How to choose the right Vocational college

G'day from Study Online Australia!

Last week I spoke about finding the right English college. Today I would like to share my experience with you how to find the right Vocational college. Some info can be similar to what I wrote last week but some of them can vary. So read carefully:-)

1. Choose the city
Before coming to Australia, it is good to do a little bit of search about main cities and states in Australia. Check out  climate, population, transportation, work & accommodation options, etc. The majority of international students come to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Cairns, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Noosa, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. 

2. Study in the city or close to the beach?
Once you know at which city you would like to study, then you can start thinking if you like to study in the city or close to the beach. There is never a bad choice. You just need to consider your accommodation & work distance from the school. For example, if you choose to live in the city, then it is practical to find a college in the city too. You can also save money on public transport and if you lucky enough to find work in the city it is double saving for you! At the end, you can really save a quite enormous amount on transportation fees as well as save time travelling by public transport.
On the other hand, if you choose to study close to the beach, there is usually more relaxed lifestyle and a wider range of outdoor areas.

3. Entry Requirements
Entry requirements vary between institutions. 

• English language requirements
• Academic requirements

Predominantly you will need to provide that you have Upper-Intermediate level of English. If you studied an English course before, you may use your current English certificate or you may be asked to sit out for the English test. If you are a native speaker, you should be fine:-) 
In most cases there are no entrance exams for VET institutions. However, some courses may have specific pre-requisite subjects or work experience requirements. 

4. How to compare the Vocational colleges
At Study Online Australia, we always provide 2-3 college profiles or more. You will get the full college profiles with the total prices (tuition fee, book fee, application fee). Most of the college’s tuition fees can be paid by instalments. It really depends if you apply within or outside Australia and what assessment levels you are. The assessment level is determined by your passport.

 When you start comparing the colleges, try to look for information like: 

• timetable options (morning, afternoon, evening), 
• how many times per week you are required to study
• if any subject(s) can be taught online
• course selection offered (Certificate II, Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma)
• industry experience provided / internship
• college monitoring options (based on students’ attendance or academic progress)
• prices & payment instalment options 
• credit transfer from previous study
• direct study pathways to tertiary degrees - may reduce the duration of a program and save you money.
• nationality mix of students studying at the college, 
• facilities, 
• teachers qualification,
• campus transfer - some colleges have campuses all around Australia so it is worthy to know before enrolling if you have an option to be transferred 
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) - process of giving candidates credit for skills, knowledge and experience gained through working and learning.
• students' testimonials & reputation
• any extra charges (for example changing the timetable).

It is never too late to ask for any questions or further information. So feel free to ask me at any time. It will be my pleasure to assist you finding the right Vocational college anywhere in Australia.