasmania - University of Tasmania (www. utas. edu. au) Western Australia – TISC ( http: //www. tisc. edu. au/ ) Note: All state application systems have good state-specific course-search facilities within their websites.

More general information and Country-wide course search websites: http: //myuniversity. gov. au/ (Australia Government website – a good starting point for Australia-wide course research) http: //www. australian-universities. com/list/ http: //www. studiesinaustralia. com/ (guide for international students) http: //www. studyinaustralia. gov. au/ http: //www. immi. gov. au/students/ (information about student visas) http: //www. gooduniguide. com. au/ratings/search (rating search- like rankings) http: //www. i-studentadvisor. com/international-courses-australia. html (Australia study guide)

THANK YOU!