La Trobe College Australia

LTCA is a progressive and forward-thinking institution, and has responded to the Covid-19 pandemic with a carefully designed schedule of health and safety measures to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all of its students and staff. College facilities are open as usual, but with safety guidelines in place and social distancing throughout. Detailed information about the college's response plan is viewable online on the college website, with frequent updates and contact information provided.

This academic year, many programs have transitioned to a hybrid learning model, with elements of the courses delivered online. This enables students, who may experience travel restrictions, to study remotely. This results in smaller class sizes on campus which is not only safer, but results in more contact time between tutors and students. The college and its faculty staff are committed to responding to the changing needs of its students as effectively as possible.

The college has also recently introduced a Hardship Fund for eligible international students who are under financial pressure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This one-off grant of AUD 1,000, is awarded to help students with rent and utility payments, food bills or any other financial commitments related to their studies.

LTCA has a reputation for effectively delivering tuition and guiding its students on to the next stage of their higher education, while fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment. There are many pathway programs available, taught by highly experienced and qualified faculty, many of whom have taught and worked internationally. Faculty staff are able to communicate their expertise effectively to students from all backgrounds, who benefit from having relatively small class sizes, and more contact time with staff and tutors, creating a personalised learning environment.

The college distributes course information, assignments and teaching resources through its online learning portal. Students can access this from anywhere in the world, and can receive regular feedback on their assessments and coursework, as well as personal support from their module tutors in preparation for their transition onto undergraduate or postgraduate courses at LTU. LTCA is consistently working to improve their teaching service, and communication between staff and students is a key factor in the continued success of its graduates.

There are three major pathway options for students at LTCA. The foundation certificate prepares students for entry to the first year of an undergraduate course at LTU. There are three foundation programs available at LTCA, in business IT and humanities engineering and computer science and health and life sciences. These each give students a range of degree course options at LTU.

Similarly, the diploma is a fast-track option with seven variations which allows students to progress directly to the second year of their undergraduate degree, providing that certain academic standards are maintained. Due to the later point of degree level entry, the diploma modules are more specialised than the foundation program modules, and available degree courses differ accordingly. There is also a pre-master's course which guarantees entry to the first year of a master's degree course at some of the LTU locations around Australia. Students will also cultivate a range of transferable skills that will be an asset for them in their further careers, such as communication, presentation skills and project management. There are seven academic departments at LTU:

• Department of Arts, Social Sciences and Communications
• Department of Business and Commerce
• Department of Education and Teaching
• Department of Health
• Department of IT and Engineering
• Department of Law and Criminology
• Department of Science

Within these departments, there are hundreds of available study courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as shorter courses designed to expand the academic horizons of LTU students, and promote engagement between different faculties and with the university's professional community of alumni and associates.

LTCA offers a bridge to university level studies and encourages students to apply from a diverse range of nationalities and academic backgrounds. Applicants must meet both academic and English language requirements to gain direct entry into the LTCA pathways programs. Requirements for admission vary on a course-by-course basis and are also subject to consideration by the college admissions team on an ongoing basis. The college website publishes a course specific profile of entry requirements, where prospective students may find information required to complete their applications. The website also contains a list of country-by-country academic requirements.

Additionally, there are certain entry requirements for English language proficiency which are also published on the university website. To ensure admission to the foundation courses, students must demonstrate a level equivalent to an overall score of 5.5 on the IELTS academic test, with all band scores minimum of 5.0. For entry to the diploma courses, a level equivalent to an overall score of 5.5 is required, with all band scores minimum of 5.5. There are however a number of acceptable assessment providers, and the university website provides a comparison list. Due to Covid-19, LTCA are also accepting online versions of these tests.

Students at either of LTCA's locations will enjoy all the same facilities available to degree level university students on the Melbourne and Sydney campuses.

LTCA's Melbourne campus is located in the north-eastern suburb of Bundoora. It is a residential campus set within a beautifully landscaped site with wide walkways connecting student amenities, and open green spaces for socialising and recreation. There are six different on-site halls of residence, and different accommodation options to suit a wide range of budgets and preferences.

There are plenty of social spaces such as bars, restaurants, and music venues as well as the university's state-of-the-art sports and fitness facilities. The Sports Centre includes an indoor heated swimming pool, gymnasium, top-quality indoor sports courts, dance and yoga studios.

LTU also provides a wide range of on-site study facilities including computer labs, study rooms and has a modern and fully equipped library with books, journals and digital resources available to all students. LTCA students may also join any of the university's clubs and societies, enabling them to immerse fully in the student community and ease the transition into their degree program.

These facilities represent part of the ongoing Melbourne Campus Master Plan, ensuring sustainable campus development over the coming years, while balancing the various needs of the university community. The detailed and ambitious plan optimises the capacity of the built environment to deliver world class opportunities which embody the values of the institution. It serves as a blueprint for growth, and will also be used as a tool for assessment and review.

Tuition fees for LTCA's Foundation courses during the 2020/21 academic year are set at AUD 23,600, which cover two semesters of study. There is an enrolment and orientation fee of AUD 220 for international students, and students must organise their own travel and medical insurance. The LTCA financial support services team can help and advise prospective students on further financial considerations such as visa requirements, accommodation and living costs.

As a recognised Higher Education Provider (HEP), LTCA can help eligible students access the FEE-HELP loan scheme. This is a government funded educational loan program, paid directly to the college which is repayable after graduation and once students earn over a certain threshold. Students must maintain a minimum pass rate to remain eligible for the duration of their studies.

The college also awards a small number of Navitas scholarships based on academic merit, and family bursaries based on having several members of the same family attending college or university together.

1. Progression Scholarships for La Trobe Bachelor up to 30 per cent - based on the Weighted Average Mark (WAM) in La Trobe College Australia Foundation or Diploma. Available at both Melbourne and Sydney campuses
2. La Trobe University Sydney Campus Bachelor and Master scholarships up to 30% based on academic performance in Year 12 (for Bachelor scholarship) or In Bachelor degree (for Master Scholarship).
3. La Trobe College Australia $5,000 Early Bird Scholarships for Foundation and Diploma. Available at both the Melbourne and Sydney campuses.