Australian Catholic University (ACU) is among the top 2% of universities worldwide as per various global ranking agencies. It also features in the top 10 best catholic universities across the world. Its mission is to stay committed to the pursuit of knowledge, the dignity of the human person and the common good. ACU continues to be true to its mission by collaborating with a diverse set of industry, community, research and Catholic partners. These collaborations strengthen its actions and efforts to create an effective and positive impact in hospitals, schools, businesses and community organisations around Australia and beyond.
The university’s curriculum excels in areas such as Education and Arts, Health Sciences, Law, Business, Theology, Philosophy, and many other academic branches. A degree from ACU will allow you to show your employers that you have gained valuable real-world experience owing to the placements, community engagement and study abroad experience at the university. You can also put your new skills to work for good. ACU’s community engagement program adds a greater purpose to your education by harnessing your learning for the benefit of those around you.
Courses Offered
What all courses are available to international students?
The university has an interesting core curriculum design that helps students to see the world from different perspectives and engage with the world in a meaningful and transformative way. The Core Curriculum is comprised of three units that include two coursework units and one community engagement unit.
Overall, the university offers more than 100 academic programmes. At the undergraduate level, it has an associate and bachelor’s degrees with various majors, minors, and elective subjects. For graduate applicants, it has postgraduate by coursework and postgraduate by research degrees. Postgraduate by coursework degrees usually include graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, and master’s courses. Under the guidance of an academic supervisor, students can enrol in either masters by research or a doctorate.
Major Study Areas |
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---|---|---|
Allied Health |
Business |
Creative Arts |
Global Studies and International Development |
Humanities and Social Sciences |
Information Technology |
Law and Criminology |
Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine |
Nutrition and Biomedical Science |
Philosophy |
Professional Education |
Psychology |
Public Health and Administration |
Sport and Exercise Science |
Teaching |
Theology |
Youth Work and Community Development |
Pathway Programmes
ACU offers pathway programmes to international students to provide an alternative entry route for a degree course. Students who do not meet the direct entry requirements can enrol in this programme.
Eligibility & Documents Required
What are the eligibility requirements?
The undergraduate entry requirements vary from one country to another. Completing high school studies or a diploma from a recognized university or college is a common requirement. Indian students aspiring to take up a UG course in ACU must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- CBSE, SSC, or ISC students with a minimum of 65% in the best four subjects can apply for a UG program.
- Students of some state boards, such as Rajasthan, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, etc., need to score at least 75% in the best four subjects.
- The English language requirements for non-native English speakers vary from course to course. The table below sheds light on the required English proficiency test scores:
For admission to postgraduate courses, students must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or college equivalent to an Australian bachelor’s degree. Passing marks are sufficient to secure admission, but some postgraduate courses might also have additional requirements. The English language requirements for graduates are given below:
Learn more about these exams:
Individual courses may have separate eligibility and English language requirements. Therefore, students should look for the exact details on ACU’s official website.
What all documents are needed for application?
The documents that undergraduate applicants need to submit for admission are given below:
- Academic transcripts
- A copy of your passport
- English language proficiency scores
- Reference letters
- Essay
- Financial documents
The documents that graduate applicants need to furnish are given below:
- Academic transcripts and course completion certificates of all the academic qualifications obtained to date
- A copy of your passport
- English language test scores
- Reference letters
- Resume
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Financial documents
Application & Tuition Fees
Is there any application fees?
International undergraduates and graduates need to submit an application fee of AUD 110 if they apply online without professional help from an authorized agent.
What is the fee structure of courses offered by the university?
ACU’s international tuition fees are based on the number of units that students study each semester (average four units per semester) and include the following:
- Support from International Student Advisers
- Orientation program
- Access to student services and facilities
- Study skills assistance
International tuition fees do not include the cost of textbooks and/or equipment, living costs and accommodation, and compulsory overseas student health insurance. Applicants are advised to check the student fees page on the official website for the latest information on the tuition fees
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Is there any scholarship or financial aid available for international students?
International students from ACU English Language Centres located in North Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane campuses or those from ELICOS Virtual Learning Program are eligible for the English Language Study Scholarship. It offers students a reduction in tuition fees. It covers approximately 30% of the weekly tuition fees. Students need not apply separately as they are selected based on their initial application forms.
Graduates and undergraduates who showcase extraordinary academic skills are eligible for the ACU International Student Scholarship. It is given only to 20 students every year. A GPA of 5.8 on a 7.0 ACU scale, i.e., a minimum of 80%, is required to be eligible for this scholarship. Students who provide evidence of academic merit while submitting their applications are selected for this scholarship that covers 50% of the tuition fees. Similarly, some other merit-based scholarships are also available for undergraduate and postgraduate applicants.
Admission Process
When do the admissions start?
ACU offers admission in two semesters – April and September. Application for the April semester begins in August of the previous year. The deadlines vary depending on the course as some programmes have early closing dates. The following postgraduate courses have deadlines in the respective months:
Course |
Application Deadline |
---|---|
Master of Psychology (Clinical), Master of Psychology (Edu. & Dev.), and Bachelor of Psychological Science |
End of October |
Master of Professional Psychology |
End of November |
Master of Clinical Exercise (Psychology) |
End of December |
Master of Dietetic Practise |
Mid-January |
Master of High-Performance Sports |
End of January |
Health Science Honors Degrees |
Early February |
All other direct applications |
Mid-February |
What is the application process?
International applicants can apply directly to the university via its online application portal or contact an authorised ACU education agent in their home country. ACU currently has 195 agents in 65 countries. Portal link: student-acu.studylink.com/index.cfm?event=security.showLogin&msg=eventsecured&fr=sp&en=default.
You can apply to undergraduate and postgraduate courses directly online by following the step given below:
Step 1: As a new user, create an account.
Step 2: After completing the registration, students can log in with their credentials and choose a course, faculty, and level of study, as given in the image below. After selecting a course of their choice, they can click on the ‘Search Now’ button.
Step 3: On finding the program of their choice, students can click on the ‘Apply Now’ button.
Step 4: At this stage, students will be asked to confirm whether they are older than 18 and meet the basic eligibility requirements.
After confirming this, students can upload the required documents, fill in the relevant details, and submit the application form.
When will I hear from the university after I submit my application?
The university processes applications as soon as possible. International applicants are advised to apply as early as possible.
Student Diversity & Preferred Profile
What are the chances to get into this university?
To secure admission at ACU, international students should satisfy the minimum English language test scores. Undergraduates need to meet the GCE ‘A’ Level or GCSE or IGCE ‘O’ Level requirements. Also, completing a foundation or pre-tertiary program or one year of studies at a recognized higher education institute is good enough to secure admission. Meeting the European Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate, or West African Senior School Certificate requirements as specified on the ACU website can also increase the chances of landing a seat in desired courses. Along with academic qualifications, supporting documents such as work experience, reference letters, etc., will be reviewed while selecting graduate applicants.
How many Indian/international students are studying at the university?
Over 31,200 students study at ACU, and its student population consists of 3,400 international students. These international students come from 90 different countries.
Part Time Work While Studying
Can I work while studying here?
International students can work in Australia during their coursework. However, the following conditions apply to students willing to accept part-time work offers:
- Students can start working only after the first day of the first semester has passed.
- Working 40 hours per fortnight is allowed during semesters, and there is no work hours limit during vacations.
- The spouses of international students accompanying students to Australia can also work. However, students must communicate this to the DHA before their spouses start working.
- Before starting work, students need to obtain an Australian TFN (Tax File Number).
- On completing 6 months in Australia, students are expected to pay taxes on the money they earn through part-time jobs.
Campuses & Accommodation
How many colleges and campuses does the university have?
ACU has eight campuses in Australia – Adelaide, Ballarat, Blacktown, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, North Sydney, and Strathfield, and one in Rome, Italy. All the campuses offer different Australian experiences, however, there are a few things that are the same – high-quality curriculum, new facilities and a welcoming, multicultural student community.
Is on-campus housing available?
On-campus accommodation is available at Ballarat, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Rome campuses. Studio rooms, bedrooms with shared bathrooms, ensuite rooms, managed residences, premium studios, etc., are some of the accommodation options available to students. The accommodation rates that students might need to bear to live in these campuses are specified in the table below:
Ballarat Campus |
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Residence Type |
Rates (In AUD) |
Camillus Residence |
200/week for two semesters |
St. Columbia’s Residence |
190 to 210/week for two semesters 185 to 205/week for a year |
Managed Residence |
225/week for one semester 187/week for two semesters 175/week for a year |
Premium-managed Residence |
207/week for two semesters 195/week for a year |
Brisbane Campus |
|
---|---|
Room Type |
Rates (In AUD) |
Six-bedroom with shared bathroom |
274/week for six months 249/week for a year |
Six-bedroom with ensuite |
354/week for six months 329/week for a year |
Studio rooms |
456/week for six months 431/week for a year |
Canberra Campus |
|
---|---|
Residence Type |
Rates (In AUD) |
Managed Residence |
285/week for two semesters 280/week for a year |
Managed Residence with ensuite rooms |
310/week for two semesters 305/week for a year |
Melbourne Campus |
|
---|---|
Room Type |
Rates (In AUD) |
Six-bedroom with ensuite |
404/week for six months 379/week for a year |
Studio Apartment |
487/week for six months 462/week for a year |
Premium Studio Apartment |
508/week for six months 483/week for a year |
Sydney Campus |
|
---|---|
Room Type |
Rates (In AUD) |
Multi-share |
395/week for one semester 385/week for two semesters 370/week for six months 360/week for a year |
NRAS Studio |
365/week for a year |
Studio |
410/week for one semester 400/week for two semesters 385/week for six months 380/week for a year |
NRAS Premium |
420/week for a year |
Premium Studio |
470/week for one semester 465/week for two semesters 450/week for six months 440/week for a year |
Living Expenses
The estimated weekly expenses that an international student might incur are given below:
Expense |
Weekly Cost (In AUD) |
---|---|
Accommodation |
150 to 300+ |
Food |
60 to 100+ |
Transport |
15 to 40+ |
Miscellaneous expenses |
50 to 80 |
University Contact Information
Whom should I contact in case of any doubts?
International students can contact the university on its mail addresses of individual campuses or through the contact details given below:
Telephone: +61-3-9007-0643
E-mail: international.admissions@acu.edu.au
Website: www.acu.edu.au/
University City | Ballarat, Victoria, Australia |
Size of city | Medium |
Population of City | 1,01,588 |
Wikipedia Link | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballarat |
Contact Details
international.admissions@acu.edu.au