Bendigo students started back at the university on Monday, with semester one running through to May 29. About 1400 new students are starting courses in Bendigo in 2020.

Head of the Bendigo Campus Robert Stephenson said while the cohort number was on par with other years, the university was proud to see an increase in the number of international students in Bendigo this year.

"International students are our primary target in some courses," he said. "We've had some success in the past with students from India, the subcontinent, and south-east Asia.

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"This is a real opportunity to bring in more international students who can make a connection in Bendigo."

A number of new courses have started up in Bendigo this year, including the Master of Internet of Things.

The two-year degree, which will address the growing connection between the internet and everyday objects, is the first of its kind in Australia.

"There is a bigger market in Asia than Australia at the moment but we see it as a really important growth area," Mr Stephenson said.

Other new courses include a Master of Project Management, a Master of Accounting, and a Master of Accounting and Financial Management.

"We've made sure our programs give our students the skills that employers want," Mr Stephenson said.

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