Perth for Students

Perth is a fantastic place to live, no matter what your interests. There is the famous Aussie bush, as well as famous Aussie beaches and famous Aussie wines. There is culture galore, fabulous nightlife, and eclectic dining. More importantly, there are internationally renowned universities and colleges that offer world-class tertiary education.

Let’s see take a closer look at what Perth has to offer.

Universities and Colleges

The University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is one the country’s most prestigious higher education providers. Its quality is evident on many levels, including its research programs, student demand, world-class facilities, and outstanding teachers and lecturers. It belongs to Australia’s Group of Eight and is a member of the elite Worldwide Universities Network, which consists of the 18 best research-led universities in Europe, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and North, South, and Central America. And, it’s beautiful.

It has nine faculties:

• The Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts
• The Faculty of Arts, with the School of Humanities, School of Music, and School of Social Sciences
• UWA Business School
• The Faculty of Education
• The Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, with schools that include (but aren’t limited to) the School of Civil and Resource Engineering, the School of Computer Science and Software Engineering, and the School of Environmental Systems Engineering
• The Faculty of Law
• The Faculty of Science (Life and Physical Sciences, Natural and Agricultural Sciences), with schools that include (but aren’t limited to) the School of Agricultural and Resource Economics, the School of Animal Biology, the School of Psychology, and the School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health
• The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, with schools that include (but aren’t limited to) the School of Dentistry, the School of Paediatrics and Child Health, the School of Primary, Aboriginal and Rural Health Care, and the School of Women’s and Infants’ Health
• The School of Indigenous Studies

UWA has one main campus and several learning centres:

1)     Crawley Campus

2)     UWA Claremont

3)     The Albany Centre

4)     UWA Sports Park

Edith Cowan University

Edith Cowan University (ECU) ensures that its study programs remain nationally and internationally relevant through partnerships with important private and public sector organisations. It offers over 400 courses to local and international undergraduate and postgraduate students. It offers alternative pathways to university education to ensure that higher education is more accessible now than it has been in the past.

It has three faculties, each with their own schools:

• The Faculty of Business and Law, with the School of Business, the School of Law and Justice, and the Perth Graduate School of Business.
• The Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science, with schools that include (but aren’t limited to) the School of Computer and Security Science, the School of Engineering, the School of Nursing and Midwifery, and the School of Exercise and Health Sciences
• The Faculty of Education and Arts, with the Kurongkurl Katitjin, Centre for Indigenous Australian Education and Research, the School of Communications and Arts, the School of Education, and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

The South West Campus in Bunbury offers a selection of the programs, including arts, business, nursing, science, social work, and teacher education.

ECU has three campuses:

1)     Joondalup Campus

2)     Mt Lawley Campus

3)     South West Campus in Bunbury

The University of Notre Dame Australia

The University of Notre Dame Australia has three campuses in Australia, two of which are in Western Australia: Broome and Fremantle. Its approaches are founded in the Catholic education systems of Europe and North America, but they have been tailored to suit Australia’s unique culture. It offers a variety of study programs, but is particularly well known for its focus on health and education.

It offers a number of pre-university courses, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate courses; for example, TAFE certificates and diplomas, bachelor degrees, and graduate certificates and diplomas, and master degrees and doctorates.

Curtin University

Like many other universities in Australia, Curtin University has been recognised internationally for the quality of its education, research programs, and facilities. It’s earned high positions on various ranking lists, including Shanghai Jiao Tong Annual Ranking of World Universities, Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and the QS World University Rankings. Some of its particularly reputable programs are in chemical engineering, earth and marine sciences, education, and accounting and finance.

It has five faculties:

• Curtin Business School, with programs in economics and finance, information systems, management, marketing, and accounting
• The Faculty of Health Sciences, with programs in biomedical sciences, nursing and midwifery, occupational therapy and social work, public health, and psychology and speech pathology
• The Faculty of Humanities, with programs in architecture, design, education, journalism, project management, urban/regional planning, and writing, performance and culture
• The Faculty of Science and Engineering, with programs in science, engineering, civil and mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computing, and W.A School of Mines
• Centre for Aboriginal Studies

Curtin University has five campuses in Western Australia, one campus in Sydney, one in Malaysia, one in Singapore, and an online centre. Not all of the courses are available at all of the campuses, so be sure to check which ones are available where.

Western Australia campuses include:

1)     Bentley Campus (main campus)

2)     Perth City Campus

3)     Kalgoorlie Campus

4)     Fremantle Campus

5)     Shenton Park Campus

Murdoch University

Murdoch University is truly multi-cultural, with students coming from all over Australia and the rest of the world to study at its world-class facilities. Some of these facilities include a state-of-the-art vet hospital, an engineering pilot plant, and a chiropractic clinic. It offers a variety of courses on-campus and online, which allows students to complete their studies from anywhere in the world.

It has nine schools offering various study programs:

• Sir Walter Murdoch School of Public Policy and International Affairs
• School of Engineering and Information Technology
• School of Management and Governance
• School of Arts
• School of Health Professions
• School of Psychology and Exercise Science
• School of Education
• School of Law
• School of Veterinary and Life Sciences

It has three campuses in Western Australia:

1)     South Street Campus (main campus)

2)     Rockingham Campus

3)     Peel Campus

Central Institute of Technology

Central Institute of Technology (CIT) is a leading vocational education and training course provider in Perth; although its courses are also available nationally and internationally. It has agreements with several of the universities in Western Australia, including Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, and the University of Western Australia, which enable students to use their TAFE diploma qualifications as pathways to undergraduate qualifications.

It has five campuses:

1)     Perth Campus (in Northbridge)

2)     Leederville Campus

3)     East Perth Campus

4)     Mt Lawley Campus

5)     Nedlands Campus

TAFE courses are available in:

• Business and Legal studies
• Creative Arts
• Engineering, Mining and Construction
• English and other Languages
• Health, Education and Community Service
• IT and Interactive Studies
• Science and Sustainability
• Sports and Recreation
• Tourism

In addition to TAFE certificate and diploma courses, CIT offers creative short courses, industry short courses, apprenticeships and traineeships, and adult migrant English courses.

Paramount College of Natural Medicine

Paramount College of Natural Medicine offers nationally accredited courses in health and wellbeing with particular focus on natural remedies, but which also incorporate traditional healing. As a result, it produces complementary health practitioners who are equipped to provide patients with the support and knowledge they need to help their bodies heal themselves.

The college offers a variety of courses, including bachelor degrees in naturotherapy, homeopathy, and nutritional medicine and herbal medicine. It also offers TAFE courses in remedial massage, aromatherapy, and mind body medicine.

It has two campuses, one in Malaga, Perth and one in Albany.

Challenger Institute of Technology

Challenger Institute of Technology offers a range of full-time and part-time TAFE courses at various campuses in Perth and greater Western Australia. It also offers apprenticeships, traineeships, and VET in Schools courses. In addition to its campuses, it also has several renowned industry training centres.

It has 14 campuses and access centres:

1)     Heathcote Campus

2)     Murdoch Campus

3)     ACEPT Campus

4)     Henderson Campus

5)     Kwinana Campus

6)     Mundijong Campus

7)     E-Tech Campus

8)     Maritime Campus

9)     Fremantle Campus

10)  Rockingham Campus

11)  Peel Campus

12)  Pinjarra Access Centre

13)  Waroona Access Centre

14)  Boddington Access Centre

It has 11 industry training centres:

• Australian Centre for Energy and Process Training
• Automotive Technology Skills Centre
• Community Services Training Centre
• Construction Industry Skills Centre
• Information Technology and Business Skills Centre
• Quinlan’s Hospitality and Tourism Training Centre
• Visage Training Centre for Health & Lifestyle
• WA Applied Engineering and Shipbuilding Training Centre
• WA Centre for Leadership, Cultural and Community Development
• WA Horticulture and Environmental Science Skills Centre
• WA Maritime Training Centre

College of Innovation & Industry Skills

College of Innovation & Industry Skills (CIIS) specialises in business, hospitality, and English vocational training courses in Perth. It makes an effort to keep classes small so that students can get the individual attention that they deserve. The courses, which comprise theory and practical elements, are nationally accredited.

It has two campuses: Perth City and Gosnells (the main campus).

Perth Institute of Business and Technology

Perth Institute of Business and Technology (PIBT) is a renowned TAFE course provider that has close ties to Edith Cowan University (ECU). Courses are available at ECU’s Mt Lawley and Joondalup campuses. Classes are kept small to ensure that students benefit from personalised teaching. TAFE study programs include business, communications, IT, hospitality, and health sciences and engineering sciences.

Student Accommodation

All of the traditional accommodation options are available, including on-campus residential options, off-campus share houses, homestays, hostels, and fully- and semi-furnished apartments. Various organisations are available to help students, especially overseas students, find safe and affordable accommodation near their campus.

Living in Perth

If you like sunshine then Perth is the city for you. It has an average of 3200 hours of sunshine per year. It has a Mediterranean-like climate, but while the weather can be delicious, it can also get very hot. Winters are relatively mild, but they can get a bit wet.

The city has healthy public transport system, so you don’t need to worry about getting out and about. Buses, trains, and ferries will take you wherever you need to go.

Healthcare can be a bit expensive, so students are advised to get insurance as soon as possible. International students should find out about Overseas Student Health Cover before they leave home, as it will save them the world of pain.

The cost of living in Perth is on par with living in other major cities in Australia.

There are plenty of indoor and outdoor entertainment options. The weather contributes to the popularity of outdoor sport and leisure activities. It’s a great city in which to join a cricket match in the park, but there are also plenty of museums, galleries, restaurants, clubs, pubs, and cinemas to keep you entertained.

Things to do on a budget

There are plenty of affordable (and free) things to do in Perth whenever you take a break from the books.

Kings Park and Botanic Garden is possibly the most visited attraction in the city. It’s perfect for picnics, walks, and casual soccer, cricket, rugby games. It’s jam-packed with plants and birds for nature enthusiasts, and often plays host to major events. And, it’s free.

Perth Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA) hosts local and international art exhibitions, and often features performance art and cross-disciplinary art shows. And, it’s free.

The Berndt Museum is famous for its Aboriginal art and cultural collections. It also features work from all the different cultures across the length and breadth of Asia. It plays an important anthropological role as it is one of the few places devoted to Aboriginal culture in Australia. Contact the museum to find out about times.

Get adventurous with mountain biking on the Munda Biddi Trail, which is perfect for mountain bikers of all levels. There are several trails of varying distances. Before you set out, you are strongly advised to find out about weather alerts to see if they are open. The Munda Biddi Trail Foundation is dedicated to environmental conservation, so there is a strict leave no trace policy. Ensure that you leave with whatever you brought, and that you admire the animals from a distance.

Spend the day at the beach – there are 19 of them. You can swim, surf, and lie in the sun.

A visit to Perth Zoo won’t break the bank. There are all sorts of experiences to enjoy, from the African Zone and the Asian Rainforest Zone to the World of Birds.

Swan River is incredibly popular, not to mention one of the Perth’s most famous landmarks. There are many, many spots along the banks where you can enjoy water sports, go on cruises, hop on a ferry, or simply picnic and read a book in the sun.

Perth has award-winning universities, comprehensive colleges, and a wide variety of (affordable) things to see and do. It’s the perfect place for students, so what are you waiting for? Register now.