South Coast - serenity south of Sydney
Head south from Sydney for an hour along the Grand Pacific Drive and you’ll reach the South Coast of NSW. This region boasts world-class educational institutions and unrivalled natural beauty.
From the city of Wollongong through to charming coastal towns and villages, such as Kiama and Shellharbour, there’s plenty for international students to uncover.
The University of Wollongong (UoW) is home to over 36,000 students and is ranked among the top 250 universities worldwide. UoW boasts a multicultural and vibrant student cohort with more than 160 nationalities on campus and over 300 degrees to choose from. International students are drawn to the South Coast region for the relaxed Australian beach lifestyle and close proximity to urban centres such as Sydney and Canberra.
The South Coast also features a dynamic VET and ELICOS sector with thousands of students building their skills across the region’s leading providers, including TAFE NSW Illawarra.
North Coast – regional student hotspot
Located in the far north east corner of New South Wales, the North Coast region includes the major regional towns of Lismore, Ballina and Tweed Heads. Boasting both coastal and inland natural attractions, the North Coast is an ideal study destination from those looking to experience the Australian bush and stunning coastal landscapes.
The major university, Southern Cross University (SCU), is a young and vibrant institution with its main campus located in Lismore. SCU is one of the Asia-Pacific’s top 100 universities and boasts a contemporary campus, including nine research centres. SCU is ranked #1 in Australia for overall international student support and is one of the world’s Top 50 Generation Y Universities. The university has some of the highest ranking courses in the country for psychology, tourism and hospitality.
TAFE NSW North Coast has more than 60 courses on offer, and more than 45,000 students enrolled each year. All campuses have a friendly and welcoming atmosphere with many on-campus community activities and spaces for relaxing, studying or catching up with friends.
There is a wide selection of high schools on offer across the North Coast, including public, private, independent and alternative schools, with a strong focus on academic excellence, exceptional teaching, student welfare and learning facilities.
Hunter Valley region – harbour city meets rolling green landscapes
The Hunter Valley is a major weekend getaway destination for Sydneysiders who are drawn to the area for its rolling hills and renowned wineries. The largest city in the region and seventh largest in Australia, Newcastle, is only 160 kilometres north of Sydney. It is located in the heart of the Hunter Valley and is bordered by a stunning coastline with beautiful beaches. Lake Macquarie, Australia’s largest saltwater lake, is only a one hour drive north of Newcastle.
The region has a number of attractive study options available to international students. The largest institution in the region, the University of Newcastle (UoN), has over 35,000 students from 100 countries. Students here enjoy a thriving on-campus community.
UoN is consistently ranked within Australia’s top 10 universities and has 15 subjects ranked in the world’s top 200. UoN’s English Language Centre has been in operation since 1989 and has established a reputation for excellence. Each year the Centre successfully trains about 800 students from over 30 countries.
TAFE NSW Hunter and Central Coast teach more than 64,000 students enrolled across a wide range of industry areas.
Some of the world’s largest natural resources companies have operations in the Hunter Valley and UoN has strong pathways for engineering students to enter the local industry.
New England – high country living
The New England and North West region of NSW is located in the north of the state and west of the Great Dividing Range. This region is known for World Heritage national parks, ancient rainforest and abundant wildlife.
The region is a popular study destination with international students and there are a variety of study options available. The University of New England (UNE) is located in the picturesque city of Armidale and boasts an excellent international reputation in teaching and research. Students rate their experience highly because of their small classes and interaction with teaching staff. UNE is the only Australian public university awarded the maximum 5 stars for Overall Experience 13 years in a row.
UNE is home to an English Language Centre which offers accredited English language courses and provides a stimulating learning environment for students, with excellent resources and high academic standards.