6 minsAustralia is a popular destination when it comes to higher education prospects for Indian students. The numbers show that the second largest number of students in this country during the period January to July 2022 were from India* - that’s about 86,782 students in total from our country. What makes Australia so popular with Indian students? Why study in Australia? A host of full time, part time, vocational and certification courses, good scholarships, highly ranked universities in Australia and a warm, friendly environment to study in make this a top destination. Learn more about the intakes in Australia and plan ahead for your study in this country.
Two major intakes in Australia
Unlike many other locations abroad, such as Canada or the USA, Australian colleges and schools offer two major intakes. While there is a third intake, this is least preferred because there is very limited course choices at this time as compared to the other two. Make sure you are well aware of when these intakes happen so that you do not miss out on an opportunity to apply to the college of your choice. Indian students typically choose either the Semester 1 intake or the Semester 2 intake. Here is what you should know about both.
Here are some popular universities in Australia along with their QS World University Rankings 2024
| University Name | QS World University Rankings 2024 |
| Australian National University | 34 |
| University of Western Australia | 72 |
| University of Newcastle | 173 |
| Curtin University | 183 |
| University of Tasmania | 307 |
| James Cook University | 415 |
| University of Canberra | 421 |
| Murdoch University | 431 |
Semester 1 or February intake in Australia
This is the major or primary intake and also the most popular of the intakes in Australia. This admission option is open to all international students and Indian students need not harbour the misconception that they cannot apply at this time. You will find all major UG and PG courses open at this time along with PhD programs and research programs.
When does it happen?
The Semester 1 Australian intake 2023 will be open from the month of October to December for most universities, with some closing applications in November for the 2024 batch of students. Do check the deadlines of your preferred university so you do not miss the opportunity. Classes start as early as February 2024 in many universities, so be prepared in advance.
Advantages of opting for February intake in Australia
- Your classes start early in the year, giving you the opportunity to make the best of your available time.
- This being the most popular Australian intake for international students, your class is likely to have the greatest diversity in student population. That means you get to meet and make friends with people from all over the world and gain great exposure.
- Greater class strength also means you have greater opportunities to learn from peers.
Universities in Australia offering February intakes
- University of Sydney
- Australian National University
- University of Canberra
- University of Melbourne
- University of Queensland
- Monash University
- University of New South Wales
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Charles Sturt University
- University of Wollongong
- University of Technology, Sydney
- Macquarie University
- University of Western Australia
- University of Newcastle
- RMIT University
- Queensland University of Technology
- Charles Darwin University
- University of Southern Queensland
- University of Adelaide
- Bond University
Check out the benefits of studying in Australia
Semester 2 or July intake in Australia
The options you have during the July intake with respect to courses is quite similar to the primary or February intake. You can apply to UG, PG courses, PhD programs and research programs. However, you will not find all of the courses open during this intake and not every major university offer this intake. So your choice is slightly more limited with the second Australian intake 2023. This is also called the T2 intake and is deemed the secondary intake in Australia.
When does it happen?
Classes begin around July of the year. Applications are accepted from February onward, and deadlines end by June for this intake. Some colleges end the intake by May. So watch out for deadlines carefully. Do not assume that you can apply later since this is a secondary intake. The competition is quite fierce so being prepared for the intake and sending in your application as soon as the intake opens gives you the best chance of being accepted at the university of your choice.
Advantages of opting for Semester 2 or July intake in Australia
- The better alignment with class ending dates in India is one of the biggest positives about this intake.
- You have more breathing space to prepare your application and documents.
- If you want to redo your exams to get better scores and enhance your admission prospects, this intake gives you the leeway to do that.
Institutions in Australia offering intakes in July
- The University of Melbourne
- University of New South Wales
- University of Technology, Sydney
- Curtin University
- Australian National University
- University of Queensland
- University of Wollongong
- Bond University
- University of Western Australia
- Macquarie University
- University of Canberra
- University of Newcastle
- Charles Darwin University
- Charles Sturt University
- CQ University
- University of Southern Queensland
- University of Adelaide
- Queensland University of Technology
- RMIT University
The November intake in Australia
Apart from the two main intakes in Australia, a few universities also open up for a third intake known as the Semester 3 or T3 intake. This is the November intake in Australia, which begins in this month and extends until January. However, it is best not to leave your application until this intake because very few institutions are open for this intake and with select courses only. This intake opens in September typically and may not extend for more than a month. This is a good time to enrol in add-on courses to boost your credentials or do a quick certification to gain a grounding in an affiliated area of your study.
Benefits of different intakes - How to choose your intake in Australia
- As mentioned earlier, the more popular intakes give you a chance to interact with more people from different locations, expanding your horizons. But limited class strength may give you better opportunities to interact with your teachers.
- All intakes are open to all international students but in general, Indian students also show a preference for the Semester 2 intakes in Australia because of the timing. The Indian system has classes extending beyond the first intake (February intake) and this can pose some challenges in applying for the first or primary intake. The second one (Semester 2) does not have this challenge.
- Semester 2 intake gives you a little more time to prepare yourself for your application process as well as living abroad in a new region. But Semester 1 lets you utilize your time best by having classes starting early in the year.
- Employment opportunities in some industries come in clusters at specific periods of the year. If your chosen career in one such niche, then completing your course in time for such a cluster is a great idea. Choose your intake in Australia such that your course is completed well in time for you to grab job openings right in time.
These are the benefits of different options with the Australian intake 2023. You must factor in your specific needs and convenience before deciding which works best for you. Pay special attention to the requirements for making your application and give yourself enough time to get everything, including test scores ready. Your decision of which of the intakes in Australia to opt for also hinges on this heavily.
Application process for studying in Australia
First step, research the universities and courses that you wish to apply to. Understand eligibility requirements and ensure you fulfil them or take steps to (for example, register for English language tests). Some universities ask for GRE, GMAT scores while others do not. Check if your preferred university does. Get your English language scores ready on basis of the tests accepted by the university you choose.
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Your Statement of Purpose is a critical document that you should give yourself plenty of time to prepare and hone. Lean how to write a good SOP. Get your letters of recommendation from professors and mentors. Get it written in the right LOR format. Put all the necessary documents together on basis on what the university is asking for. Do this task ahead of your intake open date so that you can apply as soon as the Australian intake 2023 begins.
FAQs about intakes in Australia
1. Which of the major intakes is the Australian intake for international students?
You can apply in either of the two major intakes. Both are open to international students.
2. What is the T1 intake in Australia?
The primary intake, that is the one called February intake, is also known as Semester 1 or T1 intake.
3. Which is the best intake for Indian students?
While this hinges on your specific needs and goals, the July intake is preferred by many because of the timing that fits in well with course completion in India.
4. Do I have a better chance of admission with T2 intake because of less competition?
The competition is only marginally lesser than the February intake so it is advisable not to ignore T1 intake solely for this reason.
The Australian intake for international students takes place in two major sessions with the February session being most popular and comprehensive. Indian students aiming to study in Australia in 2024 should gear up quickly now to start applying for their preferred courses. Do not leave your application until the last. Some universities operate on a first come, first served basis and you can take advantage of that to improve your chances of being accepted.
*Source: High Commission of India, Canberra
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