Studying as an international student at Notre Dame

Course Mode and Assessment Structure

Most undergraduate courses at Notre Dame require study for at least three or four years. Assessment in most units (subjects) is usually the combination of assignment or project work, field or laboratory work, in class testing and/or tutorial participation as well as a final examination.

Postgraduate programs can be studied as coursework alone, by research, or as a combination of coursework and research. The length of study can range from one semester (Graduate Certificate) to a three-year doctoral program.

All units (subjects), except some advanced language courses, are taught in English and are generally held during weekdays, although some units (particularly postgraduate) are run in the evenings and/or on weekends.

The number of class hours varies with each unit, although most standard (three credit-point) units have three hours of class contact per week.

Accreditation of Notre Dame's Courses

Notre Dame is a self-accrediting body under the Australian Qualifications Framework , which is a Commonwealth and State Government endorsed framework ensuring consistency across qualifications as well as national and international recognition of Australian university degrees.

In addition, the University has achieved accreditation with all of the relevant professional and statutory bodies for many of its courses (for example, Association of Chartered Accountants, Certified Practicing Accountants, Nurses Board and the Department of Education Services) and is seeking accreditation for all other relevant courses. Full details of accreditation of individual courses are available from the courses page .

International students should seek advice in their home country in regards to professional recognition of a Notre Dame degree.

Accommodation

The university can arrange accommodation to suit your needs. You might like to stay in a home environment or maybe you would prefer University accommodation close to campus, a hostel or an apartment. This may be the first time that you have lived away from home and experienced a new culture and it may take time to find a place of your own. Notre Dame can assist you in this settling down period.

Fremantle is a great place to live with its social atmosphere and beachside location. The area is also famous for its restaurants, cafes, pubs and shopping. Everyday Fremantle harbour comes alive with sailing boats and commercial shipping to give the port town an exciting feeling. All of this will be within walking distance from the Notre Dame campus and either a short walk or public transport ride away from your accommodation residence.

Homestay

Our homestay families are very experienced and welcoming. Homestay is a unique opportunity for students to experience life in Australia. If you are studying English prior to commencing university studies, staying with an Australian family is the most effective way to improve English quickly. Students are provided with their own bedroom and study desk. Breakfast and dinner is provided from Monday to Friday and three meals a day on the weekends. Some special features of homestay accommodation are listed below:

  • Western Australians are renowned for their friendliness and relaxed, high-quality lifestyle
  • It's important to the University that homestay families are interested in international students, have time to spend with the students and can provide a comfortable, clean and safe environment
  • The University maintains contact with homestay families on a regular basis
  • Homestay families must live no more than 40 minutes travel time by public transport from the Fremantle Campus
  • It is University policy that students should not share their homestay with someone from their own home country unless specifically requested

Costs:

  • AUD$160-180 per person per week and AUD$170 Placement Fee

Student Residence

Norfolk Lodge
32 Arundel Street
Fremantle, WA 6160

Norfolk Lodge is within easy walking distance of the University. Students can choose from a private single room, a double room or triple room. All rooms have access to shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. Bedrooms contain a bed, side table, lamp, study desk, wardrobes and drawers. Bed linen is changed fortnightly and is included in the rent.

Facilities include:

  • Common room
  • TV room
  • Laundry service
  • Kitchen
  • Dining room
  • Rear courtyard with BBQ facilities
  • Public phones

Costs:

  • AUD$140 per person per week or AUD$2240 per person per semester

Hostels

Sundancer Backpackers Resort
80 High Street
Fremantle, WA 6160
Tel: 1800 061 144 (free call within Australia)

This hostel is mainly dormitory style accommodation where guests share rooms of 4, 6 or 8 people. It is a three minute walk from the University and is 500 metres from the beach, 400 metres from the train station and close to all amenities. It has a large kitchen where guests can prepare their meals, a laundry, TV, music, videos and DVDs, Internet facilities, BBQ facilities and a spa bath. The rooms are large and open with shared bathroom facilities. It is highly recommended for short-term stays.

Costs:

  • 8 Share Dorm AUD$100 per week per person
  • 6 Share Dorm AUD$110 per week per person
  • 4 Share Dorm AUD$130 per week per person
  • Double Ensuite AUD$350 per week
    (these rooms are scarce so would need to be booked well in advance)

Stella Maris Lodge
12- 16 Queen Victoria Street
Fremantle, WA, 6160
Tel: +61 8 9335 1958

The Lodge is a short ten minute walk to the Fremantle Campus, beaches, cafes and shops. It is located on major bus routes and within easy reach of Fremantle train station. Students can choose from a private single room with an ensuite, or shared facilities. All rooms provide reverse-cycle air-conditioning, television, desk and mini fridge. Students can choose to include a continental breakfast in the cost of the accommodation or enjoy breakfast from a local café nearby.

Facilities include:

  • Chapel
  • Common room & recreation room
  • Laundry facilities
  • Kitchen & dining room
  • Shop/canteen
  • Bicycle security
  • Phone booths
  • Internet and lounge bar
  • Postal and message service
  • Foreign currency exchange

Costs:

  • Single Room - AUD$180 per week

Apartment or House

There is no shortage of comfortable and reasonably priced apartments and shared houses in Fremantle. All are within easy walking distance or public transport ride to the campus. Generally houses are more expensive than apartments and costs vary depending upon location, facilities available, age and other conditions of the house or apartment. Weekly rental costs can vary from approximately $60 to $100 or more per person.

Should students choose this option, University staff are able to assist in providing information on tenancies, leases and bonds, maps, real estate agent contacts and other useful information. To commence renting a property your are required to pay two weeks' rent in advance, plus one weeks' rent in advance (letting fee), plus four weeks' rent in advance (bond), making a total of seven weeks' rent in advance. The Residential Tenancy Act is the government legislation under which all rentals are regulated in this state of Australia.

Apartment or house rental cannot be arranged in advance. Students need to be in Fremantle to inspect available housing, meet prospective housemates, sign leases, pay bonds and ensure accommodation suits their own personal requirements. For these reasons we recommend temporary accommodation for the first week or two while students look for a more permanent house.

Further information about accommodation in the Fremantle area can be obtained from the Notre Dame Students Services Accommodation website.