Now that those winter winds are blowing through Sydney, maybe the time has come to embrace the change.
If you’re looking for a new start, fresh inspiration or a different career entirely, Sydney’s specialist education institutions and courses have you covered. Whether it’s in music, the arts, filmmaking, design, acting, teaching or anything else in the creative spheres, we asked the best education providers around town to share their plans for your future.
Australian Film Television And Radio School
Courses on offer:
Short courses, diplomas, advanced diplomas, BA (Screen), graduate certificates and Master of Arts.
What makes us different:
AFTRS is consistentlyrated as one of the top international film schools in the world by The Hollywood Reporter, the onlyAustralian higher educational institution to make this list. At AFTRS you’ll be taught up-to-the-minute skills, using state-of-the-art facilities and gear, meet like-minded creatives and build influential industry networks. Students graduate from AFTRS industry-ready, with the skills and knowledge to work in the fast-changing screen and broadcast industries.
Who are the teachers?
AFTRS tutors are industry professionals. They’ll show you how to tell a story and how to move and inspire your audience.
Take the next step:
AFTRS graduates include Jane Campion (Top Of The Lake), Ivan Sen (Goldstone), Kriv Stenders (Red Dog), Warwick Thornton (Samson And Delilah) and Jocelyn Moorhouse (The Dressmaker).
What else you need to know:
Award course entry is based on merit selection rather than ATAR.
Enrolment dates:
The 2017 intake for BA (Screen) opens mid-July 2016, closely followed by intake for the other 2017 award courses.
Open Day:Saturday September 10
Address: Building 130, The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
Phone: 1300 13 14 61 / (02) 9805 6444
Email: [email protected]
Website: aftrs.edu.au
[MUSIC/AUDIO]
Courses on offer:
We currently offer courses in contemporary performance (for voice, guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, saxophone, trumpet, et cetera), composition and music production, entertainment and arts management, and audio engineering.
What makes us different:
There are several advantages in studying at AIM. Our state-of-the-art facility is located on Foveaux Street, Surry Hills, and just across the road from Central Station. We have students travelling as far as Newcastle and the South Coast by train.
Because we also have a campus in Melbourne, students can easily transfer from Sydney (and vice versa) and pick up their study where they left off. Many students have enjoyed studying in two cities to broaden their experience.
Who are the teachers?
Our staff are second to none and are all current industry professionals working at the top of the industry around the country and internationally. We have their qualifications and professional achievements listed on our website.
Take the next step:
To make sure students are ready to seek out opportunities once they’ve graduated, we maintain our competence and compliance policy, which includes regular revision of course content, employment of staff who have relevant academic qualifications and who engage in current industry practice, delivery of hands-on practical classes supported by relevant theoretical application, and by offering many masterclasses with industry professionals who can help guide and reassure students what it’s like in the ‘real world’ of the music industry.
Keeping up with industry:
Because all of our staff are currently employed in the industry as professionals, they have their finger on the pulse and are able to adapt quickly and easily to social shifts. This is a standard part of life in the music industry and we consider adaptation to these shifts (including regular revision and updating of course content) as vital to ensuring positive outcomes for students.
What else you need to know:
Our academic calendar operates on a trimesterly system, where we have three 13-week trimesters (as opposed to the traditional two 13-week semester system) so that students can finish a bachelor degree in two years of full-time study. Students can, however, reduce the study load and complete the degree over a longer period if they wish. We are very flexible in this regard. We also have intakes three times a year (January, May and September) so students are not limited to only starting at the beginning of the year.
Open Day:Saturday August 6
Address: 1-55 Foveaux St, Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 9219 5444
Email: [email protected]
Website: aim.edu.au
[DESIGN]
Courses on offer:
Diplomas of interior design and decoration, graphic design, design, and digital media design. Bachelor degrees in communication design, branded fashion design, interior design (commercial), interior design (residential), digital media (3D design and animation), digital media (interaction design), digital media (film and video design), branded environments, and bachelor of business with bachelor of design. We also offer a master’s degree in design, and a Graduate Certificate of UX and web design.
What makes us different:
Billy Blue is an iconic, inspirational space where ideas flourish. We are known to train graduates who push boundaries and challenge conventions (and that’s before breakfast). As a leading design college for almost 30 years and with purpose-built design facilities in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, we pride ourselves on providing a learning environment where students can experiment and investigate their expressive potential as visual communicators. In 2015, Billy Blue teamed up with Torrens University Australia, which is part of Laureate International Universities, connecting students with over 80 institutions worldwide. The Media Design School at Torrens University Australia will be launching courses in game art and game programming in 2017. Come to our next Open Day to find out more.
Take the next step:
Billy Blue has launched the careers of thousands of design graduates (including The Brag’s very own Art Director, Sarah Bryant). Some are running their own studios, freelancing or working for top creative agencies such as Interbrand, DDB and MC Saatchi, and brands like Camilla, Volley and Zanerobe.
Who are the teachers?
Students are coached by industry practitioners and academics to understand the rigour required to fold personal ideals and expression into professional demands of the field. Many work in creative studios or have their own freelancing businesses, bringing current industry know-how into the classrooms.
What else you need to know:
All our courses run on flexible timetables. Study full-time, part-time or get started with one subject.
Enrolment dates:
Billy Blue has three intakes per year, in February, June and September. We are taking applications now for the upcoming intake on Monday September 19. FEE-HELP is available to Australian citizens.
Open Day:Saturday August 13, 10am-2pm
Address: 46-52 Mountain St, Ultimo
Phone: 1300 851 245
Email: [email protected]
Website: billyblue.edu.au
[SHORT COURSES]
Courses on offer:
Something for everyone, from acting for camera to writing about sex.
What makes us different:
City East Community College is your local, not-for-profit adult education provider. We offer an unrivalled diversity of subjects and our mission is to keep it as accessible as possible, in a supportive and social atmosphere. Whether you are interested in arts, languages, cooking, business or health and fitness, we have something to help build your skills while you have fun. If you live in Sydney’s east or the inner city, our courses are on your doorstep. If you live elsewhere, come and join us.
Who are the teachers?
Our teachers are passionate, committed, experienced and love to share their knowledge. Our diverse courses attract people with arts, education and industry backgrounds. You can be sure that when you enrol in a cookery, a business or a blacksmithing course, you are being introduced to a new world of learning by experts in their field.
Take the next step:
Many people use our short, informative courses as stepping stones to build a portfolio for uni art course entry, to start a small business or to add to their CV. Notable achievements from our graduates include: our stand-up comedy students have told jokes on SBS TV; our filmmaking students have seen their work on the Correspondents Report; and a former student of our typing course is the Prime Minister (as we go to press).
What else you need to know:
We add new courses right up to our print deadline (and after). Our 22 new courses this term include Build Your Own Brand, Pinterest for Business and Tea Appreciation (and Blending). You’d be surprised where your new skills can lead you.
Enrolment dates:
We are enrolling now and continuously throughout the year. We have just posted our latest batch of exciting courses. Go to cityeastcc.com.au to browse.
Address:
Courses are located at schools and community facilities throughout Sydney’s east and inner city. Our learning centre and central office is at 98 Bondi Rd, Bondi Junction.
Phone: (02) 9387 7400
Email: [email protected]
Website: cityeastcc.com.au
[Main image: Billy Blue College of Design]
