International students
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A recent group of our international students in front of the campus. |
This FAQ provides information for overseas students. Information
for Australian students is here.
Williams has warmly welcomed international students since
the mid-1970s. They help us to globalise
our business learning experience to everyone's advantage. In the past two years,
our international and exchange students came from the following countries:
Bhutan, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Finland, France,
Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan,
Lebanon, Madagascar, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand,
Turkey, United Kingdom and the USA.
The page provides important information for international students intending
to study at Williams.
Which Williams courses are available to international students?
All Williams programs are available to international students with the following
exceptions and/or conditions:
- International students may not enrol in part time programs as they
must maintain an attendance rate of a minimum of 20 hours per week during
term time to satisfy their visa requirements.
- Specialisations: An international student may only enrol in a specialisation
if already enrolled in a full time program.
Detailed information on all programs, including content and vocational
outcomes, is available on the Study Programs links at left.
What are the minimum academic entry requirements?
For entry at Certificate III or IV level: Australian Year 10 or New
South Wales School Certificate or equivalent. The completion of a recognised
high school qualification in most countries will satisfy this requirement.
For
direct entry at the Diploma or Advanced Diploma levels: Australian Year
12 or New South Wales Higher School Certificate or equivalent. The
completion
of a course equivalent to the International Baccalaureate, or
the completion of a recognised College or Polytechnic Diploma or the
first year of a recognised university Bachelor Degree in most countries
will
satisfy this requirement.
Note that students aged 20 or above, and any
student that demonstrates
satisfactory performance at a Certificate III or Certificate IV level,
may enter all vocational programs at all levels subject to continued
satisfactory performance at each level.
What is the minimum English requirement?
For international students whose first language is not English,
the minimum level of English language proficiency depends on the level of
the program being entered. If you enter any program at the Certificate III
or Certificate IV level, you must have a minimum score on IELTS
of 5.5, or WEET (Williams English Entry
Test) 60.
If you have exemptions and enter the program directly at the Diploma or
Advanced Diploma level, you need to have higher scores which will vary depending
on the exemptions and the program. Student Services people at the College
can advise you on these requirements.
Do you give credits or recognition for previous learning?
You may be able to save time and fees if you are exempt from subjects. To gain exemption, you must provide evidence that you can satisfy
the performance criteria for the subject(s) in which exemption
is sought. This could include certificates showing successful previous study, or work or life experience that can be evidenced. Because the Australian Qualifications Framework allows considerable flexibility in how qualifications are gained, you may also gain credit for subjects or competencies that are not part of our program and be able to enter directly into a higher level. Our Student Services people can give you guidance.
If you think you may be entitled to exemptions, you
should go through the subject descriptions in the College Handbook
or website and make an initial assessment of those from which you
believe you may be exempt. Then tick the appropriate "yes" box
on the enrolment application form and we will give you an Exemption
Request Form and information on how to prepare your evidence.
How do I enrol?
Your application to enrol must be made on the enrolment form in the College
Handbook or on enrolment forms available from the College. If you
are an International student not currently in Sydney, you should email
us
directly so that we can direct
you to your nearest agent for the College.
Do I have to decide my major when I enrol?
No. Majors in Business and Executive PA courses are delivered in your second semester. We will introduce the majors to you during your first semester so that you can make an informed decision. Majors must be decided no later than one month before your second semester begins.
Do I get a student ID card ?
All students receive a student identification card that entitles them to student concessions where available.
What non-academic support do you provide?
We like you to settle in quickly, so you will be given a full orientation,
normally on the work day before your start date. Dates are here.
At Orientation, you are introduced to the structure of your program, the
College facilities, and your teachers and new classmates. We also walk you
through your College Diary that contains details about how the College works
and what our expectations are. You are also introduced to the College's
intranet, which carries up-to-date information on all College activities,
people and programs.
Our Student Services team will help you before, during and after your time
at Williams with all non-academic matters related to your study. For international
students, these include finding accommodation, settling into a new country
and city, guidance in selecting further study options at Williams and other
Australian institutions and in job-seeking for part-time work consistent
with your visa requirements.
Do you practice access and equity principles?
We both practice and teach principles of fairness, access, equity and
privacy. We recognise that, by providing a learning environment and related
support mechanisms which encourage all students to achieve their personal
best, regardless of their background and personal circumstances, it will
both enrich their quality of life and make the College more relevant to
society as a whole. Details of College policies and legislative requirements
in this area are contained in the Code
of Practice.
Do I need a computer at home?
No. The College computer facilities are available Monday
to Friday from 8.30 until at least 5.30pm and have all the software applications
and internet resources you will need. If you do have a computer at home,
that's a bonus.
What do I wear to College?
We require you to dress appropriately to the position in
the area for which you are studying -- you will be given more specific details
at orientation. This is a policy which we have found works well, both in
developing a businesslike attitude, and impressing future employers who
visit the College. Students can let their hair down on occasional "mufti
days".
What are the hours, and how does the timetable
work?
International students may only enrol in full-time vocational
programs (i.e. up to Advanced Diploma). Vocational programs
require attendance at classes 24 hours each week during term time,
with
an additional
4 hours
that may
be
required
for mentor and group project work between 4 and 5pm Mondays to Thursdays.
There are four terms of 10 weeks each academic year.
International students are required by their visas to attend
College for a minimum of 20 hours each week of term. If you have exemptions
for any subjects, the College will work with you to ensure that you meet
this visa requirement. International students are not required to be enrolled
full time in their final semester where they have been required
to repeat subjects. Subjects may be repeated only once while in a full-time
course of study unless specifically approved by the Department of Education,
Science and Training.
See here for
general details of College term dates and delivery patterns.
Do you have miminum attendance and achievement
requirements?
Yes. As an international student you have a
visa requirement to maintain an attendance rate which, averaged over each
term, is at least 80%. You must also have a satisfactory academic
result for each term or semester. The College must report international
students who do not meet these requirements.
As both the delivery and assessment of your vocational
subjects are competency based, you will have difficulty if you often miss
class or are late. Should your attendance rate in any subject become lower
than 90% for whatever reason, or your academic results be unsatisfactory,
your Director of Studies will work over the problems with you to establish
the
best way
forward.
If your
attendance
rate in any
subject is less than 80%, you may be failed
in that subject.
How are subjects taught?
Most of our teaching is classroom based, though a wide range
of methods are used depending on the nature of the subject. These range
from lecture and seminar sessions to role-plays, demonstrations, group practical
projects and case study work. Hospitality students train in housekeeping, food and
beverage service at hotels that participate in our training program.
How much study is required out of class time?
Most subjects will require you to do some study, research,
assignment or project work outside class time. An average student should
allow around 6 to 8 hours per week at Certificate level and 8 to 12 hours
per week at Diploma or Advanced Diploma levels. The actual time needed will
vary depending on your personal abilities, language ability, work habits
and subject mix.
Can I get additional help with subjects?
Yes. Teachers and the Director of Studies monitor the progress
of each student, and will spend additional time with you if you are having
problems in understanding the subject or managing your study, or with language,
literacy or numeracy. We run a Mentor Program between 4 and 5pm
most teaching days specifically to provide extra help in subjects to those
that need it.
How are subjects assessed?
Assessment in vocational subjects is competency based --
i.e. you need to provide your teacher with the evidence that you meet a
set of performance criteria for each subject. These are summarised in the
subject descriptions in the College Handbook and website, and are given
to you in full when you begin each subject. They are also available on the
College
intranet.
The assessment methods vary between subjects, but include direct teacher
assessment in class, project and assignment work, examination, and practical
demonstration.
What happens if I fail or miss an assessment?
Provided you are attending and working normally, it would
be most unusual for you to fail all of the performance criteria for a subject.
Where only some of the criteria are not met, your teacher will set you additional
tasks and assessments to satisfy those criteria. In other cases, your Director of Studies will work with you to set a new study strategy that will depend
on the subject and the level of competence you have already shown.
International students should note that they may only repeat
a subject once under their visa requirements.
What do I get at the end of my program?
WBC vocational qualifications are presented to graduands
at Graduation Ceremonies normally held in July
and December. UC Degrees are presented to graduands at Graduation Ceremonies
held in Parliament House, Canberra, in July and December.
You will be issued with the following documents when you
complete or terminate a Williams program:
- An Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) Statement of Attainment,
which shows the national standard industry competencies you have achieved.
All registered vocational training organisations in Australia now issue
these documents, ensuring that your skills are recognised by all employers
and other educational organisations nationwide. An advantage for you is
that, because Williams specifically designs some of its subject modules
to meet the requirements across a range of related industries, your competencies
in each industry area will be shown.
- A Williams Business College Transcript of Results, which shows the grade
you achieved in each subject, and is an indication to a future employer
of the quality of your work.
- Your AQTF Qualification or Qualifications. The qualification levels
are Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma, and
are issued only if you achieve all the required competencies (subjects)
that industry requires for the qualification.
What are the College's refund policies?
For all programs:
- Notice in writing is required if a student wishes to withdraw from a
program after enrolment has been accepted by the College.
- If notice of withdrawal is received 28 days or more prior to the program
commencement date, the registration fee is retained by the College and
tuition fees paid are refunded.
- If notice of withdrawal is received less than 28 days before the program
commencement date, but no later than the commencement date, the registration
fee and first term fee (at the Term instalment rate for the program) is
retained by (or due to) the College and any balance of tuition fees paid
are refunded.
- If notice of withdrawal is received after the program commencement date,
the registration fee and first semester fee (at the semester instalment
rate for the program) is retained by (or due to) the College and any balance
of tuition fees paid are refunded.
- If a student wishes to withdraw from a program after it has begun, notice
in writing must be given one calendar month or more prior to the commencement
of a new semester, or the fees for that semester will be retained by (or
due to) the College.
- Any moneys to be refunded will be paid to the person or company named
on the Application for Enrolment form as paying the fees.
- Should an international student fail to obtain a student visa and provide
documentary evidence to this effect, the Registration fee is retained
by the College and any tuition fees paid are refunded.
- If the Williams program does not begin
on the agreed starting day, or stops being provided after it starts and
before it is completed, all fees paid are refunded within two weeks of
the program or subject not beginning or stopping.
- The College reserves the right to disenrol a student for breaching the
Rules of the College, or an international student that does not comply
with visa requirements. In either case, fees for the current semester
are retained by (or due to) the College.
- Refunds, with the exception of those made under item 4 above, are made
within 4 weeks from the date that a written notice to withdraw or a written
request for refund is received by the College. The College will provide
the student with a statement that explains how the refund has been worked
out.
- Textbooks and materials paid for and supplied are only refunded in the
circumstances of item 4 above.
- The student's agreement with the College does not remove the right to
take further action under Australia's consumer protection laws, and the
College's dispute resolution processes do not inhibit the student's right
to pursue other legal remedies.
- Should an international student not have a valid written agreement, any refund due would be as prescribed by ESOS Act 2000 and ESOS Regulations 2001.
How do you resolve grievances or disputes?
The College has many support systems and networks so as to reduce the chance
of grievances before they occur, whether they be against the College or
against the student. A Code of Practice sets
out expectations and standards, a mentor network of teachers provides academic
support, a Director of Studies helps you manage your program, Student Services
personnel help in other areas, an active Student Council ensure good student/management
liaison, and a family of College Directors that has been in the business
of educational caring for over a century manages the College hands-on. If
a grievance or dispute does arise, the Code
of Practice gives procedures for resolution that are designed to be
fair, fast, include a nominee of the student if the student wishes, and
involve minimum cost if independent moderation is required.
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