The University offers international students the perfect combination of lifestyle and learning. Set in superb bushland just minutes away from spectacular beaches, waterways, and forests, both campuses of the University are well known for their academic excellence and innovative teaching.

The University of Newcastle is a comprehensive, international university and one of Australia's leading research institutions. They employ close to 2,300 staff and offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs through five faculties:

• Business & Law
• Education & Arts
• Engineering & Built Environment
• Health
• Science & Information Technology

Newcastle, capital of the Hunter Valley, is Australia's second oldest and sixth largest city. Built around a large harbour, Newcastle is one of the nation's largest working ports situated in the mouth of the Hunter River.

Ten magnificent beaches and picturesque parks offer great and varied recreational opportunities around the city, including surfing, beach fishing and swimming in the fabled Ocean Baths. Newcastle is a popular tourist destination, being just a short-two hour drive north of Sydney.

The School of Education, part of the Faculty of Education & Arts, is dedicated to providing high quality teacher education programs, specialist training and professional development to meet the professional needs of teachers and education systems in Australia and overseas. Currently there are over 2,600 students enrolled in the School.

A particularly strong feature of the School's approach is its practical links with local schools, professional organizations and other tertiary institutions both within Australia and internationally.

• Four courses of foundation education studies
• Three courses of secondary specialist studies
• Four courses of professional studies
• One elective course from the Master of Educational Studies program.
• Four specialist curriculum studies courses

These requirements include 45 days of formal in-school practicum, five days of observation and microteaching plus ten single days in a Secondary school settings.

This is a two year full-time program designed to provide professional teacher education preparation for suitably qualified graduate students who have sufficient discipline studies in specialist areas to meet the needs of the secondary school curriculum.

This is two year full-time program designed to provide professional teacher education preparation for suitably qualified graduate students.

The MTeach (Primary) program is offered as a two year full-time program or part-time equivalent. The program requires the successful completion of 160 units. The typical enrolment pattern is 40 units per semester for four semesters. Students will complete the equivalent of 60 days professional experience in relevant school settings. In-school professional experiences are supervised by school or university staff and may involve placement in schools in geographic regions outside the Newcastle area. By the completion of the program, students are expected to satisfy a range of professional teaching comppetencies and meet the graduate level Professional Teaching Standards of the NSW Institute of Teachers.

The program involves two periods of teaching practice in schools. The first placement is a 20 day block and the second is a 25 day block. the second placement may be out of the local area and students may need to relocate and be ready to start at the beginning of school term four. The professional experience placement is organised by the University. Students may need to make sure their Newcastle residential lease arrangements are compatible with this requirement. Additional to the 45 days of formal in-school practicum, five days of ovserbation and microteaching is undertaken as well as ten single daus in a Primary school setting.

Students from Canada wishing to obtain the Diploma of Education qualifications to teach in Canada, are required to obtain a statement from the New South Wales Department of Education and Training (DET) indicating that they are eligible for appointment as a teacher in NSW.

Semester 1 normally commences on Monday in the last week of February and concludes around the end of June after examinations. Semester 2 commences in July and concludes late November after examinations.

Please refer to the University website for further details

The academic year at the University is divided into two fourteen-week semesters with a five-week break between each. There is also a two-week break within each semester.

The University operates the largest single site accommodation complex of any university in Australia. Around 1000 students currently call the Callaghan campus "home".

There are three Halls of Residence - Edwards Hall, International House and Evatt House. Together they provide the students with a unique collegiate environment offering a range of social, cultural and sporting opportunities.

For all details, log on to the Newcastle website

Australian High Commission for visa information
Australian Tourist Commission