Overview

The Australian Catholic University is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence with a matching emphasis on justice, equity and human dignity. The University excels in teaching, research and service to the community, both Australian and global, and stresses the ethical, social and spiritual dimensions of its fields of endeavour.

It aims to produce graduates who are capable, ethical, critical in their thinking, alert to the deeper dimensions of human existence and committed to the well being of others. These values are reflected in its own practices, especially in the care and support provided to its students.

The University is decentralised in its layout with campuses in Sydney (2), Melbourne, Ballarat, Brisbane and Canberra. These campuses are close to the centre of their cities of location and all the facilities necessary for daily life are close at hand.

Small campuses mean more personalised attention for each student because of the excellent teacher-student ratios and a more relaxed, casual and friendly atmosphere creates ideal conditions for study. The diverse locations give students the opportunity to discover different facets of the Australian way of life in a variety of settings and communities.

Brisbane campus is located in the suburb of Banyo, close to the CBD, with bus and train nearby. The city of Brisbane is not far from the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise and Banyo is not far from the city centre. The landscaped grounds, historic architecture and small student population make Banyo a relaxed and peaceful environment in which to study.

North Sydney (Mackillop) is a short trip by bus or train from the Sydney CBD, while Strathfield (Mount St Mary) is barely twenty minutes by train. Sydney is at the heart of Australian business and culture. The North Sydney campus is focussed around a pleasant courtyard and recreational facilities, while Strathfield is set within historic buildings and gardens centred around a common lawn. Both centres provide beautiful and relaxed surroundings for student life.

Canberra (Signadou) is one of ACU”s smaller campuses, located close to the centre of Canberra. This campus, in the nation’s capital, boasts a swimming pool, canteen and peaceful chapel as well as state of the art computer labs and library. The small student body and friendly staff encourage the pursuit of excellence.

Ballarat (Aquinas) is a small goldfields town rich in Australian history and not far from Melbourne, Victoria’s capital. The campus is set within historic gardens and architecture and is not far from town centre and facilities. It boasts a gym and a gallery, as well as student accommodation. The library and labs are up to date and state of the art and the sense of history provides a rich atmosphere within which to study.

Melbourne (St Patrick’s) campus is a hop skip and a jump from the CBD and close to a rich variety of cafes, restaurants and shops. The building has been remodelled to provide state of the art purpose built facilities and has ready access to public transport and the city centre.

The ACU offers courses in the following subject areas at Diploma, Degree and
Postgraduate levels:

• Arts & Humanities
• Business & Management
• Education, Educational Leadership
• Environmental Science
• Exercise Science
• Information Systems
• Music
• Nursing
• Psychology
• Religious Education
• Social Sciences & Social Work
• Theology & Philosophy.

Subjects in these areas are usually 12 weeks (one semester) long.
International students need to be enrolled in at least three subjects per semester.


English Courses

For those students who need to develop their English skills, the University offers General English in Melbourne and North Sydney, IELTS Test Preparation in Brisbane, North Sydney and Melbourne and English for Academic Purposes (Direct Entry) at Brisbane, North Sydney and Melbourne.

English Language skills, educational background and country of origin are all taken into account. An IELTS score of at least 5.5 for Diploma courses, at least 6 for Undergraduate programmes and at least 6.5 for Post Graduate studies are requirements, along with any academic prerequisites. These may vary depending upon the course of study chosen.


Enrolment dates

Application deadlines for the ACU are:   

• 31 October (for first semester the following year)
• 30 April (for second semester the same year).

Each campus has its own student recreational facilities and students quite often organise social activities among themselves. The campuses are close to the centre of the city in which they are located so that shops and theatres, cafes, hotels and restaurants are readily available.

The cities themselves are usually not to far from natural attractions such as Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Sydney with its harbour and beaches and Melbourne with its parks and gardens. Each location offers its own unique attractions.

Are you interested in enrolling at the Australian Catholic University? Simply contact the team at AA Education Network. One of our Student Counsellors will gladly provide you with all the information and paperwork you will need for your application. This service is free of charge.