nie.edu.au information

Over the past ten years NIE has successfully helped thousands of students to achieve their goals. Our students love the study material, the fact that we have teachers for each section and the 24 Hour on-going support.

Established in 1999 the National Institute of Education (NIE) conducts UMAT Preparation Courses aimed at developing the skills and strategies required to improve your UMAT score, and is the ONLY UMAT training provider to have Governmental Department of Education funding.

The National Institute of Education seeks to provide excellence in the field of education and training. The NIE delivers current select curricula with a view to quality and innovation whilst exploring new and exciting areas of education. This vision encompasses a reputation, a market position and a financial return synonymous with elite providers of education.

Our aim is to respond to the educational needs of students through curricula that meet the standards of quality prescribed by professional and corporate organisations. The Institute offers multi-level educational programs and services within a variety of disciplines.

All of our UMAT staff are prepared to meet your needs openly and provide the types of sincere and valid support required to maximise your UMAT and entrance potential.

Why are we the leaders in UMAT preparation? Quality UMAT specific Teachers and Consultants, Practical, Up to date and Effective UMAT preparation materials and strategies, Concise, Informative and Relevant Tutorials, Full reality based UMAT Trial Exams - The only true indicator of your strengths and weaknesses under UMAT exam conditions, and we Research, Review and Rewrite all UMAT materials, every year including relevant changes and all new practice questions.

Our teaching staff have been selected for their insight and knowledge of relevant areas, quality teaching skills, and commitment to the Course. Many are also currently employed by Australia's leading universities. All are directly involved in the NIE PreMed Preparation Course and have contributed to researching, writing, preparing and presenting our material. No other UMAT prep provider goes to the expense or trouble of employing and seeking out such highly prized educators.

SECTION I : Logical Reasoning

Ms Daniella Forster BA (Monash), BA Hons (Monash), DipEd (Melbourne University)

Currently finishing her PhD in the area of Teaching Informal Logic, Daniella is a highly skilled and experienced teacher within a leading Melbourne Philosophy department.

Specialising in the development, coordination and delivery of logic, reasoning and critical thinking programs for secondary school students, Daniella is highly respected as the Administrator for the Centre for Public Philosophy.

Also lecturing tertiary students in the areas of Analysing Argument, Informal Logic, Philosophy, Professional Ethics and Nursing Ethics, Daniella has been specifically selected for not only her incredible grasp of Logical Reasoning but also her amazing ability to teach and define this ubiquitous academic area.

Ms Angela Ballantyne BSc Hons (Victoria University of Wellington), Masters of Bioethics (Monash University)

Currently employed by the World Health Organisation in Geneva, Angela is a diverse and experienced lecturer, who will be heading up our London program. Well versed in the fields of professional ethics, bioethics and public philosophy, Angela also has specific experience within the scope of specialised critical thinking programs for year 10-12 secondary school students.

With such a broadly based academic and social awareness, Angela's expertise in the arena of logical reasoning has opened a window of experience for our students. Her insight and assistance has been a highlight for our courses.

Ms Phillipa Wright BSc Hons (Melbourne University)

Currently two thirds of the way through a PhD in history and philosophy of science, Phillipa is the major researcher on a project studying technologically mediated human interactions.

An accomplished tutor, debater, public speaker and dramatist, her ability to deliver informative and innovative material, along with her intrinsic knowledge of logic, reasoning and critical thinking, has put her in a position to clearly expose the underlying principles and idiosyncrasies of logical reasoning questions.

SECTION II : Understanding People

Miranda Christie BA Criminology (Griffith University), Dip Youth Work

Miranda has extensive field experience within both the juvenile justice system and the security industry. Her negotiation, crisis management and mediation skills, backed by her education, have placed her in a position of expertise with regard to the moral, ethical, legal and professional issues and implications that contribute to the responsible process of personal and client interaction.

Mr Frank Perri BSc, (VUT), Post-Grad Dip (Latrobe University), Dip (Hypnotherapy), Dip (Ego-State Therapy)

Frank holds a triple major in Psychology, Human Bioscience and Social Research Methods and practices as a private psychotherapist, counselor and consultant.

He is also a member of the Australian Clinical Hypnotherapist Association and an Associate member of the Australian Psychologist Association. Over the past six years, he has taught and lectured at several leading Australian Universities in the departments of Health and Psychology.

Frank is actively involved in research and journal publications, with many of his findings being presented at National and International Conferences.

Kim Ballantyne BSc (Honours) in Psychology

Kim is a well educated Academic from New Zealand with specific interests in Organisational Psychology, Cognitive Neuropsychology, Behavioural Pharmacology and Social Psychology. Kim has particular experience in understanding the transfer of personal responsibility to others and contributes broadly to the NIE SII material by assisting and advising on the content and structure of delivery material.

SECTION III : Non Verbal Reasoning

Dr Colin Burvil BEng, GDip Eng/Comp Appl (Ballarat University), PhD (Melbourne University)

Dr Burvil is a highly experienced design engineer and lecturer at a leading Australian university.

His main area of expertise and interest is in the field of robotics and mechatronics and he has conducted extensive research in the area of computer mapping and the mechanical tracing of three-dimensional objects.

Simon Christie BAppSci, C.S.C.S

Simon has worked at the majority of Melbourne's leading Universities. His work as a qualified Hospital Scientist, as a researcher in the field of Mechanical Engineering and his many years of teaching experience have been an invaluable resource for the entire program.

Simon has written the Prep Book for Section III which innovatively and clearly outlines the easy to follow strategies that saw him score 97 during the official 2001 UMAT.

Interview Training Book & Mock interviews

Yildiz Araz BArts/Law (Melbourne University), BSocial Work (Melbourne University), Masters of Social Work (Melbourne University)

With over ten years experience as a qualified counsellor, social worker and team leader, Yildiz is now one of the states leading training consultants within the Department of Human Services.

Yildiz also has extensive experience and an intuitive understanding of the precision, clarity and importance of professionally interviewing both staff and clients. Her diverse skills and intrinsic knowledge of ethical social issues have made her an imperative contributor to our section II material and an integral member of our Interview Prep Program.

NIE is a Government Accredited and Registered Training Organisation that delivers a range of both accredited and non-accredited educational programs.

Our programs are supported by academic staff who are committed to preserving and promoting standards and excellence in education and training.

The NIE UMAT PreMed course is a non-accredited program so that we can maintain 100% control and relevance of the course content. Accredited programs must have vocational outcomes and are focused on medicine/health science...our program focuses solely on the UMAT, a vastly different topic!

NIE is licensed and audited by the VRQA, the Victorian Registration & Qualifications Authority.

NIE was established as a RTO in 1999 but specifically chose not to have it's UMAT program accredited. A number of other prep providers have since followed NIE and become RTOs but have chosen to have their UMAT programs nationally recognised. This means that their curriculum, content and assessment methods must comply with standard TAFE vocational guidelines...and this directly contradicts what the UMAT is about.

UMAT is a very specific test that supposedly assesses a candidates suitability to study within the Health Sciences. It has no relevance to medicine and in no way is a vocational pathway. At NIE we chose very carefully and wisely to maintain total control of our curriculum and course and hence there is no vocational content or units within our program that do not relate to UMAT.

Take note; an accredited program will reward you with a certificate that has no bearing on your UMAT performance or university entrance and will contain information not relevant to your performance on UMAT.

UMAT does not require accreditation or a certificate...understand exactly what UMAT is and what relevant training you do need before you book with any provider!

NIE is licensed, approved and audited by the VRQA. Because of this, NIE must conduct it's courses and business in accordance with strict government and professional guidelines. This is your guarantee of the quality of our services!