Study in Australia and choose from leading institutions in Melbourne, Sydney
and Perth. It is an amazing country for international students who want to
experience its tertiary education system
Australia is the third most popular study destination for international
students, after the USA and UK. Home to the world’s eight most popular
universities, Australian tertiary education comprises vocational colleges
and universities, with 22,000 courses on offer for foreign students.
Education system in Australia
The public vocational educational system in Australia is called TAFE, i.e.,
technical and further education. TAFE institutes are usually funded by the
government and offer qualifications like certificates and diplomas, though
some TAFE schools offer undergraduate programmes as well. Some universities
do accept the credits earned at vocational schools like TAFE, and in such
cases you can transfer your credits towards an advanced degree.
Apart from TAFE, vocational qualifications could also be obtained at private
vocational institutes, such as RTO: Registered Training Organisations in
Australia.
Vocational colleges are for cultivating adult learning experiences that
provide
certificate (I through V) and diploma programmes. These schools mostly
provide
courses that are work-oriented and help an individual to find a source of
income
immediately upon completion of the course.
Australian university system comprises both public and private universities.
There are 38 public and 3 private universities. The higher education
providers
in Australia are either self-accrediting or non self-accrediting or
universities. And the syllabus of each university is designed by the
university
themselves, and not by any government body.
Undergraduate courses last from 3 to 4 years, depending on if it’s a general
or
professional degree. Postgraduate programmes are categorised into
postgraduate
by research that lasts for 1–2 years (full-time study) and postgraduate
extended
programme that lasts for 3–4 years (full-time study).
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 standards comprise different levels,
starting
from 1 to 10, which include certificate to doctoral courses.
Why study in
Australia?
The Land Down Under
From architectural wonders such as the iconic Sydney Opera House to the Great
Barrier Reef, Australia has spectacular places which students can
visit.
Australia attracts almost 300,000 international students to its major cities
and towns. According to official reports, some of the most popular
Australian cities amongst international students include (based on the cost
of living, livability and university choice) Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth,
Brisbane and Sydney.
You’ll learn a lot from the native people in Australia and also get to
understand different cultures. Since majority of the international student
population consists of students from all over the globe, this is the perfect
opportunity for you to explore and meet people from all walks of life.
Besides mixing with the people, you’ll sometimes come face-to-face with the
‘killer animals’ like crocodiles, snakes and spiders. Remember Steve Irwin,
and his stint with crocodiles? The country is a great place to explore and
get absorbed into the wildlife that has so much to offer you
Things to look for while
studying in Australia
People
The people in Australia are warm and welcoming. The rich indigenous community
is a big part of the Australian culture and ethnically diverse societies.
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.
Climate
It might take some time getting used to the climate in Australia because its
climate varies from one place to another. The same climate that you
experience in the northern section may not be the case when you move towards
the south.
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. You will have to do a thorough research since stay and transport
are key to live in any city.
Things to do while studying
in Australia
- You can relax on a beach on weekends since the cities are near to the
coasts. Most locals know how to surf and that’s a favourite pastime for
many.
- As mentioned above, some of the spectacular places are must see for
every tourist visiting the country. Also, if you are a party animal, you
may find yourself locked in some nightclubs or pubs on weekends, which
are quite plenty.
- You can visit Adelaide, the wine capital of Australia.
- You can get the feel of some creepy-crawlies, by visiting a zoo or
sanctuary. Australia is home to a number of unusual and numerous species
of reptiles, birds and other animals.
Study options
The number of students coming to Australia grows exponentially each year. The
most preferred courses amongst Indian students are business, tourism,
hospitality management, MBA, accounting, healthcare and IT.
An international student is expected to take up a course registered under
CRICOS, if he/she wishes to study in Australia. CRICOS indicates that the
course
and institution that you choose meet a high standard of the Australian
education
system
Australian Universities offer international students a range of learning
options, such as associate degrees, undergraduate degrees, postgraduate
degrees
and PhDs. Of the total international student population, almost 40% are
engaged
in higher education programmes and nearly 18% in English language
programmes.
Cost of studying in
Australia
An undergraduate degree could cost AUD 10,000–30,000 and postgraduate and PhD
degrees could cost AUD 20,000–40,000.
The average living cost in Australia has been estimated to be AUD 18,000 per
year. Accommodation costs could be $440 per week and transport and groceries
could cost $15 to $280 per week.
Whether your interest lies in nature, technology, art, culture, adventure,
food, wine or world-class academia, Australia definitely has something for
you and is a country of endless opportunities. You will definitely love the
student life in Australia, the outdoor culture and the friendly people.
Scholarships for
international students!
Scholarships offered to international students are purely based on merit. In
some cases, scholarships cover both, tuition and living expenses. Apart from
some universities and colleges offering scholarships, many government
sources offer a number of scholarships or financial aid for international
students. Some of the popular scholarships available for international
students are:
- Australia Awards – these scholarships are open to students looking for
undergraduate or postgraduate programmes and TAFE certificates at some
of the Australian institutions. The Australia Awards Scholarships cover
full tuition fees, return air fare, living expenses and also student
health cover.
- Postgraduate Scholarships – students seeking admissions to
postgraduate programmes at Australian institutions can apply for
Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship Awards or International Postgraduate
Research Scholarships (IPRS).
- Australian University Scholarships – some of the popular Australian
universities make it easier for international students to meet their
tuition fees by supporting them with some scholarships, such as –
- RMIT University – Science, Engineering and Health scholarships for
undergraduates. And Global Leaders Scholarship for postgraduates.
- Edith Cowan Scholarship – Early acceptance scholarship.
- The University of Sydney – Vice chancellor’s international scholarships.
- Deakin College – Merit scholarships.
- La Trobe University – Postgraduate excellence scholarships.
- Federation University Australia Scholarships.
- The University of Queensland – MBA student scholarship and UQ
international India scholarship for high achievers.
Benefits of studying in
Australia
Needless to say, the Go8 universities are popular worldwide and quite
favourite amongst a large student population.
Australia is comparatively affordable, and the scholarships provided to
foreign students make it easier for them to fund their living and tuition
costs.
Australia allows students to find part-time work options (20 hours per
week), especially during holidays when students can work full-time (40 hours
per week). Moreover, post-study work visas are also on offer, from 18 months
to 4 years, with the opportunity to apply for a resident permit.
If you’re heading to Australia this year for your higher studies, don’t just
sit back and relax on weekends or get stuck with your projects and classes
during the weekdays. Just try to get over the daily routine and spend some
time visiting places like the Blue Mountains, Bathurst, Mornington
Peninsula, Gold Coast, Noosa, Townsville, Darwin, Hobart and a lot more.
It’s believed that nearly 90% of Australian people live away from the main
cities, so you can perhaps behave as the locals do, during your stay, and
enjoy some of the not-so-popular places or discover some hidden gems in the
wild forests and alleys.
