Why QUT? Real Experience with EAP Course and Orientation Week!

Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

－ a university for the real world

Today I am going to introduce my wonderful university, Queensland University of Technology(QUT). Actually, I applied two universities that are QUT and UQ (University of Queensland) before I came to Australia and got two offers luckily. It is true that there are many excellent universities in Australia, however, the first reason that I applied these two universities is WEATHER. I definitely love Brisbane’s weather (and I am afraid of cold... haha). 

Next, I will explain why I chose QUT but not UQ and also share some experience in EAP course where many Asian people or non-native students would entry before they enter in normal courses. Finally, I would like to share some interesting stories about my first orientation week in Australia!

◎Why QUT?

First of all, although many people think that UQ’s ranking is better than QUT’s. However, QUT is also top 10 Australian university and it always maintains its world university rankings within 300! (For example, in Taiwan, only National Taiwan University is ranked within 100 stably) 

Secondly, I major in Business and QUT’s business school is Australia's first business school to earn all three symbols of excellence from the world's leading accrediting bodies (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, European Quality Improvement System, and The Association of MBAs), holding the triple crown since 2005. Less than 1% of all business schools globally have achieved triple accreditation! 

Thirdly, QUT is as known as “a university for the real world” because they focus on practical education and cooperate with businesses closely. 

Fourthly, the student number of QUT is approximately 45,000 and there are more than 5 thousand international students. It is a really good environment for students to share their different opinions or thought and build their perfect social network! 

Finally, QUT locates in Brisbane city, students can find many job opportunities and enjoy the convenience here.

To sum up, educational quality, practicality, internationalization, and convenience are main critical reasons for me to choose QUT!

♁Address：

Gardens Point Campus: 2 George St, Brisbane, QLD 4000

Kelvin Grove Campus: Cnr Musk and Victoria Park Rd, Kelvin Grove QLD 4059

Caboolture campus: Manley and Tallon St, Caboolture QLD 4510

♁Contact：Click Here

♁English Requirement：Bachelor, IELTS 6.0-7.0；Master, IELTS6.0-7.5

♁Official Website：https://www.qut.edu.au/

◎What is EAP course?

EAP means English for Academic Purpose and it is established for students whose English levels are between IELTS 5.5 to 6.5 because most of Australian university accept applications with IELTS 6.5. However, students who have already achieved this requirement can also apply this course for improving English level in academic field.

Location：P bock, Kelvin Grove Campus (QUT International College)

Course duration：12 weeks

Start month：March, July, October

Tuition Fee：AU$ 4680 (2015)

Entry requirement：IELTS overall 5.5

Website：Click Here

You can easily meet students from non-English-speaking countries and make many Chinese, Asian, Brazilian friends and so on.

This was EAP’s course schedule and the percentage of tests. Actually, it was not an easy job for non-English speakers and we also had many homework every day during this period. Class time was 8:30 to 15:00 or 16:00 except for Wednesday (until 13:00). The tests would start to be counted after week 7 and most of the students had to get 65% or 50% score to pass this course.

There are many new and useful public spaces or facilities in P block (Kelvin Grove Campus) such as rest rooms, ILC library, computer rooms and so on. They also supply microwaves for students who bring lunch every day. It is so considerate!

I was so lucky to meet these two great teachers, Kay and Tim, and wonderful international students from China, Thailand, India, Brazil. We acquired useful knowledge for our faculty lives and enjoyed many delightful moments together. Wish everyone nice futures sincerely!!!

◎About Orientation Week!

There are many differences in orientation week between Taiwan’s and Australia’s. I think that students here can have more useful and practical information which include introductions of finding part time jobs or career development and so on during this week but not just following some same unchangeable schedules like it in Taiwan. Furthermore, it is also a good chance for students to learn how to seize various information and develop their social networks actively!

This was an international student orientation which gave lots of useful support to us. By the way, this picture shows how much international students that QUT has… haha

During this week, I could easily join in interesting clubs and participate in official concert. It was so amazing and convenient that every student could grab the schedule of these numerous events in orientation week in one website! Nice integration!

Finally, let me share this picture of the welcoming event that Taiwanese Students Association held. We are all from the same lovely country, Taiwan!