Australian Catholic University

ACU Blacktown

The ACU Blacktown campus opened its doors in March 2021. Located in the heart of western Sydney, the campus offers a range of pathways, undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Students at the Blacktown campus benefit from ACU's ties with local partner organisations, which provide opportunities to engage in work-integrated learning through internships and practical placements.

The Blacktown campus features inclusive student spaces such as breakout and study areas, collaboration spaces, a library, chapel, lounge area and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' culturally safe space. From 2022, students will have access to purpose-built teaching and learning facilities including nursing labs, bed simulation wards, a moot court and science labs.

THE Impact Rankings

ACU is among the top 51-100 universities in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2021. The rankings measure the impact of the university on society, in line with its success in meeting the UN's sustainable development goals (SDGs). ACU was noted for its excellence in the following SDGs:

• Good health and wellbeing: 2^nd globally, 1^st in Australia
• Quality education: 73^rd globally, 7^th in Australia
• Gender equality: 26^th globally, 10^th in Australia
• Decent work and economic growth: 17^th globally, 7^th in Australia
• Peace, justice and strong institutions: 67^th globally, 7^th in Australia

Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) Subject Rankings

ACU was noted for the following subjects in the ARWU Subject Rankings 2021:

• Nursing: 18^th
• Education: 46^th
• Psychology: 101-150 band ranking
• Law: 151-200, new ranking
• Hospitality and Tourism Studies: 201-300
• Clinical Medicine: 301-400
• Public Health: 401-500

The Australian Catholic University (ACU) offers various study options across its four faculties:

Faculty of Education and Arts

ACU's Faculty of Education and Arts includes the National School of Arts and National School of Education. The faculty is an important producer of new teachers in Australia and attracts students who seek to tackle complex issues in fields such as education, youth work, global studies, media, communications and design.

Faculty of Health Sciences

The Faculty of Health Sciences is a leading producer of nurses, midwives and paramedics in Australia. Comprised of three schools - Allied Health, Behavioural and Health Sciences, and Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine – the faculty focuses on excellence, innovation and community impact.

Faculty of Law and Business

By emphasising social, ethical, as well as environmental duties within legal and commercial systems, the Faculty of Law and Business celebrates sustainable success with a human touch. The faculty's Thomas More Law School and Peter Faber Business School deliver courses including accounting, finance, human resources, law and marketing.

Faculty of Theology and Philosophy

The Faculty of Theology and Philosophy ranks globally for divinity and religious studies, as well as theology. Students learn to combine new skills with a sense of ethics and a thirst for truth and knowledge. The faculty is home to the School of Theology and School of Philosophy and provides professional consulting services to various Catholic organisations.

ACU offers a range of pathways to undergraduate study, suitable for students who do not meet the direct entry requirements to study at ACU.

Foundation studies

This is a structured program for students who do not have a qualification equivalent to the Australian Year 12. It develops the academic knowledge and skills to support students to transition smoothly into their first year of undergraduate study.

Tertiary preparation program

This is designed for students who want to pursue undergraduate study in health sciences but do not meet the English language or academic direct entry requirements. It equips students with the effective English language skills, academic skills and discipline-specific knowledge to transition to their nominated health sciences undergraduate program.

Diploma programs

These focus on developing the knowledge and academic skills required for a specific discipline. Students learn the same concepts as a first-year undergraduate degree, with added academic support to facilitate active learning and confidence. By completing a diploma, students gain a direct pathway to the second year of their associated bachelor degree at ACU.

ELICOS

ACU's English language courses are delivered through the ACU English Language Centre. The courses assist students on the path to an ACU degree, prepare them to speak English in the workplace, and help them succeed in their IELTS exams.

Courses include:

• English for Academic Purposes
• General English
• English for the Workplace
• IELTS Test Preparation
• IELTS Writing Focus
• IELTS Online

The ACU English Language Centre is based in ACU's Brisbane, Melbourne and North Sydney campuses. The ACU English Language Centre is accredited by the Australian Government's Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency (TEQSA), quality assured by NEAS, and is a member of peak professional bodies: English Australia and University English Centres Australia (UECA).

All courses and assessments offered at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) are delivered in English. It is mandatory for students to demonstrate their English language proficiency to the university to make the most of their studies.

If English is a student's first language, they must have completed their last year of Australian schooling (Year 12) or an alternative equivalent qualification.

If English is not a student's first language, they will need to demonstrate their proficiency with evidence, including a recent assessment, qualification or test. This assessment, qualification or test result must be completed within two years prior to the commencement of studies at ACU.

English language proficiency requirements

Students who wish to apply to ACU can undertake the following English language proficiency assessments:

• ACU English test
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Pearson Test of English (PTE)
• Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

Students can apply to study at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) by:

• Using ACU's online application system
• Contacting an authorised education agent in their country

Students can also contact the international student support team with any queries in regards to submitting an application.

Certified documents

Students must gather certified copies of all necessary documents for their application. These documents include:

• Evidence of English language proficiency
• Passport
• Academic qualifications (completion certificates and transcripts)
• Any other document which supports a student's application, including evidence of professional registration, work experience, as well as reference letters which are relevant to their courses

Certified copies are photocopies of the original documents that have been verified as true copies.

There are a range of scholarships on offer for international students at the Australian Catholic University (ACU). Some popular international student scholarships include the following:

ACU International Student Scholarship

ACU International Student Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate and postgraduate international students who begin their education at the university and have demonstrated excellent academic merit in their previous studies. Applicants who are successful will receive a tuition fee waiver of 50 per cent of the full-time fees for the minimum duration of their course (inclusive of RPL/Credit).

Global Excellence Scholarship

In light of ACU's success in global rankings, the Peter Faber Business School will award scholarships worth up to AUD 5,000 (a tuition waiver of up to AUD 2,500 per semester) to commencing undergraduate and postgraduate students of business and information technology programmes.

Students will be eligible to receive the Global Excellence Scholarship if they successfully pass at least three subjects per semester.

Students can visit the university website to view more of the scholarships on offer.