Applying for a Student Visa
Applying for and obtaining a student visa can take considerable time; this may vary in different countries.
Prospective students should contact the MCD University of Divinity as early as possible to make initial enquiries.
Three steps are essential to making an application.
Step One: Application for Admission to an MCD University of Divinity Course
As an international student you must complete the appropriate international application form, and submit it with the following documents direct to the MCD University of Divinity Recognised Teaching Institution of your choice:
1 Evidence of
a) your level of English Language proficiency (see MCD English Language Entry Requirements), or
b) that you have been offered a place with an English language provider in Australia
2 Transcripts of all completed tertiary courses
3 Your full name as listed in your passport
4 Your date of birth
6 Your citizenship and country of birth
7 A copy of the photo and name page of your current passport
8 An International Student Sponsor Statement completed by your sponsor, if you are not paying your own fees.
Step Two: Acceptance Offer
If you are accepted into an MCD University of Divinity course, the MCD University of Divinity will send you an Acceptance Contract, which you must complete, sign, and return to the Quality & Compliance Officer. The MCD University of Divinity will then send you a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Step Three: Visa Application
You must use your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) to apply to an Australian diplomatic post for a student visa. Please see http://www.immi.gov.au/ for more information on the process of obtaining a student visa.
Maintaining Your Student Visa
The MCD University of Divinity academic year is divided into Semester 1 (March to June) and Semester 2 (August to November), with February often used for intensive courses and July for conferences. The summer break (December - January / February) provides opportunity for travel and summer courses. New students must commence their course of study from the beginning of a semester (normally Semester 1) and need to be present in Melbourne by early February (or July for Semester 2) to prepare to commence study. If you do not arrive in time to attend your first classes you run the risk of being reported to the Department of Immigration for unsatisfactory course progress, and this may result in your visa being cancelled.
The Australian Government requires all tertiary institutions to ensure that international students have their study and results monitored constantly during their study in Australia. You are required to attend 80% of classes in each unit/subject, and must complete your course in the time indicated on your CoE.
If you have a student visa, you must study full-time, and are permitted to work part-time.
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your visa being cancelled. If this happens you will be required to leave Australia.