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Australia is the third most popular study destination for international students, after the USA and UK. It is soon expected to take over UK as the world’s second most popular study destination, according to the University College of London’s Centre for Global Higher Education. Home to the World’s Eight Most Popular Universities and 5 out of 30 Best Student Cities in the World, Australia has more than 1100 institutions and 22,000 courses to choose from.
Australia is an important international study destination and world leader in education. It has almost 700,000 international students, an 11% increase in numbers from 2017. High-quality education, easy access to student support services, multicultural society, and a great lifestyle make Australia an important study destination. Over 2.5 million international students have graduated from Australian educational institutions, according to the International Education Association of Australia. They are now part of a global alumni network.
The Universities are recognized worldwide for the quality of teaching, research, and graduate employment. They provide an environment that promotes innovation and creativity. Australian universities have produced leading scientists, designers, educators, entrepreneurs, artists, and world-leaders. Wi-Fi, penicillin, the black box flight recorder, Earth Hour initiative, Cochlear implant, to name a few, were invented by students from Australian Universities. From the 1945 prize for the discovery of penicillin to recent prize in 2017 for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Australian Universities have produced 15 Noble Laureates.
Australian universities have very good International rankings. The University of Melbourne, Australian National University, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, University of New South Wales and Monash University ranked in the top 100 universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020. Australian higher education system is ranked 8th in the Universitas 2019 U21 Ranking of National Higher Education Systems, higher than France, Germany, Norway, and Japan. The top 8 universities in Australia are popularly known as Group of 8. The Go8 universities are popular worldwide and favorite study destination.
Many degrees and vocational courses include work experience programs and internships so students can gain hands-on industry experience and grow professional networks. While studying, students can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during the semester break. After they complete education/degree international students get Post-Study Work Visa for up to 4 years. They also have a good opportunity for Permanent Residence.
Australian Universities have relatively flexible entry criteria thus its comparatively easier to get admission to high ranked universities. IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE scores are accepted by all universities. Pathway programs are also available for an international student to get admission in Top Australian Universities. There are lower entry requirements of universities with relatively higher international rankings. There is no application fee in a majority of universities. The Australian Visa process is comparatively simple. There is no visa interview and visa outcomes are also quicker.
Australian cities have some of the lowest crime rates in the world, and streets and public spaces are safe. Australia is a friendly and welcoming country. It values individual freedoms, and the rights of citizens and visitors are protected. It’s a multicultural society with respect for others. Students also get to learn a lot from the native people in Australia and get to understand different cultures. The people in Australia are warm and welcoming. The rich indigenous community is a big part of the Australian culture and ethnically diverse societies. Almost 30% of Australians are born overseas. The country is rich with nationalities and cultures from all over the world. The country is home to migrants from over 200 countries, including the UK, China, India, and New Zealand, making it a vibrant mix of cultures and lives. There are more than half a million international students from 192 countries who have been welcomed into Australian life. Since the majority of the international student population consists of students from all over the globe, this is the perfect opportunity to explore and meet people from all walks of life.
Some of the popular Australian cities are Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, and Sydney. Most universities are located in urban or suburban areas so a variety of city life comes with it. There are many recreational activities and spectacular places to visit during studies – Bondi Beach, Uluru, Fraser Island, Whitehaven Beach and the Great Barrier Reef. Cities are well connected by roads and rails. Some cities offer travel cards like Myki card in Melbourne, Opal card in Sydney, Smart Rider card in Perth, and Green card in Tasmania.
Australian cities are consistently ranked as some of the most liveable in the world. The quality of education, healthcare, transport, infrastructure, and government services are rated well above international averages. Australia is a technologically advanced country with a strong, globally competitive economy. The country is a great place to explore and get absorbed into the wildlife. From architectural wonders such as the iconic Sydney Opera House to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia has spectacular places that students can visit.
There are many options for accommodation: you can live in purpose-built student villages, homestay, private rentals, share-houses, or university accommodation. A majority of students in Australia prefer off-campus accommodation. The transport system is pretty efficient and quick, making it easier for students to commute daily to their universities from the location of their stay. University campuses do have on-campus accommodation for international students.
Australia is comparatively affordable, and the scholarships provided to foreign students make it easier for them to fund their living and tuition costs. International students report almost 90% satisfaction scores for their living and study experience in Australia according to the 2018 Department of Education International Student Survey.
The Higher Education Sector in Australia primarily consists of Universities. Australian university system comprises both Public and Private Universities. There are a total of 43 Universities in Australia, 38 Public Universities, 3 Private Universities (Bond, Notre Damn and Torrens), and 2 International Universities (Carnegie Mellon and University College London). Australian Universities offer Pathway Programs, Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees, and Doctoral Programs.
Australia also has a public vocational education system called TAFE – Technical And Further Education. TAFEs are usually funded by the government and offer qualifications like certificates and diplomas, though some offer undergraduate programs. Some universities do accept credits earned at vocational schools like TAFE, and in such cases, students can transfer credits towards an advanced degree. Apart from TAFE, Vocational Qualifications can also be obtained at private vocational institutes, like RTO -Registered Training Organisations.
Students who are not able to meet the direct entry requirements of Australian Universities can be offered Pathway Programs, also called Packaged Programs. These programs can be offered at the undergraduate level and postgraduate level. Pathway programs are a good opportunity for the students who fail to meet the direct entry requirements of Australian Universities. Pathway Programs are of two types: Academic and English Language.
Academic Pathway Programs: They are offered to students not able to meet the academic entry criteria, for both Bachelor’s and Master’s Levels. Bachelor’s Pathways are offered to students scoring below 65%, between 55% to 64% in HSC. They are also called Diploma leading to Degree programs (D to D programs). Students usually get admission to a college where they study a Diploma Program for one year (e.g. Diploma of Business). After successful completion of Diploma, they progress to the second year of Bachelor’s degree, eventually completing their graduation in 3/4 years, same as the direct entry students. Some Australian universities offer pathways at the postgraduate level. They are offered to the students who fail to meet NOOSR criteria e.g., Second division from a Section 3 university/Pass division from a Section 2 university. Students are offered a qualifying program of one semester called PQP. The student first completes the PQP and then progresses to the master’s degree. PQPs are available only for business/management/accounting degrees. Exception: Griffith University offers PQP for business, engineering, and IT courses.
English Language Programs: English Language Pathways also called as ELICOS, EAP, ELP, etc. are offered to the students not able to meet the English language criteria and falling short of English language requirement. Students have to study English ‘before’ commencing their main program. The duration of ELICOS is restricted to 10 weeks. Tuition Fee is AUD 300 to AUD 400 per week.
Students studying in Australia can easily transfer credits and shift between study levels and institutions as per the guidelines mentioned by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), a national policy followed in the Australian education and training. The AQF has 10 levels and links school, vocational, and university education qualifications into one national system. This allows students to move easily from one level of study to the next, and from one institution to another.
Students can obtain a range of qualifications through Australian Universities or Institutions. They are:
Associate Degree: The Associate Degree is a short-cycle Degree program of two-year duration, that can help with career development if one is already working and doesn’t have time to complete a full Bachelor’s Degree. It can also be done after class 12th. It can be a pathway to a Bachelor’s Degree or prepare for an Advanced Diploma in specialist industry training. An Associate Degree covers the broad theory and enables to develop the basic employment-related skills.
Bachelor Degree: Is of three to five years (depending on program) and is completed following Class 12 or equivalent. A Bachelor Degree is the basic qualification for entry to a field. It gives a systematic body of knowledge, the underlying principles, and problem-solving techniques. With deeper content than an Associate Degree, Bachelor’s Degree develops skills and knowledge to the point where one can pursue postgraduate studies if they want to.
Bachelor Degree (Honours): Total duration is of four years and is completed following a Bachelor’s Degree. If a student does well in the Bachelor’s Degree, the institution might grant entry to an additional year of study to graduate with honours.
Graduate Certificate: Duration is of 6 months and is completed following a Bachelor’s Degree. Graduate Certificate broaden individual skills from an undergraduate program or develop knowledge in a new area.
Graduate Diploma: Duration is of one year and is completed following a Bachelor’s Degree. A Graduate Diploma apply a body of knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake professional or highly skilled work and as a pathway for further learning.
Masters Degree (Coursework): Duration is 1 to 2 years and is completed following a Bachelor’s Degree (Honours) or Bachelor’s Degree. Masters Degree involves traditional coursework that develops expertise in a given field. Masters Degree takes either one year after a Bachelor’s Degree with honours or two years after a Bachelor’s Degree.
Masters Degree (Research): Duration is typically 2 years and is completed following a Bachelor’s Degree (Honours) or Bachelor’s Degree. A Masters Degree is a course of independent research that further position as an expert in the chosen field of study.
Doctoral Degree: Duration is typically 3 to 4 years and is completed following a Masters Degree. It is the highest award offered by Australian Universities. The Doctoral Degree is a research program, although it can have some coursework. The three components of the Doctoral Degree are:
1. Review of literature, experimentation, or other methodical approaches to a body of knowledge.
2. An original research project that makes a contribution to understanding and knowledge in the given field.
3. A substantial, well-ordered thesis that shows a relationship between the research and the field of study.
Intakes Available with Australian Universities
Major Intakes offered by Universities and Private Colleges are in February and July. All popular courses are offered during major intake. There are also Minor Intakes in October/November offered by Private Colleges and some of the major universities (e.g. Deakin University and Griffith University). Largely the courses offered during minor intake are Business, Information Technology, and Engineering.
Application Time Line for February Intake
The cost of studying in Australia depends on the level/ degree of education and on the institution. The average cost of study in Australia is between A$ 24000- A$ 36000 per year for under-graduate or post-graduate courses. And the average living cost is between A$ 17000- A$ 20000.
There are many grants, scholarships, and bursaries available to students to financially assist with studies in Australia. They are offered by the Australian Government, education providers, and a number of other public and private organizations. The Australian Government has invested over A$300 million in scholarships for international students. It offered over 3,000 Australia Awards scholarships and short courses to students from over 55 countries in 2019. Scholarships offered to international students are purely based on merit. Some scholarships cover both, tuition and living expenses.
Some popular scholarships available for international students are:
The most preferred courses amongst Indian students are Business, Tourism, Hospitality Management, MBA, Accounting, Healthcare, Information Technology and Information System, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil and Structural Engineering planning, and Architecture.
Interested! Want to study in Australia? Career Guru can help you. We will give you all the information about studying and living in Australia, and help you with your admission and visa applications. Our mentors who have studied in top international universities will guide you through the entire admission process and will be happy to share their experiences with you. We have up-to-date course information from many Australian Institutions and are aware of any changes to Australian government policies or visa policy. We give accurate information that is tailored to your needs. We give personalized advice on universities, colleges, institutions, study centers, pathway programs, academic programs, scholarships, etc, based on the rankings, eligibility, and budget preferences of the students. We also help with the visa process and ensure that all the visa applications are successful, else the whole process is futile. Our mentors and counselors are well experienced and provide end-to-end support until you get admission and even after that preparing you for pre and post-departure.