Services and Information

Student Services

Our friendly staff members speak a variety of languages. You’ll be able to talk to someone about any problems you are having adjusting to life in Sydney. We will do everything possible to support you while you are studying at Castle College. If you have any problems, we have people here to help you.

We can assist you with:

• Homestay and airport pickups

• Accommodation (hostels, hotels)

• Visas and travel arrangements

• Academic guidance

• Insurance and banking

• Overseas Student Health Cover

• Further studies (university or VET)

Homestay

Living with a homestay family is a great way to improve your English and experience Australian culture. Castle College prefers to use an agent for homestay arrangements. You can request either a single room or a double shared room with or without meals – it depends on the service you require and how much your budget allows.

Our Teachers

You will receive quality instruction from our team of teachers who are:

• professional

• university graduates

• certified second language instructors

• experienced and dedicated

• dynamic and interesting
  

Teaching methods

Classes at Castle College follow a communicative approach. Classes are active and interaction with other students in the class is important.

Assessment methods

Assessment is carried out regularly. Classroom tests are used to check how well you understand classroom materials. Classroom tests may be multiple choice, short answers, or other quizzes. Assessment tests are used to check your overall progress in English. We assess speaking, listening, reading and writing. Teachers may also have you do oral presentations or write short essays to assess your progress.

 Study Environment 

Classrooms have tables and chairs or tablet chairs. There is audio visual equipment.   

Recreation and Entertainment 

Castle College has a student common room and common areas for students. The student common room has microwave ovens and kettles. There is a student notice board that gives information on various recreational activities around Sydney. Entertainment in Sydney is as cheap or as expensive as you can afford. The Festival of Sydney, an annual event held in January, provides inexpensive or free entertainment that showcases cultural and artistic aspects of Australia. Some extra entertainment cost estimates are presented in the table.   

Accessing the Internet

Computers are provided for students to access the Internet.  

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Castle College can arrange OSHC for you. Students on student visas on or after July 1, 2010 will need OSHC for the duration of their stay in Australia. The table below can help you determine how long your OSHC needs to be.

Employment

Students on student visas are able to work up to 20 hours per week during their study period. Permission to work is automatically granted when you get a student visa. There a variety of websites which provide useful information for job seekers.

Money

The Australian dollar is the national currency. It has notes of $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5. There are two gold coins of $2 and $1. There are silver coins of 50 cents, 20 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents. There are no 1 cent or 2 cent coins. Although many business charge $5.99 for a product, you end up paying $6.00.

Cost of Living

If you're studying in Sydney some of the things you will need to pay for include accommodation, food, clothes, entertainment and transport. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship says that overseas students need to show that they have access to at least $18,000 a year to fund their living costs in Australia.

Establishment costs

When you first arrive in Sydney there will be a number of establishment costs. If you want to live independently you will need to pay for rental accommodation bond (four weeks rent), rent in advance, furniture, as well as telephone and internet connection. There are also things like kitchenware and electricity connection. You should expect to pay around $4000 if you want to live independently. If you want to live in shared accommodation or in a homestay, then these costs should be a lot cheaper.

Transport costs

Transport costs depend on the distance you live from the college. The following website provides information on public transport in Sydney http://www.131500.com.au/

Your first day at college

On your first day at college we will collect some information from you, do a placement test and then give you some information about studying in Australia. You will have a short interview to discuss your studies in Australia. It is important that you bring your passport and visa, COE and letter of offer on your first day.