Flinders University Information Session

Flinders University Information Session

Flinders University Information Session

On the 13th of September this year, ANC hosted its ‘Admissions Day’ in recognition of its affiliation with Flinders University at ANC premises. The event in essence was in order for direct placement students who had chosen Flinders as their place of study to interact with and comprehend the road that lies ahead as first-year applicants. Students and parents alike were able to raise important queries to Flinders’ Country Recruitment Manager, Ms. Melissa Willoughby, who was also in attendance. Prior to her conversation with our students, we did manage to get Ms. Willoughby’s thoughts on a few pertinent matters.

A Majority of Students Who’ve Joined us from ANC have been a part of our medical program

Initially, we caught up with what our current stream of students from ANC at Flinders has been up to, as she stated how “a majority of students who’ve joined us from ANC have been a part of our medical program. We have an amazing medical program here at Flinders, with a Bachelor of Clinical Science two years into the four-year MD package program, which students seem to really take a liking to. The program differentiates itself in that the first couple of years give them foundations on relevant topics and lets them really settle into Flinders, which is when they content-heavy medical subjects start, within the third and fourth years.” 

The Culture at Flinders

Quizzed on the often touted student culture within the university, Ms. Willoughby states that “the culture at Flinders in terms of the environment is like a mini city, similar to a US-style university setting, where they come to campus and find everything they need, from cafes, restaurants to even a private and public hospital.” She also notes how that description only covers the surface level concept that students can expect to experience, mentioning how “as part of our excellent campus culture, there are about 135 clubs and societies students can join (including the Sri Lankan Students’ Union!), any sport they want to take part in, and if we don’t have it already, they can set up their own club.”

Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics

Yet she is also careful to point out that your time at Flinders goes beyond simply enjoying its outer facets. “I would probably say that the growth that we’re seeing in terms of job outcomes is in the areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), and I think that’s global. Anything technical, including those health-related is seeing high rates of growth, particularly in Australia, although the same seems to be reflected globally as well. We’re also seeing particular interest in areas like Cybersecurity, with people equipped with those skills being really in demand, so you can’t go wrong with choosing anything related to those fields.” 

Get a 2-year post-study work visa

One issue that had been constantly raised is the availability of ideal job prospects for students leaving for the country beyond their stay for education-related purposes. “Well currently, if they read for a degree anywhere in Australia, they get a 2-year post-study work visa, which enables them to work here during that period as long as they’ve completed at least a Bachelor’s level or above,” she says. “Flinders being in Adelaide in South Australia (an area considered regional), students are allowed an additional year. People familiar with the government have spoken about how there has been talking about extending this period for certain programs, with the programs themselves likely being announced next month. You can almost be certain they will be fields that Australia experiences a shortage in, so areas like teaching, IT, and Engineering are all ones students can look out for.”

Consistently ranks as one of the finest educational institutions in the world

With the main campus located at Bedford Park, with additional Adelaide locations at Victoria Square and Tonsley, Flinders consistently ranks as one of the finest educational institutions in the world, placing in the top 300 universities according to the Times Higher Education Rankings, widely considered a foremost consensus. The Good Universities Guide 2021 saw the university being placed first in Medicine for full-time employment and Rehabilitation for overall quality of experience and skills development.

We would also like to thank Ms. Willoughby for taking the time to have as fruitful a conversation with us during her time here in Sri Lanka!

For more information, contact/ visit ANC:

|www.ancedu.com| No.308 – 310, R. A. De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 03

322, Peradeniya Road, Kandy