Geelong is the second largest city in Victoria after Melbourne, and is an hour away from Melbourne by car or train.

The city is located on the port of Corio Bay and the Barwon River. With beautiful surf beaches, great bush walks nearby, it offers a relaxing and affordable lifestyle to international students.

Geelong has some of Australia’s greatest surf beaches, world class education programs and facilities, as well as heritage buildings, parks, gardens, beaches, restaurants and plenty of shopping.

It is also a gateway to the scenic and world famous Great Ocean Road with its beautiful beaches and parklands.

You can find out more about living and studying in Geelong on the Study Geelong page on the Think Geelong website.

Supported by Study Melbourne, The International Student Lounge Geelong aims to provide a dedicated and inclusive space for post-secondary international students living and studying in Geelong where they can learn about their new environment and culture.   Through this program international students will develop a stronger sense of belonging and increased connectedness to the local community.

The International Student Lounge Drop-in Centre is open on Monday and Thursday from 5pm- 8pm, and includes a free, healthy hot meal.  The Lounge also features an engagement program of fun activities and information sessions covering issues relevant to international students, to support their physical, emotional and mental health needs.

Where: Salvation Army, 239 Malop Street, Geelong

Deakin University campuses

There are two Deakin campuses in Geelong:

Stay on campus at Deakin

Accommodation is available on Waurn Ponds. Students at both campuses can apply to live at the Waurn Ponds accommodation.

Getting to Deakin

The Getting to Deakin page on the Deakin University website has information about how to get to the Waurn Ponds and Waterfront campuses.

The Waterfront campus is a short walk from Geelong Railway Station. To find out how to travel to the Waurn Ponds campus by train and bus, search for Waurn Ponds on the Public Transport Victoria (PTV) website.

Deakin College

Deakin College is located at Geelong Waterfront and Waurn Ponds campuses of Deakin University. Courses at Deakin College offer a fast-track study pathway with diploma courses that are equivalent to a first year bachelor degree at Deakin University.

A pathway to Deakin University

Over 90% of international students studying at Deakin College successfully complete their studies and go straight into the second year of their Bachelor degree.

Along with these fast-track degree pathway options to Deakin University, Deakin College features small class sizes. You may be able to start your studies in March, June or October.

The Gordon Institute of TAFE

The Gordon has welcomed international students from more than 75 countries to study a range of certificate, diploma and advanced diploma courses. The Gordon’s small classroom sizes, hands-on training, guaranteed work placements and pathways to university will help you get the skills you need to succeed in your future career.

The Gordon is one of the largest regional TAFEs in Victoria. It has three main campuses across Geelong and Werribee, offering convenience, affordable cost of living and great lifestyle benefits.

And as a Gordon student, you can access a wide range of resources and support services to ensure your study experience is the best it can be.

The Geelong City Campus is only 1 hour (75km) from Melbourne and offers a unique blend of historic architecture and modern training facilities. Courses offered here include beauty therapy, cookery and patisserie, early childhood education, ELICOS, hospitality management, aged care, laboratory technology and nursing.

The East Geelong Campus is home to state-of-the-art trade training facilities and on-campus accommodation. It offers building and construction, building design, computer systems engineering, engineering and remedial massage.

Geelong is a beautiful coastal city, close to the heart of Victoria’s Great Ocean Road and the Bellarine Peninsula. There is no shortage of fun-filled activities for students to do on weekends, from learning to surf, to seeing Australian wildlife, attending music, food and cultural festivals, and enjoying its vibrant waterfront precinct and shops.

The new Werribee Campus is located only 30 minutes (30km) from Melbourne’s city centre and offers spacious and modern facilities for classroom-based training, and practical hands-on trade training for aged care, nursing and remedial massage. The campus is right in the heart of the urban city centre, offering easy access to cafés, bars, fitness facilities, art galleries and public transport.

Read more on the International courses page on the Gordon TAFE website.

English language courses at the Gordon TAFE

The Gordon TAFE offers English language courses to students from around the world. Learn or improve their English in a warm and friendly environment.

The Gordon offers courses at all levels of English Language study, from elementary to advanced, including English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS).

Read more about English language courses you can take at Gordon TAFE.

Study Melbourne course finder

The Study Melbourne course finder lets you search for courses, scholarships and places to study.

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Use the Study Melbourne provider finder to search for a university, college or school, or click here to search for a course.

The Great Ocean Road

Geelong is a gateway to the one of the world's most scenic coastal drives - the Great Ocean Road. See the Twelve Apostles and the famous surf breaks, the waterfalls at Melba Gully and then enjoy the charming fishing village at Port Fairy at the end of this magnificent stretch of road.

Take a day trip or stay overnight at any of the many hotels, Bed and Breakfasts or camping grounds along the way.