Study in Australia - Intakes, Eligibility, Top Universities, Exams, Scholarships, Visa requirements

Australia is the third most popular destination for study abroad after the US and the UK and it is not without reason that Australia is a preferred choice for international students. The high quality of education, top-ranked universities, high teacher student ratio, opportunities for research, and the post study work opportunities are pertinent reasons to study in Australia. Added to this is the safe environment and the scenic beauty of Australia.

International students who study in Australia can be assured that their rights will be protected. Australia’s diverse population and culture adds to the student’s experience.

Eligibility to study in Australia

International students who wish to study a bachelor’s degree in Australia must have scored at least 65% marks in their high school exam while those who wish to do a diploma course must have at least 65% marks in their high school exam.

International applicants for a master’s program must have completed a three-year or four-year undergraduate degree.

Student visa requirements to study in Australia

• The Australia Student Visa is also known as the Subclass 500.

• This is available only to students who opt for a full-time course. This visa is valid for a maximum of five years.

Documents required

• Valid passport

• Four recent passport size photos

• Proof of proficiency in the English language by providing results of any test such as the IELTS, PTE or TOEFL if you are a non-native English

• Certified copies of your academic results

• Proof of having sufficient funds to cover your expenses including course fees, travel and accommodation

• International students must have an Overseas Students Health Cover or OSHC which is an insurance policy that will cover health and medical expenses in Australia. This can be purchased through the university

• Proof of having paid the visa fees

• Your selected course must be registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS)

When to apply

The application deadline for Australian universities varies with each university. There are however two general deadlines:

Intake 1: This starts in February and is a major intake for international students.

Intake 2: This intake starts in July.

How to choose university/ course to study in Australia

You must first make a list of the potential Australian universities where you would like to study. You should ideally start 18 months before you plan to actually begin your course as this is a long process.

You should decide which course you would like to study and the university you want to attend.

For more information you should visit the website of institutes to find out about the admission process, fees, accommodation, student life, and the entry requirements.

You should consider the following factors before choosing a university or college

• Academic credentials of the institution

• Content of the chosen course in your selected university and whether it meets your needs

• Support for international students

• Financial aid by the university for foreign student

• Cost including tuition fees and living expenses

• Location of the university

Learn more about admission to Australian universities in 2022

Cost of education and living costs to study in Australia

Tuition fees for Australian universities are affordable and the quality of education is excellent. The tuition fees vary depending on the course and the level of study. Here are the average tuition fees for courses in Australia:

Discover the most affordable universities in Australia

Living expenses

On an average international students studying in Australia will have to spend between 1,400 to 2,500 AUD per month in order to cover their living expenses which will include food, accomodation and transportation.

Here is the average living expenses for international students in the major cities of Australia:

• Sydney: 1,900 AUD per month

• Adelaide: 1,300 AUD per month

• Brisbane: 1,400 AUD per month

• Melbourne: 1,500 AUD per month

• Canberra: 1,400 AUD per month

Scholarships to study in Australia

International students who wish to study in Australia can apply for scholarships that are offered by the Australian government, public and private organizations, and some higher education institutions. The application criteria varies for each scholarship but international students can avail financial aid to study in Australia. This can reduce the cost of studying in Australia.

Here is a list of scholarships with which you can study in Australia:

• Australia Awards

• Australia APEC Women in Research Fellowship Program

• Destination Australia Program (DAP)

Top universities in Australia

Australian universities are dedicated to providing world-class education and it is no surprise that seven Australian universities figure in the top 100 world universities. Here is a closer look at the QS ranking of Australian Universities for 2023:

Apart from this, a degree from an Australian university is globally recognised. The universities here offer courses in a wide range of subjects giving a greater range of choice to students. The courses here are research-oriented which adds value to the student’s experience.

Work while studying and post course work options

International students can work in Australia while studying. They can work for a maximum of 40 hours during their course and can work for an unrestricted number of hours during vacations. Those pursuing a master’s degree or a doctoral degree have no restrictions on work hours.

Post study work options: International students who have completed either a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree can apply for a post study work permit which is valid between 2 to 4 years.

Top 10 Reasons to Study in Australia

• Australia has some of the best universities in the world and seven of the top 100 universities in the world are located here.

• The universities here offer a wide range of courses. Over 22,000 courses are offered in over 1,100 universities

• Students from all over the world come to study here making it a melting pot of cultures and providing a diverse cultural experience to international students

• International students can pursue postgraduate programs in a variety of subjects

• The natural scenic beauty of the country inspire students to explore the country

• Getting a student visa to study in Australia is relatively easy

• Internship opportunities offered by the universities make it possible for international students to gain valuable experience

• The degrees by Australian universities are globally recognised and open numerous opportunities for students

• The post study work options give students a chance to find work in Australia and later settle down as a permanent resident

Also Read - Benefits to study in Australia

• Benefits of studying in Ireland
• Benefits of studying in UK