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Your education journey

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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.

  • 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

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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 2024?

    Are you the next Study Geelong Ambassadors for 2024?

    We have 10 spots available for our 2024 Study Geelong ambassador volunteer program for international and domestic students who have relocated to Geelong to study.

    If you’d 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

  • Aditep

    Deakin University

    Being born into a poor farming family and growing up in a rural area in southern Thailand, I never thought I would have an opportunity to travel abroad. Before I heard of AusAid, the fully-funded scholarships by the Australian Government for students from regional Thailand during the mid-1990s, my dream about the future was never anything bigger than having an ordinary job in my small hometown after getting a bachelor’s degree from a local university.

    I applied for an AusAID scholarship as soon as I was informed of the opportunity. I went through all the screening tests and all the required application processes, and was finally awarded a fully-funded scholarship to study an undergraduate course at an Australian university.


    With my Australian host family

    Receiving an AusAid scholarship was just the beginning of my life-changing journey. My first few years as a foreign student was not as smooth as expected. I struggled a lot with both the different culture and the English language. As a result, my academic performance at my first university in Australia was less than satisfactory, and I was very nervous that I might have to come back to Thailand empty-handed.


    With new friends in Melbourne CBD

    However, I was very fortunate to be given another opportunity to study in Australia. This time, studying a bachelor’s degree at Deakin University. I finally found subjects of my true interest and I am forever grateful for that second opportunity. With lessons learnt from my previous course at the first university, I realised that I would have to do my absolute best at Deakin, not only for myself and my family, but also for my kind sponsor who did not give up on me.



    Working on a final-year project

    The course structures at Deakin are very well organised. The unit guidelines helped me tremendously, to plan my study throughout the semesters. My attention was focused on studying and I devoted my time to attending lectures, working on the assignments and projects well ahead of the due dates. My efforts were not in vain. My academic results at Deakin were satisfactory and I managed to graduate with a bachelor’s degree within the timeframe allowed by the AusAid programme.

    My degree equipped me with a very strong academic foundation in the technology field. All the assignments from my degree undoubtedly enhanced my analytical skills because some assignments involved long, complex and intricate calculations, as well as applications of theories in real-world practice. Participating in many extracurricular activities during my years at Deakin has also improved my self-esteem and self-confidence.

    Participating in many extracurricular activities during my years at Deakin has also improved my self-esteem and self-confidence.


    At the Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus

    After graduating from Deakin, I joined the Thai Customs department when Bangkok’s new international airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport, was opened almost 10 years ago. I passed the screening tests and became a new customs officer – one of the few chosen applicants out of over 100,000 people applicants at that time.

    As a customs officer, my main duties include inspecting imported cargos. Inspecting a variety of products imported into the country is a very challenging task, however, the skills I learnt at Deakin has helped me to understand and examine the products effectively. The lessons I’ve learnt from my studies at Deakin and my experience living in Australia has definitely helped with my career.

    The lessons I’ve learnt from my studies at Deakin and my experience living in Australia has definitely helped with my career.


    At Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport

    Customer service skills is also very important in my job because we serve a lot of customers from different nationalities each day. Having spent a few years with international friends at Deakin, it has become my nature to be friendly and to approach people with an open mind. My English skills have also been a very important factor for my good performance and continuous career growth as a customs officer at a big international airport.


    On duty as a customs officer

    With my bachelor’s degree from Deakin, together with my good performances at work, I have received a great opportunity for postgraduate studies overseas. I have been awarded another fully-funded scholarship from the Thai Customs department to take a master’s degree in the field of operations research, which is essential in promoting improved operations and services provided at the Customs department. I have confirmed my enrolment at a university in the UK, where I will go for my master’s degree next year. Without my bachelor’s degree, my experiences living in such diverse cultural settings, and all the lessons learnt during my years at Deakin and Australia, I wouldn’t have this day.

    Aditep

    Being born into a poor farming family and growing up in a rural area in southern Thailand, I never thought I would have an opportunity to travel abroad. Before I heard of AusAid, the fully-funded...

  • Jeanne Odette A Vandekatsey

    The Gordon

    Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
    Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery
    Diploma of Hospitality Management

    “Studying at the Gordon has changed me most notably in my approach to work ethic and has taught me to persevere even more throughout my day to day life. Beyond this, being a student at the Gordon has boosted my confidence to thrive in the workplace. My technique has improved, with many thanks to all the staff and the expertise, the advice and support I received from them has been so relevant and for that I’m so grateful. It has encouraged me in striving for accuracy and precision in what I do, as well as trusting my instincts or intuition in a specific moment, for these new acquired attributes, I cannot thank the Gordon enough.”

    Jeanne Odette A Vandekatsey

    Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
    Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery
    Diploma of Hospitality Management

    “Studying at the Gordon...

  • Yakubu Daffi

    The Gordon Institute of TAFE

    The Gordon Institute of TAFE was a study destination that I decided on hesitantly. Being a TAFE, I felt the practical approach and real experience would help me further my studies and career path.

    The Gordon has surpassed all expectations.
    At this stage, I can look back on that decision and confidently say I have no regrets whatsoever.

    The teachers are a great asset. The amount of care and attention they provide exceeds expectations. I go to class every morning knowing that I have their full backing and support. Lessons are broken down into very simple and concise parts, our nursing labs are fully equipped with state of the art tools and our lesson plans are setup to match the current needs of the work force.

    The students are very welcoming and ready to interact. I have made friends who have become family. The multicultural environment made settling in a lot easier. Finding my way around during the first few weeks of admission was no problem because staff are always ready to direct you to your destination.

    I am happy I made The Gordon my study destination; I could not have had it any better.

    Yakubu Daffi

    The Gordon Institute of TAFE was a study destination that I decided on hesitantly. Being a TAFE, I felt the practical approach and real experience would help me further my studies and career path.

    ...
  • Florence Teo

    Deakin University

    "I didn't choose my Career, my career chose me."

    Florence won an international scholarship to study a Master of Architecture at Deakin University. She talks about the pathway that led her to study Architecture and how much she loves studying at Deakin.

    Florence Teo

    "I didn't choose my Career, my career chose me."

    Florence won an international scholarship to study a Master of Architecture at Deakin University. She talks about the pathway that led her to study...