Study in Australia

Study in Australia – an amazing country with an excellent tertiary education system. Pick from leading institutions in Australia and allow yourself a life-changing experience of studying abroad.

Australia is one of the most the most popular study destination for international students, along with 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. The quality of education, they variety of options available and the option to work while you study are just some of the reasons why Indians prefer to study in Australia.

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. TEQSA or Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency is the organisation that manages the registration of these institutions and accreditation of their courses.

Apart from TAFE, you can obtain vocational qualifications by studying in Australia at vocational institutions, 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 42 universities in Australia of which 38 are public universities. Undergraduate courses last from 3 to 4 years, depending on whether 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.   

Life as a student in Australia

As a student in Australia, there is so much for you to explore and experience.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. You can visit Adelaide, the wine capital of Australia.
  4. 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.

Why study in Australia?

The beauty of Australia

Australia is known as The Land Down Under because it is situated below the equator. 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, liveability and university of 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. The international student population in Australia is a perfect mix of students from all over the globe. Hence it offers you a great opportunity for you to meet different people, understand cultures and explore the country. Let’s talk about the fauna – you may even come face-to-face with animals like crocodiles, snakes and spiders. Remember Steve Irwin, and his stint with crocodiles? He is from Australia. The country is a great place to explore and get absorbed into the wildlife that has so much to offer.

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 they have 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. Hence studying in Australia will put you at ease.

Climate – It might take some time getting used to the climate in Australia because the intensity varies from one place to another. The climate that you experience in the northern section may not feel the same when you move towards the south.

Accommodation – 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 their location of their stay. University campuses do have on-campus accommodation for international students. You will have to do a thorough research on all these since stay and transport are key to living in any city.  

Food and drink – You will get to eat almost everything, from seafood to native fruits and vegetables. You can drink to your heart’s content, not only ginger beer and cordial but also some freshly brewed coffee (which has a vast history of its own). In 1901, during the Federation, the practice of having outdoor picnics became prevalent, and it was during this time some staple food like mutton, meat pies and lamb chops were introduced as barbecue food.

You may find yourself gorging on some Oyster or Emu or Kangaroo meat or Barramundi, just the way the aboriginals used to, but make sure you comply with the policies and standards of the country and do not get into any trouble for feeding your appetite.

City life – Some of the best cosmopolitan cities include Sydney and Melbourne. Most universities are located in urban or sub-urban areas, so the hustle of city life comes with it. You will find yourself enjoying many recreational activities while you study in Australia. There are several other spectacular places to visit in the country during your studies, such as the Bondi Beach, Uluru, Fraser Island, Whitehaven Beach and, undoubtedly, the Great Barrier Reef.

Almost every city is well connected by roads and rails and you won’t face any difficulty moving from one place to another, on a limited budget. Some cities offer different travel cards for those who want to travel on a fixed budget in hand, such as Myki card in Melbourne, Opal card in Sydney, SmartRider card in Perth and Green card in Tasmania.

Study options in Australia

The number of students coming to Australia grows exponentially each year. The courses most preferred by 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 (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) indicates that the course and institution that you choose meet the high standards 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, the majority of them are engaged in higher education programmes and the rest in English language programmes.

How to study in Australia

The first step would be to identify the right course and university in Australia you would like to apply to. The Course Matcher tool can help you with that. You can always seek the help of our counsellors too.

Once you have made your choice, you will have to make sure you clear all the exams as required by your course and university and get your documents in order. Remember that you should also figure out ways to fund your studies.

Once you get accepted by an Australian university, you can apply for a visa to study in Australia.

Once you have your visa, you can start planning your journey to Australia. Our counsellors will be able to help you at every step towards realising your study abroad dreams.

Cost of studying in Australia

An undergraduate degree could cost INR 15 lakhs per year for your studies alone. If you are enrolled in any of the top 8 universities, the cost can go up to INR 25 lakhs per year.  Postgraduate courses will cost around INR 16 lakhs per year. It can go up to INR 27 lakhs per year if you are enrolled in any of the top 8 universities.

The average living cost in Australia has been estimated to be INR 12 lakhs per year. 

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. This is one of the reasons why some students prefer to study only in Australia. Some of the popular scholarships available for international students are:

  1. 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.
  2. Postgraduate Scholarships – students seeking admissions to postgraduate programmes at Australian institutions can apply for Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship Awards or International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS).
  3. 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 among 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.

Once you head to Australia 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. If you need some professional advice to guide you in your study abroad journey, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thousands of students made it to Australia through us. Now it’s your chance to chase your dreams!

Planning to study in Australia?

I can help you find the perfect course and university in Australia. Get in touch with us now to get FREE advice!
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Megha Verma, IDP Expert
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Planning to study in Australia?

Megha Verma Megha Verma,
IDP Expert
We can help you find the perfect course and university in Australia. Get in touch with us now to get FREE advice!

Planning to study in Australia?

I can help you find the perfect course and university in Australia. Get in touch with us now to get FREE advice!
Education counselor
Megha Verma, IDP Expert
(+1)
Why we need the phone number?
Our counsellors will get in touch with you using this number.
Why my country code is not displayed?
Because, we offer counselling services only to the countries listed in the dropdown.
Preferred study level *
Australia
Select year
Select month

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