Student report
Curtin University of Technology/Curtin Business School (CBS)
Mats Lyseggen
Exchange semester:
Fall 2006
1. ACADEMIC INFORMATION
General Information about the School
 Curtin University of Technology is the largest university in Western Australia with over
31000 students enrolled at it different locations. About 1/3 of these are international
students. Its main campus is located in Bentley, 6 km south of the CBD in Perth. The
university has 6 divisions: Centre for Aboriginal Studies, Curtin Business School,
Engineering, Science and Computing, Health Sciences, Humanities and Resources and
Environment.
The Teaching situation

All units are taught in English. All of my tutors were very good in English and there were
no problems understanding them.

All of my units were more challenging than the ones I`ve had at BI. The professors use a
combination of tutorials, lectures, seminars and group work. This combination together
with presentations and mid-terms makes the work load bigger then at BI, but it is spread
more over the whole semester. I think that this learning situation is much more effective
than the one used at BI.
Required Literature



All literature was in English and at the same level as I am used to at BI.
The literature is used mostly as support to the practical view taught in class.
The exams are based on a combination of lectures and literature.
Exams


We were given a combination between mid-terms and final exams. Participation and
presentations were also a part of the final grad.
What knowledge level was required to pass the exams?
My impression was that it was easy to pass the exams.
Other
The computer facilities are very good. You’ll find computers in every building and there
are also computer-labs around campus. The library has everything you’d expect to find at
a university of this size and more.
Description of Courses
 01866 Retail marketing and Distribution 311
(http://handbook.curtin.edu.au/units/18/1866.html)
-
Combination of lectures and tutorials.
Mid-term (multiple choice) and final written
participation is also included in the final grad.
exam.
Presentation
and

308348 Fashion Merchandising 392
(http://handbook.curtin.edu.au/units/30/308348.html)
- Combination of lecture and tutorials
- 3 projects determine the final grade: 1. Trend forecasting 2. Fashion trade event
3. Fashion Report and Presentation.
- Focuses on how to forecast, present and sell fashion items in store and trade
event settings.
- Easy to pass the projects, but it requires a lot of work to finish them.

11712 Small Business 200
(http://handbook.curtin.edu.au/units/11/11712.html)
- Seminars
- Combination of project work, presentation, participation and final written exam
determines the final grad.
- The project work was to develop a business plan and present it to the class.
Easy to pass, but very time demanding.

4436 Human Resource Management 200
(http://handbook.curtin.edu.au/units/44/4436.html)
- Combination of lecture and tutorials.
- Combination of report writing, final written exam and participation determines
the final grad. Participation in the tutorials is very important.
- Most demanding unit I had, but perhaps the most useful one.
2. PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON THE SCHOOL AND THE EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE
Information before you left
Before you leave you receive a letter with all the information you need. I also got a free
shuttle bus to the student housing on campus at arrival.
Visa Procedure and travel experiences
You can apply for a student VISA on the internet; I got my VISA confirmed the same day as I
applied.
I booked my flight thru STA Travel. Unfortunately I booked my flight too late and had to pay
about 8000 kr for a one way ticket. Remember to book your flight early…….
Academic Calendar
 Two weeks before semester start there is a international student week. This week is
meant to prepare new students for the studies and the Australian culture. The last week
before semester start there is a orientation week for all the students. This week includes
everything you need as a new student and there is plenty of opportunities to make new
friends.
 The reception you get at Curtin is very good and you are sure to feel welcome. There is a
lot of events held both by the international office and the student guild.
Overall I feel that the university was well prepared for my arrival.
Housing
 I got housing on campus thru the housing application on Curtin’s webpage. The housing
office is very helpful on getting you housing according to your requirements.
Costs
 Living cost is in general about 10-20% lower than Norway.
The International Office
The international office was very helpful before and under my stay.
Social Activities
There is plenty of opportunities to make new friend on campus. The Tavern located in the
heart of campus is a must on Wednesdays.
Culture and Language
The only problem I meet regarding language was that there were many Asian students that
were hard to understand.
Cultural and Social Effects from the Exchange Experience
 I feel to the exchange period will be a very positive feature on my CV and help me get the
jobs I like.
 I have also learned more about foreign cultures than I would have done if I stay in Oslo to
finish all three years there. The international atmosphere on Curtin is from my point of
view unique.
Curtin has a very good webpage that includes all the information you need.
www.curtin.edu.au or www.cbs,edu.au
If you have any questions about Curtin, Perth or my exchange period, don’t hesitate to
contact me.
Mats Lyseggen
m_lyseggen@hotmail.com
Mats.Lyseggen@student.bi.no