University of Canberra - Bruce, Australian Capital Territory

Jenny T.

I have found that the University of Canberra rather than offering constructive support, the university often takes a critical approach that feels more discouraging than helpful. When students are struggling or seeking guidance, we need clear, actionable feedback—not criticism without direction. This lack of meaningful support leaves many of us feeling isolated and unsure of how to improve or succeed in our academic work.

Additionally, there is a concerning inconsistency in how assessments are handled. It is common for the individuals marking our work to be different from those who actually teach us. This disconnect creates confusion and undermines the learning process, as markers may not fully understand the context in which the work was taught or the expectations communicated to students.

To make matters worse, assessments are often marked by multiple individuals who contradict each other in their feedback. This inconsistency makes it difficult to trust the feedback we receive, let alone use it to improve future work. It feels unfair to be judged by conflicting standards, especially when those standards are not made clear from the outset.

Teachers are happily to give you a 49.80 percent on assessment and fail you by .2 percent, is like saying you came back from a drive test and fail you by less than one percent. Teachers are suppose to encourage learning and support not discourage them and mark unfairly even though the student has contributed to class work above standards and has contributed to and team collaborations from the first week. I have also spoken to many University remarking markings and they have all said this should not have occurred .

Yasmin N.

I did a grad cert in Counselling and it takes months to get your testamur to be able to actually use it in the workforce. I finished in early May and I'm still messaging the student centre to try and get a response to finalise my units and 'graduate'. Feels like a scam at this point.

Kevin M.

My experience at the University of Canberra was extremely disappointing and distressing. In 2020, I was threatened with a 5-year exclusion from the university by Professor Barney Dalgarno, the Executive Dean, in a manner I felt was intimidating and unjust. Instead of offering support or mediation, the Dean of Students, Scott Pearsall, contributed further to the hostility by supporting the exclusion without properly investigating my side of the situation.

This is supposed to be an educational institution that fosters learning, growth, and fairness — but my experience was the opposite. I was left feeling isolated, unheard, and deeply disrespected by those in leadership positions. The overall culture and conduct from the board members I dealt with were discouraging and left a lasting negative impact on my mental well-being and academic confidence.

I do not recommend the University of Canberra to anyone seeking a respectful, supportive, and student-centered environment. My time here was marked by unnecessary conflict, lack of compassion, and a leadership team that failed to uphold the values that a university should stand for.

Ghazal A.

The staff that work here are just... something else! I have been "enrolled" in a master's degree and not one person has contacted me to follow up on what unit I'm meant to be doing, very unsupportive. As an online student you're meant to have one person who is your course supervisor and they haven't not done this at all. Withdrawing and taking my money elsewhere.

Abhiram K.

They gotta stop hiring teachers that just arrived into Australia bruh. Paying like 40k for my course just for some foreign national with the thickest accent to speak. But other amenities and resources are dope, just wish I had teachers like I used to have back in High school and primary school.

Alistair N.

Impressive facility with amble and easy access to disabled parking. Being a rehab facility, it had wide corridors, doorways that were wife enough for wheelchairs. I was impressed with the electronic clocks outside rooms that appear to have booking details. Just did not understand why there was a main reception, which direct you to another reception to check-in for appointment and then you go to another waiting room.

Brian P.

I popped into the Medical and Counselling building to collect something and was impressed by the helpful and friendly staff at the service counter.

The building has easy wheelchair access.

The campus grounds are beautifully maintained, from gardens to walkways to roads.

Amber E.

Enrolled in Master of Counselling in 2022, when enrolling student enrolment services advised that students studying online would be supported by tutors and student support services to help ensure students are successful. Fast forward, in 2022-2023 I never any conversations, correspondence from tutors and/or student support services when I was failing to submit coursework due to personal circumstances. I understand I am an adult completing a Master's degree, however, when a student submits an extension request for assignments, receives the extension but never submits the assignments, one would think that this would trigger some sort of response from the University, especially when one is studying counselling. I had previously completed a Bachelor Degree online, tutors knew students by name and checked in when the student was not engaged.

Tutors/Lecturers show no interest in getting to know students, the course work differs depending on which tutor you get, the information provided for assignments is unclear and tutors are also unclear on information they provide. Attended 3 different tutorials and all of them provided different information on the same coursework that was suppose to be covered. Some tutors just like talking about themselves.

I would not recommend online study through this University as you will receive no assistance, guidance or help if you are struggling but the University will be happy to charge you over $3,000 per unit. I am unsure how this University attains high ranking or good reviews. I did not end up completing my Degree and am glad I did not end up forking out over $40,000 for non-education.