University of Canberra

The University of Canberra (UC) is located in Australia’s national capital. Currently there are 2,500 international students fromover 100 different countries, which means UC has a rich and diverse campus culture. With the new Strategic Plan, ‘Breakthrough’, the purpose is to help students develop the strengths and skills needed to make important academic, professional and personal breakthroughs in life. UC aims to be recognised as one of Australia’s most innovative tertiary institutions; world-ranked, with regional, national and international reach by 2018.

UC research delivers solutions to real-world challenges while research income and research publications continue to increase. On the teaching front, the University of Canberra delivers a professional education focused on equipping students with the skills to hit the ground running in their careers. UC graduates are among the most sought after and highly paid in the country. UC graduates are consistently ranked among the most employable in Australia. Whatever the discipline, students will develop professional networks with friends, colleagues, academics and mentors who'll be working in related fields in every state of Australia and many countries around the world.

The University offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses covering six main learning areas: Applied Science; Health; Art and Design; Business, Government and law; Education and Information Sciences and Engineering. As of 2014, the university also offers its degrees at the Holmesglen Institute of TAFE, Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE, Northern Sydney Institute of TAFE and South Western Sydney Institute of TAFE. UC is partnered with two local ACT schools UC Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra (formerly Lake Ginninderra Senior Secondary College) and University of Canberra High School (formerly Kaleen High School). The University of Canberra College also provides pathways into university for domestic and international students.

The University of Canberra offers campus accommodation for more than 2,400 people from Australia and around the world. Students can choose from Arscott House, University of Canberra Village, Weeden Lodge and Cooper Lodge. Security staff can be contacted 24 hours a day and the accommodation facilities are regularly monitored, which means students will live in a very safe environment. All the accommodation facilities have active resident support programs that offer social, emotional and academic support.

Arscott House is a fully catered 214-bed residential college just across the road from the University campus that offers a unique experience for prospective students. Arscott House is the only accommodation facility that offers three meals a day for all residents and students can have meals prepared to take-away. The on-site kitchen will cater for all dietary requirements and all food is halal.

The University of Canberra Village is a 1334-bed facility located on the University campus. It is self-catered and offers a variety of living options, including 12-bedroom share residences, one-, two- and five-bedroom apartments and options for postgraduate and mature-age students.

Weeden Lodge is a 480-bed facility located between the University and the Belconnen town centre and close to shops, restaurants and the Belconnen bus interchange. It is self-catered and students can choose from studio, share and multi-bed apartment living. To make it more affordable, Weeden Lodge is supported by the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) with financial assistance from the Commonwealth and ACT governments.

Cooper Lodge is the University’s newest 416-bed accommodation facility. It is located right in the heart of the University campus next to the University of Canberra College. It is self-catered and students can  choose from studio and multi-bed apartment living. To make it as affordable as possible, Cooper Lodge is supported by the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) with financial assistance from the Commonwealth and ACT governments.

The 120 hectare (296.4 acres) campus is a haven of clean air, tall trees and native wildlife, including parrots, honey-eaters, cockatoos and resident kangaroos. Despite its serene location, the campus is within walking distance of the shopping and entertainment complex of Belconnen, and just 12 minutes by regular bus service or car from Canberra’s Civic Centre.

The four faculties are:

• ESTeM (Education,Science,Technology and Maths) - The ESTeM faculty focuses on area of study that contributes to producing a student with a range of knowledge in similar areas of study. Courses such as Biomedical, Forensic and Environmental Sciences, teaching in early childhood, primary or secondary, Information and Technology.
• Arts and Design - Arts and design primarily provides students with the skills to be successful in a wide range of careers in the new arts. Arts and design specialise in, Graphic Design, Advertising, Journalism and Media Arts.
• Business, Government and Law - The Business Government and Law Faculty provides students with a choice and flexibility together with real world experience. Students have the option to major in over 70 areas from across the University. Students can venture into Accounting, Applied Economics, Business Administration, Business Informatics, Construction, Finance, Law, Management, Marketing, Politics, Public Policy, Tourism, and Urban and Regional Planning.
• Health - The Faculty of Health prepares nurses, midwives, psychologists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, dietitians, nutritionists, exercise scientists and sports management professionals.

There is a bank, post office, hair salon, bookshop and general convenience store with food, art materials, stationery, gifts and souvenirs. There are also on campus food outlets, coffee shops, and a bar that serves international cuisine including halal and vegetarian food. Students will also have 24-hour access to the University’s Computer Centre, which has networked Macs and PCs as well as scanning, printing and photocopying facilities. There’s free wireless access for laptops and free email.

The University’s library has a huge array of print, multimedia and electronic resources to meet your study and research needs. There are also computers for research, private spaces for individual or group study, and printing and photocopying facilities. There are professional and social clubs and societies, a number of sports teams, plus a well-equipped sports and fitness centre with cardio and weights classes, squash, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, plus ovals for soccer and rugby.

Buses

• Action is the name of Canberra's local bus service. Action MY WAY cards are available from the UCU Shop on campus and from other agencies, e.g. the Action office at the Civic Interchange. These are debit cards which can be topped up with sufficient money to pay for bus fares.
• Bus stops are located in College Street, and all buses on the principal intertown routes (Belconnen - Civic - Woden - Tuggeranong) stop there.

Taxis

• Cabxpress phone: 6260 6011
• Canberra Cabs phone: 13 2227
• Elite Taxi Service phone: 6239 3666
• Taxis can be met at any of the University's Service Contact Points.

Trains

• CountryLink operates regular trains
  • between Canberra and Sydney
  • between Canberra and Wollongong via a road coach link to/from Moss Vale.
  • between Queanbeyan, Canberra and Melbourne via a road coach link to/from Cootamundra.
• CountryLink provides a safe, comfortable and relaxing way to travel and offer discounts of up to 50% for full time students.