Education in Canberra - quality institutions, high achievement

Canberra's education system and institutions produce the most highly educated population and workforce in the country, and they attract increasing numbers of students from around the world.

Four universities and a technology institute are producing graduates with the skills and ideas to help quench the region's - and the world’s - thirst for solutions, particularly in knowledge-based and skill-intensive industries.

Almost 5,000 students from more than 90 countries study at secondary and tertiary institutions in Canberra. With 1.6% of the Australian population, Canberra attracts 2.1% of all international students coming into the country.

• At the Australian National University (ANU)  , more than 90 countries are represented among a total of around 13,500 students.
• The University of Canberra's (UC) overseas students come from more than 80 countries, mainly from the Asia-Pacific, but also from Africa, the Americas, the Middle East and Europe. UC also teaches programs in six countries in Asia.
• The Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) enrols more than 700 international students each year, representing over 50 countries.
• around 500 international fee paying and exchange students attend ACT government schools . This number doesn't include dependants of diplomats attending schools in Canberra.

International students choose Canberra for a variety of reasons:

• Canberra is home to world class, high quality education institutions.
• It is an open, tolerant and diverse society. More than one-quarter of Canberra residents were born overseas.
• It is small enough to travel around easily and safely, and large enough to boast world-class facilities. The beach, the snow and the big cities are in easy reach.
• The environment is clean, the crime rate is low, and housing is diverse and affordable.

A strong mix of Institutions

A strong and diverse mix of education institutions backs Canberra's highly educated community and workforce. A snapshot reveals that:

• the Australian National University (ANU) has been ranked 16th in the world in a comparison of the world's top 200 universities by the Times Higher Education Supplement. ANU ranks in the top 100 in the world in eight subjects - twice as many as the next best in Australia.
• the University of Canberra (UC) has one of the highest employment rates for graduates in Australia. It educates students for around 30 professions, from information technology and management to environmental science and sports studies.
• the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) wins a satisfaction rating of around 90% from both graduates and employers. The CIT provides 350 nationally accredited vocational education and training programs across five faculties .
• the Australian Catholic University (ACU) scores a five-star rating for staff-student ratios and staff qualifications. Its Canberra campus offers programs in arts, education, social work and theology.
• around 1700 students study and research in arts, business, engineering, and science and technology at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) , part of the University of New South Wales.
• the school system in Canberra is sought after as it prepares students for further study, career and life.

World-class Research & Development capability

Canberra's tertiary institutions are world leaders in a number of areas of research and development, including:

• biotechnology,
• space science,
• sports science and management,
• environmental science,
• ICT,
• public policy and administration,
• education,
• health and Asia Pacific politics.

There is a strong tradition of collaboration with industry, particularly in emerging high-technology sectors.

An independent review in 2004 found that almost 30% of ANU research was in the top 5% worldwide. ANU researchers have won two Nobel Prizes in medical research.

A highly educated community and workforce

More people in Canberra have higher qualifications than anywhere else in Australia. Almost 90% of students stay on to Year 12, compared to around 75% nationally, and:

• around 66% of people aged 25-64 had a vocational or higher qualification (compared to 55% nationally);
• more than 17% held a bachelor degree (around 10% nationally); and
• 5% had a post-graduate degree (2% nationally).

A CANBERRA EDUCATION PREPARES STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS!