TAFE programs are designed with industry input, are up-to-date and directly relate to specific jobs and careers. In addition, they equip students to meet the changing demands of the workplace while allowing them to advance their career. TAFE programs teach practical skills and knowledge and offer an ‘open-ended’, flexible way to gain qualifications and recognition and pathways to higher level qualifications.

Students can commence their studies at TAFE, obtain credit for the work they’ve done and then apply for university admission. Alternatively, a university student can go to TAFE to gain vocational skills. TAFE can be a more affordable option of study as it is heavily government subsidised.

Preparatory and Introductory programs include pre-employment and pre-apprenticeship programs, bridging programs, basic English skills programs, the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). These programs prepare students for further education and training.

Certificates II, III and IV programs prepare students for semi-skilled and skilled non-trade jobs. They can also be undertaken as an Apprenticeship or Traineeship. These programs enable students to: acquire operational knowledge in skill areas where they can apply solutions to problems; obtain additional theoretical knowledge and encourage the development of higher skills for solving a variety of problems; and develop a broad knowledge base, teaching students to analyse and evaluate information and to apply the knowledge and skills in a wide variety of contexts.

Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs are usually vocationally oriented and practical. Most Diploma programs have exit points offering intermediate awards of Certificate IV and/or Certificate III. Students develop theoretical knowledge and/or technical and creative skills. Judgement, planning and analysis are used across a broad range of technical and/or management situations and students apply principles and techniques across a wide range of contexts.

Undergraduate programs provide professional qualifications for a higher level of work responsibility with an emphasis on theory and the development of transferable skills. Some programs are vocational, leading to careers in clearly identified areas (e.g. Accountancy) while others are ‘generalist’ with no particular industrial skills component. The style of teaching may consist of formal lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical workshops and/or laboratory classes and work experience placements.

Undergraduate programs include Bachelor Degree, Double Degree and Dual Awards which prepare students for professional and higher management careers. They promote analytical and/or technical skills and help to develop abstract thought. Double degrees enable students to complete two awards in a reduced timeframe. Dual awards combine a degree program with a TAFE qualification.

Postgraduate study refers to Honours Year, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters and Doctoral (PhD) programs. Postgraduate study follows the completion of a degree program. Programs at this level are offered by coursework or research.

Coursework Programs: Coursework programs afford the opportunity to undertake a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master or PhD program of study within a structured format of courses (subjects) with lectures, seminars or tutorial groups. However, coursework programs may also contain substantial research components and/or a dissertation.

Research Programs: Research programs are available at both Master and PhD level. Prospective students are required to formulate their own research topic, which should broadly conform to the research interests of the portfolio in which they hope to study. Research degrees are for students who want to pursue their own theories and ideas at a high conceptual level. Some research students are able to obtain grants from government and industry sources to support their work. The independent investigation required for a research degree demands high standards of organisation and academic achievement. PhD and Masters students are expected to put forward their original ideas and support them with evidence. Completion of the degree involves submitting a thesis or project for critical review by a panel of experts in the field of study. Masters and PhD students must complete a minimum period of independent graduate research in which original contributions to knowledge in the discipline are made.