South Australian Institute of Business and Technology (SAIBT)

UniSA has recently been ranked by Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact 2020 Rankings as the number one university in Australia for quality education. Both SAIBT and UniSA are committed to delivering this high-quality education in the midst of the global Covid-19 pandemic. SAIBT has responded to these new challenges with a carefully managed program of health and safety measures, designed to maintain a safe and secure learning environment both on and off the City East campus.

Facilities remain open, but with clear and concise safety measures in place and social distancing throughout campus. Many programs have transitioned to a hybrid learning model with elements of the courses being delivered remotely, allowing students who may be experiencing travel restrictions with the ability to study and complete their course online.

SAIBT is now offering international applicants financial incentives to commit to their chosen course of study early by preparing online for their future studies at the Adelaide campus. Applicants may now apply for a Digital Campus Bursary of AUD 1,000 which goes towards their total tuition fees.

SAIBT has earned its reputation as a provider of extremely high-quality teaching and tuition. Since its inception in 2001 and partnership with UniSA, SAIBT successfully mentored thousands of students through the Early Transition Program (ETP), and on to enrolment on an undergraduate degree course at UniSA.

THE University Impact Rankings places UniSA at number one in Australia and number six worldwide for quality education and one survey shows that 92 per cent international students are satisfied with their studies at UniSA (2018 International Student Barometer – Overall Satisfaction). Most SAIBT lecturers are also taught at the university and SAIBT manages to cultivate a positive and inclusive working environment for all its students, which is a key aspect of its success as a pathway provider.

There are transition pathway programs available, for entry to both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at UniSA, and at multiple entry points. These programs are delivered by a team of highly qualified and experienced faculty staff, many of whom have years of international work already under their belt, enabling them to communicate their expertise to student from all international backgrounds.

UniSA was recently placed second among all young universities in Australia for teaching quality, by THE Young University Rankings 2020. Students at SAIBT benefit from small class sizes, and a personalised learning environment, with more contact time with staff and Learning Advisor.

SAIBT is consistently improving their teaching service, and is now able to deliver their high-quality teaching resources from anywhere in the world, with the recently developed digital learning environment. Students can participate in classes, group work and receive feedback on their assignments and coursework from their lecturer, as well as communicate with their peers in an online workspace.

SAIBT provides a range of options for transition into a course of study at UniSA. Their diploma programs offer alternative routes into a huge selection of UniSA undergraduate degrees, providing certain academic standards are maintained.

There are five diploma pathway routes for students at SAIBT:

• Diploma of Arts
• Diploma of Business
• Diploma of Engineering
• Diploma of Health Science
• Diploma of Information Technology

Prospective students with prior Year 12 or equivalent study may select one of these five diploma pathways. These are each comprised of eight university level units, studied over the course of three trimesters, and give students direct entry to the second year of their UniSA undergraduate degree upon completion (or with a GPA requirement). Fast-track options are available for completion in only two trimesters.

Applicants who have studied up to Year 11 can enrol on the ETP program, which comprises eight pre-university level units studied over two to three trimesters, bringing them up to Year 12 level. Students can then progress to the first year of their undergraduate degree.

There is also a Graduate Certificate in Business and Management, available to international students, which guarantees entry to the first year of a master's degree course at UniSA. Students who undertake any of these preparatory courses will also improve their English language proficiency and will build a repertoire of transferable skills which will aid their university studies.

Applications for SAIBT are completed online. The college offers an alternative route to degree level qualifications, and applicants from a broad range of academic and cultural backgrounds are encouraged. There are separate academic and English language pre-requisites the ETP and Diploma pathways which applicants must attain, to be admitted onto the pathway programs.

For direct entry onto the ETP program, three passes at General Certificate of Education (GCE) O-Level, or completion of the International Baccalaureate (IB) to Year 11 is required.

For entry onto the diploma pathway program, the standardised pre-requisite is two passes from two GCE A-Level subjects, where two AS-Level subjects may be combined for one pass. For those using the IB, a pass at Year 12 is required, with an average of above ten.

Since international applicants may not use either of these two assessment systems, the SAIBT website publishes a list of country-by-country grade level equivalents, where prospective students may find details needed to complete their applications. All pre-requisites are subject to consideration by the SAIBT admissions team, on a case-by-case basis. Consideration can be made for applicants with relevant work experience or employment.

There are also requirements for English language proficiency, which vary by course, and are listed on the SAIBT website. There are a number of acceptable assessment providers, and the university website provides a comparison list. Due to Covid-19, SAIBT is also accepting online versions of these tests.

Students at SAIBT enjoy all the same facilities available to university students at UniSA. Adelaide's City East campus is a busy hub of student activity, situated in one of the most lively and connected districts within the city. The campus offers an abundance of learning facilities, services and social spaces to provide a comprehensive environment in which its students may achieve academic and personal success.

Students have access to computer rooms, study spaces, a student bookshop and a well-equipped library containing thousands of books, eBooks, journals and online resources to support its population of around 30,000 students. There is a post office and ATM's, as well as a health clinic and fully fitted gymnasium.

A new outdoor plaza provides social space and a selection of food and drink options on site. The student population at SAIBT represents a diverse and multicultural demographic, and students at the college share access to a prayer room, with free and confidential multi-faith services.

The campus is well serviced by local public transport routes, such as bus, train and tram. According to the Mercer Study, UniSA ranks as Australia's most environmentally sustainable city, and the campus has plenty of on-site bike parking to encourage a more environmentally conscious lifestyle.

SAIBT understands the importance of finding the right accommodation for its students, and have a dedicated team of staff to help students find the best options to suit their budgets and personal preferences. Flexible and varied options are available, including the following options:

• Homestay
• Fully catered student residence
• Student hostels
• Private rental accommodation

With such a comprehensive range of facilities in a city as vibrant as Adelaide, it is hardly surprising that the 2019 ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey ranked UniSA number one in South Australia for student experience.

Tuition fees for international students in the 2021 academic year are separated into two tiers, representing the ETP and diploma programs.

ETP fees are set at AUD 25,600, which represent AUD 3,050 per module or AUD 12,500 per semester. Diploma fees vary on a course-by-course basis, and lie within the range of AUD 28,000 to AUD 36,800 for the total course amount. The list of specific course fees can be found on the SAIBT website.

Additionally, students must organise their own health insurance before arrival in Australia. SAIBT can provide Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for a fee of AUD 594 per year (single cover and subject to change). Students under the age of 18 can pay a guardianship fee of AUD 545 annually. The SAIBT financial support services team are available all year round, to advise students with further financial issues such as visa requirements, accommodation and living costs. SAIBT recognises the cost of living and studying abroad, and awards a selection of scholarships and bursaries to international, full fee-paying students, subject to consideration by the college admissions staff.

College Director Scholarship - ETP or diploma students, 50 percent reduction in tuition fees.

Digital Campus Bursary - ETP or diploma students, AUD 1,000 reduction in fees for early payment.

CELUSA Bursary - Students from South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Latin America, 30 per cent fee reduction. More information can be found here.