The educational systems in Australia and New Zealand offer valuable opportunities for North American students looking for an academic and personal challenge in an English-speaking environment. Both systems are highly regarded and internationally recognized. University entry is competitive, and academic standards are high. There is a vast range of courses available for students to study, including traditional academic areas, as well as more practical courses with a vocational orientation.

The educational systems of Australia and New Zealand are modeled on the British system and are based on the following principles:

• Early specialization
• Focus on independent study
• Focus on learning outcomes (rather than input)

As such, students must take an active role in the learning process. Universities place great importance on developing the ability to think creatively and independently, read widely and critically, participate in debate, and function in teams.

 
Academic Culture
Perhaps the most important thing to bear in mind about Australian and New Zealand universities is that they place a premium on independence. You will be in control of your study program and decide your study priorities. It is almost as if you are an independent researcher right from the beginning. Consistent with this academic culture, you may find that you have fewer class hours than in the U.S. and are expected to do additional reading and writing outside of class. Many subjects (courses) do not have textbooks, but rather long reading lists from which you must read a majority to gain knowledge of the subject area.

Teaching style
A student’s academic schedule consists of lectures, tutorials (small group sessions), laboratory work (i.e., science and language), seminars, and library study. The core material of the subject is nearly always given in lectures followed up with tutorials where students are expected to participate in the form of preparing materials, readings, presentations, and discussions.

Assessment
Most subjects are assessed by written assignment (essays, papers, presentations), and usually require you to pass a final examination. It is not uncommon to have a large percentage of the grade based upon only one or two exams or papers. Tutorial participation also typically contributes to the final grade. The grading scales in Australia and New Zealand are different, and the highest marks given, High Distinction (80-100%) and Distinction (70-79%), are not easily or regularly achieved compared to what you might be accustomed to in North America.

Academic Year
Because Australia and New Zealand are located in the Southern Hemisphere, the academic year and semesters differ from those in North America. The first semester begins in February and ends in June; the second semester begins in July and ends in November. Both terms offer new student orientation prior to classes starting. A few universities and many MBA programs are on a trimester system, with terms beginning in January, May, and September.