International engagement is a key focus for Victoria University (VU). Ranked in the world’s top 2% (THE World University Rankings), VU has a growing international outlook headlined by its:

  • leadership in transnational education (TNE)
  • education of students from diverse countries, cultures and education backgrounds
  • engagement with industries and communities around the world
  • ambitious international research agenda.

With more than 100 years’ experience in teaching, learning and research, including more than 55 years delivering international education, VU graduates can be assured that their qualification is being awarded from a university operating in a world-class education system.

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings logo

International partnerships

Throughout our history we have developed strong partnerships with foreign governments, sponsoring bodies and institutions. Servicing these partnerships and supporting students through specialised services is a particular focus at VU. We aim to provide a high quality service to:

  • international delivery partners throughout Asia and worldwide that deliver VU courses in-country
  • cultural, community and industry organisations to enhance the international focus and cultural relevance of our courses, research and community
  • international research partners including education and research organisations, industries, communities and governments
  • exchange partner institutions providing overseas study opportunities and supporting the internationalisation of our staff and student community
  • pathway partner institutions through agreed pathways into VU courses through credit recognition, reducing the time it takes to complete a VU course in Melbourne
  • scholarship bodies to provide specialised support for international sponsored students studying in Melbourne
  • our international education agent network that supports prospective students through the application and enrolment process.

Enquire about developing an international partnership with Victoria University.

Cultural, community & industry partnerships

Through unique partnerships with global organisations such as the Confucius Institute or software solutions provider SAP, we provide opportunities for students and staff by:

  • introducing a customised industry or cultural focus into our courses and units
  • utilising partner expertise through research or mentorship
  • organising cultural, community and industry events
  • providing research and study opportunities in Australia and overseas.

Victoria Business Confucius Institute (VBCI)

In partnership with the University of International Business and Economics, VU established the Victoria Business Confucius Institute (VBCI) in 2016. The Institute aims to help VU students, academics and Melbourne-based business communities to learn the Chinese language and foster greater understanding of the business culture in China. Its primary focus at VU is Chinese business culture and business language teaching; the VBCI also hosts a number of events to promote wider Chinese culture, most of which are open to the general public.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.

SAP

We are one of the world's leading institutions in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems education as recognised by industry, SAP and academia. Our ERP degrees are delivered in Melbourne and Sydney. The University provides custom learning facilities including Australia's first and only SAP Next-Gen Lab, which connects students with businesses to find SAP solutions. Our strength in ERP also translates into our research, with research undertaken in related fields including business intelligence and supply chain management.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.

Timor Leste

Our long-standing relationship with Timor Leste provides opportunities for international research and community development in the Asia-Pacific region, and study opportunities for staff and students. For example, in 2016, Bachelor of Education students travelled to Timor-Leste to complete part of their degree on a study tour, a program subsidised by the Australian Government's AsiaBound and New Colombo Plan.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.

Our diverse student community

In 2020, we had more than 11,000 international students studying a VU qualification in Australia and overseas, including more than:

  • 3,500 studying in Melbourne from more than 100 countries, including international students sponsored by the Australian Government through the Australia Awards.
  • 5,500 studying a VU course overseas with one of our international delivery partners.

Representing more than 100 nationalities, our students are attracted by our revolutionary approach to teaching and learning through the multi award-winning VU Block Model®, our range of entry pathways and study levels, and our strong industry connections. We have great locations in two of the world’s best student cities.

We are proud to educate more than 400 international scholarship recipients and sponsored students, who are enrolled in a diverse range of courses, from TAFE through to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework and higher degrees by research.

International student success

The excellence of our international students has been well recognised. In 2020, VU alumus Dr Hamed Al-busaidi was appointed Governor of Al-Buraimi by the Sultanate of Oman, while former student Apelu Sauoaiga Kaio (Bachelor of Paramedicine) became the first qualified paramedic in Samoa in early 2021. In 2016, VU teaching graduate Christian Williams was named one of the world’s top 50 educators in the Varkey Foundation’s Global Teacher Prize – an A$1 million competition dubbed the ‘Nobel Prize of teaching’ - and in 2013, Chinese research student Catherine Xiaocui Lou became the state’s top postgraduate international student of the year. Malaysian national Garry Kuan, studying a PhD in Sport Psychology, was named Australia’s international student of the year in 2012 by the Council of International Students Australia.

Catherine Xiaocui Lou, award winning researcher

Internationally-recognised courses

Many of our courses are developed with, and accredited by globally recognised industry bodies including:

Many Australian industry bodies work to ensure that Australian qualifications are relevant for Australian and international students looking to build a career overseas.

For example, our bachelor degrees in engineering are accredited by Engineers Australia, a signatory of the Washington Accord which recognises the equivalence of an accredited Australian engineering degree internationally.

Student & staff exchange

The University encourages students to complete part of their studies overseas by providing a range of short-term study tours and longer-term exchanges. These are often part-funded by the University.

We believe that our students will benefit greatly from completing part of their studies overseas.

Every year close to 400 VU students travel overseas on exchange, a short-term study tour or to conduct research, immersing themselves in another culture. VU has been extremely successful in receiving Australian Government funding to support these initiatives.

With more than 110 global exchange partnerships across 30 countries, we are increasing the opportunities for VU students to undertake an overseas study or internship experience – a strategic priority for the University.

Miranda Needham gained valuable experience for her education degree whilst in Fiji

International pathways

We work closely with education institutions in Australia and worldwide to develop pathways into VU courses through credit recognition, allowing students to transfer into the later years of a VU course, and undertake study with VU in Australia.

Some of our pathway models include:

Students complete the first two years of an SLIIT Bachelor of Science Engineering (Honours) degree in Sri Lanka, and are granted two years of credit into a:

Students complete the last two years of their VU Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Melbourne.

Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is a public, research-intensive university located in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. In addition to exchange agreements, VU's partnership with UGM enables students to graduate with a double degree in business/accounting from both institutions.

Under the model, students complete four prerequisite subjects at UGM followed by 8 subjects (2 semesters of studies) at VU, covering topics such as economics, income tax law, accounting and finance. They then return to UGM for a final semester thesis.

Upon successful completion of their studies, students are awarded the Master of Business (Accounting) from VU and the Magister Akuntansi from UGM.

Global alumni network

We have many global alumni chapters throughout Asia, with VU alumni networking events held regularly in Malaysia and China.

Our alumni can be found all over the world in leadership positions in government, business, academic and other sectors. Of our 240,000 registered VU alumni, more than 30,000 are residing overseas – proof that a VU qualification can open up a world of opportunities.

Luba Grigorovitch, 2018 Rising Star Alumni Award recipient.