Australia
Overview
Australia is not just a country or continent where you can see kangaroos and koala bears in the wild. They are made of something more substantial. In recent years, Australia has surpassed the United States and the United Kingdom as the third most successful study destination for international students
Why study in Australia
As a student, you do not have to worry about the variety of courses you can find here. There are well over 22,000 excellent courses offered, making Australia comparable to countries such as Canada, Germany, and many others in the world.
Before you choose a program, you would like to sign up for in Australia, you need to tick off a few things first:
Type of school that offers your preferred course and interests: universities, vocational education, and English language training.
Research the institution: reputation, costs, facilities, scholarships, etc.
Rest assured, Australian higher education owns some of the most sought-after courses in the world which include Psychology, Engineering, Business, Economics, and Social Science. What is even better is that the education system is built to be flexible and offers its students the freedom to create a layout of their study experience here.
In terms of the pathway for higher education, Australia offers a standard and straightforward option for its students.
3-4 years: Bachelor’s Degree / Doctorate Degree
1-4 years: Master’s degree
Combined degrees: Arts & Sciences, Engineering & Commerce, or Business & Law, etc.
How much does it cost to live in Australia?
When calculating the cost of education, including tuition fees as well as monthly living expenses (cost of living). We have divided them into parts for you below.
How much the average tuition fee?
Each course will be differently priced by universities due to the varying, specialized facilities you will need for each field (like medicine students need access to hospital facilities, engineering students need workspaces, etc).
| Study level | AUD per year |
| FouFoundation / Pre-U | 15,000 – 37,000 |
| Diploma | 4,000 – 22,000 |
| Bachelor’s degree | 30,000 – 50,000 |
| Masters degree | 20,000 – 37,000 |
| PhD | 14,000 – 37,000 |
Language requirement
First of all, you must be proficient in the English language, as all academic courses and transactions will be conducted informal English. As a foreigner, understanding the real Australian way of speaking and slang may take a little practice; but be brave and keep interacting outside the classroom and you will be fine.
Admission into an Australian university often requires a proper English as a Second Language certification, which can be obtained by passing one of the following:
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Occupational English Test (OET)
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test (also known as Certificate in Advanced English)
To increase the chances of you gaining entry into an Australian higher education institution, you must take care of the first study in a recognized foundation level, preferably in line with the Australian matriculation.
Typical acceptance
SPM is equivalent to the Australian Secondary School Certificate (Year 10)
STPM results are equivalent to the Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (Year 12)
* When applying with SPM results for entry-level courses and STPM results for degree courses, some courses may require credits (C and above) in specific subjects.
Additionally, an acceptance letter or offer letter from a university in Australia will help with the application process.
When to apply to Australia
Australian universities typically operate in terms throughout the year. A year holds two semesters, so the peak time to apply to study in Australia for an undergraduate degree would be:
Mid-October to mid-November: first semester application period. The first semester begins in March.
Mid-April to mid-May: second semester application period. The second semester begins in July.
** Intake and semester commencement dates may vary by institution, so it is best to double-check with the university you are applying to!
Student visa.
As a student entering Australia for the purposes of education, a specific visa is required. To begin the application process, you must first refer to the Australian Department of Home Affairs website under STUDENT for the requirements for a student visa.
Alongside results for the English as a Second Language certification, you must also provide evidence of sufficient funds enough to cover your tuition, living and travel expenses. For living expenses, a sum of AU$20,290* at least must be stated.
Alternately, your parents must provide proof of earning an annual sum of at least AU$60,000* <*as of 2018> and a statement declaring their agreement to support you financially.
On some occasions, you might be required to undergo a medical examination and/or radiology with a doctor approved by the Australian immigration department. This may be especially pertaining to those who wish to study in the field of medicine, nursing and dentistry.
All future students are also required to own Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) in conjunction with their student visa commencement and are not allowed to enter Australia before the OSHC is valid.
Your student visa grant period will be valid for the duration of your course, which is usually for 10 months or longer.
Should your course be less than 10 months, your student visa will be valid for not more than a month after your course ends.
The Australian student visa is not usually granted for more than five years.
