Choosing Your Design College

Introduction

The enrolment of international students at the Australian Academy of Design has been developed to ensure that they have valuable educational experiences during their time in Australia.

Quality of Programs and Reputation of the Academy

The Academy recognises the importance of the region in which we live, in terms of future employment of graduates in areas of communication design, multimedia design and visual communication. The vocational and academic emphasis of our design programs puts them ahead of many other similar courses, and gives them special relevance to international students who have professional career goals.

The Academy, since its establishment in 1998, has become a leader in design education. The faculty are recruited not only for their expertise as professional artists and designers but also because they are trained tutors who care about the welfare of their students. The President of the Academy Senate, Dr Ken Cato, is arguably Australia's best-known designer.

Understanding of International Students' Needs

Faculty at the Academy have had experience as international students themselves and understand the special concerns that international students can have. Because the Academy is small it is able to keep in close contact with its students and help them with any issues. There is a high level of collegiality and friendship among students and faculty that is unique to the Academy.

Dedication to Art and Design Studies

Studies in art and design is what we specialise in at the Academy. We don't have other divisions competing for resources as is the case in larger institutions. So everything we do is aimed at educating the best designers possible.

Selection Procedures and Credit Transfer

Too often talented and dedicated students miss selection in universities at their first attempt simply because the selection panel didn't properly appreciate the work in their folio or, if applicants were fortunate to be granted an interview, because they froze under the pressure of questioning. As many people on university selection panels admit, the process of selection is a very inexact science – the Academy's friendly approach and generous time allocated for selection interviews encourages students to show their potential.

Another important consideration is the recognition of studies already undertaken. The Academy gives credit for units/modules successfully completed in relevant courses.

Through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Academy students may receive credit for skills and knowledge achieved through previous study, life or work experience if they match unit/module content within their course of study.

Success of Graduates

Students of the Academy have won national design competitions and graduates obtain highly sought-after design positions. Academy students are regularly finalists in the national AGIdeas design competition and another was the winner of the Fosters 2003 National Design Competition.

Graduates of the Academy are sought after as young designers. One recent graduate won a position over 300 applicants. Part of the training at the Academy is in folio preparation and presentation; we tell our students: "There's no point in being brilliant if you can't convince a client or employer that you are." That's one reason our students say, "We're different at Docklands."

Living Conditions and Safety

Melbourne has been voted the "World's Most Livable City" twice in the last four years by an international panel of tourist advisors. The criteria included such things as the low cost of living, and safety. Melbourne has a multicultural population and people from all over the world feel welcome. It is also the art and cultural capital of Australia. The Academy is located in the midst of the cultural activities of the city.