Hope this doesn't breach rules for this forum but this might be of interest...
I'm a teacher in the TAFE Multimedia program of Victoria University in Melbourne. We are commmencing a Games Development course in 2005 and are looking for students keen to develop design, some coding and modding skills.

It's a 2 year design-based course with an emphasis on project work.
We have specialist teachers direct from the industry to teach Unreal
modding, 3D Studio Max etc.

The course is based in South Melbourne near Southbank in a brand new lab with
fast high-end machines that have a bunch of goodies like the 6800 Graphics Cards, plus other toys like a 3d scanner, plasma screen etc. This lab is also home to the Melbourne wing of the Digital Labourers Federation peer-to-peer network (http://www.dlf.org.au/) - we're trying to create a space where there's a lot of exchange of information and
resources between students, staff and external 3D, games and sound people.

The course is a part of the TAFE program which means there are no HECS fees, basically a great education, cheap.

If you're interested in finding out more, please email our Program Manager: mark.orourke@vu.edu.au
checkout info -
http://multimedia.tafe.vu.edu.au/mmsite/games_development.htm
apply online - http://multimedia.tafe.vu.edu.au/mmsite/apply_here.htm
Thanks,
Alan

Is the course geared towards coding or rather a variety of different fields?

Is the course also geared towards machinima? or is it just a general multimedia course specifically towards game design and production?

The course is not purely focussed on coding, but on game design, gameplay and visual design issues, also with an emphasis on industry practices. A pure coding focus would be more appropriate for a computer science approach, which is not our intention.

The course is related to the Advanced Diploma of Multimedia, and has some common threads, Flash games, visual design, industry relationships, although is much more focussed on games than the general MM course.

Check the site at:
http://multimedia.tafe.vu.edu.au/mmsite/games_development.htm
for more information.

Thanks for the information.

To add a little competition and variety, Swinburne University of Technology are also offering two new courses in 2005 -
Bachelor of Multimedia (Games and Interactivity);
Bachelor of Science (Computer Science and Software Engineering) / Bachelor of Multimedia (Games and Interactivity)

3 and 5 years respectively.