anyone know about debts for courses

[SAV_117]

ok has anyone seen that express it course on the internet ok the course i want to do is 26000 im just wondering if there was like a hex thing on that sorry if the spelling is wrong or hex isnt the word cause i really dont know

[Reaper]

Talk to the provider of the course. They will probably have a range of finance options or can put you onto people who can help.

Reaper

[levymetal]

You want to be looking for courses that offer a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). As far as I know, private universities do not provide CSPs. The loan you get from the government is now called HECS-HELP.

What type of 'course' is this anyway? Surely for that money you will be obtaining an internationally accredited degree, right?

It's a shame, if you were considering anything like a degree from a proper university that provides CSPs you have missed out on your chance to apply through VTAC.

[jules]

some of those IT courses aren't worth the paper the certificate is printed on. that's one reason it may not qualify for HECS.

[Scooter79]

$26000!!! Well bugger me! My four years at uni didn't cost anywhere near that. How long is the course for and what do you get out of it in the long term?

My understanding is that HECS isn't offered to mature age students (those 25 or over) but I might be wrong.

[MikesCalais]

Like has been said, some course dont offer HECS places, some of the ones that dont offer FEE-HELP or HECS-HELP, few different names, pretty much the same thing...

If the course offers a HECS places, you would have to fill out a HECS form with your tax file number

And im pretty sure that HECS is offered to anyone, of any age, as long as the course youre applying for offers it

hope that helps, goodluck!

[Flat_White]

yeah what course is it?

[ProphetVX]

ok has anyone seen that express it course on the internet ok the course i want to do is 26000 im just wondering if there was like a hex thing on that sorry if the spelling is wrong or hex isnt the word cause i really dont know

$26,000? Wow, my entire computer science degree at wollongong university which was 4 years only cost me $18,000.

I think you'll find most of those courses are austudy approved, but not hecs. So a fair chunk you'll have to pay yourself upfront. If they do offer HECS, anyone can get it.

Thought about going to tafe for a year to do a bridging course that will get you into uni? Honestly these express IT courses will teach you nothing other than get you qualified for a help desk job. You'd be better off signing up for multiple tafe courses to diversify your skillset, than to do a 4 month crash course that really can't teach you anything other than the basics in that timeframe.

What career do you actually want from this? I can tell you first hand, from working in the industry for quite a few years now. Unless you have a degree, don't expect a decent salary, unless you want to do things like networking or systems support, which can be attained at TAFE for much cheaper.

[levymetal]

Thought about going to tafe for a year to do a bridging course that will get you into uni? Honestly these express IT courses will teach you nothing other than get you qualified for a help desk job. You'd be better off signing up for multiple tafe courses to diversify your skillset, than to do a 4 month crash course that really can't teach you anything other than the basics in that timeframe.

I have an Advanced Diploma of Computer Science (2 year tafe course, cost me less than $600!), and I got a job in help desk... Before I even finished my course... And I'm pretty sure that's the extent of Express IT. Guaranteed job in the industry, tech support, earning 40k for the rest of your life.

Only a week to go to find out whether I got into uni (swinburne) or not, and my tafe course will knock at least a year off my degree

[ProphetVX]

Upon looking up these courses, it seems most of them are offering Microsoft or Linux certifications. Most of which can be done at TAFE, or the books purchased and the test done at an independant testing centre, for barely a quarter of the price of what you'll be paying.

MCSA, MCP, Cisco, RHCE etc etc can all be attained at various TAFE's around the country. All these qualifications are internationally recognised, and where you get them is irrelevant. The Express IT course may be worth it, but I'd certainly look into what other options are out there, everything they offer can be attained for much cheaper. It just depends on whether you're happy doing a few courses over a year, instead of doing it in 3-4 months that they offer. Or if you're a keen learner, do it at home.

[SAV_117]

hey guys thanks for the reply to be honest cant remember all the specifics i remember prices lol the course is 4 months and apprently after that u start earning 89k a year

[ProphetVX]

hey guys thanks for the reply to be honest cant remember all the specifics i remember prices lol the course is 4 months and apprently after that u start earning 89k a year

I went to uni for 4 years in the industry, and my starting salary was 47k lol. It's a nice spiel, but they're talking you becoming a consultant. A full time job with any of those qualifications straight up and 50-55k is more realistic in the current market. Then with experience you can start to expect those salaries.

[SAV_117]

yeah i didnt really believe the 89k part lol maybe eventually haha but yeah cant really go to uni got no TER

[ProphetVX]

yeah i didnt really believe the 89k part lol maybe eventually haha but yeah cant really go to uni got no TER

That's irrelevant, there are numerous bridging courses you can do at TAFE (6 months) that will make you eligible as a mature age student.

If you want to goto uni, then call up the uni and ask what needs to be done. I went to uni with plenty of people who never finished high school. TER/UAI only matters when you're 18-21.

If not, then look at what the express IT course offers, and see if you can get those accreditations at TAFE.

[_R_J_K_]

Upon looking up these courses, it seems most of them are offering Microsoft or Linux certifications. Most of which can be done at TAFE, or the books purchased and the test done at an independant testing centre, for barely a quarter of the price of what you'll be paying.

MCSA, MCP, Cisco, RHCE etc etc can all be attained at various TAFE's around the country. All these qualifications are internationally recognised, and where you get them is irrelevant. The Express IT course may be worth it, but I'd certainly look into what other options are out there, everything they offer can be attained for much cheaper. It just depends on whether you're happy doing a few courses over a year, instead of doing it in 3-4 months that they offer. Or if you're a keen learner, do it at home.

Exactly. TAFE is much better value for money, and much more enjoyable. Like anything else, Express IT is a business, so naturally they are going to want the highest and fastest student turnover that they can churn out.

I'm getting my Diploma Of Networking in I.T. for about $800 a semester at CIT (TAFE in Canberra), and it's a two year full time course. $26,000 in four months? ... !!! And being a TAFE, they have much better student options and representatives (i.e. money, accommodation...).

TAFE is also more hands on and practical. TAFE may even subsidise or give you good opportunities on some of your classes, for example, I was offered the chance to attend a Cisco class that would cost $4000 to any company for only $600.

Also what happens if you drop out (not speculating or anything here!). You'll still owe them $26,000.

Even if you just took general short courses, you would get a very good feel for what is expected of you, and at a very good price.

[SAV_117]

ahh kk thanks for the info guys maybe tafe is the way to go than will call up today sometime

[ClairBear]

Do not be fooled by the promise of employment at the end of these private courses that cost $1000's. Hidden in the contracts you sign it pretty much has wording to the effect you only get a job if blah blah blah...and even then there is no guarantee.

I have spoken to people who did these $26K IT courses and are still unemployed or ended up employed in other industries (factory hand, shop assistant etc.)

What people need to understand is these Companies that offer these courses are actually a business and there to make money. Like any business they will lure customers anyway they can, especially as they charge so much for their courses. They don't care if you end up with a job or even pass their courses, they just want your money.

Anyone wishing to gain higher education is really better off studying at University or TAFE etc.

[SAV_117]

ahh kk thanks for that i was wondering does anyone know of like a traineeship for computing