Many international students who travel to study in Australia find that the teaching style offered at Australian universities can differ quite widely from their home country. Australian tertiary institutions offer learning with a focus on independent thought and practice, with an aim to teach students a thorough knowledge of a subject rather than through rote learning.
Students who study in Australia can expect to be asked to contribute to discussions in class time, which may be assessed as part of your coursework. Also, universities in Australia may offer different semester lengths and timetables to universities overseas, with longer holidays offered over Christmas. This can be quite an adjustment for international students who wish to study in Australia.
How to study in Australia
International students who study a course at university will undertake a mix of lectures and tutorials, which offer different learning styles. Lectures are a larger scale offering, with a lecturer delivering the required information to most or all of the students learning that particular subject. Tutorials are much smaller, and encourage students to discuss the information learned during the lecture.
Alternatively, at a TAFE institute, lectures are less common, with more of a focus on information delivery and discussion during tutorials. International students wondering how to study in Australia are encouraged to have a good grasp of English skills before undertaking a course in Australia, as discussion and debate can be challenging otherwise.
Assessment in Australia
Depending on the qualification and course being studied, students can be assessed by a mix of written or practical assignments, exams, class discussion and participation, attendance, oral presentations, or group assignments.
These all test different skills and knowledge, to ensure all students who study in Australia are learning and understanding the material in their course. At university level, students will be expected to write and reference their material according to academic conventions, which will be defined by their course guides.
Australia is a fantastic place to study for international students, giving them the chance to live the laid back Australia lifestyle. It is well worth researching where to study in Australia, to find a university or course that will suit your needs.