overseas student specific information
- Application Information - Overseas Students
- Education Services for Overseas Students
- Studying in Australia
- Visa and Immigration Matters
- Entry Requirements
- Student Admission Procedure
- Enrolment Procedure
- Academic Dates 2009
- Overseas Student Fee Schedule 2009
- FEE-HELP
- Overseas Students Refund Policy
- Tuition Assurance
- Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC)
- Accreditation
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- Art and Technical Kit
- Privacy Statement
- Apply Now
Application Information - Overseas Students
The Whitehouse Institute of Design, Australia is pleased to welcome overseas students to its campuses in Sydney and Melbourne. Whitehouse has a diverse student community with students coming from all over Australia and from various international destinations. The following information has been provided to assist you to understand what you need to do to apply, enrol at Whitehouse and maintain your visa conditions.
It is advisable that overseas student applicants are familiar with the entry requirements, course program, tuition fees and Whitehouse policies before lodging the Application for Enrolment. Applications will continue to be accepted until all places have been filled. You are encouraged to lodge your application early to avoid disappointment and to allow for Student Visa approvals.
Education Services for Overseas Students
The Education Services for Overseas Students Act (ESOS Act) determines, in part, the nature of the relationship Whitehouse will develop with you. The ESOS Act has been established to ensure a high quality learning experience in Australia. For more information, visit the government website Australian Education International www.aei.gov.au/AEI/ESOS
Studying in Australia
Sydney is home to over four and half million people, making it Australia's largest capital. It's situated on the stunning Sydney Harbour surrounded by mountains and bushland. Melbourne is Australia's second largest city with over three and half million inhabitants and is the capital of Victoria, which is considered the Garden State. Both cities are famous for their wildlife reserves, national parks, glorious beaches, theatres, museums, art galleries, cinemas, restaurants and nightclubs and are renowned for being safe, tolerant and multicultural.
The cost of living in any city depends on your choice of lifestyle. Students living in Australia can usually manage on approximately AUD$350 per week. This covers rent, food and public transport but may not incorporate social activities or the cost of running a car. For overseas visitors and students, the exchange rate of the Australian Dollar and the affordable cost of living makes travel and study an attractive proposition. We recommend you visit the official Australian government web site for international students studying in Australia. www.studyinaustralia.gov.au
Visa and Immigration Matters
Your right to study in Australia as an overseas student is embodied in your student visa, which in turn imposes certain conditions that you must fulfil to stay in Australia. The Whitehouse must remind you that it is your responsibility to fulfil these requirements and that failure to comply with these requirements means that the Whitehouse is required by law to report any breaches of the visa conditions to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
The Whitehouse Institute of Design, Australia cannot, will not and does not, as a matter of regulatory compliance, quality assurance and business policy, assist an overseas student with any of the following matters:
• Initial applications to the Australian Government to obtain a student visa
• Subsequent applications for visa renewal or variation
• Reversing visa cancellations for defaulting students
• Visa applications from family members or associates of students
• Residency applications following course completion
• Requests from immigration agents or lawyers
The Whitehouse Institute will not compromise its status as a registered provider of higher education, or the accreditation of its courses by inappropriately advising or assisting students on visa or immigration matters. For information or assistance visit www.immi.gov.au
Entry Requirements
Whitehouse entry requirements are based on merit and academic performance, as well as other selection criteria. All applicants are to complete an Application for Enrolment, provide proof of academic results, present portfolio of creative works and other supporting documentation (depending on applicant category). Applicants residing in Australia are to attend an interview; remote students may be interviewed via the phone.
Applicant categories:
• Category A
Students who have completed (or will be due to complete in year of application) their Higher School studies or equivalent and have achieved a minimum UAI/ENTER or equivalent of 65 (if completing High School studies in Australia) will be required to present a portfolio of creative work
• Category B*
Students who have completed or attempted (or will be due to complete in year of application) their Higher School studies with no UAI/ENTER or equivalent will be required to present a portfolio of creative work and provide information on courses completed or attempted and the results in those courses as well as a personal statement/resumé, references or any other supporting documentation
Mature age students (applicants 21 years and over) may be admitted on the basis of their work experience, and/or other study completed and will be required to present a portfolio of creative work and provide information on courses completed or attempted and the results in those courses as well as a personal statement/resumé with work history, references or any other supporting documentation
* Category B applicants may be required to complete the Whitehouse Higher Education Bridging Program. The bridging course involves students completing two core components of study: Academic Culture and Theoretical Underpinnings for Design. Successful completion does not guarantee admission to the degree program, but can be used as evidence of recent study in combination with the portfolio/personal statement.
Additional requirements:
Overseas student applicants must be aged 18 at time of application
Provide evidence of having an English standard of IELTS 6 or TOEFL 227
Be eligible for a student visa
Application Checklist:
Applicants will need to include the following with the Application for Enrolment form:
• A copy of your academic records for the highest level of schooling you have completed and any other relevant studies completed or attempted in Australia or overseas. If currently completing your HSC/VCE or equivalent in Australia, please include your mid-year/test results, confirmation of the completion of your studies and UAI/ENTER or equivalent to be supplied upon publication
• A copy of your resumé, reference or any other relevant supporting documents (category B applicants)
• Your creative portfolio (applicants unable to attend an on-campus interview)
• 1 recent passport sized photograph - attached to application form
• Certified copy of your passport (and any current visa's)
• Certified copy of English Proficiency test result
Creative Portfolio:
6-8 pieces of design work in any medium that best evidence your creativity. The portfolio could comprise of drawings, sketches, art work, projects, textile designs or photographs of completed work or works in progress. Digital portfolios are also acceptable. It is important to include a diversity of work where possible. The portfolio must comprise of your own work and is to be recent (completed within the last 2 years). Display your work in a folder no larger that A3 with headings and/or descriptions which will help in the assessment of your work. You could include an essay (not more than one page) about design in your field of choice - remember this is to showcase your creative expression and design potential. If you do not have recent design work, contact the Whitehouse or download the relevant entrance exam which can be used to supplement or replace the creative portfolio. Entrance Exams
Student Admission Procedure
Either complete and online application or post your completed Application for Enrolment form along with supporting documentation to: The Office of Admissions, Whitehouse Institute of Design, Australia, Level 3, 55 Liverpool Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia.
Upon receipt of your application:
1. Applicants residing in Australia; Whitehouse will make a time for a selection interview at the Whitehouse at either the Sydney or Melbourne campus where you will be required to present your creative portfolio at the interview
2. For applicants residing in Australia who are unable to attend an on-campus interview; Whitehouse will make alternative arrangements such as a phone interview and you will be required to send in your portfolio with your application
3. For applicants residing overseas; Whitehouse will assess your application along with supporting documentation and creative portfolio upon receipt
After the interview/application assessment, you will be notified in writing if your application is successful. Successful applicants will be placed on a waiting list and sent a Letter of Offer with the following documentation:
1. Overseas Student Enrolment form
2. Overseas Student Admission Procedure
3. Student Contract
4. Student Handbook and academic dates
5. Overseas Student Fee schedule
6. Overseas Student Refund Policy
7. Information on Art and Technical Kits
8. Information on Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Enrolment Procedure
The Letter of Offer confirms your acceptance into the design specialisation of the Bachelor of Design, instructions on completion of the enrolment documentation and to notify you of key dates including Registration Day and course commencement. Applicants who accept the offer to enrol will have 14 days to return to the Office of Admissions the completed enrolment documentation, proof of identity (if not already supplied) 2 passport sized photos and tuition reservation deposit (refer to the fee schedule). If your enrolment if not received within 14 days, your place may be offered to the next person in the waiting list. Applicants awaiting final HSC/VCE and/or UAI/ENTER in Australia can take up the option to enrol prior to the publication of results to secure their position early, enrolment will be confirmed on receipt of final results.
Ensure you read and understand the Student Declaration on the Overseas Student Enrolment form prior to signing. Ensure you also read and understand the Student Handbook which outlines Whitehouse policies, business notices, roles and regulations for Overseas Students prior to signing the Student Contract. Overseas students are to ensure they understand the terms of the Overseas Student Refund Policy prior to signing.
Once your enrolment is received and processed, you will be allocated a student number and a position in the class. Your tuition reservation deposit is applied to the annual tuition fees and is not refundable (refer to the refund policy). Upon enrolment you will receive, in writing, confirmation of your enrolment, receipt of fees paid and statement for balance of tuition fees. A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) will be issued to assist with student visa application.
You will be required to attend a Registration Day prior to course commencement to complete your enrolment and finalise annual tuition fees. On Registration Day, student identification cards will also be processed.
Academic Dates 2009
| Semester 1: |
Monday 2nd March - Friday 17th April |
| Mid Semester break: |
Saturday 18th April - Sunday 26th April (1 week) |
| Semester 1 (cont): |
Monday 27th April - Friday 3rd July |
| Mid-year recess: |
Saturday 4th July - 26th July (3 weeks) |
| Semester 2: |
Monday 27th July - Friday 18th Sept |
| Mid Semester break: |
Saturday 19th Sept - 27th Sept (1 week) |
| Semester 2 (cont): |
Monday 28th Sept - Friday 20th Nov |
Overseas Student Fee Schedule 2009
| Bachelor of Design All design specialisations |
Annual Tuition Reservation Deposit |
Balance of Annual Tuition fee |
Annual Tuition Fee* |
Projected Tuition Fees for 3 Years** |
| Full-time only |
$3,000 | $17,960 |
$20,960 |
$62,880 |
*These fees are offered exclusively for 2009. **Subject to annual review and alteration.
All prices are in Australian Dollars and inclusive of GST where GST is applicable.
Overseas students study 4 units per semester at $2,620 per unit over 2 semesters totalling $20,960 tuition fees per annum.
Your enrolment at Whitehouse can only be confirmed and CoE issued after you submit a completed enrolment package, payment in full of annual tuition fee or tuition reservation deposit and Overseas Student Health cover (OSHC) if applicable.
Tuition Reservation Deposit: $3,000 (annual tuition reservation deposit) + $8,980 (50% of balance of annual tuition fee) + $354 OSHC*. This must be paid to reserve a place in the course. The remaining balance of annual tuition fee $8,980 can be paid in advance or 4 weeks before the end of semester 1.
*Payment of $354 not required if student is exempt or already has OSHC, provide membership and expiry details.
Balance of Annual Tuition fees: Remaining balance of annual tuition fees can be paid in advance, on or before Registration Day or no later than 4 weeks before the end of semester 1. Fees may be paid by bank cheque or direct bank transfer and in Australian Dollars only. Cheques are to be made payable to ‘Whitehouse Institute of Design, Australia'. Credit card payments via VISA and MasterCard are also accepted. Please note, a 2% surcharge will apply on all credit card payments. Late payment of tuition fees may incur a $20 per day penalty.
Late enrolment: At the discretion of the Whitehouse, students may be admitted up to three weeks after the course has commenced. A late enrolment penalty fee of $200 applies. (This does not include private tuition if required).
Withdrawal of Enrolment: Overseas students who withdraw their enrolment before February 2nd, 2009 will be refunded all tuition fees paid less annual tuition reservation deposit ($3,000). Tuition fees are non-refundable if you cancel your enrolment 28 days prior to course commencement or once the course has commenced. Students who are denied a student visa by the Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC) will be granted a full refund less the annual tuition reservation deposit ($3000). Please refer to the Student Handbook or Overseas Student Refund Policy.
Minimum numbers of students are required for a course to commence. A full refund applies where a class is cancelled due to insufficient enrolments - refer to the Student Handbook or Overseas Student Refund policy.
FEE-HELP
Students holding an overseas student, bridging or temporary resident visas are not eligible for FEE-HELP
Overseas Students Refund Policy
1. If you cancel your enrolment in writing 28 days or more before the course starting date, prepaid tuition fees are refundable, less the annual tuition reservation deposit $3000. Your application for a refund must be made in writing to the Chief Executive Officer and if approved, will be paid within 28 days of receipt of your claim
2. Students will be granted a full refund, less the annual tuition reservation deposit $3000, where the student is not granted a student visa by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). Your application for a refund must be made in writing to the Chief Executive Officer within 28 days of the visa being denied. Refunds will only be made in your home country
3. Tuition fees are non-refundable if you cancel your enrolment within 28 days prior to course commencement or once the course has started
4. No refund will be granted to a student whose enrolment is terminated for failure to comply with Whitehouse policies including, but not necessarily limited to, bad behaviour and unsatisfactory progress, or due to cancellation of their visa by DIAC for non-compliance
5. Under the ESOS Act, deferment may only be granted for exceptional circumstances (e.g. immediate family bereavement and/or partial or total incapacitation and will be considered on an individual basis at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer)
6. If the course does not start on the notified starting date, or if the course ceases to be provided before it is completed, or if the course is not provided in full (known as 'provider default') the provisions of the current relevant State and Commonwealth legislation will apply. This means that refunds will be granted in accordance with the provisions of the ESOS Act 2000 and ESOS Regulations. Refunds will be paid within 14 days of the provider default. The Whitehouse Institute may arrange for another course, or part of a course, to be provided to students at no extra cost to the student as an alternative to refunding course fees. Where the student agrees to this arrangement, the Whitehouse Institute will not be liable to refund the money owed for the original enrolment
7. This policy does not remove your right to take further action under the consumer protection laws of Australia or to pursue other legal remedies
Tuition Assurance
Whitehouse has met the tuition assurance requirements of the Higher Education Support Act (HESA) as a member of the Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET). Whitehouse is compliant with the Overseas Student Tuition Assurance Scheme (OSTAS). For further information contact Whitehouse.
Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC)
As an overseas student on a student visa you are legally required to provide evidence of maintaining approved OSHC while in Australia as a student. When you have been accepted into a program of study at the Whitehouse, and you have paid your tuition reservation deposit you will be issued with a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). Whitehouse can apply on your behalf for the first year of study or you can present the CoE to Medicare to apply for OSHC. You must provide the Student Administration Manager with evidence that you have successfully applied for OSHC by Registration Day or prior to the commencement of class. Failure to do so will jeopardise your enrolment and visa conditions.
Accreditation
Whitehouse Institute of Design, Australia is a private education provider and a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) with the New South Wales Department of Education and Training (DET) and Victorian Registration & Qualifications Authority (VRQA) and is registered for the Bachelor of Design on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS):
NSW CRICOS Course Code: 061438J - NSW CRICOS Provider No: 02863C
VIC CRICOS Course Code: 063936G - VIC CRICOS Provider No 02963K
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Students may apply for RPL or Advanced Standing for previous studies they may have undertaken. An Application for RPL, along with supporting documentation and payment of the RPL fee is to accompany the Application for Enrolment or to be lodged before commencement of studies. Refer to the Application for RPL and What is RPL information sheet. RPL Information and Application for RPL form
Art and Technical Kit
Whitehouse Institute will provide you with a detailed list of basic art materials and technical items. The kits vary according to course requirements and, although not compulsory, they are the starter kits for your design studies. Students may make their own arrangements for supplies and can be assembled by you or purchased from Whitehouse prior to commencement. Since costs of materials and supplies vary according to the program you study and individual projects, you will need to make provisions for special items. Specialised Studio Workshops require additional materials and supplies and the costs are determined by your choice of material and items.
Privacy Statement
The information supplied is required by Whitehouse to manage your application, potential enrolment and to inform you of relevant news and events. The information supplied will be held by the Student Administration Manager. Please note that failure to supply any part of the information may result in Whitehouse not being able to properly assess your application. You may also not receive relevant information and correspondence important to your application and/or studies. Supply of misleading, incomplete or false information may result in the cancellation of your application or subsequent enrolment. Whitehouse reserves the right to verify academic qualifications as supplied by you in your Application for Enrolment to the Whitehouse Institute of Design, Australia. No personal information will be given to a third party without your consent, except where required by law.