澳大利亚的高等教育
编译/文泉

Introduction
There are 37 public universities and two private universities in Australia which offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The most popular courses of study for international students have been in the fields of Business, Administration and Economics, followed by Science, then Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. University study can lead to the following awards:
Undergraduate － Bachelor Degrees1), Bachelor Degrees ( with Honors), Undergraduate Diplomas2), Associate Diplomas3);
Postgraduate － Doctoral Degrees, Masters Degrees, Graduate Diplomas, Graduate Certificates4).

Internationally recognized qualifications
Australian colleges and universities enjoy an international reputation for excellence. Academic staff in universities are recruited internationally, and graduates from Australian colleges and universities are employed all over the world.

Length of courses
The following is a guide only. Each course and each college or university may be slightly different:
Level of qualification Length of time
Certificate 6-18 months
Diploma 1.5 years-3 years
Bachelors degree 3-5 years
Graduate Certificate 6 months
Graduate Diploma 1 year
Masters degree 1-2 years
PhD 4-5 years
Study Abroad Program 6 or 12 months

Support Services
There are more than 600,000 students studying in Australian universities and over 65, 000 of these are international students. The large number of international students means that many university campuses have strong international student associations.
Australian institutions provide international students with extensive support services, including:
*Special information and orientation days
*Study skills support
*English language support
*Academic counseling
*Personal counseling
*Advice on visa issues
*Accommodation and employment assistance
*On-campus medical centers at large institutions or easy access to medical centers
*Airport pickup service on arrival in Australia

Academic Year
The academic year starts in late February and finishes in November. Many universities and colleges also accept enrolments in July. You can start an English Language course at any time.

Study Methods
Students at Australian universities and colleges attend lectures, tutorials, seminars, as well as conducting independent research in libraries or laboratories.You will be encouraged to collect and analyse data by yourself or in teams, to ask questions, to develop an argument in a logical form and to participate in discussion and debate with other students and lecturers.
This means students are active learners in Australia, and don’t just passively listen and rote learn. Most colleges and universities can help you with study skills so you can adapt to the Australian way of learning.

Assessment methods
Each school, college or university has its own assessment methods. You may be assessed by examination, through essays and reports, oral presentations, class participation, practical work and tests. Postgraduate degrees (Masters and PhD) by research are assessed by thesis.

English Language Requirements
Each college or university has its own English Language requirements, and this may be different for particular courses or programs. If you have not completed high school in English, you will need to show proof of your level of English. Australian colleges and universities accept TOEFL and IELTS results as proof. Below are some approximate guides to English language requirements.
Qualification Required TOEFL Required IELTS
High School 500-550 5-6
Certificate (TAFE5) or private college) 500-550 5-6
Diploma (TAFE or private college) 500-550 5-6
Bachelors degree (university) 550-600 60.-7.0
Postgraduate (university) 550-600 6.0-7.0

Academic Requirements
Each college or university has its own academic entry requirements, and this may be different for particular courses or programs. Many universities require students to have a certain grade point average from high school or an undergraduate degree. Below are some approximate guides, however, applications are assessed on the basis of each country’s education system.
Qualification Academic requirements
Certificate (TAFE or private college) Successful completion of 10-11 years of school
Diploma (TAFE or private college) Successful completion of 11-12 years of school
Bachelors degree (university) Successful completion of high school (equivalent to Australian high school)
Postgraduate (university) Successful completion of an undergraduate degree

注释：
1．Bachelor Degree：通常完成学士位需3年的时间，取得荣誉学位则需再花一年的时间，Honor Degree毕业成绩优异者，可直升博士班。这些特别的科系，如建筑、医学等的修毕年限则在4-6年不等。
2．Undergraduate Diploma：入学标准和学士相同，通常为期3年，主要的科目是以教师在职进修、教师教育及护理科为主。
3．Associate Diploma：通常澳洲的专科（TAFE）学校提供此种课程，1.5-2年，其毕业文凭相当中国的专科文凭。
4．Graduate Certificate：此课程为所学课程的延伸，在已修过的领域中习得更新的知识技术，通常为期半年。
5．TAFE全称为Technology and Further Education，高等技术学院。澳洲的职业教育办得非常完整。TAFE是提供澳洲就业人口及专业技术的主力机构。此职教系统庞大、水准整齐，全部为公立学校，且由政府严格监督。其课程涉猎广泛，观光、旅馆管理、会计、行销、美术设计、美容美发、园艺、护幼卫生等等，内容多样化，且多为实际应用之科目，并与工商业界保持实质密切的合作关系。

摘自《新东方英语》第16辑