Hobart City Breakdown - Schools, Attractions, Culture

Hobart Snapshot

Thousands of students choose to study in Hobart each year, and with good reason. Not only does this historic capital city offer multiple quality educational options, it also offers a wide array of cultural festivities throughout the year, outdoor adventures in the surrounding areas, a mild, comfortable climate and excellent beaches.

Study Options

Students looking to study in Hobart have a variety of educational options from which to choose, the most popular being the University of Tasmania, the Tasmanian College of English and TAFE Tasmania.

TAFE Tasmania is the only technical and further education institute in the state and offers more than 450 courses on over 30 campuses across the region, several of which are located in the Hobart area. Approximately 35,000 students further their education through TAFE Tasmania each year and enjoy a variety of student services, such as childcare centers, libraries, bookshops, cafeterias, free Internet access and computers that have multiple language capabilities.

TAFE Tasmania programs include:

• Business
• Engineering
• Health
• Environment
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Natural Resources
• Local Government
• Information Communication Technology
• Cookery, Bakery and Butchery
• Clothing, Textiles and Design

The Tasmanian College of English is located just ten minutes from Hobart's shopping district in a beautiful historic house. The college offers a variety of English language programs and course options for those who wish to study in Hobart, including:

• General English
• Academic English
• Cambridge Examinations
• Teacher Training
• English + Sport and Culture

Founded in 1890, the University of Tasmania was the fourth university to be established in Australia. The original campus was located on the Domain in Hobart and was relocated to Sandy Bay 50 years later due to growth. The university has continued to grow and now has campuses across Tasmania, including the Hobart campus.

The University of Tasmania offers a comprehensive university curriculum with a wide variety of educational programs, including:

• English language courses
• Foundation Studies
• Arts and Music
• Education
• Health Science
• Law
• Business
• Geography and Environmental Studies
• Nursing and Midwifery
• Medicine
• Psychology
• Zoology
• Computing and Information Systems
• Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability
• Engineering
• Visual and Performing Arts

Local Scene

Students who choose to study in Hobart will be greeted by a picturesque, unique natural beauty that sets Tasmania apart from the mainland. Surrounded by opportunities for outdoor adventures, students can choose between going to the beach, hiking in the mountains, visiting national parks or exploring botanical gardens when not in the classroom.

Hobart and the surrounding area are filled with cultural, historical and natural attractions, including:

• Mount Wellington
• Royal Tasmanian Botanical Garden
• Tasman Bridge
• Hobart Synagogue (Australia's oldest synagogue)
• Federation Concert Hall
• Salamanca Markets
• Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
• Derwent Entertainment Centre
• Wrest Point Hotel Casino
• Theatre Royale (Australia's oldest theater)

Students will also find a lively nightlife and well-developed music scene, as well as numerous festivals throughout the year, including the Hobart Fringe Festival, Ten Days on the Island Festival, Southern Roots Festival, Hobart Summer Festival and the Soundscape Festival.

Accommodation Options

Accommodation options vary depending on where you choose to study in Hobart. Those who attend the Tasmanian College of English will need to arrange private accommodation, such as a homestay or private or shared apartment; whereas students studying at TAFE Tasmania or the University of Tasmania will be able to choose between accommodations provided through the schools or off-campus housing.

TAFE Tasmania students may opt for homestays or hostels during shorter stays, or can choose between renting an apartment or house off-campus or staying in one of the student residences offered by the school for longer stays. TAFE Tasmania student residences offer furnished accommodations with onsite laundry facilities, student lounges and game rooms.

University of Tasmania students who study in Hobart have numerous accommodation options from which to choose. Students who prefer off-campus private or shared rentals have access to a list of rentals in the area to assist them in finding the private housing option that best fits their needs. For those who are interested in university housing, there are two Residential Colleges, shared houses, apartments and single accommodation options. The Residential Colleges offer a variety of amenities, including free academic tutoring, a 24-hour computer and resource center, reduced costs for meals in campus food halls and cafés, and cultural and sporting activities.

Hobart Highlights

Hobart is the capital of Tasmania and has more than 200,000 residents, making it the largest city in the state. Originally founded as a penal colony in 1803, it is the second oldest capital city in Australia. As the birthplace of Princess Mary, the wife of the Crown Prince of Denmark, this small, historic city is quickly growing in fame around the world, but has managed to retain the feel of a smaller town as its celebrity grows. Set among the lush valleys, vineyards, rivers and historic villages that abound in the southeastern part of Tasmania, Hobart is bordered by the Derwent River with Mount Wellington holding a prominent position in the city's skyline.

Students who enjoy the dining, shopping and entertainment offered by city life, as well as weekend outdoor adventures, will find Hobart an ideal location for furthering their education. With quality educational institutions, a variety of historical and cultural attractions, and fun festivals throughout the year, those who choose to study in Hobart are sure to obtain a solid education both in- and outside of the classroom.