About Avondale

Avondale is a private institution of higher education offering a broad range of undergraduate, postgraduate and vocational courses. Its educational program seeks to develop the whole person.

The 2006 Good Universities Guide has awarded Avondale a five star rating for the quality of educational experience offered, for the seventh consecutive year. A five star rating was also awarded on the basis of staff qualifications, the rate of employment for our graduates and positive graduates outcomes. The latter refers to the number of students who find employment or continue with further study. With a total enrolment of just over 1200, students are assured of the high level of personal support that you would expect of a private institution.

Avondale is actively pursuing university status in recognition of the highly regarded study programs that are offered. Beginning in 1974 our postgraduate and undergraduate degrees have progressively been accredited by NSW government bodies and are registered with CRICOS the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS provider number 02731D Avondale College Ltd.).

Avondale offers undergraduate degrees in Arts, Business, Science, Education, Nursing and Theology. Postgraduate courses to Masters level are available in Education, Leadership and Management, Nursing and Health, and Theology. Doctoral studies are offered in Education, Health Studies, History, and Theology. Vocational studies include General Studies, Aviation, Business and Outdoor Recreation. The English Language Centre offers English language study tours for overseas students.

Avondale is an education institution of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It also welcomes a growing number of students of other faith traditions who desire higher education in a Christian context (24 per cent of undergraduate and vocational students in 2004). Students come from all states of Australia and from overseas. About 15 per cent of students in degree and vocational courses are from countries outside Australia and New Zealand. About 52 per cent of undergraduates are boarding students, experiencing the interchange of ideas and group activities which are the strengths of residential campuses.

Avondale's graduates are widely sought after by employers. Many Avondale graduates have progressed to masters and doctoral degrees at Australian and overseas universities with an outstanding record of achievement.

Location

Avondale has three campuses, all in New South Wales on the east coast of Australia. The main campus is in a rural setting in the City of Lake Macquarie close to the Watagan Mountains and the beautiful Lake Macquarie. It is only thirty minutes drive to the nearest of many wide, sandy, surf beaches on the NSW Central Coast. Newcastle is the closest provincial city and Sydney is just eighty minutes away by train or freeway.

This means that students can enjoy study in a rural setting but enjoy easy access to the surf and the city with its cultural and sporting events and commercial activities. Facilities such as a heated swimming pool, multi-purpose sports auditorium, tennis courts, sports oval, music studios, media centre, computer labs, common room, student lounges, spacious library, cafeteria and shops, all cater for the needs of the student body. Student residences are situated on campus making access to all facilities just a few minutes walk.



The second campus is in Sydney's north shore suburb of Wahroonga. The Faculty of Nursing and Health is located on this campus which is adjacent to the Sydney Adventist Hospital, one of Australia's most prestigious private hospitals. Facilities here include modern class rooms and access to the commercial, residential and sporting facilities of the hospital.

The third campus is home to the School of Aviation. It is located at the Cessnock Airport in the Hunter Valley, a premier tourist and wine-growing region of New South Wales. It is also one of the fastest growing industrial regions in Australa. A free shuttle service links the Lake Macquarie Campus and the Hunter Valley Campus.