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Your education journey

starts here

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Education Providers

Geelong is fortunate to have so many quality educational institutions that are registered with the Government to offer courses to international students. Whatever stage you are on your educational journey there are many options to choose from.

  • ELICOS

    ELICOS

    (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students)

    Providing English language classes to prepare students for further study, Elicos courses can be completed at any age and study stage but are usually the first step to studying in Australia

  • Private Higher Education College

    Private Higher Education College

    Providing higher education for post-secondary students, qualifications range from certificates to bachelor degrees. Marcus Oldham College graduates commence careers in agriculture or para-professional roles. Deakin College students pathway into the second year of Deakin bachelor degrees.

  • Secondary School

    Secondary School

    Catering for students from Year 7 to Year 12, upon successful completion students will have achieved either the: Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) or International Baccalaureate (IB).

  • TAFE

    TAFE

    Providing vocational training that focuses on hands-on learning, qualifications offered include certificates, through to advanced diplomas, as well as apprenticeships and traineeships. Graduate students commence careers in trades or para-professional roles, or pathway to university.

  • University

    University

    Providing higher education for post-secondary students, qualifications range from bachelor degrees to post graduate doctoral degrees. Graduates are highly skilled to work in a diverse range of academic, professional and research roles.

Australian Qualifications Framework

The Australian education system is a national policy that covers qualifications from the tertiary education sector (higher education and vocational education and training) in addition to the school-leaving certificate; the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. This is known as the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

The AQF has 10 levels and links school, vocational and university education qualifications into one national system. This 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. It allows for choice and flexibility in career planning. All qualifications in the AQF help prepare you for both further study and your working life.

Our institutions are linked across the country and across the world, which makes it easy to move throughout the education system between courses or institutions and formal agreement and recognition frameworks mean every step of the path will contribute to your future no matter what your study or career goals.

Pathways

Multiple study pathways and exit points exist between secondary school, TAFE and university. Each stage of study brings its own qualification and can be the completion of your studies, or it can provide a pathway onto the next stage.

Your current year and skill level will determine what course level or institution you are eligible to apply for. Where you finish will depend on the career outcomes you’re hoping to achieve.

pathways

  • Student Events and Activities

    Student Events and Activities

     Upcoming Events...

    Keep an eye out here for events and activities

     

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  • Student Resources

    Student Resources

    Where can I get help with......

    Browse the Study Geelong student resources for international students.

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  • Study Geelong  Ambassador Program

    Study Geelong Ambassador Program

    The Study Geelong  Ambassador Program provides higher education students (domestic and international) and recent graduates, with adventures and professional development to promote Geelong as a study destination and a great place to explore.

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Student Stories

  • YUHAO

    North Geelong Secondary College

    As far as we know, Australia is a multicultural and multinational country in the world. The Australian education is pretty distinguished and it has too many advantages so that it can attract more and more people to come to study the knowledge they like. As an international student from China, I will narrate my many interesting experiences and my feelings for Australia.

    So why didn't I choose the other cities in Australia but I selected Geelong? When I lived in China, the pressure of every senior high school students is very heavy. To finish my homework, I had to go to school at 6:50am and go to sleep at about 1:00 in night. So I produced an original thought-go abroad to explore a new life which is both relaxing and I can learn some utile knowledge. In my opinions, I checked some cities and towns in Australia and learnt about the information of cities. Among the cities, when I saw the beautiful sceneries and colourful cultures, I fell love in the interesting town, Geelong. I was absorbed deeply by the environment and the enthusiasm of the people. A new journey for me has extended!

     With curiosity and excitement, I got off the airplane and observed everything surrounding me. What a beautiful city! What a great way! With the tender sunshine, I saw the wonderful view in my sight. Cool and refreshing sea wind fanned my face, the feeling was like in the fairyland. The wide blue sea was like a big piece of mirror even can see all kinds of fishes were swimming.

     Geelong-a glamorous place. It takes too much invaluable memory to me. I am studying in North Geelong Secondary College and I can choose more types of classes which I am interested in. I have made friends with many people including the teachers here. They are always very amiable and if I feel bored and helpless I always make a conversation with them to release my pressure. I still remembered that when I came to GEELONG initially, I even couldn't speak with the other people mainly because my English was too weak and I didn't want to talk something. When it was difficult to deal with the  problems, there were too many people to encourage me to inspire my confidence and talk more with the others. I felt the care and warmth from my friends and determined to practice my English.

     Now, doing some sports with my friends is my favourite, meanwhile, practising my English is still the most important assignment. Talking some difficult problems with other people, watching some interesting English movies can help me how to utilize and comprehend the grammar and the vocabulary. I always listened to the customs, life as well as history of Geelong. I love the sea scenery of Geelong and almost not any contamination. With the warm sunshine and blue sky, that is a great picture!

    Geelong is a very wonderful town! The location is very special because it is near many interesting places and when I have time,I can go to play with my friends and family. The simple and honest folkways are the other special traits. On the other hand, it is very near to Melbourne-the cultural centre of Australia. But Geelong has the unique quiet and it makes people very comfortable rather than the noisy of Melbourne. In Geelong, I can't find any trouble in everyday life, only relax and happiness.

    I love Geelong! It is my new favourite hometown and I never forget it. Never!

     

    YUHAO

    As far as we know, Australia is a multicultural and multinational country in the world. The Australian education is pretty distinguished and it has too many advantages so that it can attract more and more...

  • Tej

    Deakin University

    Undertaking the Bachelor of Design (Architecture) course has been a dream come true as I always aspired to becoming a designer and an architect. Being enrolled in 2015 at the prestigious, world renowned Deakin University has been a stepping stone in directing my endeavours as a future professional into successfully delivering sustainable, durable and innovative solutions centred towards the demands of society. Reaching the Deakin Geelong Waterfront Campus as a novice student, I was nervous about finding my way to the lecture hall but was helped by a polite student representative who was very kind to guide me to the respective lecture hall. This was a wonderful start of an amazing journey and this enriching experience shall forever remain cherished in my mind and definitely helped me shape my bearings towards achieving a successful career in architecture.

    “Deakin inspires creativity, innovation through technology and most importantly, helps us to become who we truly want to be.”

    The well-disposed, benevolent teaching and non-teaching staff have really assisted me throughout the course as their approach has been a very considerate and good-hearted one with supportive tutors, friends and teammates all along the way. With the pioneering of new software and new technology, Deakin has pushed us to define new boundaries, new thresholds in all of the fields of study as well as in the industry, proved by its well-settled and powerful alumni and excellent teachers. Printing a three dimensional maquette or modelling an existing block of the city and assessing its performance are some of the everyday happenings at the hustling and bustling A+B Architecture studio. With those assets at hand, the possibilities are infinite and Deakin has effectively given us a glimpse of this brand-new world we are designing for.


    Deakin Waterfront Campus in Geelong

    The unit ‘Building Environmental Studies’ has been very exciting for me in regards to learning and self-development skills. The charismatic character of this exemplary unit did quench our underlying curiosity of finding new ways of building and engineering the right methods of calculation, whilst keeping in mind the long-term results performed by this well-thought out and orchestrated new design. I look forward to having further opportunities to engage this newly acquired knowledge into my other designs and set this as a principle to follow as a future architect.

    “This enriching experience shall forever remain cherished in my mind and will definitely help me shape my bearings towards achieving a successful career in architecture.”

    Tej

    Undertaking the Bachelor of Design (Architecture) course has been a dream come true as I always aspired to becoming a designer and an architect. Being enrolled in 2015 at the prestigious, world renowned...

  • Eliza Hart

    Marcus Oldham College

    Studying the Diploma of Equine Management at Marcus Oldham has been an amazing opportunity for me in helping to achieve my future goals. This year has already opened many doors into a world known to be difficult to establish yourself in.

    With my ultimate goal to import and breed quality Portuguese Lusitano horses in Australia, Marcus is helping me understand the values of creating a strong business plan as well as providing me with all the knowledge I could hope to gain about the equine industry, and more. Choosing to become a student at Marcus has been one of the best decisions of my life so far. Marcus Oldham is helping to make my dreams a reality.

    Eliza Hart

    Studying the Diploma of Equine Management at Marcus Oldham has been an amazing opportunity for me in helping to achieve my future goals. This year has already opened many doors into a world known to be...

  • Jennifer Pullinger

    The Gordon Institute of TAFE

    Studying at The Gordon was fantastic, the teachers were great and so helpful and also made learning fun. Mixing with Australian students was a great way to make life-long friends who were interested in the same things as me.

    The Gordon has fully prepared me for employment. We not only learnt the vital massage skills but also business skills that have become essential for me as I have started up my own business in Victoria's Western District. Without the key business components that The Gordon offered this would not have been possible for me, so I thank them greatly.

    Jennifer Pullinger

    Studying at The Gordon was fantastic, the teachers were great and so helpful and also made learning fun. Mixing with Australian students was a great way to make life-long friends who were interested in...