Facilities

At VU we have the latest facilities, technology and practices, and we provide the ideal environment for higher education and research. Our graduates are ready for the world of 21^st century work.

Our facilities include:

• a new A$68 million Learning Commons and Exercise Science and Sport Science Laboratory Precinct
• Centre for Health Research and Education
• teaching, training and research centre at Sunshine Hospital
• Centre for Recreation and Health Science
• a brand new training restaurant and hospitality teaching centre, VenU (with great food at any time of year)
• the six-star environmentally rated Sunshine Construction Futures Project, home of the Trades College where many of our vocational courses are run (due for completion in 2013)
• great cafes and restaurants, and a village atmosphere on our campuses

Find out more about our facilities.

Accommodation

Rents vary considerably in Melbourne, depending on where you live, whether you share or live alone, or even live in a homestay.

The University has accommodation options for you. Any student can stay at our short or long term residences. They are close to campuses, are excellent ways to meet other students, and they run academic, transition, sporting and social programs to settle you in.

Our Housing Services department has information on our residences and can help you find your own rental in Melbourne.

Job and career services

Our courses are structured to get you work when you graduate. We work closely with industries and businesses and regular job placements are an integral part of our courses.

We offer personalised careers counselling to our students during their studies, and up to two years after they graduate.

Our Career and Employment Services will help you plan your career, prepare for work and find out more about connecting with employers.

Libraries

Our libraries are excellent centres of learning. They have:

• information skills training programs
• books, periodicals, journals
• audiovisual and multimedia materials
• databases
• Ejournals, Ereserve, Ebooks and past exam papers
• CAVAL, the Australian inter-university borrowing system

In our Libraries you can search for the item you need, find out about our hours and locations and about off-campus access.

Learning commons

We have taken a different approach to learning so that our libraries are now integrated with computer labs, 'break out' spaces and cafés for socialising and collaborative learning.

Student service centres

You can easily access services, advice and information at our Student Service Centres. You may need help with your enrolment details, paying enrolment fees, finding your results or any number of issues you can have as a student.

Bookshop

The VU bookshop has branches on most campuses offering text books, general books, stationery and gifts. Try the Victoria University bookshop.

Clubs and societies

Make friends with people who share similar interests to you. From community volunteering and Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) to taekwondo, philosophy and politics, there is a club or society for you at Victoria University.

Join one or more of our many clubs and societies at Victoria University. If you don't find a club/society to suit you, did you know you can even start your own?

Language assistance

We give our international students the best language assistance available. Our three Student Learning Support Centres are available for you to improve your English skills.

Our English Language Institute has specialist English language courses, offering IELTS preparationm university preparation and general English courses.

Learning assistance

We provide face-to-face and online support for all VU students. You can seek help with English, university assessments and writing, and learn effective ways to study and manage your time.

Learning Support is available to help with your TAFE studies, for postgraduate support and for all kinds assistance with your study and academic skills.

Computer and internet access

Computer laboratories are available in all our campus libraries. We also have open access computer laboratories and a vast collection of online resources.

We also offer free WiFi internet access on campus. Study outside or in a café, the choice is yours.

Computer and Internet access will show you how to find material from our library, to connect to student email and to discover the breadth of E-learning at VU.

Sports and fitness

Swimming pool at Footscray Park

VU has some of the best sport and fitness facilities in Australia. We have a swimming pool, gyms, comprehensive new sports centres and exercise laboratories, and links to sporting organisations and institutions throughout Melbourne, Australia and the world.

Discover more about:

• our fitness centres
• how we support elite athletes
• how you could represent VU in sport against other universities
• our sports awards.

Childcare

We have four Children’s Services Centres that provide full-time, part-time and half-day care for children from three months to six years old.

Children’s Services first priority is to families who require care for study or work purposes at Victoria University.

Prayer rooms

We provide prayer rooms at seven campuses, with religious and spiritual places for staff and students.

Our Reflection Centre is a peaceful place for meditation, relaxation, memorial services and spiritual reflection. Several multi-faith chaplains are available in our chaplaincy.

Our chaplain can, in addition to listening with a caring heart, refer you to counsellors or other specialised experts at the University.

International student support

The dedicated International Student Support (ISS) team at Victoria University International will support you from your arrival through to when you become an alumnus of the University.

We offer you:

• free airport reception service on your arrival in Melbourne (this must be pre-booked)
• an orientation program to assist with your transition to living in Melbourne and studying at VU
• assistance and support on cultural issues, transition to life in Melbourne, study concerns and general questions
• support and encouragement
• a range of social activities and programs
• introductions to relevant services or identifying who you should contact to solve your question
• an after-hours contact number
• a farewell program to help you return home or apply for another course, with an opportunity to celebrate your accomplishments.

Free advice, counselling and support

Balancing study, work, social and family responsibilities is sometimes difficult. We provide free advice to help make your time at VU enjoyable and rewarding. Our advice and counselling services include:

• personal and study related counselling
• special consideration support and advice
• financial information and advice
• welfare support
• disability support
• health advice
• chaplaincy
• language and academic skills
• careers and employment
• safety advice and support.

The Moondani Balluk Indigenous Academic Unit provides support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students currently undertaking a course at VU.