University of Newcastle

Selecting a University degree program marks the start of an exciting period of your life. The University of Newcastle produces self-confident, well-equipped, ‘job-ready’ graduates. Our employment rates and starting salaries are higher than the national average: 82 per cent of our Bachelor degree graduates aged under 25 get a full-time job within four months of finishing their studies.

We have a student population of more than 26 000, including some 3 500 international students from more than 80 countries. Our campuses at Newcastle, the Central Coast and Port Macquarie are all set in bushland settings and are close to some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches.

• Our Newcastle Campus at Callaghan, 12km from the centre of Newcastle, is located on a 140ha bushland site and caters to approximately 19 000 students.
• The Central Coast Campus at Ourimbah is located halfway between Sydney and Newcastle. It is an innovative educational precinct, which includes the University, TAFE NSW – Hunter Institute, and the Central Coast Community College.
• The University also has a significant presence in Newcastle's central business district. The Conservatorium, the University of Newcastle Legal Centre and Newcastle Graduate School of Business are all located near Civic Park in the centre of Newcastle.

Contact details

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Open Days, exhibitions and interview sessions

In Australia
The University of Newcastle will be holding the following Open Days at:
Newcastle campus – Callaghan: 30 August 2008
Central Coast campus – Ourimbah: 23 August 2008

For further information call +61 2 4921 5000 or visit www.newcastle.edu.au.

Overseas
For details of the University of Newcastle's overseas agents/representatives visit www.newcastle.edu.au/internationalstudents/04enquiries/representatives_database.html.

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Important dates for 2009

The academic year at the University of Newcastle, for the majority of undergraduate programs, is divided into two 13-week semesters with a four-week break between each:
• Semester 1 (between February and June)
• Semester 2 (between July and November).

An enrolment and orientation program for international students is held before the commencement of each semester. Students are required to attend orientation.

The majority of programs commence in Semester 1, however some programs may be available for a Semester 2 commencement. Refer to the course descriptions in the course search or check the International Undergraduate Prospectus, available from the University to see when you can commence each course.

Semester 1 2009 (February/March)
Airport Reception Service (Newcastle airport): available all year on request
International Student Orientation: week commencing 23 February 2009
Semester: 2 March – 26 June 2009

Semester 2 2009 (July)
Airport Reception Service (Newcastle airport): available all year on request
International Student Orientation: week commencing 20 July 2009
Semester: 27 July – 27 November 2009

Academic calendar
For important dates concerning teaching periods, study breaks and vacation periods check the main University Calendar at www.newcastle.edu.au/dates/.

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Admission requirements

Read Admission and selection for general information about admission requirements.

Admission requirements are the minimum qualifications you need before you can be selected for admission to a course of study. As an international student attempting one of the following qualifications, you will apply for admission through UAC International and will generally be selected on the basis of your performance in these studies (that is, your UAI or equivalent):
• an Australian Year 12 qualification (either offshore or in Australia)
• an International Baccalaureate in Australia
• a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement Level 3.

When assessing your application the University of Newcastle may take any or all of your qualifications or attempts at study into account.

Limited UAI
The University accepts the NSW Limited UAI for admission purposes - read UAI.

Additional selection criteria
In addition to achieving the standard of performance required for admission, for certain courses you must also satisfy additional selection criteria. These criteria include portfolio, interview, audition, questionnaire or test and are taken into account either instead of, or in conjunction with, your UAI or equivalent.

Details of additional selection criteria and how applicants can meet these requirements are outlined in the course descriptions. For course descriptions, visit the course search.

If you are undertaking your Year 12 studies offshore and are applying to a course that has additional selection criteria that you will find difficult to meet, contact international-admissions@newcastle.edu.au.

Offers made to applicants who have a UAI (or equivalent) below the published cut-off

The University of Newcastle has alternative pathways for admission, which may allow applicants to receive an offer to a course even though they have a UAI or equivalent below the published cut-off.

Regional and Rural Preference Scheme
The University has a Regional and Rural Preference Scheme, which will award a bonus of four points to the admission ranks of 2008 NSW HSC students who attend schools within a defined postcode boundary.

The scheme includes schools and TAFE colleges with postcodes in the Hunter, Central Coast, Central West, Northern Rivers, mid-North Coast, New England, Western Plains and Broken Hill mail centres. The scheme applies to all undergraduate programs except B Medicine (Joint Medical Program) or B Laws (Graduate entry). No application is necessary for this bonus. For further information call +61 2 4921 5000.

HSC Bonus Points Scheme
The University has introduced the HSC Bonus Points Scheme to reward high achieving HSC students and to address national skills shortages. Visit the University’s website for details on which HSC Subjects and Bands attract bonus points in specific programs: www.newcastle.edu.au/students/future.

International applicants applying for admission on the basis of qualifications other than those listed above must apply directly to the University, not through UAC International. For details visit www.international.newcastle.edu.au/04enquiries/howtoapply.html.

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Students under 18 years of age

Before you are granted a student visa, the Australian Government must be satisfied that you have appropriate accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements in place for the period that you will be under 18 years of age while in Australia.

The University of Newcastle may accept responsibility for welfare arrangements for international students who are under 18 years of age. For more information on accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements or any restrictions that may apply, visit www.newcastle.edu.au/internationalstudents/commencing/visa.html.

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Areas of study

The University of Newcastle offers a wide range of undergraduate courses in:
• Architecture/Building/Design
• Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• Business and Commerce
• Computing
• Education
• Engineering/Surveying
• Fine Art
• Information Technology
• Law*
• Medicine/Health
• Music
• Nursing
• Science.

For course descriptions, visit the course search. For information on course structures, visit www.newcastle.edu.au/study/handbookug/. An International Prospectus can also be obtained from the University.

*Apply direct to the University for Law programs.

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Tuition fees

For information about tuition fees check the course search.

Tuition fees are calculated based on the subjects selected (eg BIOL1010) within each degree program (eg Bachelor of Science) and are set according to their academic subject area. A student's program fee may vary depending on their subject selection. Tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change.

The tuition fees cover teaching costs only. The fees listed in the course search are a guide only and do not include international and domestic travel, accommodation and meals, books, living costs or Overseas Student Health Cover charges.

A deposit fee is payable on acceptance of an offer of a place in a degree program. The deposit fee is currently A$6 500. The deposit fee will be used to pay your Overseas Student Health Cover, and as a payment toward the cost of your first semester tuition fees. If the total cost of your tuition fees exceeds the deposit fee amount, you are responsible to payment for the extra cost of the tuition. Subsequent payments are due once you complete the enrolment process for each semester and tuition fees have been calculated. You will then receive a bill stating the amount due for that semester.

Fees policy
All fees must be paid in full and on time. Non-payment of tuition fees by the due date will result in the termination of a student's enrolment. More information can be found in the University's Refund policy at www.newcastle.edu.au/policylibrary/000770.html and the student indebtedness policy at www.newcastle.edu.au/policylibrary/000343.html.

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Living expenses

Read Money matters for general information.

In addition to your accommodation costs, you need to budget for food, transport, clothing and entertainment costs. It is estimated that a single international student requires a minimum of A$14 000 per year for living expenses.

You should also have additional funds to pay for initial establishment costs, textbooks and, where applicable, special equipment, transportation and temporary or additional accommodation relating to your program.

More information on living expenses can be found at www.international.newcastle.edu.au/commencing/livingcosts.html.

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Scholarships

Read Money matters for general information.

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Sponsored students

Read Money matters for general information.

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Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Read Government requirements for general information.

The Australian Government requires all those on a student visa to have approved health cover for the duration of their visa. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is deducted from your tuition fee deposit for the first year of study. After that first year, you pay the OSHC yourself annually.

Students will receive their Worldcare Health Cover cards within a week of their arrival. For more information visit www.worldcare.com.au or call 13 67 42.

Students on certain scholarships and those with reciprocal health insurance arrangements in their home country are exempt from this requirement. If you are a Norwegian student, for example, you are exempt from health cover as this is provided under the National Health Insurance Scheme.

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Health services on campus

The University has a range of health services available to students and staff including:
• a fully accredited general medical practice on the Newcastle campus
• a health service on the Central Coast campus, staffed by a part-time registered nurse and a part-time doctor.

Both services offer confidential routine and emergency medical care.

The Newcastle campus also provides: a dental service, a pathology collection centre; physiotherapists and a dietician at the Forum Sports Centre.

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Working while studying

Read Government requirements for general information about working while studying.

Some students may be able to undertake some part-time work whilst they are studying in Australia. This may be restricted to students in certain visa categories. Information can be obtained from the University on +61 2 4921 5000 or from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

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Preparing for student life

In order to study in Australia, you must hold a valid student visa. If you come to Australia on a tourist visa and subsequently enrol at the University of Newcastle, you must convert your tourist visa to a student visa immediately. The University of Newcastle cannot make representations to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) with respect to visas of overseas students.

If you are offered admission, it is to a full fee program for students wishing to undertake further studies at an Australian educational institution. It is not a scholarship, employment or immigration program.

As an international student, you must enrol in your program full-time. If you enrol in less than the required full-time load, you will be considered by DIAC in breach of your student visa conditions. As an international student you must fund your entire studies independently and leave Australia when your studies are complete and/or when your student visa expires, or when you cease to be eligible for a student visa.

Further information on student visa requirements can be found at the DIAC website www.diac.gov.au.

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Acceptance, orientation, enrolment and deferment

Read Acceptance, orientation, enrolment and deferment for general information about acceptance, orientation, enrolment and deferment.

Acceptance

You will have seven days from the date of offer to accept your offer. To accept your offer you need to follow the instructions in the information booklet that will accompany your UAC offer letter. The same information will be available on the University's UAC Admissions website. If you do not comply with the requirements listed for your program, your offer may lapse and you may not be permitted to enrol.

Orientation

Orientation is a fun and relaxed introduction and welcome to university life on the Newcastle and Central Coast campuses. Orientation for Semester 1 2009 starts on 23 February 2009. For more information visit www.newcastle.edu.au/study/orientation/.

Enrolment

Enrolment at the university is carried out online. Instructions on how to do this will be provided in the enrolment package mailed to you after you have accepted your offer. Information will also be provided during Orientation. Faculty advice and facilities will be available at this time to assist you. For further information visit www.newcastle.edu.au/study/enrolment/.

Deferment

You will have seven days from the date of offer to defer your offer. The University of Newcastle accepts applications to defer the commencement of most of its undergraduate courses for a maximum period of one year. Students can only defer their offers on the grounds of compassionate or compelling circumstances. If you want to defer your offer, contact International Admissions for information before accepting or deferring your offer.

If the University does not receive your request for deferment within seven days of your offer letter, the offer may lapse and you may be required to re-compete for a place.

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Student support

All international students can access a wide range of support services at both the Newcastle and Central Coast campuses. For information about these services visit www.newcastle.edu.au/service/studentsupport/.

Specialised services include:
• temporary accommodation
• reception service (free from Newcastle airport, charge applies from Sydney Airport)
• counselling
• learning support
• welfare.

To arrange airport reception from either Newcastle or Sydney airports email international-support@newcastle.edu.au.

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Accommodation

A range of accommodation options are available to University of Newcastle international students while studying at the campuses including:
• on-campus accommodation in one of four residential colleges on the Newcastle campus or in Blue Gum House on the Central Coast campus. For further information, tariffs and application forms visit www.newcastle.edu.au/service/studentsupport/.
• off-campus accommodation in a range of housing including share, rental or full-board.

The Accommodation Office offers a referral service to assist students to find off-campus accommodation and offers advice on housing problems. The office maintains an up-to-date database of all varieties of housing on the University's website. For further information visit www.newcastle.edu.au/service/studentsupport/.

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Campus services and facilities

Careers advice

A range of services is available to students and recent graduates of the University, including individual career counselling and various employment services. Call the Newcastle campus on +61 2 4921 5588 or the Central Coast campus on +61 2 4348 4034 or visit www.newcastle.edu.au/service/studentsupport/.

Chaplaincy

The University chaplains cover a wide range of denominations and faiths. These include Anglican, Baha'i, Baptist, Buddhist, Catholic, Latter Day Saints, Presbyterian, Seventh-day Adventist and Uniting Church. There are also Muslim Prayer Rooms on campus. Contact the Chaplaincy Centre at Newcastle campus on +61 2 4921 5571 or visit www.newcastle.edu.au/service/studentsupport/.

For chaplaincy on the Central Coast campus contact +61 2 4348 4036.

Counselling

The University Counselling Service offers a range of professional counselling services to students. These services are provided free of charge and on a confidential basis. For further information call the University Counselling Service, Newcastle campus on +61 2 4921 5801 or the Student Support Unit, Central Coast campus on +61 2 4348 4060 or visit www.newcastle.edu.au/service/studentsupport/.

Library/Computing services

Our libraries operate through four buildings, as well as a rapidly expanding online environment. Computing labs and IT support are available at all libraries, as well as at other locations throughout the campuses. For more information on the University library services visit www.newcastle.edu.au/service/library/.

General access and timetabled computing laboratories are also available in a number of buildings across the campuses. For more information on the University IT services visit www.newcastle.edu.au/service/computing/unit/it.

Learning assistance

The University provides learning assistance through the Learning Support Program on the Newcastle campus and the Learning Development Service on the Central Coast campus. For further information call +61 2 4921 5350 (Newcastle) or +61 2 4348 4060 or visit www.newcastle.edu.au/service/studentsupport/learningsupport.html.

Sports and recreation

NUsport (Newcastle University Sport) offers a huge range of classes and programs, coaching and courses, and sporting clubs. For more information visit www.newcastle.edu.au/sport or email nusport@newcastle.edu.au.

Student organisations

A number of student organisations provide services and support to students at the University of Newcastle: UoN Services Ltd, on the Newcastle campus, Campus Central, on the Central Coast campus, NUSport and Newcastle University Students' Association (NUSA).

More information on these organisations can be found at www.newcastle.edu.au/student/current/student-organisations/html.

Students with disabilities

The Disability Support Service offers practical assistance and advice to students with a disability or chronic illness. For further information, call +61 2 4921 5766 or +61 2 4921 5866, or use the TTY (teletypewriter) +61 2 4921 7040 or email student-disability@newcastle.edu.au.

Transport

Newcastle has excellent public and private bus networks that connect the Newcastle campus, the City Precinct (which includes The Conservatorium and University House) to most Newcastle suburbs and surrounding areas. Private bus services run from the Central Coast campus to Gosford and Wyong.

Regular trains run from University Station Warabrook. Larger stations at Broadmeadow, Hamilton and Newcastle have connecting trains to Sydney and the Central Coast. The Ourimbah station, a five-minute walk from the Central Coast campus, has frequent services to Sydney and Newcastle.

Car parking is available at both campuses, with a cost of $3/day at the Newcastle campus. Parking restrictions apply on the Central Coast campus.

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FAQs and further information

Visit the University of Newcastle website at www.newcastle.edu.au or ask a question at http://search.newcastle.edu.au/faq/index.jsp.

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