One of the top 5 destination choices for international students, Australia has 26 world-ranking universities, quality education, and amazing job opportunities! But these are not the only reasons you should study in Australia.

 

We understand – there are a lot of factors you need to consider before you choose to study in Australia. And although it may seem like an easy decision to make, it’s not.

Read through this blog to get a good understanding of what it’s like to study in Australia. Learn about the top courses, the education system, tuition and scholarships, best universities, visa process, and much more.

After you’re done, you can compare Australia with other popular study abroad destinations. Only then will you be able to make an informed decision.

So, without further ado, let’s get started! 

Why study in Australia?

The Australian education system is said to be the best in this world – in some cases, even better than the US.

Australia’s cultural diversity will provide opportunities to learn and understand various cultures, traditions, and lifestyles.

Add to that the relaxation of the immigration policies in 2013, and Australia started to look like the best study abroad destination.

Downtown Sydney skyline in Australia
Studying in Australia has become much more accessible as English as their primary language. Therefore, hurdles such as learning a new language disappear!

 

What’s more, the country is surrounded by blue waters and fun beaches and is known for its high standard of living. Even the part-time jobs in Australia offer a considerable stipend to international students!

Let’s look at each of these reasons (and some more) and learn about the pros of studying in Australia-

Quality education

10 of the 40 universities in Australia fall among the top 100 institutions in the world, while 26 are in the top 500!

Each of these Australian universities has a super-flexible education system that focuses more on research and out-of-box learning than the study of pure theory.

Friendly immigration policies

Australia changed its post-study visa policy in 2013, making it a driving factor for international students who choose to study in Australia.

Since then, it has had an influx of international students from all around the globe, especially in South Asia.

Financial aid 

Generally, the price associated with studying abroad becomes a deal-breaker for students who wish to receive an international education.

Realizing this, the Australian government sets aside approximately $200 million dollars each year for international students wanting to pursue their education in Australia. And you can apply the basis of your merit or your need!

To graduate from an Australian university, you must first know what you want to study and then choose the university best for your course…
This implies that you could learn about the courses within your major and expand your horizon by taking up various offbeat courses that you may not find elsewhere.

Flexible job market

As a graduate right of an Australian university, the battle to find a job is not as difficult.

This is because the organizations in Australia are flexible about a student’s background when it comes to hiring.

So even if you’re a Management graduate, you can easily start working at a restaurant and work your way up from there.

Travel opportunities

Make new friends
85% percent of the Australians live within 50 kilometers of the coast

Australia is undeniably one of the most beautiful places to visit. Australia is renowned for its diverse ecosystem, from its beautiful white beaches to its outback to its lush green forests.

Australia is renowned for having a diverse ecosystem.

Studying in Australia is, therefore, a paradise for those who love to travel and are explorers at heart.

Multiculturalism

In 2018, Australia welcomed 869,709 international students. No wonder the country is home to an incredibly diverse set of immigrants worldwide.

Australia’s cultural diversity will provide opportunities to learn and understand various cultures, traditions, and lifestyles.

High standard of living

Australia ranks 13th on the Global Peace Index and there’s a reason behind that.

The country not only focuses on education for students but also promotes that they should have a healthy lifestyle and work-life balance.

This is one of the reasons why students look at living in Australia even a long time after they graduate.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. To graduate from an Australian university, you need to first know what you want to study and then choose which university is the best for your course…

The best course to study in Australia

Futuristic business investment information technology
Business Management is one of the top courses to study in Australia

Each university in Australia provides a vast pool of subjects you can choose from.

Here, you can pick from just as many courses of study as any major American university. For example, the Australian National University provides an unbelievable 750 possible course combinations.

This implies that you could not only learn about the courses within your major but also expand your horizon by taking up various offbeat courses that you may not find elsewhere.

Here are some of the best courses to study in Australia-

  1. Business Management
  2. Medicine
  3. Engineering
  4. Architecture
  5. Computer Science & Information Technology
  6. Business Analytics
  7. Geology
  8. Tourism & Hospitality Management
  9. Agricultural Sciences
  10. Law

Once you choose which one is the best course to study in Australia for you, it’s time to take the next step…

Best universities in Australia

There are several factors you need to consider when choosing a university.

You have to look at the course requirements, curriculum, faculty, career opportunities, and so many other deciding parameters.

You also need to consider the subject you’re interested in. Because one university might rank well for Data Science, while another might be better known for its CS program.

However, you’ll find that the best universities in Australia are famous for most of their courses and are some of the best institutions in the world.

Let’s take a look at them one by one-

  1. Australian National University
  2. University of Sydney
  3. The University of Melbourne
  4. University of New South Wales
  5. The University of Queensland
  6. Monash University
  7. University of Western Australia
  8. The University of Adelaide
  9. University of Technology, Sydney
  10. The University of Wollongong

Now that we have an idea of what institutions you can consider for your studies in Australia, it’s time to consider the cost of your education.

Cost of studying in Australia

The cost of studying in Australia varies depending on your university and course.

Since it takes a few weeks for your application to be processed, it is advisable to apply for it six months before the start date of your course.
If your interests align with what the Australian industries are famous for, this country is one of the best places to study.

But to give you a general idea, the average cost of studying in Australia is-

  • US$14,400 to US$26,600 annually

But that’s not all. As an international student studying in Australia, you also have to consider other costs. Like the cost of living, transportation, food, and other miscellaneous expenses.

These expenses will also depend on which location and university you decide to study in.

But to give you a rough idea, the cost of living in Australia is-

  • US$300- US$500 weekly

But there are several ways to offset these expenses. Like taking up a Graduate or a Teaching Assistantship, doing a part-time job in Australia, and applying for fellowships and scholarships to study in Australia.

Scholarships to study in Australia

While each university has its own funding set aside for scholarships, there are several organizations that also offer financial aid to students planning to study specifically in Australia.

Some of them include-

  1. Australian Government Research and Training Program
  2. Destination Australia
  3. Australia Awards
  4. Provider Scholarships
  5. Australia APEC Women in Research Scholarship
  6. John Allwright Scholarship, and more

How to study in Australia

Loan approval letter as your proof of funds
There has been a 17% increase in Indian student enrollments in 2018 compared to the previous year

Once you’ve shortlisted the universities you want to apply to, you will have to go through their websites and find out the admission requirements. However, a few requirements are common across programs and universities.

For an undergraduate course, you will need to provide-

  1. A high school diploma
  2. Proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS)
  3. Aptitude test scores (SAT or ACT)
  4. College essay

For students pursuing a postgraduate degree, the universities will ask for-

  1. Transcripts
  2. Statement of Purpose
  3. Resume
  4. Proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS)
  5. Aptitude test scores (GMAT or GRE)
  6. Portfolio (for subjects like Fine Arts, Architecture, etc.)

Start preparing these documents 6 months before you have to apply.

After you submit your application, it is time to wait. If shortlisted, you will receive a letter of acceptance, which you can then use to apply for a student visa!

Australian student visa process

A student visa for Australia will allow you to study, work part-time, and live in Australia for up to 5 years.

What’s more, the Australian student visa application process is fairly straightforward! Here’s what you need to do in order to get it-

  1. First of all, head to the Department of Home Affairs website, enter a few details and get a list of all the papers you need to submit. Gather all the required documents and keep their copies ready.
  2. Create an ImmiAccount on the website, login, fill the application form, and attach necessary documents
  3. Double-check all the details you have entered and submit your application
  4. Pay the Australian student visa cost, which is about AUD 620
  5. After this, you may be asked to submit a few other essentials, like biometrics, police certificates, and health exam results (which will add to your Australian student visa cost)
  6. Check your application progress using your ImmiAccount and wait for the visa outcome

Since it takes a few weeks for your application to be processed, it is advisable to apply for it at least 6 months before the start date of your course.

Should I study in Australia?

The answer to that question will depend on which course you wish to study.

If your interests align with what the Australian industries are famous for, this country is one of the best places you can choose to study in.

It has a great education system, beautiful forests and beaches, and tons of job opportunities!