CIT was established in 1929 and is Canberra’s leading provider of vocational education and training. It is a large, government owned training institution with around 20,000 students, including more than 1,400 international students from over 75 different countries. International students have the opportunity to study at one of CIT’s three campuses, all of which offer outstanding facilities such as simulated work centres using innovative technology that is both up-to-date and practical. 

CIT’s three campuses offer cafés, canteens and bookshops; 24 hour access to the internet and study centres, fitness centres, restaurants, hairdressing salons, massage clinics and travel consultancies.

What can you study?

CIT’s courses equip students to work effectively in business and industry, or to go on to further tertiary study, and are recognised both nationally and internationally. Our qualifications range from certificate to degree level across the following subject areas:

Ecology and environmental management

Horticulture

Spatial information

Accounting

International business

Advertising

Marketing

Human resource management

Management

3D animation

Building design

Digital communication

Design (fashion, graphic and interior)

Journalism

Music

Photography

Public relations

Media production

Engineering

Information technology

Forensic investigation

Hospitality and hotel management

Event management

Tourism

Community development

Fitness and sport development

Aged care

Student Life

CIT offers a wide range of student services including access to learning centres, peer support, counselling, 24-hour computer labs and libraries. Class sizes at CIT are kept small so that teachers can provide one-on-one assistance and a supportive learning environment. There are regular exhibitions of students’ work, including music concerts, fashion runway shows, ‘Icon’ dinner parties (where our hospitality students work with a famous chef for the evening and cater for a function of over 200 guests) and a Hairdressing Expo.

Self-catered accommodation is available in three student residences at CIT, all of which are located close to the CIT campuses, public transport and shopping centres. Alternatively, students can opt for homestay accommodation (living with an Australian family) which is a great way to experience the country, particularly if it is your first visit.

Students can opt to work part-time while in Australia on a student visa, and there are plenty of opportunities to find casual work in Canberra – the city currently has the lowest unemployment rate in Australia at 3.6 per cent.

There are plenty of other things to do though, besides study and work! Other activities include discovering Canberra, one of Australia’s most relaxed cities. It offers students a cosmopolitan lifestyle, access to native bushland and reveals unexpected delights among its leafy surroundings, including stylish restaurants, hip bars, boutique shopping, great outdoor activities and a busy calendar of events and festivals.

Awards & Professional Recognition

CIT has been recognised for its excellence at a number of awards ceremonies, including the 2009 Australian Export Awards; the National Tourism Awards; and the 2009 Australian Travel Awards.

Dan Kipp, 33, is from Germany. He’s studying a Diploma of IT (Networking)

“I had travelled to Australia before, so coming over this time felt more like coming home. I chose Canberra because I knew people here and from what I’d heard CIT seemed to be a good choice.
I like Canberra because there is a lot to do and it is only a short drive to the coast which I really like, the mountains are not too far away either and the area around Canberra is really nice if you like to go for a hike. I am living at CIT Student Accommodation which is only a five minute walk to my campus and the city centre. There are heaps of other students around so there is always someone to socialise with, which makes things easier at the beginning. Most of my friends in Canberra are Australians, although I think it is easy to mix in as there are heaps of other international students around as well.”

Sarwat Maqbool is from Pakistan. She’s studying the Advanced Diploma of Public Relations at CIT

“Coming to Australia for education was one of my dreams. And most important was to get a qualification which would give me real-life professional skills. I spent many weeks searching for the right course and CIT’s Advanced Diploma of Public Relations was perfect for me. Studying is a serious business: the time and money is a huge investment, and Canberra offers the right environment to study and learn. The city has malls, cafés, parks, cinemas – there is always something happening. If you are looking for skills development, a friendly environment, academic support, plus fun and adventure, I would recommend CIT.”