University of Tasmania: What it's really like

Want to study at an Australian university known for its connections to maritime research? Tasmania could be the place for you!

Tasmania at a glance:

Ruey, who is International Student Recruiter for the University of Tasmania, tells us what it’s like to study there.

What is the University of Tasmania?

The University of Tasmania is the fourth oldest university in Australia, and the only university in the state of Tasmania. There are around 43,000 students here, with around 17% of those students being international. We are known for facilities like our Institute of Marine and Antarctic Science (IMAS), and though we teach a wide range of subjects, we specialise in subjects like law, medicine, marine studies, and agriculture.

Fun fact: Tasmania as an island is run on 100% renewable energy, so students who study here can research this renewable energy technology or work with this as part of a placement during their studies! 

Why apply to the University of Tasmania?

One reason to apply is to experience quality education at an affordable price. We are consistently ranked in the world’s top 100 for marine biology degrees. This is because of the abundance of biodiversity you can find in the waters of Tasmania.

We are also highly ranked for agriculture and environmental sciences, so students can study subjects relating to environmental management here, and our law lecturers include renowned academics in environmental and marine law issues.

If you haven’t lived in Tasmania before, you’ll experience an entirely different lifestyle living on the island to other Australian hotspots like Sydney or Melbourne. You’ll find the natural world next door to your classroom, with places for hiking, rock climbing, or bushwalking never too far away for relieving stress between classes.

Who isn’t the right fit for the University of Tasmania?

If you’re a city person who’s attracted to busy places, Tasmania may not be for you. Tasmania offers a more peaceful environment in which to learn. In addition, Tasmania is cooler than some parts of Australia, hovering between 12 and 20 degrees celsius throughout most of the year. So if you’re not keen on the cold, Tasmania might not be the one for you!

Any application tips? 

First of all, check the university’s website to make sure you have all the documents you need to apply, and whether you need a Personal Statement (some but not all courses do). Your Personal Statement should include both your reasons for applying to your chosen course, and to the University of Tasmania.

Students should speak to an agent to understand what Tasmania can offer, so they can get a sense of both the course content, and the lifestyle of the university. 

Understanding if you are applying at Year 11 or Year 12 level will also make the application process smoother. If you know this, the university’s admissions team will be able to tell you if you meet the entry requirements for the course you’re applying to.

What’s the location like?

The university is based in the island state of Tasmania, Australia. It’s about a one-hour flight from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne. The university makes use of the entire island as its campus, so students can enjoy hiking, snorkelling, and surfing in their free time. The island also hosts two music festivals a year where everyone gets involved!

The University of Tasmania has two main campuses: one in Hobart, and one in Launceston. It offers a balance of campus and city lifestyles. For example, the medicine and nursing courses are city-based, so you’ll study these next to the Royal Hobart Hospital; whilst engineering students make full use of facilities on-campus.

What facilities does the University of Tasmania have to offer?

Music students can take advantage of the university’s Hedberg music building, one of the newest buildings in the city, the architecture giving it an excellent acoustic. It includes a recital hall and a salon with full acoustic treatment, flexible staging and seating for small performances, rehearsals, and recording.

IMAS is our Institute of Marine and Antarctic Science, a waterfront building for marine biology students. The building includes research facilities, giving students the chance to understand what research is going on in the wider world and to get involved themselves in their third year and/or on the Masters programme.

The Australia Maritime Center (AMC) is the only college in Australia that provides training for seafaring students. There are simulation ports based on ports around the world, to test out vessel navigation through narrow channels, and fake weather simulators, so students can be career-ready when they leave university. There’s even a wave pool for testing model boats!

What is the accommodation like?

When students stay at the University of Tasmania, all accommodation is owned and managed by the university, so you’ll only be living with students from the university. Most halls are within 10-15 minutes walking distance from classrooms. 

All accommodation in Sandy Bay, on the Hobart campus, offers single occupancy and self-catered rooms. Students share common areas like kitchens and bathrooms on this campus. Our 42 Melville Street accommodation, by contrast, offers en suite bathrooms and private kitchens. Check our website for the latest prices, which include utilities.

Students are encouraged to stay in student accommodation for at least one semester, so they can get familiar with the campus locations and transport around the area. Some students stay on-campus until they graduate, whilst others later choose to rent an apartment with friends off-campus. 

How does the university meet the needs of students with different accessibility requirements?

The University of Tasmania is fully wheelchair accessible. We have assistive technology to support students with disabilities, like JAWS for students who are visually impaired; Dragon, a speech-to-text software; and read-and-write technology for students with dyslexia.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the university before you arrive if they can support you with the adjustments you might need.

Want to explore more Australasian universities? Remember, Unifrog’s Shortlisting tool can help you put together a list of great potential courses.