There are many factors to consider when choosing your college. First and foremost you should think very carefully about the course that you would like to study, and what your intended career will be. It is not easy to become a plasterer if you have just completed your certificate in commercial cookery! We advise that you consider all your possible course options carefully, wherever they are, to get the best learning experience that you can. Factors to consider include:
- Access to facilities for learning. With vocational courses this goes beyond whether the college has a library or a canteen. Is there enough kitchen space to study as a chef? Will you have access to a garage to learn automotive engineering? Will you have access to a hospital to study nursing?
- Links to industry. Whether it's visiting lecturers, regular work experience or a summer internship, can the college help you effectively connect with the industry in which you want to work?
- Your location. Australia and New Zealand are both large countries and you will generally find that the best vocational courses in any subject are available in areas where the industry is strongest. For more information about this read the page on "Choosing your location".
- Quality assurance and government support. As detailed in the points below, any college course that accepts international students has to fulfill certain criteria within each country. In both Australia and New Zealand you will find that some colleges are government backed and others are private. At Study Options we represent only colleges that we know will provide you with a great education and have an established reputation. However, in the unlikely event that a government backed college needs to close all students' fees are guaranteed.
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Quality Assurance: Australia
All Australian universities and colleges that accept international students on to their courses must be CRICOS registered. CRICOS stands for Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. All institutions registered with CRICOS must comply with the requirements of the National Code of Practice, which sets out strict rules designed to protect the interests of international students studying in Australia. The Code is maintained by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, which regulates the activity of educational institutions in the international market. For more information, visit the CRICOS website.
Quality Assurance: New Zealand
All New Zealand educational institutions that accept international students on to their courses must comply with New Zealand’s Code Of Practice For The Pastoral Care Of International Students, which sets out strict rules and regulations designed to protect the interests of international students in New Zealand. The Code of Practice gives a framework for minimum standards, good practice procedures and a complaints procedure. The Code of Practice is administered by the New Zealand Ministry of Education. For more information visit the Ministry of Education website.