Founded in 1966 this Adelaide-based varsity has established a significant reputation for research and publication and citation of  research papers

Located a mere ten km from downtown Adelaide, capital of South Australia, Flinders University enjoys a sizeable reputation in the sixth continent for excellence in teaching and research. It offers over 160 undergrad and postgrad degrees internationally reputed for their academic quality, flexibility and innovation. Flinders is one of the few Australian universities offering specialised undergraduate courses in forensic and analytical chemistry, marine biology, eco-tourism and nanotechnology. The varsity has also established a significant reputation for research and on a per capita basis is consistently ranked among the top 10 universities for attracting research funding and for the publication and citation of research papers.

Moreover during the two decades past, Flinders has introduced over 30 new degree and diploma study programmes while promoting an aeronautics research institute in Adelaide, a marine research centre in Port Lincoln and a clinical medical school in the northern territory, and was the first university in Australia to introduce a graduate entry medical programme.

Comments Anne R. Edwards, vice-chancellor of Flinders University: “Overseas students come from over 70 countries and are found across the whole range of courses we offer, in arts and science, as well as business and the professions. In the research field, where Flinders has always been among the top ranked, the university was again successful in the competition for research grants from the major funding agencies. In obtaining funding from the Australian Research Council, the university’s success rate for projects involving industry partners was the second highest in the country.”

Founded in 1966, the university takes its name from British navigator Matthew Flinders who explored and surveyed the South Australian coastline in 1802. It currently boasts 13,550 students and 654 faculty on its muster rolls.

Adelaide. A cosmopolitan city of about one million, Adelaide is the capital of South Australia, famous for its colonial architecture and relaxed lifestyle. A well-planned metropolis with wide roads and boulevards, squares, parklands and a mix of historical and modern buildings, Adelaide offers excellent social and recreational opportunities, including cinema, theatre, music, shopping, swimming, sailing and windsurfing on nearby beaches, hiking excursions and exploration of towns, villages and wineries neighbouring the city. Adelaide is bordered by hills to the east and a line of sandy swimming beaches to the west, both less than 20 minutes from the Flinders campus. An efficient public transport system directly links the university with the central business district.

Moreover according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics surveys, the cost of food, housing and transport is generally lower in Adelaide than in other major Australian cities and significantly lower than in Sydney and Melbourne. The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with cool to cold snowless winters and hot dry summers. The warmest months are January and February and the coldest July-August. Summer temperature averages 29oC and winter 16oC.

Campus facilities. Flinders’ 180-hectare campus offers panoramic perspectives of Adelaide’s city, coast and suburbs. Modern buildings and facilities are set in spacious grounds of natural Australian bush, pine forest, formal gardens, a tree-fringed lake and sweeping lawns. The campus which is a mere 12 km from the city centre is equipped with shops, a post office, bank, pharmacy, book store, travel agent, laundromat, music room, religious centre and Muslim prayer rooms, as well as traditional student services such as refectories and a sports centre.

The university library is extensive, comprising four separate units. Between them they offer more than 1.5 million print volumes and provide access to over 20,000 items on electronic resources. Each library unit has extensive reading areas and offers microfilm and audio-visual materials, a comprehensive range of CD-ROM databases, and free internet access.

Moreover there are over 70 clubs and societies on campus catering to an array of interests. The University Union offers a wide range of services including financial and welfare advice, assistance to find vacation employment and self-development courses.

Admission. The minimum eligibility requirement for admission into Flinders’ undergrad programmes is successful completion of Plus Two. For postgrad programmes a first class bachelor’s degree from a recognised university is mandatory. Students also have to submit proof of proficiency in English — an IELTS score of 6 or a TOEFL score of 550 is generally acceptable. Application forms must be accompanied by supporting documents including certified copies of academic transcripts, evidence of English language proficiency, and proof of work experience, if required. However some courses may have additional entry requirements.

Applications can be made any time during the year but must be received by November 30 for courses commencing at the start of the following year (February/ March) or by May 31 for mid-year (July) intakes. Applications must be made on approved university forms and accompanied by a non-refundable A$55 (Rs.1,430) application fee.

For further information contact the International Office, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, Australia. Tel: 61 8 8201 2727; Fax: 61 8 8201 3177; e-mail admissions@flinders.edu.au or visit www.flinders.edu.au/international/students/. 

Accommodation. Flinders University has a full-time accommodation service to help students find suitable housing on or off campus. On-campus housing comprises University Hall and Flinders University Village. University Hall is an attractive and secure 240-room residence which offers all students private rooms with a bed, desk, chair, heater, private telephone, data connection and cup-boards. Kitchen and bathroom facilities are shared with other students. Meals are provided only on weekdays. The Flinders University Village complex provides 311 students affordable self-catered accommodation. The first townhouses were built in 1985, with subsequent accommodation added throughout the 18 years following. Each unit contains a common living area, a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom facilities, secure storage space and single beds in rooms.

Students wishing to live off campus can choose to share a house, apartment or townhouse with other students or non-students. For more information, e-mail flinders.housing@flinders.edu.au. 

Degree programmes. Flinders has a wide range of innovative and flexible programmes in areas as diverse as medicine, education, sciences, engineering and law. It offers over 160 undergrad and postgrad programmes, doctoral degrees as well as graduate diplomas and certificates (see box).

Given the varsity’s significant reputation for research, it coordinates its research activities through four major institutes — Flinders Medical Research Institute, Flinders Institute for Health Research, Flinders Institute for Research in Science and Technology and the Flinders Institute for Research in Society and Culture.

Scholastic options at Flinders

The university offers undergrad and postgrad programmes across four faculties. They include:

Faculty of Education, Humanities, Law and Theology. School of education, school of law, school of theology, school of humanities, archaeology, cultural studies, Australian studies, cultural tourism, legal studies, drama, English, languages, French, Italian, modern Greek, Spanish and Portuguese, philosophy, screen studies

Faculty of Health Sciences. School of medicine, school of nursing and midwifery

Faculty of Science and Engineering. School of biological sciences, school of chemistry, physics and earth sciences, school of informatics and engineering

Faculty of Social Sciences. Department of American studies, Flinders Asia Centre, school of business economics, school of commerce, school of geography, population and environmental management, department of history, school of political and international studies, school of psychology, school of social administration and social work, department of sociology, department of women’s studies, Flinders institute of public policy and management, national institute of labour studies

For a detailed list of academic programmes offered by each faculty, visit www.flinders.edu.au.

 Bill of costs (annual)

Tuition fee: A$13,500-24,000
Overseas student health cover: A$312
Accommodation: A$3,380
Food: A$2,860
Public transport: A$624
Personal expenses: A$3,016

NB A$=Rs.26

Summiya Yasmeen