International Study at QUT | Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane Australia

To assist you in making the decision to study at QUT we have developed a list of the most Frequently Asked Questions by overseas students. If you have any more questions after navigating the site, email qut.international@qut.com and your enquiries will be answered promptly.

What are the start dates for 2008?

What are the costs of living in Brisbane?

Does QUT provide student accommodation?

What computing facilities are available?

How do I find out about course costs?

What is Overseas Student Health Cover?

Am I eligible for advanced standing (credit) for courses I have done?

How many international students study at QUT?

How do I apply for a student visa?

What if I have obtained Australian Permanent Residency?

What sort of assessment is used in undergraduate programs?

Can I work in Australia at the end of my program?

Does QUT offer scholarships?

What types of international student associations are at QUT?

What are the start dates for 2008?

The academic year for most of QUT's undergraduate and postgraduate courses runs from February to June for Semester 1 and July to November for Semester 2.

The 2008 academic calendar is now available. Semester 1 starts 19 February and Semester 2 starts 16 July. QUTIC courses have different start dates throughout the year. Some schools offer a number of intensive summer courses or subjects.

Also, all international students are required to attend an in person enrolment session which is held during the orientation program at QUT.

What are the costs of living in Brisbane?

It is estimated that an international student requires about $15,000 for living expenses in each year of study. You will need more money for initial establishment costs such as security deposits for electricity, gas, telephone, textbooks and other incidental expenses.

Further information on the cost of living is available on the International Student Services site.

From January 2008, on-campus accommodation will be available at the new Campus Living Villages (Kelvin Grove), on the corner of Blamey Street and Victoria Park Road. The six-storey, 450-bed complex will cater for a range of student needs and budgets. All apartments will be fully furnished and are designed to meet the specific needs of students including those from low socio-economic backgrounds. As well as the benefit of having uni on your doorstep, residents also have access to a supermarket, chemist, hairdresser and a number of other specialty stores within the Kelvin Grove Urban Village. For more information visit www.clv.com.au

The International Student Services office provides personal accommodation assistance to all international students studying at QUT. Our accommodation service is designed to meet the needs of QUT students, most of whom live off-campus sharing a rented unit.

The office maintains a list of vacancies in rented accommodation such as flats and houses, hostels, homestays and residential colleges. This enables the office to offer you a wide range of possible accommodation types to suit various budgets.

What computing facilities are available?

In keeping with QUT's real world focus, our staff and students have access to the latest technologies. Students at QUT have access to fully equipped computer laboratories to research and write assignments, send emails and use the Internet.

QUT has embraced online teaching, and delivered benefits to its students such as making it easier for them to work collaboratively. Students can learn at their own pace, and in line with their individual learning styles.

As part of its commitment to extending its services and overcoming barriers to learning, the university has provided dial-in access to its online services for both staff and students.

QUT students can also hire or purchase a Toshiba notebook computer through the SNAP program.

The Student Computing Helpdesk operates on all campuses of QUT to provide support to students who have difficulties using the Information Technology resources, which are provided by QUT. You can access the Helpdesk staff in person, by telephone, or by email, seven days of the week during semester, and during Summer School.

Other technology resources available to staff and students include audio-visual services such as producing and recording videos and broadcasts, hiring audio-visual equipment, copying and printing.

How do I find out about course costs?

All tuition fees are available in the International Course and Fee list.

What is Overseas Student Health Cover?

It is a condition of your student visa that you and your dependents have acceptable health insurance cover while you are studying in Australia.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) must be purchased for a minimum of 12 months if your course of study is 12 months or longer. QUT's preferred OSHC provider is Medibank Private.

If you have dependents travelling to Australia with you, they will also be required to maintain adequate overseas student health cover for the duration of their stay in Australia. If you are under age 18 you will also be required to maintain suitable accommodation and welfare arrangements.

If you have any further questions regarding OSHC Studentcare, or wish to complete your application form immediately, please feel free to contact Medibank Private on their National Toll Free line – 132 331 (within Australia). Or if you are not in Australia please phone +0061 386 225 780 or fax: +61 7 3305 7002. Or for further contact details visit the Medibank Private – Contact Us section of their website.

There are other health care providers from which OSHC can be purchased. Further information is available from the Department of Health and Ageing Care website.

Students applying from Norway and most Swedish students do not need to obtain OSHC because the Department of Health and Aged Care has advised that these countries have a national health scheme or other arrangements that provide acceptable health insurance for them while they are overseas.

Am I eligible for advanced standing (credit) for courses I have done?

Qualified graduates of recognised universities, colleges and polytechnics throughout the world are eligible to apply for advanced standing or unit exemptions towards a QUT degree. Advanced standing for previous studies may be granted if the subjects completed are assessed as equivalent in standard and content to those taught at QUT. An application for advanced standing should be made at the time you apply for admission or as soon as all required information and documentation is available. Advanced standing applications from international students must be submitted to the International Admissions Unit. Students intending to apply for advanced standing may review the
advanced standing precedent list (ASPL)

QUT has also successfully negotiated formal arrangements with a number of institutions concerning course articulation and the granting of advanced standing. Advanced standing programs for eligible graduates from several international and local institutions have been established. Block exemptions of a fixed number of credit points have been given on the basis of learning outcomes judged to be acceptable. Subject details need not be submitted where advanced standing arrangements are in place.

How many international students study at QUT?

QUT is committed to sustaining diversity in our international student population with over 5,000 international students from 85 countries.

The 2007 Good Universities Guide gave QUT four stars for both its cultural diversity and its international enrolments.

How do I apply for a student visa?

To apply for your student visa, you need to go to the Australian Diplomatic Office (ADO) in your country. This is normally stated on your eCOE (Confirmation of Enrolment). You will not be able to apply for a visa if you go to an ADO other than the one nominated on your eCOE.

You will need to complete an application form and also have a medical examination by a doctor nominated by the ADO. The time taken to process visa applications varies from one country to another and also depends on how busy the ADO is. Sometimes, there are long delays in this process, so you must allow yourself plenty of time and apply early.

You will have to provide evidence that you have obtained Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and if you under 18 years of age you will be required to prove that you have met the specific visa requirements applicable to students in your age group. If you are intending to bring school age dependents, you will need to show evidence that you have arranged their schooling for the duration of your stay in Australia.

If you hold a current student visa, an extension to your visa may be sought from either an ADO overseas or the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) in Australia upon presentation of your eCOE.

If you are presently in Australia on a visa other than a student visa, and wish to change to a student visa, please contact the QUT Student Centre for assistance, as only some visa types allow for on-shore changes. Some other visa types also allow for formal study. Please check with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) or the QUT Student Centre.

What if I have obtained Australian Permanent Residency?

If you are granted Permanent Residency, after accepting and enrolling at QUT, you must notify QUT immediately. You can do this at any of the Student Centres on each campus. Please bring your passport when you come. As a permanent resident, your place as an international student will have to be withdrawn. We will arrange for you to be transferred to a place in the same course for Australian citizens, and Australian permanent residents; however, we cannot guarantee that a place will be available.

What sort of assessment is used in undergraduate programs?

QUT students experience a range of teaching and learning environments, adding diversity to study life. Depending on the subject, classes at QUT may be delivered in a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, practical or laboratory sessions.

Assessment may involve written assignments, presentations, design folios and examinations. The number of contact hours will depend on the course. All QUT lectures are delivered in English.

Can I work in Australia at the end of my program?

Certain overseas students who recently completed a diploma or degree after at least one year of full time study in Australia may be able to apply for temporary or permanent stay based on:

Graduate - Skilled (Temporary) (Class UQ), subclass 497, or
Skilled Independent Overseas Student (Migrant) (Class DD), subclass 880, or
Skilled Australian Sponsored Overseas Student (Migrant) (Class DE), subclasses 881 or 882.

Contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship directly for further information.

QUT offers a Careers and Employment Service to international students which can be found online.

Does QUT offer scholarships?

QUT offers a number of scholarships for international students. Most are awarded on the basis of academic merit and are therefore highly competitive.

What types of international student associations are at QUT?

International student groups are active in organising social and welfare services for fellow students. There are over 25 international student groups on campus, representing the diverse international student population. New students are encouraged to join these associations as a means of meeting and making friends with other students.

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