Study in Australia

Overview

Officially called the ‘Commonwealth of Australia’, this sovereign country is home to twenty-five million people. The capital city of Australia is Canberra. Melbourne and Sydney, the two largest cities in Australia are the economical and cultural hub of the country.

Australia has become one of the foremost global powerhouses of education and is now providing education to more than 8,00,000 foreign students every year. The international students in Australia are mostly from India, China, Nepal, Brazil and Vietnam. 59% of the international students are from these five countries. The educational institutions in Australia have been providing the students with groundbreaking innovation and knowledge and world-class study patterns. Australia has the third-highest number of international students intake, after the US and the UK.

The most interesting fact about Australian universities is that almost seven universities among the top 100 universities in the world are located in Australia. Australian universities have been constantly securing the top ranks in the surveys or assessments conducted by different ranking agencies or organisations. Among the 30 best cities in the world, five cities are located in Australia where a student can get quality and affordable education with a greater scope of employability.

An important and surprising fact about Australia is that almost 2.5 million international students who completed their studies/higher education in Australia are working in top companies/organisations/firms across the country. There are several other advantages to pursuing higher education in Australia like international education recognition, job opportunities while studying, beautiful peaceful location among others.

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All the details about Australian universities, education system, courses, the average cost of living, hostel accommodation, application procedure, admission process, etc. can be checked here.

COVID-19 Response

International students are an integral part of the education system in Australia. Like all other countries across the world, Australia, too, has to face a difficult situation to bring the international students in the country due to the COVID-19 impact. The country’s border was sealed in March to avoid the spread of coronavirus.

• Universities Australia announced that admissions in 2021 would be diverse, adjustable, equitable, flexible, capable and adaptable according to the needs of the students and education providers.

• Universities have been working closely with the government to carefully stage return to face-to-face learning.

• The Australian government has allowed international students to apply for a student visa free of charge in case they are unable to complete their studies with their original visa.

• Current student visa holders studying remotely outside Australia due to the pandemic will be able to use that study to obtain a post-study work visa.

• Universities will be providing additional time to students to provide English language results in case services have been disrupted by Covid-19.

• An International Student Hub has been set up in Sydney for international students affected by the pandemic with relation to social isolation, wage exploitation, accommodation standards, and more.

Education System in Australia

With a wide variety of over 2,200 study programmes and more than 1,200 institutions available in the country, Australia is one of the largest study abroad destinations in the world.

Vocational Education

To start with the higher education system in Australia, the vocational education system comes first. The Australian vocational education system is called Technical and Further Education (TAFE). Vocational education institutes or TAFEs are directly funded by the government, and these institutes award Certificates, Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas. In certain areas of study, TAFEs award Bachelor’s degree as well.

Bachelor’s Degree

As far as university education is concerned, there are around 37 public-funded universities in Australia, which are funded by the Commonwealth.

Usually, the duration of Bachelor’s degree courses in Australia is three years, and the candidates can also take up the fourth year in a Bachelor’s course, which is referred to as ‘Honours’. However, students taking up Honours courses are required to write and submit a thesis to be awarded the degree. Candidates who complete an Honours course are awarded an honours qualification as a part of the degree. For example, Chemistry with Honours, Zoology with Honours, etc.

Apart from the Major course, a student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Australia has an option to choose ‘Minor’ courses in a specific field. Usually, minor courses are fewer than majors and minors are treated as specialisations in a specific academic area.

Some Australian universities allow students to pursue double degrees. Students taking up double degree courses are required to complete major courses in two fields of study.

Master’s Degree

When it comes to Master's courses, the duration/length of the course is of two years in most Australian universities.

Examination System

Australian universities conduct one or two exams per term, and the final assessment of students is done on the basis of performance in these exams. Certain courses in Australian universities require laboratory work/language classes, and these courses place more emphasis on attendance, assignments and participation.

Student participation/involvement is one of the major components of the Australian education system. At universities, students are encouraged to express opinions, ask questions and speak up in lectures. The examination system of Australian universities places more emphasis on the critical thinking of students rather than the mere memorisation of subjects/topics/lectures.

More details about the Australian education system, levels of courses, duration and course details can be checked below.

Types of Higher Education Institutions in Australia

Higher education institutions in Australia comprise both government and private institutions that are broadly divided into the following two categories:

Universities

In Australia, universities offer higher education qualifications at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels to make graduates ready for professional careers. Currently, there are 42 universities in Australia, of which three are private universities and two Catholic universities.

The universities offer degrees including bachelors, postgraduate certificates, postgraduate diplomas, masters and doctorate degrees along with lower-level qualifications (advanced diplomas, associate degrees and diplomas) and non-award courses (bridging courses and foundation studies). 

Universities in Australia are represented by Universities Australia, the peak body of the sector. In its list, eight universities have formed a group to be called the ‘Group of Eight’ or ‘Go8’. Each university in the country has its own establishment legislation and receive a huge portion of their public funding from the government of Australia.

TAFE Institutes

Apart from the degree programmes offered at a bachelor’s and master’s level, international students can pursue vocational courses from Australian which are offered by Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes. These institutions across the country are the prime providers of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and usually offer short courses, diplomas, certificates I, II, III, IV, and advanced diplomas in a wide range of areas.

List of Higher Education Organisations in Australia

The higher education organisations include accreditation agencies, university associations, the Ministry of Higher Education, qualification authorities and other religion, local or international organisations. Here is the list of the same:

• Australian Technology Network

• Universities Australia

• Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, Australia

• Worldwide Universities Network

• Innovative Research Universities, Australia

• Group of Eight

• Department of Education and Training, Australia

Grading Scale in Australia

University Grading

Grade Points

Honours Grading

TAFE and VET Grading

Why Study in Australia

Australia is preferred by international students due to its flexible education system, the wide range of major and minor subjects offered, quality education and a high standard of living. Some of the major reasons that justify why a student must study in Australia are listed below.

High-Quality Education: Over the years, Australia has emerged as the third most popular destination in the world for international students. Among the English-speaking countries, Australia is one of the best options for international students who are looking for high-quality education at affordable prices.

International Recognition: The degrees awarded by Australian universities have international recognition and high value in the job market. Australian universities have a good reputation across the world, and students graduating from these universities have good chances of securing jobs in any part of the world.

Cost of Living: Living expenses and tuition fee are low in Australia as compared to many other top nations proffering education to international students. Students pursuing higher studies in Australian universities can take up part-time jobs to cover their living expenses. International students pursuing higher studies in Australia may also apply for scholarships.

Diversity of Education: Australian universities offer a wide range of courses and degrees. Therefore, it is flexible for international students to choose a course or degree as per their interest and career aspirations. Also, international students in Australian universities have the flexibility to switch between qualification levels and from one educational institution to another.

Scope for Scientific Research: Students in Australian universities have a greater scope to take up scientific research. The universities in Australia give more emphasis to innovation, scientific research and technology. On the other hand, Australia comprises impressive technological resources, which students can access for their educational needs. 

Flexibility to Take Up Part-Time Jobs: International students pursuing higher education in Australian universities have the freedom or flexibility to take up part-time jobs so that they can cover their living expenses.

Australian universities have graphed an increase of about 54 per cent in the intake of foreign students over the last five years. According to a news broadcasting website in Australia, most of this increase has been in these fields of education: Vocational Education and Training (VET) schools, English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) and non-award sectors. The Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the value of international education has bounced up 22 per cent to $32.4 billion in 2018 from $28.1 billion in 2016.

There are two main laws which promote quality education for international students in Australia. They are - Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and the National Code of Practice. This maintains the standard of Australia as a country and as a global leader in providing education.

Cost of Studying in Australia

International students in Australia need to pay the tuition fees for a specific course as defined by the respective institute under the international student category. The fees vary depending on the level of studies and type of the institute.

An international student can expect the average cost of study in Australia as per the details mentioned below:

Apart from this, the weekly accommodation cost can range between INR 5,500 - INR 14,000 depending on the type of accommodation like on-campus stay, sharing or single occupancy or private rented accommodation.  

Best Places to Study in Australia

Australia is not only recognised as a popular destination for quality education but it is also known as one of the most beautiful and attractive places to study abroad. The institutes in Australia are located at various locations and each place has its own significance in terms of ambience, facilities, opportunities and number of institutes. Based on these criteria the best places to study in Australia are listed below along with some of the best institutions in the location:

On-Campus Student Life, Athletics & Extra-Curricular Activities at Australian Universities

International students choose Australia not only for the high-quality education it offers but also for the unique cultural experience that it provides. Australian universities conduct special student events for students living on campuses such as biweekly snack nights, biweekly bar nights and a number of recurring activities that help students meet new people from all over the world every semester.

Living on-campus means students are closer to the academic buildings, classes and social clubs and organisations. No matter how large or small the university is, all schools and universities in Australia will have several student organisations, ranging from small study groups to specialised activity clubs for activities such as surfing, cycling, rowing, drama, and many more.

As one nears graduation, they may realise how learning outside of the classroom has had a key role to play in their student life experience in Australia. In addition, although not many know,  sports in Australia is booming like never before. Universities in the country have exclusive organisations that let students participate in sports like cricket, boxing, football, fencing, archery, among others. They focus on wellbeing, health and athletic excellence, paving the way for a holistic campus experience.