University focus: The University of Queensland

As an IB Diploma graduate, you are well prepared for success at The University of Queensland (UQ). The IB program’s international flavour, academic rigour and emphasis on enquiry-based learning means you will enter university with a global outlook, an excellent work ethic and critical thinking skills. UQ recognises this, and offers many opportunities for you to accelerate your studies.

Ranked in the top 51* universities in the world, UQ is one of Australia's finest higher education institutions with:

• more awards for teaching excellence than any other Australian university
• exceptional program choice across a wide range of study areas at undergraduate, postgraduate and research higher degree levels
• opportunities for students to gain practical experience and make valuable connections with prospective employers through internships and work placements
• the chance to study part of their degree overseas at one of the University’s many highly ranked partner institutions

With campuses based in and around the city of Brisbane, you will enjoy a diverse community of over 50,000 students, including over 12,600 international students from 140 different countries across the globe.

The University’s outstanding 225,000-plus alumni include a Nobel laureate, the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, an Academy Award winner, and leaders in government, law, science, public service and the arts.

UQ is a founding member of the national Group of Eight, a leading group of Australian universities that conducts a significant portion of all university research in Australia, as well as one of only three Australian universities to be a member of the global Universitas 21, an alliance allowing UQ to offer students unique opportunities to participate in student exchanges and events throughout the world. Through this alliance, UQ students have participated in events such as the Summer School program in Mexico, Undergraduate Research Conference in Japan and the Social Entrepreneurship program in Guatemala.

The University has nine world-class research institutes, and researchers whose innovations are having a global impact, including the creation of a cervical cancer vaccine, protection of the world’s food supply, and the installation of the largest photovoltaic solar panel in the southern hemisphere. As a UQ student you have the opportunity to be taught by and work alongside these researchers.

According to the QS World University Subject Rankings 2016, UQ ranks number one in Australia in Mineral Resources and Mining Engineering (10th globally) and Environmental Science (12th globally). The University also ranks 17^th globally in Agriculture and Forestry and 18^th in Education. UQ’s other QS global top-30 subjects are: Psychology (21), Development Studies (23), Chemical Engineering (25), Communications and Media Studies (25), Accounting and Finance (26), Veterinary Science (29) and Nursing (30).

In addition to flexibility in program choice, UQ students also benefit from the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of extracurricular activities during their studies. There are exchange opportunities to more than 185 partner institutions in 40 countries and access to more than 200 clubs and societies, as well as sports and cultural facilities.

WHY STUDY AT UQ?

Credit and/or exemption for IB students

You can receive credit for selected UQ courses if you achieve a specified grade in your final year of the IB. In some cases, an exemption rather than credit will be offered. Depending on the structure of your degree program, the IB courses studied and the grade achieved, you may be awarded up to one semester (8 units) of credit towards your degree.

The UQ Advantage Award

The UQ Advantage Award program offers UQ students the opportunity to realise their aspirations and enhance their research, leadership and cultural communication skills to ensure they are competitive in the employment market. It combines participation in a range of co-curricular activities across three core categories – Global and Cultural Engagement, Research and Entrepreneurship and Social Responsibility and Leadership – and will give you access to a unique symposium series.

Summer and Winter Research Programs

By undertaking a UQ Summer or Winter Research Program, you can gain research experience working alongside some of UQ’s leading academics and researchers, improve your employability, extend your knowledge of an area of interest and develop your analytical, critical thinking and communication skills.

Concurrent Diplomas

You can complete a Diploma of Music Performance, Languages or Global Issues, concurrently with your undergraduate degree, and graduate with a bachelor degree as well as a diploma. You may choose accelerate your diploma, or spread the study load across the duration of your bachelor degree.

WHERE IS UQ?

UQ has three campuses in and around Brisbane, the capital city of the state of Queensland. Brisbane is the third-largest city in Australia, after Sydney and Melbourne, and it has a multicultural population of around two million.

It has all the advantages of a large modern city, with a friendliness and charm. In the 2013 edition of the Lonely Planet Australia travel guidebook, Brisbane was named “Australia’s coolest city”.

An hour’s drive south of the city, you will find the golden beaches and theme parks of the Gold Coast. North of Brisbane you will find the Sunshine Coast beaches, national parks, rainforests and attractions like Australia Zoo. Just off the coast you will find the pristine Stradbroke and Moreton Islands, both popular day-trip and holiday destinations for locals and visitors alike.

Brisbane has hosted many large-scale cultural and sporting events, including the Commonwealth Games, Rugby World Cup and the 2014 G20 leaders’ summit.

For more information visit: https://future-students.uq.edu.au

ACCOMMODATION

UQ St Lucia has 10 residential colleges that are home to over 2,500 students from Australia and overseas. UQ Gatton accommodates 436 students on-campus in the Halls of Residence.

Living on campus can assist you in making a smooth transition to university. The colleges are located within easy walking distance of all university facilities and provide academic support, social, cultural and sporting activities and the opportunity to build networks and friendships that will last a lifetime. Most residential colleges provide full catering for undergraduate students and either full or some self-catering options for postgraduate students.

For more information visit: http://liveuq.edu.au/

*UQ ranks in the top 51 as measured by the QS World University Rankings and the Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities. The University also ranks 52 in the US News Best Global Universities Rankings, 55 in the Academic Ranking of World Universities and in 60 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

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