Higher Education in Australia

FUTURE UNLIMITED

Higher Education in Australia:

Pathways and Student Visa Aspects

March 2013

Natalia Konovalova

Australian Trade Commission, Moscow

Future Unlimited:

a new brand of

Australia’s international education

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ANZA 2012

Future Unlimited: the rationale

Australia is known by

• Beautiful beaches

• Wildlife

• Natural beauty and

• A great lifestyle

BUT

It has much more to offer

• Innovation

• Technology

• The arts

• Science

• Business

• Education

• Global citizenship

• Hard work and determination

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Fast facts

Resilience of the economy to economic crisis

• The fifths in the world in 2012 with an average score: the first between 2008-2012 (Institute for Management Development; World competitiveness Online 1009-2012)

Australia’s Human Development Index (HDI) – looks at annual rankings of national achievement in health, education and income

• The second best in the world, behind only Norway (UNDP Human Development Report 2011)

Australian qualifications and institutions are globally recognised

• In a recent study to benchmark education policies, Australia was placed at the top with a score of 9.4 out of 10 (Major Australia’s competitors were ranked: Germany - 8.9; UK - 8.3; US - 5.0

*Illevia, J.B., and Goh, J. (2010) Measuring the Internationalisation of Countries’ Higher Education Systems: A comparative Perspective from 11 countries

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Top 10 reasons to study in Australia

• World-class quality education and value

• Education outcomes

• Safe and multicultural society

• A welcoming society

• Internationally recognised qualifications

• Ability to work

• Rigorous consumer protection

• Strong student support

• Beneficial study experience

HIGHER EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA

Australia’s Higher Education

• 40 universities, of which

• 37 public universities & 3 private universities

• > 150 other providers of HE

• Increasing number of branches of international universities

• Around 130 accredited private providers

• 4 self-accrediting institutions

International students enrolments

– 515,853 international students; of which

– 230,923 study at Higher Education institutions

– 95,224 studying English language programs

– 145,540 are in VET sector

Source: AEI 2012

Russian students enrolments 2009-2012

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Source: AEI, 2012

Banner ups

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Australian education system

Australian education system promotes and encourages

• Innovative, creative and independent thinking

• Choice

• Flexible delivery

• Lifelong learning

• Quality teaching

FLEXIBLE LEARNING PATHWAYS

Australian Qualifications Framework

Protects the quality of Australian education

• Quality assured framework of national qualifications

issued in the:

• senior secondary schools sector

• vocational education and training (VET) sector

• higher education sector

• Recognised around Australia and by other countries

Australian Qualifications Framework

(AQF)

• Specifies Australian qualifications types

• The AQF has 10 levels and links school, vocational and university education qualifications into one national system

• The AQF allows you to move easily from one level of study to the next, and from one institution to another as long as you satisfy student visa requirements (www.aqf.edu.au)

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AQF – national system of learning

pathways

• Seamless and

diverse

• Encourages cross

sectoral linkages

PATHWAYS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

17

Pathways to higher education

Direct entry

for those who

meet entry

requirements

Alternative pathways

• English language courses

• University preparation and Foundation programs

• College diplomas

Recognition of prior learning – articulation arrangements

Apply for credit transfer at the time of lodging applications. Students are encouraged to apply for credit, via the admission application, to receive a Notification of Credit Transfer entitlement at the time of their offer from university.

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ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES

English language centres

Many to choose from:

• small privately run colleges with small group tuition

• secondary schools preparing students for further

studies

• vocational education centres

• universities offering English in its own right or as a

transition to any number of other tertiary or further

training programs

English Language Courses

Offer English language training to help with future studies

• General English – focus on the development of communication skills, particularly speaking and listening.

• English for Academic Purposes – will prepare you for study at an English-speaking university or a vocational institute.

• English for Specific Purposes – focus on practical English for specific course areas, including English for Business, Aviation, or Tourism.

• Secondary School Preparation – will develop English for entry into an Australian secondary school.

• Examination Preparation

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English Language Intensive Courses for

Overseas Students (ELICOS)

• Australia’s ELICOS is one of the best known in the

world

• Designed for ESL speakers to receive high quality

instruction to

- Develop their English

- Continue on to academic studies

• > 150 English centres to choose from

What to do after ELICOS study

EL

IC

OS

Certificate

Diploma

Bachelor Degree

Master Degree

Doctor Degree (PhD)

EXIT

anywhere

PREPARATORY AND FOUNDATION PROGRAMS

Foundation programs

• Help students transit smoothly into university by developing academic skills

• Focus on developing academic, study and learning skills, and practicing English

• Allow to choose preferred fields of study in line with a selected HE program

Formats:

• Standard (12 months)

• Intensive (fast-track)

• Extended (may include an additional semester)

Dates, entry requirements and duration may differ!

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General requirements

• Age (>16y.o.)

• Academic skills (good academic results)

• English language requirements:

– completed Australian Year 11

– studied a program that was delivered in English

– satisfactory marks in English

Or

– presented results of international English language tests (eg. IELTS, TOEFL)

Russia: Certificate of Secondary Education/Attestat; Average in academic subjects (dependent on university requirements); IELTS/TOEFL, other.

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What subjects can be offered?

Standard format

• Accounting

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Economics

• English

• Geography

• IT

• Mathematics

• Physics

Extended

• English

• Business communications

• Learning Studies

• Introductory maths

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Academic Calendar

Universities intake

Most degree programs have two

intakes per year:

• Autumn Session: February

to June (16 Weeks)

• Spring Session: July to

November (16 Weeks)

Some universities offer 3 intakes per year:

• January; May; August

Foundation programs intake

Vary dependent on the format and

institutions but many are offered in:

• January

• March

• July

• September

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PATHWAYS VIA VOCATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAINING (VET)

Pathway via Australia’s world-class VET

System

Australia boasts a truly national, world-class vocational education and training system:

• Training in leading edge technologies

• Developing skills for work and life

• Strong links to industry

• Continuing process of improvement

• Client focussed

• Flexible system – responsive to change

What is VET?

VET aims to provide people with the skills and

knowledge they require to:

• Enter the workforce for the first time

• Re-enter the workforce after absences

• Train or re-train for a new job

• Upgrade their skills

• Gain specific skills

• Move into further study in VET or university

What do VET students study?

• Students can study just about anything in the Australian VET sector. It provides a vast array of subjects and programs which range from: – traditional trades to business and commerce and the

creative arts.

– basic skills training for social and community participation, such as English language training.

• Approximately 45% of international VET students enrol in management and commerce programs, the most common field of study.

Diplomas – preparation for entry into

university programs (1st or 2nd year)

Content: courses which constitute the 1st year of a bachelor degree.

Transfer to a linked university program, with credit, exemption or advanced standing, is possible if students:

• complete a diploma program in a related area at partner institutions, offshore or overseas institutions (subject to university)

• achieve a required Grade Point Average (GPA)

• meet English language requirements

• meet any other conditions.

Diploma programs can incorporate an ELICOS course to help improve English language proficiency.

Expected outcome: entry into the second year of a relevant bachelor program.

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Examples of pathways

SCHOOL

In Australia or

Year 12 in home

country

UNIVERSITY IN AUSTRALIA

Bachelor of Commerce

CAREER

OPTIONS

Accountant

Business Analyst

Financial Planner

VET IN

AUSTRALIA:

Diploma of

Marketing

UNIVERSITY IN

AUSTRALIA:

Bachelor of

Business

(Marketing)

CAREER

OPTIONS

Market

Researcher

Marketing Officer

Tourism Manager

CAREER

In home country:

Information

Technology

VET IN

AUSTRALIA:

Diploma of

Information

Technology

UNIVERSITY IN

AUSTRALIA:

Bachelor of

Information

Technology

CAREER

OPTIONS

IT Manager

Network

Administrator

Software Engineer

1

2

3

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS PATHWAYS IN AUSTRALIA

Trends for international students

pathways in 2010 Three out of five students began their studies in English language programs, VET, or other college

Students who completed ELICOS:

ELICOS - HE: 35% (40%*)

ELICOS - VET: 20% (21%*)

Students who completed School:

Schools – HE: 27% (30%*)

Schools – VET: 8% (10%*)

*when other indirect study pathways undertaken

Source: Study pathways of international students in Australia (AIE Research Paper 2012/01)

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Trends for international students pathways

in 2011

International students who commenced in Higher Education were in:

ELICOS: 30% (40%*) VET: 14% (16%*)

Non-award: 11% (12%*) Schools: 5% (8%*)

Of whom 40% commenced Higher Education without prior learning.

International students who commenced in VET were in:

ELICOS: 39% (50%)* HE: 12 % (13%)*

Schools: 4% (6%*) Non-award: 2% (4%*)

*when other indirect study pathways undertaken

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Students expectations and experience

Source: Fiocco, M. An evaluation of a pathway program: the students’ view. Australian International Education Conference 2006 – www.idp.com/aiec

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Students expectations and experience (cont.)

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Study in Australia website: www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/russia

46

PIER • PIER online (Professional International Education Services)

http://www.pieronline.org/

• The Education Agent Training Course (EATC)

– There is no cost to access the information and materials of the EATC;

interested participants simply need to fill in an online registration form at

the EATC website

• To become a Qualified Education Agent Counselor you will need to

undertake the EATC Formal Assessment. 80 minute test, comprising of 50

multiple choice questions. Fee based exam.

• List of qualified Education Agent Counsellors

http://eatc.pieronline.org/qeac

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Australian Student Visas

Student Visa Processing Framework

March 2013

Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship

Australian Student Visas • Streamlined Processing and AL Exempt

• Genuine Temporary Entrant Criteria

• Documentary requirements

– Checklists

– Translations and certified copies

– Agents and Authorised recipients

• Label-Free Visas

Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship

Streamlined Processing - Eligibility

Subclass 573

Bachelor

Degree

Master Degree

(coursework)

Subclass 574

Doctoral Degree

Master Degree

(research)

Subclass 575

Non-AQF Award

(exchange)

Non-AQF Award

(Study Abroad)

Course

Packaging

Subsequent

Entrants Subclass 580

6

Standard processing

Streamlined Processing

Student

Student

CoE or letter

of offer

Course of Study

Country of Pp Assessed under

AL 1- 4

CoE Eligible Provider Assessed under

AL Exempt

Eligible Course of Study & Level

Streamlined processing – AL Exempt

Case Studies

PERSON A

Person A from Russia has applied

after 24 March 2012 to study a

Bachelor of Business.

Person A has lodged a paper

application and has attached a CoE

from an eligible university provider.

Q1. What AL Level should Person A be

assessed against?

Q2. What evidence of English

Language proficiency should Person A

provide?

52

Answer 1 – AL Exempt

Why? - Person A is intending to study

an eligible course at an eligible

provider and has a CoE, therefore the

applicant will assessed as AL Exempt.

Answer 2 – The same evidence as an

AL 1 applicant.

Streamlined processing – AL Exempt

Case Studies

PERSON B

Person B from Russia has applied after

24 March 2012, to study an ELICOS

course followed by a Graduate Diploma

(subclass 573).

Person B has lodged their application

and attached a CoE for both courses.

Upon inspection you can see the CoE’s

provided belong to eligible providers.

Q1. Should Person B be assessed

against

AL X or AL2?

53

Answer:

Assessment Level 2

Why?

Graduate Diplomas are not eligible

courses for exemption of Assessment

Levels

Genuine Temporary Entry • The main criteria for assessing student visa applications

• Does the applicant genuinely intend to enter Australia, obtain a qualification, and then leave Australia to return home?

• We consider many aspects of a person’s circumstances, including reasons for study, incentive to return from Australia, previous international travel, relevance of proposed study to history/ future plans of the applicant, future employment prospects in their home country etc.

Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship

Motivation Letter – GTE Requirement • All applicants should provide a personally written statement about

their reasons and motivations for wishing to study their proposed course. – Why did choose the course/ location? – How does the course relate to their previous study/ work? – Why are they changing their career or study path? – What is the value of the course to their future (future employment

prospects, financial expectations)?

• If the statement is clear, detailed and logical, we may not need to interview the applicant. This may reduce processing times.

• Can be in English or in Russian

Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship

Other Documents - GTE Requirement • Evidence of previous related study/ work

• Incentive to return from Australia

– Evidence of previous international travel (copies of visas)

– Evidence of property/ asset ownership

– Family ties to home country

Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship

Documentary Requirements • Checklists at russia.embassy.gov.au

• Translations not required if in Russian

• Certified copies only required for official identification documents (Birth certificates, Death certificates, Marriage certificates)

Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship

- Ensure you are using the updated forms (available from www.immi.gov.au)

Agents and Authorised Recipients • All agents must be authorised recipients to receive

grant and refusal notifications (and other information)

• Agents MUST ensure a completed form 956 or 956A (depending on the circumstance) is provide with each application. See each form for an explanation of when each should be used.

Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship

E-Medical • Many panel doctors now have e-medical facilities.

• Applicants should wait for notification of their HAP ID number with their acknowledgement letter from the Embassy. They must take this to the panel doctor.

• Applicants should not do medicals before they lodge their application

• Medical results transferred electronically to Australia for clearance and our systems update automatically

Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship

Other Changes • Can grant visa up to 4 months before start of course • Students can now work up to 40 hours per fortnight • Assessment Level changes for Ukraine and Kazakhstan • Student Guardian visa holders can now study English up to 20 hours

a week • Fraud PIC 4020 – 3 year ban for providing fraudulent documents or

information in an application • Introduction of a new post study work visa for graduates of eligible

courses • See: www.immi.gov.au/students/ to keep up to date with the

latest news and developments

Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship

Visa Label-Free Travel • Visas are now granted to all Russian and Ukrainian

citizens WITHOUT a visa label. • Passports should NOT be provided to the Embassy. • A photocopy of each applicant’s passport data page

must be provided with the application. • The visa will be an electronic record held on Australian

Immigration systems. • Clients will be provided with a visa grant letter for their

reference. • Airlines and border staff have been trained.

Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship

Информация по вопросам

получения студенческой визы

• http://www.immi.gov.au/students

• www.immi.gov.au/allforms

• www.russia.embassy.gov.au/mscw/StudentVisa.html

• www.russia.embassy.gov.au/mscw/VisaInform.html

Contacts at Austrade

Natalia Konovalova

Business Development Manager Russia/CIS

T +7 495 231 3615

F +7 495 231 3602

natalia.konovalova@austrade.gov.au

www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/russia

www.austrade.gov.au/futureunlimited