International engagement is a key focus for Victoria University (VU), and by 2020 the University strives to be recognised around the world for its:
- leadership in transnational education (TNE) delivery
- education of students from diverse countries, cultures and education backgrounds
- engagement with industries and the community
- ambitious research and knowledge exchange agenda.
VU is:
- ranked in the world’s top 2% (THE World University Rankings 2016/2017)
- ranked 56 in the world’s top universities aged under 50 (THE Young University Rankings 2017)
- firmly positioned in the QS World University Rankings 2016/2017.
As one of 39 public universities in Australia, graduates can be assured that their qualification from VU is being awarded from a university operating in a world-class education system.
In 'International engagement':
International partnerships
Throughout our history we have developed strong partnerships with foreign governments, sponsoring bodies and institutions.
Servicing these partnerships and supporting students through specialised services is a particular focus at VU. We aim to provide a high quality service to:
- International delivery partners throughout Asia and worldwide that deliver VU courses in-country.
- Cultural, community and industry organisations to enhance the international focus and cultural relevance of our courses, research and community
- International research partners including education and research organisations, industries, communities and governments.
- Exchange partner institutions providing overseas study opportunities and supporting the internationalisation of our staff and student community.
- Pathway partner institutions through agreed pathways into VU courses through credit recognition, reducing the time it takes to complete a VU course in Melbourne.
- Scholarship bodies to provide specialised support for international sponsored students studying in Melbourne.
- Our international education agent network that supports prospective students through the application and enrolment process.
Developing an international partnership with Victoria University.
Our diverse student community
International students comprise 30% of our total student number population (including in Australia and at overseas partner institutions), though only 12% of our student population in Australia.
In 2015, we had more than 14,000 international students studying with VU in Australia and overseas, including more than:
- 5,500 studying in Australia from more than 100 countries, including significant numbers of international students sponsored by the Australian Government through the Australia Awards.
- 8,500 studying a VU course overseas with one of our international delivery partners.
Representing more than 100 nationalities, our students are attracted by our innovative course offerings, range of entry pathways and study levels, and our industry connections. VU has great locations in two of the world’s most desirable city destinations for international students.
Victoria University (VU) is proud to educate more than 400 international scholarship recipients and sponsored students, who are enrolled in a diverse range of courses, from TAFE through undergraduate and postgraduate coursework to higher degrees by research.
International student success
The excellence of our international students has been well recognised. In 2013, Chinese research student Catherine Xiaocui Lou was named the state’s top postgraduate international student of the year. Malaysian national Garry Kuan, studying a PhD in Sport Psychology, was named Australia’s international student of the year in 2012 by the Council of International Students Australia (CISA).
Cultural, community & industry partnerships
Through unique partnerships with global organisations such as the Confucius Institute or software solutions provider SAP, we provide opportunities for students and staff by:
- introducing a customised industry or cultural focus into our courses and units
- utilising partners expertise through research or mentorship
- organising cultural, community and industry events
- providing research and study opportunities in Australia and overseas.
Victoria University Confucius Institute
In partnership with the University of International Business and Economics, VU established the Victoria Business Confucius Institute (VBCI) in 2015.
The Institute aims to help VU students, academics and Melbourne-based business communities to learn the Chinese language and foster greater understanding of the business culture in China.
Its primary focus at VU is Chinese business culture and business language teaching; the VBCI will also host a number of events to promote wider Chinese culture, most of which will be open to the general public.
SAP
We are one of the world's leading institutions in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (SAP) education as recognised by industry, SAP and academia. Our ERP degrees are delivered in Melbourne, Sydney and with Lithan Academy in Singapore.
The university provides custom learning facilities including access to SAP solutions for hands-on experience, as well as a mentoring program.
Our strength in ERP also translates into our research, with research undertaken in related fields including business intelligence and supply chain management.
Timor Leste
Our long-standing relationship with Timor Leste provides opportunities for international research and community development in the Asia-Pacific region, and study opportunities for staff and students.
For example, in 2016, Bachelor of Education students travelled to Timor-Leste to complete part of their degree on a study tour, a program subsidised by the Australian Government's AsiaBound and New Colombo Plan.
Internationally-recognised courses
Many of our courses are developed with, and accredited by globally recognised industry bodies including:
- Certified Practicing Accounts (CPA) Australia
- Engineers Australia (EA)
- Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Australia (CILTA)
- Australian Computer Society (ACS)
- Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
Many Australian industry bodies work to ensure that Australian qualifications are relevant for Australian and international students looking to build a career overseas.
For example our bachelor degrees in engineering are accredited by Engineers Australia, a signatory of the Washington Accord, which recognises the equivalence of an accredited Australian engineering degree internationally.
Student & staff exchange
The University encourages students to complete part of their studies overseas by providing a range of short-term study tours and longer-term exchanges. These are often funded partially by the University.
We believe that our students will benefit greatly from completing part of their studies overseas.
Every year close to 500 VU students travel overseas on exchange, a short-term study tour or to conduct research, immersing themselves in another culture. VU has been extremely successful in receiving Australian Government funding to support these initiatives.
With more than 120 global exchange partnerships in more than 30 countries, we are increasing the opportunities for VU students to undertake an overseas study or internship experience – a strategic priority for the University.
International pathways
We work closely with education institutions in Australia and worldwide to develop pathways into VU courses through credit recognition, allowing students to transfer into the later years of a VU course, and undertake study with VU in Australia.
Some of our pathway models include:
Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), Sri Lanka
Students complete the first two years of an SLIIT Bachelor of Science Engineering (Honours) degree in Sri Lanka, and are granted two years of credit into a:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Architectural Engineering) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) (Honours)
Students complete the last two years of their VU Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Melbourne.
City College of Huizhou (CCH), China
Students complete a three-year CCH diploma in accounting or e-business and are granted credit into the second year of a Bachelor of Business in any specialisation.
The three-year CCH diploma includes VU English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classes taught by our VU English teachers, who travel to Huizhou to teach. Incorporating EAP into each CCH diploma ensures students are ready to undertake bachelor level study in English.
Students can then complete the final two years of the Bachelor of Business in Melbourne, and gain valuable international experience.
Universitas Brawijaya (UB), Indonesia
This unique partnership provides students with an opportunity to complete a multi-institutional double degree from both UB and VU.
After completion of the first two years of an information systems and computer science degree at UB, students can transfer into a VU Bachelor of Information Technology, and graduate with a degree from both institutions.
Global alumni network
We have many global alumni chapters throughout Asia, with VU alumni networking events held regularly in Malaysia and China.
Our alumni can be found all over the world in leadership positions in government, business, academic and other sectors. Of our 224,000 registered VU alumni, more than 28,700 are residing overseas – proof that a qualification from Victoria University can open up a world of opportunities.
