Adelaide City Guide - Education Programs, Local Scene, Attractions

Adelaide Snapshot

Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and is home to three of Australia's respected universities, as well as a pre-university college dedicated to assisting international students in successfully entering one of Australia's world-renowned universities. Students who choose to study in Adelaide will find a warm, welcoming environment with great public transportation, easy access to both cultural and natural attractions, amazing arts and culture, and an affordable cost of living.

Study Options

International students interested in programs of study in Adelaide will be delighted to find that an array of subjects is available at some of Australia's most well-respected schools, allowing students to receive a topnotch education while enjoying the lower cost of living and multicultural environment of Adelaide.

Many international students choose to study in Adelaide because it offers all of the benefits of larger cities in Australia, but is easier to get around in, much more affordable and much friendlier. There are four schools in Adelaide that welcome international students and provide exceptional student services to ensure a gratifying experience while studying in Australia.

These schools are:

• University of Adelaide
• Flinders University
• University of South Australia
• Bradford College

Students can choose the University of Adelaide, one of Australia's top universities that is a member of the Group of Eight and was established in 1874; Flinders University, which has a strong research profile; or University of South Australia, the largest university in South Australia. At these three universities, students can choose from numerous program options, including health sciences, nursing and midwifery, social sciences, business, environmental studies, engineering, humanities, law, theology, architecture and computer science.

Bradford College is a pre-university pathway college that is located on the University of Adelaide campus and offers English-language programs, foundation studies and degree transfer programs to prepare international students for successful entry into the University of Adelaide, or one of Australia's other prestigious universities.

Local Scene

Adelaide is a cosmopolitan city where there is always something going on. Art galleries, museums, festivals and cultural events provide weekend activities for students, all within easy reach of any of the university campuses, thanks to a the stellar public transportation system and well-organized layout of the city.

This region of Australia enjoys a Mediterranean-style climate with hot and dry summers in the 25-35ºC range, rainy winters averaging 10-15ºC and four distinct seasons. There are a number of theaters, movie theaters, music venues, shopping centers and pubs to keep students busy when it rains, while outdoor cafés, lazy days at the beach, water sports and outdoor activities are the norm when the sun is out.

Some of the most popular area attractions that students who study in Adelaide should be sure to visit include:

• Granite Island and the fairy penguins
• Art Gallery of South Australia
• Port Adelaide Lighthouse
• Belair National Park
• Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary
• Adelaide Botanic Gardens
• Haigh's Chocolate Factory

Accommodations

International students will find a variety of accommodation options in Adelaide, providing ample choices that allow students to determine their ideal living situation based on the school they choose to attend, budget, personal preference and proximity to campus or local attractions. An exceptional, affordable public transportation system allows students who choose to live off-campus to conveniently commute to and from school, while providing students residing in on-campus housing easy access to local amenities, dining, shopping and entertainment.

Flinders University students have the option of arranging for lodgings at townhouses managed by the university, or University Hall. Additionally, students can opt for private accommodations in nearby suburbs, such as Brighton, Pasadena, Wayvill, Black Forest, Seacliff and several others, each of which is in close proximity to the campus and is serviced by a local bus service.

University of Adelaide students have abundant options for accommodations, including several fully-furnished choices that include apartments, share houses and five nearby residential colleges. Some offer meal plans, free transportation to campus, game rooms, study rooms, computer kiosks, swimming pools, sports facilities and courtyards with barbecues. Subsidized share accommodations are also available to students in need of financial assistance for their lodgings.

Bradford College students also have the option of staying in University of Adelaide housing while they study in Adelaide, or students at both schools can opt for homestays with Australian families, student hostels, or shared or private apartments or houses.

University of South Australia does not have university-managed accommodations for campuses, other than the Whyalla campus, which is a significant distance from Adelaide; however, as with the other universities, dedicated housing support staff can assist students in finding the right off-campus housing to fit their needs.

Adelaide Highlights

Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and is home to approximately 1.1 million residents. Known for its focus on arts, culture and education, Adelaide is an ideal location for international students to receive their education while experiencing the diversity and multicultural atmosphere created by the over 100 ethnic groups living in Adelaide. Adelaide has a lower cost of living than Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth, while still offering a high quality of life, readily available dining, shopping and entertainment, and a plethora of cultural and natural attractions.

Students who choose to study in Adelaide will find that this cosmopolitan city offers a welcoming atmosphere for international students with friendly residents and plenty to do any time of the year.