Six reasons why you should study at La Trobe University’s Bendigo campus

Australia is world-renowned for its quality higher education, scenic wonderlands and rich culture – all the right elements for an unmatched international university experience.

But La Trobe University in Victoria takes the crown as a unique study destination thanks to its high-quality programmes, ground-breaking research and strong graduate employability.

Adding to this winning trifecta is La Trobe’s largest regional campus – Bendigo, a space which has all the key ingredients to unlock an unparalleled learning experience.

Here are six reasons why international students should study at La Trobe’s Bendigo campus:

Bendigo is a city steeped in history and culture

As Victoria’s fourth-largest city, Bendigo has a rich and fascinating history dating back to the 1850s when gold was discovered in the area. This beautiful natural environment is dotted by glorious examples of the city’s gold rush-era architecture and serves as an unbeatable place to live and study.

Students will likely have a close encounter with Australia’s famous and unique wildlife, including kangaroos and echidnas, to name a few.

The campus, just three kilometres from Bendigo’s CBD, is easily accessible via public transport, while its proximity to Melbourne – reachable by rail and road – provides students with a juxtapose of city and bush experience.

Gabrielle Jack, a double degree Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts student said: “I think Bendigo is a great place to be a student. Given the size of the town, there’s a whole range of facilities, support and entertainment for younger people in a welcoming community.”

A campus with vibrant student life

Be it accommodation, facilities or student clubs and associations, Bendigo has all aspects of student life covered.

They have two eateries on campus, both specialising in coffee, cold drinks, hot food, sandwiches and snacks. They operate weekdays from 8.30am to 4pm to ensure students have easy access to meals and snacks while on campus.

Encouraging a healthy lifestyle, a wide range of sports and exercise facilities are available here too. The Bendigo campus has an on-site gym operating 24/7 that has classes and personal training, a sports field and almost 40 clubs to cater to varied interests.

There are various student accommodation options to choose from, including self-catered residences, self-contained and furnished villas to modern apartments.

With over 5,000 local and international students and approximately 400 full-time employees, students stand to make lifelong connections with this diverse group of global talent.

Beyond classrooms, they can forge these new relationships via some of the popular clubs on campus, such as the Bendigo International Students Club, the Bendigo Oral Health and Dentistry Society, La Trobe University Islamic Society, the Young Engineers Club and the Mature Age Student Club.

Unparalleled teaching and learning

The university combines progressive education and modern facilities to support students’ learning.

At this close-knit campus, dedicated teaching staff are always available to help students, whether for academic or non-academic purposes.

Facilities provide the infrastructure to enable this as well as world-class learning and research opportunities.

For instance, their Engineering and Technology Building offers engineering, technology, maths and science courses in a state-of-the-art facility.

It houses the latest technology and state-of-the-art engineering facilities; its new contemporary engineering teaching spaces and academic workspace accommodation help students develop best-practice knowledge and skills. They specialise in engineering research and the building will be used to push the boundaries of its research excellence to attract and collaborate with industry.

They also house a purpose-built health facility at the La Trobe Rural Health School, providing students with a modern, interactive learning experience while supporting the ground-breaking work of their diverse team of researchers.

Industry and employment opportunities

Bendigo has established itself as a manufacturing base for primary industries operating in the region. In recent decades, the city has specialised in finance, insurance services, healthcare and education.

The city is also home to major businesses, including the headquarters for the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, which is now a top 70 ASX-listed company and employs approximately 1,000 people locally across its head office, six branches and two community bank branches.

Other major businesses include the Rural Finance Corporation, Hofmann Engineering, among others.

Studying at La Trobe University’s Bendigo campus provides close proximity to invaluable work opportunities at these places and more.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for career-readiness

La Trobe ranks well for graduate employability, as demonstrated in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020 in which they were ranked in the top 20 in Australia. The university offers Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities in Bendigo, which incorporates industry experience into students’ studies.

Sri Lankan Danu Ransarani is now working in the auditing department of one of the city’s biggest accounting firms. The Bachelor of Business (Accounting) graduate credits the many work placements she had through La Trobe’s Career Hub for giving her an edge in her resume.

She said: “Right now my plan is to get as much experience as I can and if I can stay in Australia I want to stay in Bendigo.”

Work hard, play hard

There’s plenty to see and do outside the classroom. For instance, students can get their dose of culture at the Bendigo Art Gallery, explore its performing arts centre, soak in some greenery at Rosalind Park, enjoy boating, water sports, fishing, swimming, bushwalking, barbecues and picnics at Lake Eppalock, and so forth.

The food scene is equally glorious; Bendigo was named Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy last year.

Indubitably, La Trobe’s Bendigo campus has so much to offer to international students. If you’re eager to enjoy all the hallmarks of a great campus, apply today.

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