Why Australian Students Are Choosing ICMS Over Traditional Universities

Further education is something that many people explore to improve their chances of success on the job market. With so many institutions to choose from, though, how do Australian students choose which option is best for them?

The ICMS is considered to be a prestigious higher education institution with campuses available in Manly and Sydney’s business district.

Offering both bachelor’s and master’s degrees to both Australian and International Students, ICMS degrees are at the same Australian Qualifications Framework, making them recognisable by industry partners all over the world.

So why are Australian students choosing ICMS over traditional universities? In this review, we’ll look at what ICMS has to offer, including some of the benefits of studying at this higher education institution, and whether there are any downsides to it.

Everything You Should Know About ICMS

Founded in 1996, ICMS is a leader in industry-focused, quality education. The philosophy of learning and teaching at ICMS delivers a student experience that’s in line with what to expect in the workplace.

ICMS’s academic faculty has extensive industry experience, a passion for teaching and high-level qualifications. All of the ICMS courses allow for great flexibility in order for the student to follow their individual strengths and passions.

Students can take advantage of work placements built into all undergraduate bachelor’s and postgraduate master’s degrees. It’s an institute unlike others that work with Professional Placement Consultants to provide their students with invaluable industry insight and experience.

What Makes ICMS Different from Traditional Universities

As opposed to traditional universities, ICMS is different in many ways, which is why it’s useful to take a look at what the college has to offer. Here are a few ways that ICMS is different from the traditional university routes that many students will take across the world.

Mandatory Professional Placements

Unlike traditional universities, where you might have to go about finding your own internships, ICMS includes industry training as a mandatory part of the degree, and that’s something offered across all the degree opportunities available.

Industry-Led Curriculum and Assessments

Instead of the traditional written exams, students who go to ICMS are largely evaluated on work-relevant assessments instead, which replicate actual business scenarios.

Smaller and personalised class sizes

Traditional universities will have large lecture halls with lots of students, making you feel fairly anonymous as a student. ICMS, on the other hand, maintains smaller and more interactive class sizes.

Career-Focused Degrees

With universities, courses are often broader in comparison to ICMS, which delivers hands-on, vocational, and management-focused fields in its curriculum.

Pros and Cons of ICMS

As a prospective student at any age, it’s good to be aware of the pros and cons of studying at ICMS. Whilst every student’s experience will be different, there are some clear advantages to choosing ICMS as a higher education institution.

Pros

Strong graduate employment outcomes

ICMS is an institution that’s able to demonstrate a strong graduate employment outcome months or years after students have left. A lot of ICMS graduates actually secure roles by the time they graduate, which is something that’s highly beneficial when wanting to step into the world of work as soon as possible.

This pattern of success is reflected every year in ICMS’s internal surveys and external rankings. It’s why ICMS is ranked #1 in Australia for undergraduate hospitality management graduate employment as an example of strong employment outcomes.

Internships are built into every degree

One of the big benefits that Australian students should consider when choosing this institution is that the internships are built into every degree.

At ICMS, the practical experience they get is embedded in the curriculum itself. It’s a compulsory and assessed component within any degree offered and therefore connects the students directly with the companies and organisations they aspire to work for.

After all, getting your foot in the door is a big part of the challenge of getting a job after graduating from any educational institution. In fact, according to their own research, 1 in 3 ICMS graduates secured a permanent job at their placement company in 2023.

Student satisfaction levels speak for themselves

When you’re looking for a place of study, some are clear winners due to the satisfaction reported by current students and alumni.

Rankings show how satisfied students at ICMS are, with a 92% recommendation rate. Thus, reflecting ICMS as a top institute for prospective students to consider.

Cons

Are there any downsides to ICMS that should be considered for students looking for places to study?

High cost of living

ICMS has a main campus in Manly, and this is considered quite the premium area of Sydney. This prime location also means more expensive rent and higher everyday living costs that some students might not be able to afford.

Limited program scope

ICMS is focused primarily on business, events, management, hospitality, sports, and fashion. That does mean that if you’re looking for. However, there are a lot of great undergraduate and postgraduate courses that would fit the bill for a lot of students.

Intensity of course structure

The program often integrates work-integrated learning into the core academic year. While highly beneficial for employability, it might be more intense than most students would expect compared to standard academic calendars.

Strict professional standards

Of course, this is a personal preference. The college enforces a strict professional dress code and campus culture. This might be for everyone, despite it being something to prepare students well for the corporate world they’re entering.

Is ICMS the Best Choice For Every Student?

In reality, there are a lot of further education options out there, and what suits the student in question will be down to the type of course they’re looking to take, the location, and the culture.

For Australian students, many will choose from a mix of local and international study opportunities. ICMS is one of those unique higher education institutions worth considering. From focused courses in business and management, to their track record of helping students attain jobs once graduating.

If you’re looking to study and go into further education, ICMS is certainly one to consider.