South Australian Institute of Business and Technology (SAIBT)

The South Australian Institute of Business and Technology (SAIBT) is located in the centre of Adelaide, the state capital of South Australia. This prominent college provides students with the fastest route to enrolment into a large selection of undergraduate programmes at the University of South Australia (UniSA).

The institute is dedicated to bridging the gap between school and university, opening access to study options for all students. Students will have the opportunity to excel through small class sizes, personalised teaching methods, and extensive student support.

Students can choose various preparatory courses, suited to learners at various stages in their educational journeys. All of SAIBT's programmes are designed to offer students a smooth transition into a degree at UniSA.

Completing a Diploma program at SAIBT guarantees students entry into the second year of most degree courses at UniSA. The college also offers an Early Transition Program (ETP) and a range of graduate certificate options, providing efficient entry options for postgraduate students.

Students at SAIBT enjoy living and studying in Adelaide, a coastal city known for its warm climate and friendly community.

The college's campus is centrally located on the UniSA East campus in the city and offers students easy access to the rest of Adelaide. Hundreds of bars, restaurants, cafes, and venues come together to offer SAIBT students an excellent base to explore Australian culture and relax in-between their studies.

SAIBT has a diverse learning community, with students coming from more than 70 countries worldwide as well as across Australia. This multicultural academic community benefits from full access to UniSA's facilities and student societies, further easing students' transition into degree-level study.

SAIBT has earned its reputation as a provider of high quality teaching and tuition. Since its inception in 2001 and partnership with UniSA, SAIBT has successfully mentored thousands of students through the Diploma and Early Transition Program (ETP) and towards successful progression into an undergraduate degree course at UniSA.

THE University Impact Rankings places UniSA at number five in Australia, and Top 15 in Australia for teaching quality. Most SAIBT lecturers are taught at the university. SAIBT manages to cultivate a positive and inclusive working environment for all its students, which is a key aspect of its success as a pathway provider.

There are transition pathway programs available, for entry to both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at UniSA, and at multiple entry points. These programs are delivered by a team of highly qualified and experienced faculty staff, many of whom have years of international work already under their belt, enabling them to communicate their expertise to students from all international backgrounds.

UniSA is rated as one of the world's top young universities (2023 The Young University Rankings). Students at SAIBT benefit from small class sizes and a personalised learning environment, with more contact time with staff and learning advisor.

SAIBT is consistently improving their teaching service, and is now able to deliver high-quality teaching resources from anywhere in the world with its recently developed digital learning environment. Students can participate in classes and group work, receive feedback on their assignments and coursework from their lecturer, and communicate with their peers in an online workspace.

SAIBT provides a range of options for transition into a course of study at UniSA. Its diploma programs offer alternative routes into a huge selection of UniSA undergraduate degrees, providing certain academic standards are maintained.

There are five diploma pathway routes for students at SAIBT:

• Diploma of Arts
• Diploma of Business
• Diploma of Engineering
• Diploma of Health Science
• Diploma of Information Technology

Prospective students with prior Year 12 or equivalent study may select one of these five diploma pathways. These are each comprised of eight university-level units, studied over the course of three trimesters, and give students direct entry to the second year of their UniSA undergraduate degree upon completion (or with a GPA requirement). Fast-track options are available for completion in only two trimesters.

Applicants who have studied up to Year 11 can enrol in one of ETP programs in either arts, engineering or health science. The ETP comprises of eight pre-university level units studied over two or three trimesters, bringing them up to Year 12 level. Students can then progress to the first year of their undergraduate degree.

There is also a Graduate Certificate in Business and Management available to international students, which guarantees entry to the first year of a master's degree course at UniSA. Students who undertake any of these preparatory courses will also improve their English language proficiency and will build a repertoire of transferable skills that will aid their university studies.

Applications for SAIBT are completed online via Studylink. The college offers an alternative route to degree-level qualifications, and applicants from a broad range of academic and cultural backgrounds are encouraged. There are separate academic and English language pre-requisites for entry into the ETP and diploma pathways, which applicants must attain to be admitted onto the pathway programs.

For direct entry into the ETP program, three passes at General Certificate of Education (GCE) O-Level or completion of the International Baccalaureate (IB) to Year 11 is required.

For entry onto the diploma pathway program, the standardised pre-requisite is two passes from two GCE A-Level subjects, where two AS-Level subjects may be combined for one pass. For those using the IB, a pass at Year 12 is required, with a minimum of 18 points over 6 subjects.

Entry into the GCBM requires satisfactory completion of a bachelor's degree, advanced diploma, or diploma.

Where international applicants may not use either of the above assessment systems, the SAIBT website publishes a list of country-by-country grade level equivalents where prospective students can find details needed to complete their applications. All pre-requisites are subject to consideration by the SAIBT admissions team, on a case-by-case basis. Consideration can be made for applicants with relevant work experience or employment.

There are also requirements for English language proficiency, which vary by course, and are listed on the SAIBT website.

Students at SAIBT enjoy all the same facilities available to university students at UniSA. Adelaide's City East campus is a busy hub of student activity, situated in one of the most lively and connected districts within the city. The campus offers an abundance of learning facilities, services, and social spaces to provide a comprehensive environment in which its students may achieve academic and personal success.

Students have access to computer rooms, study spaces, a student bookshop and a well-equipped library containing thousands of books, eBooks, journals, and online resources to support its population of around 30,000 students. There is a post office and ATMs, as well as a health clinic and fully fitted gymnasium.

An outdoor plaza provides social space and a selection of food and drink options on-site. The student population at SAIBT represents a diverse and multicultural demographic. Students at the college share access to a prayer room, with free and confidential multi-faith services.

The campus is well serviced by local public transport routes, such as bus, train, and tram. According to the Mercer Study, UniSA ranks as Australia's most environmentally sustainable city, and the campus has plenty of on-site bike parking to encourage a more environmentally conscious lifestyle.

SAIBT understands the importance of finding the right accommodation for its students, and has a dedicated team of staff to help students find the best options to suit their budgets and personal preferences. Flexible and varied options are available, including the following options:

• Homestay
• Fully catered student residence
• Student hostels
• Private rental accommodation

With such a comprehensive range of facilities in a city as vibrant as Adelaide, it is hardly surprising that the 2022 ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey ranked UniSA number one in South Australia for student experience.

Tuition fees for international students can be found on the SAIBT website.

Additionally, students must organise their own health insurance before arrival in Australia. SAIBT can provide Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for a fee of AUD 738 per year (single cover and subject to change). Students under the age of 18 can pay a guardianship fee of AUD 545 annually.

The SAIBT financial support services team are available all year round to advise students with further financial issues such as visa requirements, accommodation and living costs.

SAIBT recognises the cost of living and studying abroad and awards a selection of scholarships and bursaries to international, full-fee-paying students, subject to consideration by the college admissions staff. Further scholarships from the University of South Australia may also be available once students progress onto their university degree.

Information about scholarships and bursaries, including full eligibility criteria and information on how to apply, can be found on the institute's website.

SAIBT offers students excellent preparatory and pathway programmes to degree-level study at the University of South Australia. The university is rated 5 stars for excellence in research, employability, teaching, facilities, internationalisation, inclusiveness, and innovation by QS stars rating 2023, and is ranked top 5 in Australia for quality education by The University Impact Rating 2023. The university offers programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and successful completion of a diploma at SAIBT guarantees a transfer to degree-level study at UniSA, making it an attractive option for students who wish to bridge the gap between high school-equivalent educations and university study.

SAIBT also offers the Graduate Certificate in Business and Management, which is a one-semester award program that has been developed in collaboration with UniSA. On successful completion, students will gain a nationally recognised level 8 qualification and be eligible for entry into the second semester of a range of master's degrees at UniSA.