The Canberra Institute of Technology is a vocational education provider in Canberra, the Australian Capital Territory, and is one of a system of TAFEs. Qualifications offered by CIT range from certificate to degree level. CIT has four campuses across Canberra, located in Bruce, Reid, Woden and Fyshwick. CIT also has two learning centres in Tuggeranong Town Centre and Gungahlin which are primarily for students studying via flexible or distance learning.
History
CIT was founded in 1928 as the Canberra Technical College, changed in 1975 to Canberra College of Technical and Further Education. It later merged with Bruce and Woden TAFEs. It has been a Territory Authority since 4 January 1988 under the A.C.T. Institute of Technology and Further Education Act 1987.
Qualifications include certificates I to IV, diploma and advanced diploma. Qualifications in these categories are managed by the Australian Quality Training Framework which is the national set of standards. CIT is also accredited to deliver graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and bachelor's degrees. Students in these courses may be eligible to receive FEE HELP in the same way university students can. Some courses at CIT can be undertaken via Flexible Learning where students do not have to study according to a semester-based timetable.
Student numbers
In 2009 CIT had 26,941 student enrolments. Compared with the other education institutions in the ACT CIT is the largest by student numbers.
Campuses
CIT has five campuses across Canberra, in the south, centre and north of the city. CIT Reid. The suburb of Reid is on the edge of the Canberra city centre, with Canberra's main bus interchange. Reid campus has a student-run restaurant, child care centre, hair dressing studio, beauty salon and travel agency. CIT Bruce. The suburb of Bruce is in north-west Canberra. This campus is approximately 4 km from the nearest town centre which includes a Westfieldshopping centre, UniGardens CIT student accommodation and a bus interchange. Bruce campus has a student-run massage clinic and full service gym. CIT Woden. CIT Woden is 1.2 km from the nearest town centre which includes a Westfield shopping centre and a bus interchange. This campus is home to the Music Industry Centre. Fyshwick Trade Skills Centre. CIT's campus in Fyshwick is called the Fyshwick Trade Skills Centre as it is the base for the teaching of traditional trades including automotive, metals, plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, airconditioning and earthmoving. It is located in the suburb of Fyshwick in south-east Canberra, approximately 2 km from the central area of Fyshwick. CIT Tuggeranong A new location for Canberra’s south is now open at 205 Anketell Street, Greenway. The learning and professional development opportunities available at CIT's Tuggeranong campus have a focus on business and innovation and have been developed for new learners, existing learners, upskillers and professionals. All campuses have a Student Services Hub, learning centre and cafe. All but Fyshwick have book shops.
CIT and universities
CIT and the University of Canberra : CIT and UC collaborate on a number of initiatives, most prominently of pathways and transfers between the two institutions. CIT students who complete a diploma or advanced diploma are guaranteed an offer of a place in an undergraduate degree at the University of Canberra. In addition, over 150 formal credit transfer arrangements are in place where students can receive credit for CIT studies and reduce the number of units they need to study at UC. CIT and the University of Canberra also form two-thirds of the collaborative organisation, the National Centre for Forensic Studies, in conjunction with the Australian Federal Police. According to the National Centre for Forensic Studies' website, this partnership exists to collaborate in the design, development and delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate courses leading to academic qualifications in forensic studies. CIT and the Australian National University : collaborate on the delivery of two associate degree programs – the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Engineering, whereby students complete the first year of the degree at CIT and the second at ANU. Further, graduates automatically gain entry into a 'linked' ANU Bachelor's degree with 18 months credit. CIT and Charles Sturt University : CIT and CSU collaboratively deliver the Bachelor of Business Studies. Program is delivered wholly at CIT in Canberra. CIT and CSU also have a number of formalised credit transfer agreements whereby graduates of CIT’s Diploma / Advanced Diploma programs receive credit when they commence a linked CSU degree. CIT and the Academy of Interactive Entertainment : CIT and AIE jointly deliver a number of programs including the Bachelor of Games and Virtual Worlds.
