Studying in Australia

Studying in Australia - Overview

Higher education in Australia consists of lecture classes and tutorials, alot of international students will find that this does not so much consist of class work but has alot of practical elements to it aswell.

The difference between a lecture and a tutorial is that a lecture has a larger class of up to 200 students, here a lecturer provides information and students are required to listen and take notes. Tutorials have smaller class sizes, it is here that questions can be asked and answered and here that alot of the practical work will be done.

Students are graded each semester and per unit. If a student fails a unit it will need to be paid for and repeated again in the following semester. Students are graded on their class work, assessments, practical work, participation, attendance as well as end of unit exams. The majority of the grade will come from the end of unit exam. Still alot of effort needs to go into all other work.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is illegal in Australia, students found guilty of this can be failed in their subject, expelled from the institute and even have their visa revoked. Plagiarism is where someone intentionally uses someone else's work and says it is their own.

If you need to use a quote or a reference this needs to be stated on the work, it needs to say that this is not your work and who's it is.

Consumer Protection

Consumer protection acts to ensure international students are safe from being ripped off. Australia is a fair country, who treats international students the same as their own. There are laws under the Education Services for Overseas Students, which state what students can and can't be charged and that all their courses are legitimate. .

All course providers must let students know of all course details before they apply for their visa, this information needs to include content, duration, qualification, teaching methods, assessments and grading, pre requisites, fee's as well as a list of facilities and student services.

Student support services are available to help students make the transitions into higher education. They organise orientation days, help students with their planning of academic future and career. They can also help with organising accommodation.

If students have any queries or grievances they should contact their educational provider or the International Office in their country.