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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.

  • 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.

  • 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

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    Study Geelong and The Lounge End of Year celebration

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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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  • Are you the next Study Geelong Ambassadors for 2025?

    Are you the next Study Geelong Ambassadors for 2025?

    Are you our next Study Geelong ambassadors for 2025?

    If you love to explore more of Geelong and The Bellarine, get to know other international students and help share your adventures on social media, then becoming an ambassador might be for you!

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Student Stories

  • Fardokht Lebaschi

    The Gordon

    Diploma of Beauty Therapy
    Recipient of 2021 The Gordon International Student of the Year Award

    “The most interesting part of the course is working with real clients, I have chance to chat with my clients, improve my English, to learn about Australian culture, provide them with different beauty therapy services, receive feedback from them, so I can evaluate my beauty therapy skills

    Teachers at The Gordon are all lovely. I was the first international students studying beauty therapy, I was very nervous, but they are so helpful and always willing to offer extra help to me.”

    Fardokht Lebaschi

    Diploma of Beauty Therapy
    Recipient of 2021 The Gordon International Student of the Year Award

    “The most interesting part of the course is working with...

  • Julie Rollup

    The Gordon Institute of TAFE

    I chose to study at The Gordon because I had friends that told me a lot of good things about it. Apart from all the studying (ha ha) I really enjoy it. The teachers are just great. In Germany I never had teachers that cared for me so much.

    I think it’s great that The Gordon offers free student services. I saw a counsellor when I started the course and that was fantastic. I would recommend students seek help if they need some advice or just someone to listen. The library is also fantastic! The guys there help you out and I love that it’s not a quiet place - you can eat there, talk with fellow students and work on projects.

    The course has helped me find my strengths and weaknesses and with the help of my teachers, to figure out what direction I want to head

    Julie Rollup

    I chose to study at The Gordon because I had friends that told me a lot of good things about it. Apart from all the studying (ha ha) I really enjoy it. The teachers are just great. In Germany I never had...

  • Bo Li

    The Gordon

    “I chose to study at The Gordon as they have an excellent reputation, with a lot of great chefs who have graduated and now own their own restaurants.

    All the teachers are professional and experienced and they make the training interesting and memorable. I have not only learned how to cook a great meal, but also learned how to be a team player. After studying with my classmates all year, we have become like a family. We study from each other, help each other, and have a lot of fun. As an international student I was always shy to speak out, but in the cookery industry you have to communicate with others and my English has improved dramatically. I’ve not only learnt English, but also some specialised words in French, Italian, Japanese and others.

    I am now working in a local restaurant and continuing my studies at Certificate IV level to gain more knowledge and experience. I hope to own my own small restaurant one day. ”

    Bo Li (Allen)
    Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
    Recipient of 2016 The Gordon International Student of the Year Award

    Bo Li

    “I chose to study at The Gordon as they have an excellent reputation, with a lot of great chefs who have graduated and now own their own...

  • Balaji

    Deakin University

    Balaji is studying a Doctor of Philosophy at Deakin University, Geelong and has a Masters in Engineering in Industrial Metallurgy. He was awarded a full Postgraduate Research Scholarship at Deakin and has been nominated for two of the university’s Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) annual awards. He has also been a finalist at the international youth science event and the British Council’s ‘FameLab’. At Deakin, he is an academic mentor, as well as an International Orientation Coordinator supporting new international students. Balaji also engages in community roles including in the ‘Good Start Breakfast Club’ for the Australian Red Cross, and as a learning support volunteer with EdConnect Australia.

    Balaji

    Balaji is studying a Doctor of Philosophy at Deakin University, Geelong and has a Masters in Engineering in Industrial Metallurgy. He was awarded a full Postgraduate Research Scholarship at Deakin and has...