Like many students about to head off to university, you’ll probably be leaving home. It’s a big step. But why not take a slightly bigger step? Come to the University of Newcastle in Australia and expand your horizons!

The city of Newcastle, New South Wales

Newcastle is situated on the east coast of Australia, two hours drive north of Sydney. Newcastle city reaches out to sea on a peninsula at the mouth of the Hunter River. This distinctive geography creates the only Australian city with a CBD on the beach and the harbour waterfront. Newcastle is set on a breathtaking stretch of the Pacific Ocean coastline and is Australia’s sixth largest city. It boasts some of Australia’s best beaches and waterways for swimming, surfing, sailing and other water sports. Combined with a low cost of living and a favourable climate, Newcastle presents a relaxed and welcoming lifestyle. With a regional population of about 500,000, the city supports a thriving business and commercial sector and an excellent network of healthcare and educational facilities. Newcastle is home to some of the best entertainment venues on the east coast and offers many of the usual city comforts – restaurants, cafes, parks and gardens, theatres, art galleries, shopping centres and nightclubs.

The city of Newcastle has built a solid international and domestic reputation for the wealth of talent that radiates from it. From the commercial success of bands such as Silverchair to the annual cultural activities such as the Shootout Film Festival and the This Is Not Art exhibition, Newcastle boasts a vibrant artistic and creative scene, attracting attention worldwide.

Just ten minutes drive from the city centre, visitors can get up close and personal with some of Australia’s unique and beautiful wildlife. Blackbutt Reserve hosts spacious modern facilities which allow close viewing of a variety of animal – kangaroos, koalas, emus, wallabies, wombats and an array of Australian bird species. Nearby Lake Macquarie is Australia’s largest coastal saltwater lake – four times the size of Sydney Harbour.

Why choose the University of Newcastle, Australia?
We are proud of our reputation and the quality of our graduates. We believe Newcastle is the perfect place to grow – academically, professionally and personally.

The University of Newcastle was founded in 1965 and currently operates on two main campuses. The largest, set on a 140 hectare natural bushland site, is at Callaghan, about 12 kilometres west of the Newcastle city centre. The other, on an 85 hectare site adjacent to national parkland, is on the Central Coast at Ourimbah, about halfway between Newcastle and Sydney. The University of Newcastle’s Conservatorium of Music, Legal Centre and Graduate School of Business are all located near Civic Park in the centre of Newcastle. The University of Newcastle’s student population is just under 27,000, including some 6,000 international students from more than 80 countries.

The University of Newcastle offers an extensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes including most of the professional degree programmes such as architecture, law, medicine, engineering, teaching, surveying, social work, and nursing. As well, we offer a vast array of courses in disciplines such as computing, fine art, science, mathematics, modern languages, nutrition and dietetics, sociology and anthropology, classics, history, economics, business, philosophy and communications, to name just a few.

The University of Newcastle’s greatest research strengths are in Aboriginal studies, behavioural science, biomedical science, building and construction, business studies, education, electrical engineering, computer science and information technology, environmental systems, materials science, minerals and processing, physical systems, public health, reproductive systems, and the study of society.

Our graduates are highly regarded both in Australia and internationally. We also offer exciting and challenging postgraduate coursework and research programmes, all of which are available on-campus, by distance or online.

Our students enjoy outstanding facilities including a number of large, well-stocked libraries and award-winning buildings. The University of Newcastle offers fantastic sporting facilities, the largest single site accommodation complex of any university in Australia, a welfare service dedicated to international students, careers and student employment office and a Health Service. We are proud to own two of the finest natural bushland campuses in the country, both close to beautiful beaches and national parks. With our walking trails, bike paths, cafés, and shops, plus a sub-tropical climate that’s hard to beat, it won’t take you long to settle into our friendly, relaxed way of life.

We are committed to the highest possible standards in teaching, learning and research. Academic standards, superb recreational facilities, natural surroundings, award-winning buildings and access to the latest technology are all part of the reason that growing numbers of students put Newcastle first.

Living on campus

On-campus accommodation at Callaghan comprises around 1,000 beds in four colleges that provide a mix of communal and independent living. Places are always in great demand so the earlier you contact us the better. Applications for on-campus accommodation close 30 November for semester 1 and 31 May for semester 2. www.newcastle.edu.au/services/accommodation.

Teacher training in Australia: The Master of Teaching at the University of Newcastle

Now is a great time to be a teacher. Teachers are in demand within Australia and internationally, and this demand is only expected to increase in the coming years. Teaching is an immensely rewarding career, where you can have a profound impact on young people's education, career aspirations and lives.

The Master of Teaching at the University of Newcastle aims to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes necessary for a highly successful career in teaching. It aims to develop graduates who are inspirational teachers with the ability to act professionally, ethically and effectively in their schools; insightful scholars with the capability to engage in rational enquiry into curriculum, policy and practice; and innovative leaders with the capacity to play a constructive role in public discourse on and beyond education.

Course structure

The M Teach is a two year full time programme. Students will complete the equivalent of 60 days professional experience in relevant school settings. You will need to choose between the M Teach (Primary) and M Teach (Secondary).

Professional experience

Our courses incorporate traditional and innovative approaches to professional experience, and students will engage with the profession through a series of rolling days and blcok placements. In-school professional teaching experiences may involve placements in schools in a variety of regions outside the Newcastle area. Placements are supervised by school or university staff, and students are expected to satisfy a range of professional teaching competencies as part of the successful completion of the programme.

Professional accreditation

Graduates of an accredited initial teacher education programme will be eligible for registration with the New South Wales Institute of Teachers, and can pursue careers as teachers or educators in both the NSW Department of Edcuation and Training, Catholic Education and independent school systems; and in the public and private sectors both nationally and internationally. Students wishing to teach in countries other than Australia must also check local accreditation requirements.

Entry requirements

Admission to the M Teach (Primary) is based on the successful completion of a bachelors degree that contains study across several of the Key Learning Areas - these are English, mathematics, science and technology, personal development, health and physical education, creative arts and human society and its environment.

Applicants for the M Teach (Secondary) must have successfully completed a relevant bachelors degree from a recognised university. All applicants must have studied at least a first recognised teaching area of major in their bachelors degree, with a second additional teaching area likely to improve their employability. The recognised teaching areas are ancient history, biology, business studies, chemistry, drama, earth and environmental science, economics, English, geography, legal studies*, languages other than English (including French, Chinese and Japanese), maths, modern history, music, physics, society and culture*, studies of religion* and visual arts. Subjects marked * are available as second teaching areas only.

Click here to request a prospectus, an application form, or to talk to a student advisor about your options