Australia

Study in Australia

The country famous for kangaroos, surfing and koalas, but there is a lot more to Australia. Australia covers an area of 7.69 million square kilometers. Makins it the 6th largest country in the world and home to over 23 million people. It is also the only continent governed as a single country! Its rich culture and history are founded on its Aboriginal heritage and current blend of vibrant cultures. Australia is a global leader in education. This is one of the many reasons why students from around the world choose to pursue their studies there.

Why Study in Australia?

With over 22,000 courses in 1,100 institutions, a great number of study options are available. Making it highly likely that your preferred course or degree will be available to study in Australia.

As well as having the quantity and variety, Australia also leads in quality of education. Seven out of the top 100 universities in the world are in Australia. Their university system also ranks 8th in the world, ahead of countries such as the UK, Germany and Japan. Australia is recognized as a country that offers world-class education.

Quality of education is important, but another significant aspect is student life. Australia, in fact, houses six of the forty best student cities in the world. A 2012 survey revealed that 88% of student respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with living in Australia. This is not surprising, as Australia is the fourth happiest country in the world.

Aside from these, the country and its government also make investments into international education. For example, there is more than $200,000,000 invested by the government annually for international scholarships.

It is no wonder then that Australia is the 3rd most popular student destination in the world.

More about Australia

Australia is one of the most welcoming and diverse countries. Almost half of the population were either born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas. This contributes to the fact that there are more than 260 languages spoken in homes across Australia.

Aside from its diversity, the country boasts of its economy. It has seen steady growth, even during the 2008 global financial crisis. The country, for the year 2014, has more than $1.4 trillion as its GDP.

Due to its large size, the country also has diverse environments. It has more than 500 national parks and more than 2,700 conservation areas. These range from wildlife sanctuaries to Aboriginal reserves. Additionally, 17 of the UNESCO World Heritage sites are in Australia. Examples of these are the Great Barrier Reef and the Sydney Opera House.

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Cost of Studying and Living in Australia

Study Expenses

*Australia uses Australian Dollar or AUD as its currency.

Being a popular study destination, applying for scholarships in Australia is competitive. If you are self financing you should be aware of the costs of studying and living in Australia.

As with most other countries, the cost of education is dependent on the type and duration of your studies.

For example, English Language Courses are available at $300/week. Vocational training or education on the other hand will cost you $4,000 to $22,000. Vocational training awards Certificate Levels (from I to IV), Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas, with costs increasing for the latter.

Bachelor Degrees will have you spending $10,000 to $33,000 a year. Expect higher costs if pursuing your degree at a private university. Studies taken in a public institution will generally cost less.

A Master’s Degree will cost from $20,000 to $37,000 per year. Doctoral Degrees on average range from $14,000 to $37,000. As mentioned private education will result in higher costs.

Living Expenses

Generally, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection requires $18,610 as the minimum cost of living to issue a student visa. Your living expenses in Australia will depend highly on which region you plan to live in. For example, more urbanized areas will have higher costs for accommodation. The type of accommodation is also important. Hostels and guesthouses range from $80 to $135 a week, while shared rentals and on-campus accommodation will cost $70 to $250. More expensive options are homestay ($110 to $270 per week) and rental ($100 to $400 per week).

Aside from accommodation, your weekly expenses will most likely include:

• groceries or eating out ($80 to $200).
• gas and electricity ($60 to $100).
• phone and internet ($20 to $50).
• public transport ($10 to $50).
• entertainment ($50 to $100).

You should also factor in health insurance costs and overseas student health cover.

Working while Studying

If you plan to cover your expenses by working in Australia while you study, check with the appropriate government office first. Different visas (discussed below) have different stipulations on this. It should be possible to work part time whilst you study.

Visas

The visa you are required to obtain will depend on your nationality, age and purpose of visit. If your main purpose is to study, you will be required to obtain a student visa. The subclasses of student visas are such:

• Independent ELICOS.
• Schools.
• Vocational Education and Training.
• Higher Education.
• Postgraduate Research.
• Non-award and Foreign Affairs or Defence.

It is also possible to study a short course on one of the following visas:

• Visitor Visa,
• Working Holiday Visa
• Student Guardian Visa.

Each individual has a different case, and as such, requirements and processes vary for everyone. You are recommended to read more about visas here: http://www.immi.gov.au/students/students/chooser/

Language

Despite numerous languages spoken in Australian homes, the majority of the country speaks English. Although the country has no declared “official language”, English is widely considered as the national language. Australian English has a distinct accent and vocabulary as compared to American English.

Evidence of English language proficiency may be required for visa processing.

Cities

Sydney

As of 2013’s QS City Index, Sydney is the world’s fourth best city for students. It is the most populous city in Australia. A famous tourist destination for structures such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sestinations such as Bondi Beach and the Royal National Park are also popular. It is also home to the oldest university in Australia which is the University of Sydney.

Melbourne

Just behind Sydney is Melbourne ranked at fifth. Considered an international center for arts. The city is recognized as a UNESCO City of Literature. It is also home to the National Gallery of Victoria and the Royal Exhibition Building. Melbourne also has the world’s largest tram network. The city is also known for its weather which can change drastically due to the city’s location.

Brisbane

With three major universities Brisbane’s student ratio is one of the highest in the world. It is the world’s 26th best city for students. Brisbane is popular with tourists for its proximity to the world’s most famous beaches. A mix of urban and outdoor lifestyles, Brisbane has an active outdoor culture mixed with the city’s nightlife.

Perth

The world’s 30th best student city is also Australia’s fourth largest city. Isolated from other Australian cities, Perth offers access to numerous natural beauties. The city also boasts of a local world-class wine industry. In a recent list provided by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Perth was ranked 9th most liveable city in the world.

Canberra

Australia’s national capital is considered as the 37th best student city. Home to the Australian War Memorial, Black Mountain Tower and the National Library of Australia. Other attractions include the National Gallery and the Parliament House. The city also has emerging dining scenes to complement its regional wine scene. The country’s highest ranked university, Australian National University, is located here.

Adelaide

Right next in the list at 38 is the country’s fifth largest city. It was also included in the Top 10 of the World’s Most Liveable Cities from 2010 to 2012. The Property Council of Australia proclaimed the city as the most liveable city in Australia from 2011 to 2013. Adelaide is seen as a learning city, with the presence of not only universities and other educational institutions but research institutions as well such as Royal Institution of Australia.

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Institutions in Australia

Browse higher education providers in Australia on the map or select from the list to learn more

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• Alphacrucis College
• Australian Catholic University
• Australian Film, Television and Radio School
• Australian Institute of Business
• Australian National University
• Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School
• Charles Darwin University
• Charles Sturt University
• Charlton Brown
• CQUniversity Australia
• Curtin College
• Deakin University
• Griffith University
• International College of Hotel Management
• International Institute of Business and Technology
• James Cook University
• JMC Academy
• LinkLearn
• Macquarie University
• Melbourne City College Australia
• Melbourne Polytechnic
• Monash University
• Nan Tien Institute
• Online Education
• Queensland University of Technology
• RMIT Online
• South Australian Government Schools
• Southern Cross University Online
• Swinburne University of Technology
• TAFE NSW
• TAFE Queensland
• TAFE South Australia
• The Hotel School
• The University of Adelaide
• The University of Melbourne
• The University of Queensland
• The University of Western Australia
• University of Canberra
• University of New South Wales
• University of Newcastle, Australia
• University of South Australia
• University of Southern Queensland
• University of Sydney
• University of Tasmania
• University of Technology Sydney
• University of Wollongong
• Victoria University