AUSTRALIAN EDUCATION BASICS

The style of teaching in Australian universities maybe a little different from where you come from, but then again they maybe similar, as a rule of thumb, Australian universities tend to want to create a spirit of intellectual independence in their students, as opposed to getting them to regurgitate facts for the faculty.

The emphasis is on understanding an idea and being able to incorporate higher thinking concepts into the student’s thought processes as they complete their academic career and take the knowledge they have gained out into the workplace.
The faculty at Australian universities where heavily influenced by the transforming cultural climate of the 1970’s and this is reflected in the educational philosophy of Australian tertiary institutions. But this doesn’t mean that Australian universities are lax in pursuing the highest of academic standards that the English-speaking world has to offer.

Australian degrees are respected around the world and people holding Australian degrees are sort after in the international marketplace, with some companies dealing directly with universities in Australia when they are recruiting for employees.


LECTURES AND TUTORIALS

For all students at Australian universities, their everyday course load will include a mix of tutorials and lectures that they will have to attend on a regular basis so they can achieve good marks. Lectures usually have roughly 200 people attending and are dominated by a professor who gives a lecture while students take notes. While a tutorial will have about 30 students attending and is open to discussion and feedback from the course leader.

While VET institutions have smaller classes (about 50 people) and combine the lecture and tutorial in a way that is similar to a traditional style lesson, people are familiar with from their experiences in high school.

Regardless of whether you are attending university or completing a diploma or other certification through a VET institution you will have to attend all classes and tutorials or your visa could be jeopardized through lack of attendance. A stipulation for all Australian student visas is that the holder of the visa attends their course on a full-time basis.


MAKING THE GRADE

Assessment at Australian universities is pretty simple and can be understood by momentarily perusing the orientation materials you will receive before you start the course. Although there will be slight differences from state to state, but you will have to be as ‘silly as a wheel’ not to work it out. So indulge me for a few moments as I take you through the basics.

Assessment at a university level can be based on the work you have done throughout the course that can include: essays, assignments, class attendance, group participation, and exams. Some course leader’s will grade you over the course period, which is beneficial to a student, because it gives you more opportunity not to blow the course at one last exam, while other courses will have one final exam.

As stated before: the system of assessment is different in Australian states.
But, here is a basic rundown:

Secondary schools: A (Very High Achievement) / B (High Achievement) / C (Sound/Satisfactory Achievement) / D (Low Achievements) / E (Very Low Achievement).

For universities and VET institutions: HD (High Distinction 80% - 100%) / D ( (Distinction 70% = 79%) / Credit (60% - 69%) / Pass (50% - 59%) / Fail (Below 50%).

Also many VET institutes (primarily the TAFE institutions) use a simple system of assessment that only tells a student if they are ‘competent’ or ‘not competent’ in their endeavors.


DON’T STEAL

I don’t think any person who has been alive for more than a few years has not heard of some incident in the popular press that involves ‘Plagiarism’. Plagiarism is a big deal at tertiary institutions and can be reason enough to get a person caught doing it kicked out of the institution they are attending. On the positive side a student cannot enter into a university degree without getting a pamphlet or some other type of material on ‘Plagiarism’ in their course materials during orientation. All Australian universities have a webpage dedicated to ‘Plagiarism’ so the chances of you completing your degree without knowing about it are pretty non-existent.

But, what is ‘Plagiarism’ I hear you ask?
Plagiarism is when you reference other people’s work without giving them credit. It is basically stealing another person’s intellectual property and can lead to an automatic fail and may put your student vias in jeopardy. Plagiarism in its most common form is when you take the words of another writer and pass them off as your own. Plagiarism is a stupid offence in university circles in particular because you are dealing with people (course leaders and/or professors) who have read all or most of the relevant literature in a field and know where certain words and ideas come from, and whether they are your words or not.
So reference all your source material. Each faculty will have a different citation system that will have to be adhered to and will have books, journals, web sites, and classes that will help you master the particular citation system for that course or faculty. So don’t worry. Just be conscious of it and make sure you are not turning someone else’s words into your own.


INTERNATIONAL STUDENT RIGHTS

Australia has legislation that protects international students that you should know. It is called the (ESOS) Education Services for Overseas Students framework. The Australian government is commited to giving international students a quality educational experience while they are in the country, and the above legislative framework is the construct used by them to do it.


So, what is in the legislation?

Here are some of the more important clauses in the framework for you to know:
All Australian universities that take international students are legally bound to adhere to the legislation.

As an international student you will be refunded your money or put into another course if the institution you are studying at defaults on a course.
All marketing material you receive from the institution you are studying at maust be accurate in relation to all aspects of student life at the particular education provider. In simple terms: they cannot lie to you about any aspect of student life.
Before being confirmed as a student at an education institution in Australia you must be supplied with the following material: the content of the course (course material) / the duration of the course / the qualification you will be attaining after successful completion / system of assessment and teaching methods / English language requirements / pre-requisites for entry into the course / course materials / fees / facilities / student support services and any other relevant material that the prospective student may need to complete the material.

It is good personal policy to get in touch with the Inte3rnational Student Support Services when you come to Australia to study. They are there to help you with all your needs while you are studying and are on your side.

As part of the ESOS legislation, education providers through the organ of the International Student Support Services are required to assist international students in adjusting to life in Australia. The ESOS legislation requires education providers to assist international students achieve their learning goals and give appropriate information on: orientation / academic progress / and further study options.


SOLVING PROBLEMS

It is not a stretch to conceive the possibility of problems arising as an international student studying at an Australian university. The ESOS legislation provides an arbitration process for you to embark on if problems do arise at any time during your academic career.

But, the first place to start is to try and deal with it by discussing your grievances with education provider, and if that does not work you can get assistance from the International Student Support Services at you education provider. The ESOS framework allows for prompt and independent resolution processes for both parties involved in the dispute where you can access a nominee of your choice to state your case.


INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES

As stated before, the ISS is a good place to familiarize yourself when you start at the education provider. The ISS will help you with many of the aspects of Australian life that you will have to familiarize yourself with as you navigate the country. The ISS will help you with banking, accommodation, and other relevant issues. So introduce yourself when you get to the education provider. The ISS also has student counselors who are paid to help you get what you need as you encounter Australian student life.


ABILTY/DISABILITY

All Australian institutions offer students with disabilities the opportunity to achieve their educational goals and as an international student with a disability this should be no different.

International students with a disability or a chronic medical condition have the right to appropriate the following services and more if they need to.
These include: voice recognition services, hearing aids and note taking services.

I would encourage international students to get the ESOS legislation framework so you know what your rights and obligations are. And to get in touch with your AA Educational Agent as they ar4e a valuable resource and can be contacted at anytime during the day or night via email. So build an effective network of support around yourself so you can have a quality educational experience while you are in the country.