University of Southern Queensland

With a population of more than 90,000 people, Toowoomba is the second largest inland city in Australia and provides a crucial link between city and country life. Atop the Great Dividing Range, Toowoomba is located 90 minutes west of Brisbane and two hours from the Gold Coast. The city is not only regarded as a regional centre but an education centre, with USQ being an integral part of the Toowomba community. The university contributes extensively to the city’s economy, culture, and lifestyle. Because it is a regional university, USQ Toowoomba offers its students an excellent education, a relaxed and friendly campus and living environment. Having students from over 60 countries at USQ gives the campus a multi-cultural flavour.

USQ’s Wide Bay campus is situated 289km north of Brisbane, on the eastern coast, in the town of Hervey Bay. Hervey Bay is a rapidly growing centre located at the entrance to the Fraser Coast, and is world-renowned for its World Heritage and environmental attractions such as Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world, and whale watching.

Situated on top of the Great Dividing Range, Toowomba enjoys a temperate climate. The average temperature range during summer is 17 to 28 degrees Celsius, and 6 to 16 degrees Celsius in winter. Winter nights can drop to minus 4 degrees Celsius so it is wise to bring or purchase warm clothes and bedding.

Toowoomba offers a wide range of accommodation options to students. USQ has three residential colleges so students are close to all university facilities. Residential fees include meals, electricity, weekly provision of laundered linen, weekly room cleaning, access to residential tutors and common room facilities. Weekly fees start at $210.

There are many accommodation options available to students wishing to live off campus in close proximity to the university, such as: rental houses, apartments, and share accommodation. Prices vary according to the type of housing chosen but can range from $70 to $200 per week. Toowoomba is serviced by reliable public transport.

“Homestay” accommodation is available in both the Toowoomba and the Wide Bay regions for students wishing to live in a home environment or with a family. Prices start at $130 per week.

The University of Southern Queensland is recognised as an International leader in providing flexible study choice: on-campus, off-campus, online. USQ was named joint winner of the Good Universities Guides “Australia’s University of the Year for 2000-2001” for excellence in “Developing the e-University”, and has also received two Prizes of Excellence from the UNESCO recognised International Council for Open and Distant Education.

USQ Toowoomba boasts technologically-advanced lecture theatres, including the Alison Dickson Lecture Theatre and an extensive Library with electronic data bases. Further technological features of the university also include CD ROM and Internet access, 24-hour computer laboratories, TV and radio studios and modern science and multimedia laboratories. For the sports-minded, the Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre provides various fitness pursuits for students, the community and sporting teams. High-tech gym equipment, Olympic standard basketball and netball courts, aerobics classes and much more are available. Social facilities include a licensed on campus club, coffee shop, air-conditioned refectory/cafeteria and Australia’s largest traditional Japanese Garden.

Of the 22,332 students enrolled at USQ Toowoomba Campus, 16,649 study by distance education and 5,683 study on campus, 1,106 of which are International Students.

One of the main advantages of studying on campus at USQ is smaller class sizes, allowing more personal attention by lecturers and tutors. The smaller university population also promotes social and academic interaction between students, allowing students to feel a greater part of university life.

The USQ Wide Bay campus is situated on the coast, 289km north of Brisbane, in the town of Hervey Bay. The Wide Bay campus offers its students new campus facilities including modern lecture theatres and classrooms, a well-equipped library that has been developed in conjunction with the Hervey Bay City Council and 24-hour computer laboratories. A Synchronous Teaching Studio (STS) enables simultaneous communication between the Toowoomba and Wide Bay campuses. This incorporates audiographic communication, including teleconferencing, desktop video-conferencing and sufficient workstations to run Internet Relay Chat.

The International Student population at the Toowoomba campus increased from 1156 students in 2002 to 1574 in 2003. There are students from over 60 countries, including Bangladesh, China, Fiji, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russia, Samoa, South America, South Africa, Taiwan, USA, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.

A confidential health service with male and female doctors and a full time nurse on campus is available at USQ Toowoomba. A number of private medical practices are situated close to the university, as are pharmacies. There is no charge for receiving treatment from the nurse and no appointment necessary, however students may need to pay an up-front fee before seeing the doctor. This fee is refundable upon presentation of an Overseas Student Health Card (OSHC). Medications prescribed by the doctor will have to be paid for by the student.

Toowoomba’s varied range of business, industry and agriculture can provide employment opportunities for spouses, however employment can be seasonal and at times difficult to obtain. The university can assist people in this regard but does not guarantee employment.

Other services provided by the university include:

Free airport reception and transfers for new international students
Orientation program
Study assistance and learning enhancement programs
Cultural adjustment – ExcelL training
Friendship program
Student guild
Toowoomba Committee for International Students
Multicultural staff network
National Day celebrations
Spiritual support
Personal and academic counselling
Accommodation
Financial and budgeting advice
Health service
Disability Support
Careers and employment advise
24-hour security
Individualised graduation ceremonies
Easy access to the AusAID Liaison Officer.

There are many reputable childcare centres in the Toowoomba area. The Mirambeena Children’s centre is located on-campus at USQ Toowoomba, and has been designed to ensure a generous amount of outdoor, open play area. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are provided. The centre is open to all children between the ages of three months and school age, subject to availability of care. Daily fees range from $40 to $45. Weekly fees range from $180 to $200. The Federal Government has provided guidelines which give priority to children whose parents are working, studying or seeking employment. The centre is open from 7.00am until 6.00pm for 50 weeks a year.

Toowoomba is a well-regarded regional education center with 23 private schools, 26 state schools, a TAFE college and the university.

USQ Student Services have a dedicated Disability Support Team. The main university campus is wheel-chair accessible with elevators, special toilet facilities and car parking in close proximity to buildings. Access to some older buildings may require an alternate route.
Some assistance available to students are: computers configured for the those with visual or learning disabilities, external learning materials (excluding text books at present) that can be supplied on CD or in large print format, and hearing loops for use in lectures are available for those with a hearing impairment.
All enrolled students are provided with assistance as required. It is an enrollment requirement that students with disabilities provide documentation from a professional (for example a doctor, specialist or physiotherapist) on application.

Toowoomba embraces multiculturalism. There is a large variety of ethnic food items available in supermarkets, green grocers and butchers. Items such as spices, exotic fruits and vegetables, sauces, noodles, rices and halal breads and meats can be easily found in numerous stores.

Toowoomba’s many restaurants, café’s and fast food outlets provide for a variety of palettes, such as Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Indonesian and German.

USQ strives to provide spiritual support appropriate to individual needs. The City of Toowoomba supports many religions, including: Anglican, Baptist, Buddhist, Catholic, Islamic, Lutheran, Seventh Day Adventists and the Uniting.

The Chaplaincy on-campus is used for services of worship, meditation, reflection, and prayer and as a meeting place for religious activities for people of different beliefs. Muslims at USQ and around Toowoomba come together and meet in the on-campus Muslim Prayer Room. The Islamic Centre is accessible at all times. During the second and last Friday of each month, Muslims meet to get lessons from the Holy Qur’an as well as the Hadith. All Muslims, as well as non-Muslims, are most welcome.

From the airport: As a new international student, USQ wishes to make your initial journey to Toowoomba as smooth and trouble free as possible. Within USQ's Pre-Departure Kit is an "Airport Reception Request" form, which you are required to complete and return to the AusAID Liaison Officer a minimum of five days before you depart your home country. This form can be completed electronically and emailed to arrivals@usq.edu.au. USQ will confirm your arrival details and ensure you are greeted at the airport and tranferred to your booked accommodation in Toowoomba. This is a free service available to all new international students.

“Coachtrans Australia” run a service between the International Airport and the Roma Street Transit Centre in Brisbane City. A service runs every 30 minutes and costs are currently under $10 (2003) for a one way ticket between the airport and the Transit Centre.

A daily bus service operates from Toowoomba to Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Travel between Toowoomba and Brisbane takes about two hours and costs approximately $21. Travel between Toowoomba and the Gold Coast takes 2.5-3 hours and costs approximately $32. Student Services can assist with arrangements required.

Getting around: Toowoomba is serviced by reliable public transport. There are bus services available within the city and coach services for travel to Brisbane, the rest of Queensland, and interstate. MacAir provides air services between Toowoomba and Brisbane.

A free evening security bus operates on campus in Toowoomba, Monday to Friday, during the academic year. Students are transported within a four kilometre radius of the university.