Complete Study in Australia Guide for Australia International Students
Australia International Students – While may not be the first place you associate with education and study, it actually attracts the third highest number of international students, behind the US and the UK, of any country in the world.
While a few choose Australia for its sun-kissed beaches, warm weather and outdoor lifestyle, most choose to study in the country for the quality of education on offer.
The Australian Education System
Australia has a highly regarded education system which is based on the British system with appropriate local variations. It starts with pre-school education, which can start as early as age three, although it is not compulsory.
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Formal compulsory schooling begins at the age of five or six – the requirement varies from state to state – and continues through primary and secondary school until at least the age of 16. to upper secondary school for the next two years.
Australia has a large number of public and private schools (a 60/40 split across the country), but all education providers must be licensed by the government and are required to adhere to the National Curriculum, which is designed to provide all students with a solid foundation in reading, maths, communication and Information Technology.
In upper secondary schools (Years 11 to 12), students study for a Higher Secondary Certificate of Education – a prerequisite for entry to most Australian universities, as well as vocational and training schools. Many international universities also recognize the certificate as an entry qualification.
List of Best Australian Universities
There are 43 universities in Australia, 15 of which are ranked in the global top 250 according to the latest edition of the QS World University Rankings. Seven of them are in the world top 100. In descending order, they are:
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Australian National University
Founded in 1946, ANU (Australian National University) is considered one of the best research universities in the world and counts two Nobel Prize winners and 49 Rhodes Scholars among its alumni and current faculty members.
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University of Melbourne
Founded in 1853, it is Australia’s second oldest university. Four Australian prime ministers and five governors-general graduated from the University of Melbourne. Nine Nobel laureates have been students or faculty members, the most of any Australian university.
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University of Sydney
Established in 1850, the oldest university in Australia, the USA (University of Sydney) has been associated with 5 Nobel Prize winners from among its alumni and faculty and 110 Rhodes Scholars and has seen seven future Prime Ministers, two Governors General of Australia and pass through its doors nine state governors.
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University of New South Wales
A founding member of the Group of Eight, a coalition of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, UNSW (University of New South Wales) counts among its alumni former Australian prime ministers, state and federal ministers, Australian international cricketers past and present and two kings.
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University of Queensland
Founded in 1909, UQ (Distinguished Alumni and Staff of the University of Queensland) includes two Nobel laureates, actor and Triple Crown of Acting winner Geoffrey Rush and former Chief Justice of Australia.
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Monash University
Monash is home to over 100 research centers and 17 co-operative research centres; his research achievements include the world’s first IVF pregnancy, the development of the flu drug Relenza, and the first seat belt legislation. 10% of the top 50 CEOs in Australia completed their undergraduate education at Monash.
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University of Western Australia
UWA graduates include one Prime Minister of Australia, five judges of the High Court of Australia, various federal cabinet ministers and seven of the eight most recent premiers of Western Australia. Two UWA faculty members, Barry Marshall and Robin Warren, won the Nobel Prize as a result of research at the university.
Australian Education vs Other Countries Education
Australia’s education system is similar to that of New Zealand and the United Kingdom, with students able to study at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. When it comes to the US, there are more similarities than differences. However, one area where Australian schools outperform their American counterparts is in student achievement, which is higher in all categories – a difference attributed to a higher standard of teaching and subjects.
Another difference is the academic year, which starts in September in the Northern Hemisphere, but starts in February in Australia and New Zealand.
Australia International Students Courses
Australian universities offer a range of courses with thousands on offer, from humanities to science, law to management, engineering to medicine.
Australia International Students Types of Degree
There are three main types of degree programs that can be pursued:
1. Australia International Students: Bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree in Australia usually takes three years to complete – or four years if you’re studying for an honors degree. However, unlike the UK, the year is usually divided into two terms rather than three.
The minimum entry requirement for admission to the field of study is a high school diploma or equivalent; proof of English language proficiency may also be required. Some practical or vocational courses may also require a portfolio, audition or successful completion of a work placement.
2. Australia International Students: Master’s degrees
A master’s degree usually takes one or two years to complete. Requirements vary between universities, but most require first successful completion of a bachelor’s degree with a grade of 2.2 or higher.
3. Australia International Students: Doctorates (PhD)
A PhD usually takes three years to complete and is usually only done when someone has first earned a master’s degree. As in most other countries, a written thesis is required, but unlike other jurisdictions it is not stipulated that the thesis must then be defended orally.
Australia International Students Language requirements to Study in Australia
All undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Australia are taught in English. In some cases, those whose first language is not English may be able to demonstrate their language proficiency by taking a recognized language test before being admitted to the course.
Australia International Students: Student visa
Any international student who wants to study in Australia must first obtain a student visa. These can be obtained online (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder/study) and last for up to five years. It currently costs AUS$575 (US$405). Click here to know more about ImmiAccount.
To obtain a Australia International Students visa, applicants must demonstrate:
- Evidence that they have been admitted to a course by a recognized Australian university;
- Confirmation of their financial capacity;
- Evidence that they have the required knowledge of English; and
- Health insurance coverage
A visa will not be granted to anyone with a criminal record.
Australia International Students Fees
Australia is among the most expensive countries in the world when it comes to higher education, especially for those coming from abroad (anyone not from Australia or New Zealand is classed as an international student).
Fees are set by individual universities and can vary widely.
Those wishing to study for a Masters should typically expect to pay anywhere between AUS$20,000 (US$14,100) to AUS$37,000 (US$26,200) per year; those looking to do a PhD are looking at annual fees of between AUS$14,000 (US$10,000) and AUS$37,000 (US$26,200).
High value courses like medicine, veterinary science and MBA cost significantly more.
Australia International Students Part time job
In order to meet the costs of their studies, students should consider working part-time while in Australia. Most student visas usually allow students to work for an unlimited amount of time during holidays and up to 40 hours per fortnight during term time. The rules for student work have recently been tightened, so applicants should check their visa type before applying for a job.
Australia International Students International scholarships
A number of scholarship programs are available for international students, which can take the form of scholarships or grants. Among the most important are:
The Australia Awards Program for Australia International Students
It is a collection of more than 3,000 scholarships offered by a number of governmental and quasi-governmental bodies aimed at students from developing countries.
Endeavor Leadership Program for Australia International Students
Announced by the Australian Government as part of their 2018-2021 Budget, this program brings together a number of government scholarships under one roof.
Research Training Program (RTP) for Australia International Students
This program administers grants to domestic and international studies for master’s and doctoral research.
In addition, individual universities have their own scholarship programs and grants and can be approached on a case-by-case basis.
The application process for Australia International Students
International students must apply directly to the university of their choice online. There is no uniform application process – it varies from institution to institution, so check with your chosen university first. Similarly, closing dates vary by course, so double-check before applying.
The following steps should be taken:
- Decide which course you want to study at which university;
- Submit an online application to the institute (make sure you correctly follow any provisions they may have);
- Receive and formally accept their offer;
- Receive an Electronic Certificate of Enrollment (eCoE) from the University.
- Apply for a student visa (but only after completing all the above stages).
To support their application, the student must provide:
- Evidence of their academic qualifications (certificates, transcripts, letters from teachers or professors);
- Formal confirmation of knowledge of the English language;
- Evidence that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves while studying in Australia; and
- International student health insurance.
To further assist international students who wish to apply, a number of universities in Australia have accredited agents in the home countries of many potential applicants. Contact details for these agents are listed by law on the website of every Australian university.