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The Xavier Institute of Communications (XIC) had several years ago entered into an educational affiliation with Deakin University, Australia. This affiliation allowed XIC students who had successfully completed their Post Graduate Diplomas in their respective streams, to apply for attending the Master of Arts (Professional Communication) Degree program offered by Deakin University. At present, 3 XIC students including myself have enrolled and completed the course.

As a guide to former and current students at XIC, this article outlines several points regarding the Master of Arts program.

Where?
Deakin University has several campuses spread across the state of Victoria. XIC students would attend the Master of Arts program at the Burwood Campus located in the state’s capital – the city of Melbourne.

Duration
The Master of Arts program is for a period of 1.5 years (3 Semesters). Having completed their studies at XIC, students would be given ‘Advanced Standing’ or a ‘Transfer of Credits’ for 2 semesters. This would mean that a XIC student would only have to enroll for one semester to complete their master’s degree.

Starting Off
When a student is enrolled at Deakin University, they would have to attend ‘Orientation Week’. This week is important as the University provides students with information seminars, study kits, tours of the University and the city of Melbourne, meetings with the Arts faculty and opportunities to interact with other students. The University will inform students when the orientation week will begin.

Course Structure
Students are required to take 4 units or modules. Each unit is for 1 credit point. The University has two semesters each year, which are Semester 1 (*Beginning in February) and Semester 2 (*Beginning in July). Students may choose to enroll for either semester depending on their own personal requirements. The University has several streams within the Masters of Arts program, which are: Public Relations, Advertising, Journalism, Media and Communication and Professional Writing. An important point to note is that the University provides a great deal of flexibility to students by allowing them to choose units from any stream. For example an Advertising student may choose 2 units from the Advertising stream as well as 1 unit from Journalism and 1 from Professional Writing. Another important point to note is that suppose a student is enrolled for Semester 1 they may only choose units offered for that semester. They will not be allowed to take a unit offered in the other semester.

Deakin University also allows students the opportunity to change their units once they have enrolled for their course at the start of the semester. Should a student not be satisfied with a unit they have taken they may drop it and take another unit in its place. However, this is only for a stipulated period at the beginning of the semester. The Arts office at Deakin University will provide students with information regarding this.

Academics
For most units offered there are no exams or tests held. The method of evaluation is based on unit coursework, which includes assignments, presentations and online discussions on student forums. It is important to note that students will be informed what the method of evaluation will be for each unit by their unit lecturer.

Admission Point of Contact
Students who are interested in applying for the Master of Arts program may do so by getting in touch with IDP. IDP is an international educational center, which helps students who are applying to Colleges and Universities in Australia. They help students by providing them with their respective University application form, application for their Australian visas, seminars on several student issues (travelling to Australia, living in Australia etc) and enrolling for the IELTS examination. The IDP center in Mumbai is located next to Churchgate station. Their address is: Express Building, 1st Floor, Opposite Churchgate Railway Station, Mumbai – 400020. Phone: 2202 6505 / 09, 2204 2686.

Application Requirements
The required documents needed for applying to Deakin University include: 10th grade mark sheet, 12th grade mark sheet, Undergraduate Degree certificate, XIC certificate and grade mark sheet. IDP will also inform students about what other documents are required for their University application as well as for their Visa applications.

Deakin University does not have any entrance examination. However, the one exam that students will have to do is the “IELTS – International English Language Testing System”. IDP will help students to enroll for this exam and provide them with details regarding the date, time and venue of their respective exams.

Fees
With reference to the academic fees for students wishing to apply to Deakin University, IDP will be able to inform them about what the total amount will be.

Accommodation
With regard to accommodation, Deakin University provides students with temporary accommodation upon arriving in Melbourne. IDP will again be able to advise students regarding this. The University has a student union called “DUSA”, which assists students in finding permanent accommodation within the near vicinity or elsewhere in Melbourne based on where students would like to live. It is advisable for students to live close to Deakin University due to coursework requirements. In addition, it is also advisable for students to arrive early before the start of the semester in order to find their respective accommodation.

Work
Students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. However, students should not work beyond this stipulated time limit as it is against the Australian working laws. IDP will be able to advise students about this.

Melbourne
The city of Melbourne is very a beautiful city situated in the southern part of the state of Victoria. It has a very international vibe and is a cultural melting pot. There is a very large Indian community based in there as well as many Indian shops and restaurants. The people at Deakin University and Melbourne are very warm, friendly and helpful. I might add that I had a very enjoyable time while living and studying there.

Travel
There are several ways to travel around Melbourne, which includes buses, trams and the subways. For students travelling around the city they are required to get travel cards/tickets called “Metcards”. Students usually purchase daily Metcards, which are available at 7/11 stores (General Stores). The city is divided into two zones, which are Zone 1 and 2. Deakin University is located in Zone 2 and students travelling from the city, Zone 1, would need Metcards for both zones. The buses, trams and subways all have validating machines, which students must use to validate their Metcards. For more information students may visit: www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au.

Is it worth it?
This is a question several students have asked. Deakin University is beneficial to students in several ways, which include:

• Encouraging students to think creatively or “out of the box”.

• Being exposed to a new culture and people.

• Exposure to new ways of thinking.

• Investment Savings:
    » In terms of time spent studying.
    » Financial Saving - Since students only have to study for one semester to attain their Master’s degree.

• Gaining an additional qualification that would increase a student’s market value.

The course at Deakin University compliments what students have learnt and done at XIC. It helps to enhance our skills and as I have found, push students beyond a conventional way of thinking and working.

For further information on Deakin University, students may visit the University’s website: www.deakin.edu.au.

Rohan Moorthy was a part of the 2006 Public Relations and Corporate Communications class at XIC. He attended Deakin University in February 2008. He is currently working at Hanmer MS&L in the Public Relations field in Mumbai.