Welcome to AC! We are delighted to have you in our community and are here to help if you have any questions along the way. Creating a fun and informative Orientation Day is one way that the Student Support Team works to make sure that you feel welcome and supported from Day 1. The team at each campus gives a tour of the campus, introduces key staff and other students, and explains the technologies and services available. Each campus is equipped with student break-out areas, student kitchens, libraries, and tutorial and study spaces.

All students, regardless of delivery location or mode, need to complete an online induction no later than two weeks after the commencement of studies. This online induction is within Moodle (Using Moodle, Administration Matters, Library Information and Resources, Academic Handbook, Study Skills, and compulsory Plagiarism Quiz). It is designed to teach you key information regarding academic integrity.

Higher Degree Research (HDR) Current Candidates also have a three-day HDR induction seminar and access the online HDR Student Induction.

Social activities organised throughout the semester are a great way to make new friends and get to know staff. These include lunches after chapel, performances by the music students, special events, study treats organised by the library team, and more.

Students are also invited to attend the regular Colloquia where faculty and postgraduate students share their latest research "in-house" for feedback from and discussion among colleagues. Occasional Master Classes can count toward your degree or be audited for professional development. Research roundtables are another great way to engage in AC’s vibrant research culture, with world renowned guest speakers, such as Professor Ellen Cherry (Princeton Theological Seminary), Professor John Swinton (University of Aberdeen and Hammond Care), Professor David Smith (Calvin University) and John Barclay (Durham University). Online students can participate in intensive classes, conferences and national events where they can meet new friends and make learning a relational experience. The Student Support Team helps students connect with fellow students who have similar interests to balance out studies with recreation, hobbies and sports. Cultural celebrations, beginning and end of semester parties, concerts, and the Student Representative Council events are part of student life experience at AC.

AC’s offshore campuses and networks open the Asia Pacific region like no other Christian college in Australia. You have the opportunity to spend one semester abroad in:

• New Zealand. AC Auckland campus is situated just six miles from downtown Auckland – New Zealand’s thriving capital city.
  
• Philippines. AC also delivers undergraduate and postgraduate business and leadership degrees through a third party arrangement with Asia Pacific Theological Seminary. APTS is arguably one of the most beautiful campuses in Asia, spreading over 10.6 acres, in the mile-high city of Baguio.

Further study abroad opportunities are developing through several offshore Articulation Agreements. These include:

• Dallas Baptist University in Texas
• Southeastern University in Florida
• Evangel University in Missouri
• Northwest University in Washington
• Norwegian School of Leadership and Theology in Norway
• Universidad Evangelica Boliviana in Bolivia

AC hosts Field Study excursions annually overseas which provide students with a unique learning experience outside of the usual physical or virtual class. There are annual study tours to Israel/Jordon or Greece/Turkey to encounter and explore the land and places of the ancient biblical world. There are also faculty-supervised field studies to Thailand and other nations provide rich first-hand experiences in cross-cultural contexts. Students can complete the field studies for credit towards their course of study or they can audit the subject to engage with other students without the assessment component.

AC supports a wide range of conferences across Australia which can be a great place for students to serve, network and connect with potential future employers. These include Australian Christian Churches state and national conferences, as well as Christian Schools Australia, Christian Management Australia, Justice Conference, Chaplaincy Australia and many more! In addition to funding support for HDR candidates to attend academic conferences, AC hosts academic conference on campus.

AC students play a critical role in guiding the continual development of AC by providing direct feedback to governing bodies and organising events and regular activities for other students. A Student Representative Committee operates on each campus and online to welcome and induct new student at orientation as well as tutoring and mentoring their peers.

Students are in the highest level of AC’s governance with a representative in both Council and Academic Board. These student representatives provide feedback on a variety of College life activities, to ensure that AC continues to meet the needs of its student cohorts. For more information or to provide feedback, phone (1300 228 355) or email (studentsupport@ac.edu.au).

TUITION FEE SCHOLARSHIPS AND SUBSIDIES

The AC Advancement Department runs several projects which include funding raising for tuition fee scholarships and subsidies. In line with the Tutition Fee Scholarships and Subsidies Policy, students may apply for full scholarships or partial fee subsidies to assist in their studies. Staff discounts and family of staff discounts are also provided by AC.