Australia is one of the world’s most popular study destinations. Its universities are known to be extremely keen on internationalisation, to the extent that only coal, ore and tourism bring more money into the country.
Furthermore, only the United States and United Kingdom – countries with significantly larger populations – have more institutions in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings.
There is no federal or state level application system for international students applying to universities in Australia, so you will need to apply directly to the university, usually online and often for a fee. The fee amount is set individually by each university, but as a rough guide it can be between AUS$70–100.
You can use the search tool on Study in Australia to find a comprehensive list of courses, universities and scholarships available to students from the Philippines, or search our list of Australian institutions here.
Funding your study
International students pay higher fees than domestic students and must pay upfront. The cost is determined by the individual university and the course of study, with an undergraduate degree in Australia ranging from £8,700–£21,800 per year.
Although this cost is high, there are many scholarships for which international students may be eligible. A number of organisations, institutions and government bodies in Australia support international students financially.
Application deadlines
The Australian academic year is divided into two semesters. Semester 1 will typically start in early March and finish in early June. If you wish to begin your studies in semester 1, you should aim to have your application completed and submitted by mid November/late December, depending on the institute.
Semester 2 follows semester 1 and typically starts towards the end of July, finishing early November. If you wish to begin your studies in semester 2, you should aim to have your application completed by mid to late May, depending on the institute.
For both undergraduate and postgraduate applications, the sooner you submit your application the better, as you allow your application a greater chance of being considered for scholarships and more time for your student visa to be processed.
Entry requirements
The academic requirements you need to study in Australia will vary depending on the level of education you want to study. Institutions can have different entry requirements, so read the course information on their website carefully and contact them to ask for advice.
To gain entry into an Australian undergraduate course, you will need to have the Philippine equivalent of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (Year 12), i.e., a High School Diploma or a Certificate of Graduation, plus the first year of a bachelor’s degree. Some undergraduate courses may also have specific pre-requisite subjects.
For postgraduates, you will need at least one degree at undergraduate level, and your institution may also take research ability or relevant work experience into consideration.
In some cases, you may need to provide results of an English-language test. Be aware that the English-language skill level required by an institution can be different from the level of skill required for your student visa application. You should carefully check student visa information on both the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) website and the institution website for any English-language requirements.
Chat with Couru
