Study in Australia

Australia is among the top study destinations, and attending a university in Australia as an international student has a plethora of benefits. To begin with, Australia has one of the best education systems in the world. World-renowned institutions like The University of Melbourne, UNSW Sydney, The University of Sydney, Australian National University, Monash University, and The University of Queensland consistently rank in the top 50 in global university rankings. Success of the Australian education system and universities stem from strong academic programs, intensive research activities, and innovative teaching methodologies.

Beyond academics, Australia is a country renowned for its diverse and inclusive society and offers a welcoming environment for students from all over the world. This multiculturalist approach lets international students expose themselves to many different perspectives, thereby improving their overall educational experience. Above all else, there’s yet another thing that makes Australia a perfect study destination, and that is post-study work visa. Post-study work visa acts as a gateway to a whole bunch of work opportunities for international graduates and helps them gain valuable work experience right after completing their studies. These opportunities, as they offer the chance to work in a quite competitive job market, can be significant stepping stones in graduates’ career.

Australia Universities

Australia is home to many world renowned universities that cater to a wide range of interests and fields of study, which is one of the many reasons why it is a popular study destination among international students. The higher education system in Australia, is made up of 41 local universities including a small specialist university and two overseas institutions. Out of 41 universities, 37 universities are public and 4 universities are private. 

As mentioned above, many universities in Australia consistently rank among the top 50 and top 100 in the world based on various global rankings. These universities offer programs at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels across numerous disciplines such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), business, humanities, and the arts. 

University Education in Australia

The Australian National University (ANU), the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, the University of New South Wales (UNSW), and the University of Queensland (UQ) are among the most prestigious universities in Australia. These universities are renowned for their research outputs, the quality of education they provide, and their strong connections with various industries. As a result, they offer students numerous opportunities to gain practical experience and employment after they graduate. The Group of Eight (Go8), which is a coalition of major institutions that place a considerable emphasis on research, is especially noteworthy for the substantial contribution it has made to the research and innovation scene in Australia.

In addition, Australian universities are lauded for their emphasis on foreign perspectives and the diversity of their student bodies. Because of the excellent quality of their programs, the English-speaking atmosphere, and the supporting services that are specifically designed for students from other countries, such as assistance with language learning, assistance with finding housing, and career counseling, they are able to attract a significant number of international students each year. The education system of Australia focuses a significant emphasis on the student experience and the results of graduates. This ensures that the courses are structured to provide students with the skills that are necessary for the workforce in the global marketplace.

Bachelor's Degree, How Long Does It Take?

If you are attending school full-time, it will take you between three and four years to get a bachelor's degree in Australia under normal circumstances. The length of time required is dependent upon the content of the program as well as the topic of study. For instance; most arts, business, and science degrees require three years of full-time study while engineering, architecture, and some information technology degrees usually take four years and double degrees or combined degrees, where students study for two degrees simultaneously, can take longer, usually five to six years.

In addition, some educational institutions provide an honors year, which is an extra year of study that follows the completion of a bachelor's degree and is centered on research and coursework that is more specialist in nature. In sectors like science and the arts, this is a regular occurrence. Plus, there are choices for studying part-time, which might lengthen the amount of time it takes to get a degree depending on the number of classes that are taken during each semester. 

Master's Degree, How Long Does It Take?

In Australia, the duration of a master's degree can vary depending on the type of program and the mode of study. Generally, it takes the following time to complete a master's degree:

• Coursework Master's Degree
  • Typically 1 to 2 years of full-time study. These programs consist of a series of lectures, seminars, and assignments, similar to undergraduate studies.
• Research Master's Degree
  • Usually 1.5 to 2 years of full-time study. These programs involve a significant research component, culminating in a thesis or dissertation.
• Extended Master's Degree
  • Some specialized fields, such as law, psychology, or architecture, may offer extended master's programs that can take up to 3 years of full-time study.

Cost of Studying in Australia

There are a number of variables that may have a considerable impact on the cost of attending a university in Australia like the kind of school (public or private), the level of study (undergraduate or postgraduate), the topic of study, and the length of the program. Generally speaking, the annual tuition rates for bachelor's degrees for students from other countries run anywhere from AUD 20,000 to AUD 45,000. Taking classes in professions such as dentistry, veterinary science, and medicine may be more costly than other fields, with annual tuition rates that can surpass 50,000 AUD. The tuition fees for master's degrees typically vary from AUD 22,000 to AUD 50,000 per year for degrees that are completed via coursework. It's possible that expenses for research degrees are somewhat lower. As is the case with undergraduate degrees, the tuition for specialist programs such as medical degrees or MBAs may be much more.

Cost of Living in Australia

It is possible for the cost of living in Australia to change depending on the location, the lifestyle, and the kind of accommodation that an international student chooses to live in. The following is an exhaustive rundown of the average costs associated with living:

• Accommodation
  • On-Campus Housing
    • Costs can range from AUD 90 to AUD 280 per week.
  • Shared Rental
    • The cost of renting a room in a shared home or apartment normally ranges from 95 to 215 Australian Dollars throughout the course of a week.
  • One-Bedroom Apartment
    • The cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment may range anywhere from 185 to 440 Australian Dollars per week, depending on the location and the facilities that are included. 
• Food and Groceries
  • Expect to spend around AUD 80 to AUD 280 per week on groceries and eating out.
• Utilities
  • On a weekly basis, the power, gas, and water bills for an apartment might range anywhere from twenty to fifty Australian dollars. Internet service often costs an extra 15 to 30 Australian Dollars each week. 
• Transportation
  • The cost of public transportation might vary from city to city, but often falls somewhere between AUD 15 and AUD 55 each week. Students are eligible for discounts on public transportation in several places. 
• Health Insurance
  • International students are required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which can cost between AUD 500 and AUD 1,000 per year.
• Personal Expenses
  • This covers spending for clothes, entertainment, and other incidental items, an amount that might vary greatly but normally falls anywhere between thirty and one hundred Australian Dollars each week.
• Textbooks and Study Materials
  • Budget around AUD 500 to AUD 1,000 per year for textbooks and other study materials.
• Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
  • This fee is charged by universities for non-academic services and can be up to AUD 313 per year.

According to estimates provided by the Australian government, the typical annual need for an overseas student is around 21,041 Australian Dollars (AUD) to cover living costs in addition to tuition fees. Nevertheless, this is only an estimate, and the real costs may differ from person to person depending on the conditions of their lives and the decisions they make.

How to Apply as an International Student?

Students have the option of submitting your application directly via the university's website, or you may work with a licensed education agent who will be able to guide you through the application process. The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) and the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) are both examples of centralized application systems that are used by some educational institutions among the universities.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Prospective international students who wish to apply for undergraduate programs offered at colleges and universities in Australia must meet the admission requirements outlined below.

• Successful Completion of 12 Years of Basic Education
• 4-Year High School Diploma
• High Grade Point Average
  or
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
  or
• European Baccalaureate Diploma
  or
• IGCSE/International AS & A-Levels
  or
• Advanced Placement (AP) + SAT/ACT Test Scores
• Certificate in English Proficiency
  • Certificate in English proficiency received through internationally recognized proficiency tests such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, CAE, CPE.
• Official transcripts of the courses taken by the applicant in throughout high school education

Graduate Admission Requirements

Prospective international students who wish to apply for graduate programs offered at colleges and universities in Australia must meet the admission requirements outlined below.

• 4-Year Bachelor's Degree Diploma
• High Grade Point Average
• Official transcripts of the courses taken by the applicant during college/university education
• Work experience may be required for certain programs
• Certificate in English Proficiency
  • Certificate in English proficiency received through internationally recognized proficiency tests such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, CAE, CPE.
• GRE/GMAT exam score may be required in accordance with the specific admission requirements of certain programs.

Top Universities in Australia

1. The University of Melbourne
2. The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
3. The University of Sydney
4. Australian National University (ANU)
5. Monash University
6. The University of Queensland
7. The University of Western Australia
8. The University of Adelaide
9. University of Technology Sydney
10. Macquarie University