The City of Wollongong is located on the east coast of Australia, in the State of New South Wales. The University of Wollongong is only a one hour drive from downtown Sydney, and two and a half hours from Canberra, Australia's capital city. Ideally located at the base of the Illawarra escarpment with views to the Pacific Ocean, the University is 5km from Wollongong City centre and a range of transport options are available including electric trains, buses, and cycleways. Miles of beautiful beach are within walking distance of the campus.

The Graduate Diploma in Education (GDE) is a professional course in education for graduates who wish to earn a recognized teaching qualification in either Primary/Junior or Intermediate/Senior Divisions. It is a ten month full-time course extending from February to late November. A new start date has been introduced in the Wollongong program. Canadian students wishing to attend the Grad Diploma in Education (Primary) will be able to start the teacher training program in July 2009. This new start date will enable them to finish the course in mid July 2010 in time to apply for teaching positions in Sept 2010.

The GDE is equivalent to the one year BEd program offered by Canadian universities and is recognized in Ontario for the issue of Letter of Eligibility which allows the holder to seek employment as a teacher in Ontario. similar recognition is available in other Canadian provinces.

The Graduate Diploma in Education program for Canadian students commences with a three week orientation program at the end of January at the University of Wollongong. The first week includes introductory sessions on Australia, the University and the NSW education system. It also provides time and assistance to make arrangements for accommodation and other matters. Accommodation is available for this week at the University residence with meals provided (and it is close to the beach!). Students spend the next two weeks at schools outside Wollongong observing and assisting with the work of the school and living with an Australian family. In the last week of February, Canadian students join their Australian colleagues for the regular start of the program.

There are two periods of School Experience in the program, the first of two weeks duration in late March and the second of seven weeks in June/July/August across terms three and four of the school year. For most students this practicum is undertaken in schools in the Wollongong area.

Students in the program also have the option of undertaking the first three weeks of the second June practicum overseas. The overseas practicum in Beijing, Fiji or the Malaysia earns the same credit towards the Diploma as the three weeks local practicum. The final four weeks of this practicum (after the two week school holiday) will be spent in a local school.

The time overseas offers an illuminating professional experience which is both different from and yet relevant to teaching in your home country. In addition, through contacts with teachers and students both in and out of school, there is the opportunity for a much more meaningful interaction with a different culture than is available to most overseas visitors.

Australian High Commission for visa information
Australian Tourist Commission