University of Tasmania, Australia

Rated a five-star university, UTAS offers over 100 undergrad and postgrad degree programmes to 21,000 students including 2,800 from over 90 countries around the world

The fourth-oldest varsity Down Under, the University of Tasmania (UTAS, estb. 1890) is internationally reputed for its science-based academic programmes and strong research capabilities. The Good Universities Guide 2008 rates UTAS a five-star university for research intensity, and ranks it among the top ten recipients of government research grants. A member of the International Association of Commonwealth Universities with academic exchange agreements with higher education institutions in over 90 countries, it offers over 100 undergrad and postgraduate degree programmes across seven faculties to 21,000 students, including 2,800 from over 90 countries. Moreover it boasts the highest completion rate for international students in Australia, and describes itself as a ‘boutique university’ offering students the benefits of smaller classes, personalised attention, and ready access to lecturers and tutors for advice and support.

Sited in the nature-blessed island state of Tasmania, the university has adopted a strategy of “preserving and developing teaching and learning and research of national and international significance” in areas that take advantage of its favoured geographical location. Its six chosen key areas of specialisation are: population and health; community, place and change; sustainable primary production; environment; Antarctic and marine; and frontier technologies.

“World-heritage wilderness, world-class agriculture, aqua-culture, cutting edge science, leading research, law and education reform, comparative philosophies — UTAS has all these and much more,” says Prof. Daryl Le Grew, vice-chancellor of the university

Tasmania. Separated from the  rest of Australia by 240 km of blue water of the Bass Strait, Tasmania (pop.489,000) is an archipelago comprising more than 300 islands, with dramatic coastlines, rugged mountains, spectacular wilderness, sparkling highland lakes and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This island state of Australia, a hot favourite with domestic as well as international tourists, boasts more poets, musicians, writers and artists per head of population than any other state in the country. It also enjoys a temperate climate with average temperatures of 21oC and 12oC in summer and winter respectively.

Two of UTAS’ three campuses are sited in Tasmania’s two major cities — Hobart and Launceston, which offer a wide range of cafés, restaurants, pubs, theatres, cinemas, shopping centres and open-air markets, in addition to plenty of opportunities for outdoor and adventure sports. Hobart, founded in 1803 and situated between Mount Wellington and a magnificent harbour, is the state’s administrative and commercial capital. Australia’s second oldest city, Hobart (pop.200,000) offers a diverse range of cultural, sporting and entertainment options. Launceston, settled in 1805, is the sixth continent’s third-oldest city after Sydney and Hobart, with a population of approximately 100,000. The city nestles amid rolling hills at the head of the picturesque Tamar River, and offers a plethora of outdoor activities including rock-climbing, abseiling, bush-walking and skiing.

Campus facilities. Apart from its campuses in Hobart and Launceston, UTAS also has its Cradle Coast facility. The Hobart campus, which is the university’s original site, sprawls across 100 hectares in the suburb of Sandy Bay, not far from the city centre. With the magnificent Mount Wellington as its backdrop, much of the upper campus is in natural bushland. Housing UTAS’ conservatorium of music, school of art and the faculty of health science, the campus strikes a balance between its natural setting and contemporary infrastructure.

The Launceston campus is sited on 50 hectares on the banks of the Tamar river, and is only ten minutes by bus from the city centre. It houses more than 5,000 students and offers modern facilities for teaching, learning and recreation, including a newly built sports and recreation centre, and flexible learning areas with computer labs. The Cradle Coast campus, based in Burnie, on Tasmania’s northwest coast, currently offers academic programmes only to domestic students.

The Hobart and Launceston campuses, which between them host 2,800 foreign students, provide a wide range of facilities including cafeterias, bars, banks, shops and a post office. Also offered are excellent sports facilities including tennis and squash courts, gyms, and grounds for football, cricket and rugby. The University of Tasmania library is a network of six biblios in Hobart and one in Launceston, with an information resource area in Burnie.

Admission. The minimum eligibility criterion for admission into UTAS’ undergrad programmes is successful completion of Plus Two or equivalent. In addition, foreign students are required to submit proof of proficiency in English language. An IELTS score of 6 or a TOEFL score of 550 is acceptable. The completed admission application form must be accompanied with certified copies of all academic qualifications, and transcripts and certified copies of English language tests. If foreign students don’t meet the admission criteria of UTAS, they have the option of enrolling in the university’s foundation studies programme. For admission into postgraduate programmes, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement.

For further information contact International Admissions & Exchanges, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 38, Hobart, Tasmania Australia 7001. Ph: +61 36226 2706; e-mail: international.admissions@utas.edu.au; website: www.utas.edu.au.

Accommodation. UTAS offers plenty of housing options to foreign students on its Hobart and Launceston campuses. At the Hobart campus accommodation includes fully-catered residential colleges (Christ College, John Fisher College and Jane Franklin Hall); and university apartments. Students also have the option to live in private housing. On the Launceston campus, students have the choice of living in  university halls or private housing. The on-campus Kerslake Hall, Leprena and Investigator Hall offer single fully-furnished study bedrooms, with self-catering facilities.

All accommodation on both campuses provides extensive sports facilities including tennis courts, cricket nets, and gym and internet access.

Degree programmes. UTAS offers over 100 undergrad and postgraduate degrees across seven faculties (see box).

Summiya Yasmeen