Welcome and introduction to Victoria University

G'day, welcome to the National Virtual Expo. I'm your host, Rob Malicki. Today we're looking at Victoria University. This is a group of institutions in Australia that I really like because they are laser focused on servicing their community, and Victoria University is one such institution. I'm really excited to be going deep into what it has to offer you. If you've got questions as we go, make sure you ask them in the chat. Drop your questions in and we'll try to get to those during the session. If we don't, every single question will be answered on the Choosing Your Uni Discord, so if you're watching on the replay, the details are down below. Parents, we have a Facebook community just for you, so regardless of whether your question is specifically about Victoria Uni, your personal situation, or going to university generally, drop your questions in those places and you will get an answer. Without further ado, I'm going to pass over to my colleagues from Victoria University.

A day in the life: Daisy, Bachelor of Business student from Vanuatu

Hi, I'm Daisy Rose from Vanuatu. I am doing my second year of a Bachelor of Business at Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia. This is me in my room at Uni Lodge, Victoria University, which is right across the road from the Footscray Park campus. I live here with over 500 other VU students. I work here as well as a Residential Advisor, and my job is basically to support and help other students settle in.

I've got a busy day today and I'm excited to show you around. First up, I've got my photoshoot with my Pacific Islander Association members, who are wearing traditional clothing. I am wearing my island dress and I'm just about to take the photoshoot with the Pacific Islander Club.

After that, I've started my part-time job as an Events Assistant at V Student Live, and we're currently working on orientation and I'm looking after catering. We're working through the budget, marking items in red if we think it's that amount, then changing it to yellow or green depending on whether it's paid or correctable.

It's lunchtime and I'm here at the bar waiting for a couple of friends. I did an internship last year with the media and comms team as a Media Support Officer. Oh, there they are. Come sit!

I'm now at the VU gym. I've got an hour free, so I've decided to come for my mental health, because that's very important. They've got a great student deal, and it's $5 per week. I come here whenever I can.

The VU City Tower campus and block-model study in action

I actually study at the VU City campus, which is right in the centre of Melbourne. I head off to Footscray Station and catch a ten-minute train to the city, then a five-minute tram to the campus. Here I am at the VU City Tower. It's so modern and tall, about 32 levels high. There are amazing views and facilities, and even industry partners on campus. I'm doing another internship there as a Policy Writer with ICI Victoria. My major is in human resources, so it's really great to get practical experience there.

I'm about to go to class. We study with the VU block model, which means we focus on one unit at a time. It really helps me get to know my teachers and my classmates better, and also do well in my course. Today in class we are studying project management and we're dealing with real-life industry clients. I'm super excited. And it's Friday, so I'm going out to a special karaoke party with my Australian Awards friends afterwards.

Now it's Friday night and we've got a big event here at Melbourne Central. I'm with VU students and we're about to have karaoke.

What campus life is like at Footscray Park and the City campus

The Footscray Park campus is really good. There are three main cafes: one that has a pub food vibe, one that's a really good coffee shop, and there are tons of tables and chairs where everyone sits before and after class. It's right next to the Maribyrnong River, so there's a really good walking track. It's quite scenic, with a good view of the city, and there are also footy ovals at the back of campus and basketball courts available for free, which a lot of people in my class like to use after class.

The food in Footscray is really cheap, which is quite nice. On the way to the train station there's the main street, which is great for getting food and catching up with people. I go to the gym pretty much every day after class. They've got a pool and a sauna as well. Generally my whole class all go together, have a good workout, and spend time together. The gym is discounted for students, by students. It's $5 a week for fitness classes, gym, pool, sauna, Pilates, and yoga. You can't get much cheaper than that.

In the city, I go out for food and visit places like the State Library and Melbourne Central. Since I'm from regional Victoria, it's pretty cool to be in the middle of everything and just feel that city environment.

Moving to Melbourne: adjusting to a new city and making friends

Moving to Melbourne was a huge change. I'd never really been to Melbourne before, so I was very unsure what to expect. I literally didn't even know how to open the train door and missed my stop because I'd never used public transport before in my life. Thankfully, we have Uni Lodge across the road, which means since I'm studying at Footscray Park, it's an under-two-minute walk to uni. The facilities on campus make the adjustment a bit easier: the gym, the pool, the walking track at the back of campus. You don't need to travel far around Footscray for most of your day-to-day activities.

The block model and small classroom structure make it really easy to make friends, because you see the same people every day. Having no friends in the city was a huge deal, but I've made friends through Uni Lodge as well, since most people living there also study at VU. My jobs at the university, both as an ambassador and in the gym, also really helped me meet other students. A lot of people working at the gym have moved to Melbourne for university, so it's great to meet people going through the same things at the same age.

While it's definitely been challenging, it's been a very good adjustment. Being in Footscray means that while you're out of the CBD, you're still only about a 15-minute train ride in, so you can really explore everything the city has to offer.

Student voices: cyber security, nursing, and why students chose VU

My name is Kit and I'm a student studying cyber security. I'm interested in computers and I love coding. My dad codes as well, so he got me into it. There are many languages in coding, and I like Python and coding in Linux machines. My dream job after uni is to work in a private company and hack the hackers back.

The block model was a big part of why I decided to come to VU. It helps me work and study at the same time, as well as letting me socialise with friends. I felt a lot of pressure from my friends and my family during preference time. I was completely confused about what course to select. I tried cyber security at the last minute, and when I thought about the block model and everything, it felt more like a passion. Since joining VU, I've made some really great mates who are fun, supportive, and who I love talking to. That's why I chose VU.

I'm Tracy and I'm a student studying nursing. I'm interested in nursing because I want to make a big change in people's lives. I grew up with younger siblings and cousins, and I would love to be able to deliver good health support, especially for kids when they need it most. VU has multiple pathways, which basically means that if you don't get the study score you want, there are still other options to get into nursing. VU sees me as more than my ATAR. What drew me to VU was definitely the hands-on learning. I get to go into simulation labs, which is great for nursing. After my bootcamp, I want to go straight into my Bachelor of Nursing and get into paediatrics. The end goal for me is to work in a paediatric hospital, maybe the Royal Children's Hospital. That's why I chose VU.

The Early Entry Program and how it supports first-generation university students

My name is Adam and I'm studying psychology. I grew up in a small town that's pretty much a tourist town, and I love talking to people. When I was looking at careers, I wanted something people-focused that I could also step back from and have time to myself. I applied for the Early Entry Program because it gave me the most options and the best possible chance to get into the uni I wanted. I was really excited to finish Year 12, and the Early Entry Program made me feel a lot more secure knowing I had a place at university.

One of the big reasons I wanted to come to VU is the block model and the classroom-style lectures. I'm actually one of the first in my family to go to university, so being able to call course advisors and know I was part of a university made me feel really confident. Having access to the Top Notes that came with the Early Entry Program also really helped. It gives you the best possible chance to get your foot in the door.

How the block model works and what makes it flexible

The block model is essentially where, instead of doing four units over the course of six months, you do one unit over the course of four weeks, and those four weeks make up the semester. The block model is very convenient for many different reasons. If you're into travelling, I know a friend who travelled over the summer, missed the first block, and she's just going to redo that block over winter. She stays at the exact same level as the rest of the class. She's not disadvantaged or missing out on anything. She just picks it up during a different break, which is really convenient.

You only have to focus on one class at a time, so assessment-wise it's pretty much one assessment at a time. You don't have to worry about a ton of different classes, and it means you can really invest in the unit you're learning. It can be quite fast-paced and challenging at times depending on the unit, but overall it allows you to really immerse yourself in that specific unit.

I applied for the Early Entry Program because my degree is quite competitive to get into ATAR-wise. I knew I could do well, but I wasn't quite sure I'd be able to secure the ATAR I needed. The Early Entry Program gave me a bonus five ATAR points, which thankfully meant I could pursue the career in physiotherapy that I wanted. Without that extra five points, I probably wouldn't have been able to get into VU or any other university for physiotherapy. There are also a ton of different benefits that come with the program. You're able to gain consideration for a scholarship, and you get free access to the gym and pool after being accepted.

Pathways into university and the small-classroom learning environment

The pathways option would be really handy if you didn't get into your degree in the first round, which is completely okay. I know friends who didn't quite get the ATAR they needed, so they just did a certificate or diploma course. They do a year to a year and a half of that smaller qualification and then are able to go straight into second year of uni. They're not disadvantaged. It's the same amount of time overall, and they have that additional certification as well. It's just another way to enter university.

At VU, because of the block model, you're in a small classroom environment of 20 to 30 people. It's similar to high school in the sense that you form a bond with your teacher. They'll guide you if you need extensions, if you need help, or if you're not understanding something. The teachers are always more than happy to stay behind and have a chat. Unlike a large lecture setting where you don't get much individualised attention, with the block model your teacher will most likely know you by name by the end of the block. That's also really good for making friends. You're sitting at a table with five or six people and seeing them every day, which allows you to build real relationships with your peers and your lecturer.

On-campus jobs, the careers hub, and student support services

There are a ton of different jobs available on campus. I myself work as a lifeguard and receptionist in the gym, which is perfect. It's pretty much all uni students working there, so it's amazing for making friends and obviously very convenient when you're already on campus. The way I applied for that job was by emailing them directly. Since I already had my lifeguard qualification, it was very straightforward. My roommates work in IT support, and I know the student union also has a couple of paid positions. They kept up to date with the Careers Hub on the main VU website, and when a position became available, they applied online.

The Careers Hub is really helpful. Essentially, they help you with your ability to get a job. If you need someone to look over your resume, or give you advice on how to best suit a job application, they will go over everything. You make an appointment and it's tailored to you, the jobs you're applying for, and the experience you have.

VU has a lot of support available for students. As someone living out of home, there are so many opportunities for free food, which I absolutely love. There are free frozen meals three times a week, and a food pantry with dried foods like pasta that you can take and cook yourself, running twice a week. It is on campus, it is free, and it really helps with saving money. There are also scholarships available, particularly the First Year ATAR Scholarship, and a lot of support if you're not able to meet assessment deadlines. I was quite sick last year and almost missed an entire block. Since there are only about 20 people in my class, I emailed back and forth with my teacher, and he was more than happy to give me extensions. I could do everything online and get extensions on my assessments until I was able to come in person and do them properly. That was very helpful.

Student voice: Sarah on psychology, diversity, and transitioning from Year 12

I'm Sarah and I'm a VU student studying psychology. I had no intention of studying psychology throughout high school until the end of Year 12, when I started getting interested in forensic and science work and realised that's what I wanted to do. My dream job is to become a clinical psychologist.

I felt very supported in my first year. My teachers were really accommodating to different student circumstances, and the Learning Hub is really helpful for learning how to write assignments and essays. Transitioning from Year 12 to uni is a bit challenging because uni is more self-directed rather than having that persistent teacher-and-student relationship. It can be difficult, but it also pushes you to do better.

Most of my days at uni are quite happy. I have a really solid friendship group here. The VU culture is very diverse and inclusive. There are so many students from so many different backgrounds. I've experienced this firsthand in class, and it's just such a lovely and helpful environment. I had no idea that uni could be so welcoming, and that's why I chose VU.

VU's community engagement and student clubs

Hi everyone, my name is Adam Shoemaker. I could not be more delighted to be here for you today. We really care about the community and we really care about helping, doing any number of tasks to help people, whether that's upgrading toy libraries, helping people in aged care, or talking about what to do with community gardens. Victoria University staff and students are out helping to plant wildflowers for a native seed orchard. The volunteers are doing a really great job: planting, spreading mulch, and general clean-up at the Grassland Reserve. Another group is sorting through materials for recycling, separating different types of plastic cups based on composition and colour. VU is very much about being for the community.

VU has a ton of different clubs, especially at open days and the start of uni, when all the stands are out so you can pick whichever ones suit you best. I'm not in one currently, but I'm thinking of joining the Outdoor Adventures club, which has done indoor skydiving, gone to the Moonlight Cinema, and done group walks. There's also a matcha tasting club, so you can pick whatever interests you and meet like-minded people.

VU's Western Bulldogs partnership and what sets VU apart

One of the reasons I chose VU was their affiliation with the Western Bulldogs. As a Bulldogs supporter myself, this was quite exciting. Students get free Bulldogs tickets, which as a uni student living out of home is very convenient. In class, we had some AFL Bulldogs players come in. I'm studying physiotherapy and we got to do exercises and biomechanics lessons with the players, which was absolutely incredible. We got to ask them questions and learn about the injuries they were managing and how to apply concepts to elite sport. Later in my degree, I will have placements with the Western Bulldogs, working directly with the AFL team, which is an incredible opportunity.

What's unique about Victoria University is that we have the block model, which sets us apart from other unis. I know a lot of friends who go to other universities and have four units at a time, which can be a lot to manage test-wise and work-wise. At VU, you're generally only at uni for three days a week, so it's very easy to manage. Another thing that's unique about VU is the gym facilities. A lot of places say they have a gym and then it's not that great, but the VU gym is really good. It's open for over 12 hours a day, and that includes a sauna and a pool. It's used by a lot of students and it's very cheap. I think that's a huge thing that sets VU apart.

Personal growth and putting yourself out there at university

I would definitely say I've matured since starting uni, particularly from moving out of home. It's a huge adjustment and a huge change in everyday life. Being in the city is just a big difference. You have to rely on yourself in ways that aren't necessarily similar to high school. You have to motivate yourself to go to class, do your assessments on time, and no one else is really going to do that for you.

What I've learned about myself since starting uni is that I'm actually capable of a lot more than I thought I would be. A lot of that comes from putting yourself out there. If you want to make friends, meet new people, and get new opportunities, you just have to put your hand up. There are so many opportunities at VU, volunteer or otherwise, and if you want to do it, you just have to put your hand up. Some people say they struggle to make friends at uni, but I think it's really about being willing to ask people to catch up, go out, and explore the city even when there's no particular reason to. Just put yourself out there. That's something I've really matured into and learned about myself since starting university.