Studying abroad is a huge investment both emotionally and financially. You would want to make it worthwhile in both aspects. If you are aspiring to gain an international-level education, know that your journey towards reaching your dream destination can be long and difficult. With a plethora of countries offering exceptional education, your research for selecting an ideal one and preparation to study in the same has to be at T. Well, Australia might be the one that ends your search in a jiff and will help you justify those aspects. How? Let’s get into the details and guide you through all the ins and outs of studying in Australia, outlined by the best education consultants for Australia.
Let’s start by addressing your question of yours that has been lingering around all this while in your mind: Why study in Australia? Well, there are many reasons for it. Here are a few.
- Impressive universities and education system: Australian universities are considered the best in the world for their exceptional study programs and stunning campuses. As a result, they consistently get featured in global rankings for academic reputation, employer reputation, and international student ratio. By pursuing a degree from such institutions, you can be sure of standing ahead in your career and setting yourself apart from the ever-growing competition. Moreover, Australia is a hub for research projects, so studying here would be a great idea if you are interested in research.
- Cultural diversity: Needless to say, Australia, especially Melbourne city, one of the liveliest cities in the world, catches the most attention from around the world when it comes to taking admission. Studying here would mean unlocking the world of opportunity to learn, share and imbibe different languages, cultures, and experiences and evolving as a person with a global perspective.
- Strong hold on research: Australia is well acknowledged for its groundbreaking research and is one of the contributors to various global projects such as IVF, Wifi & many more. If you have a keen research interest, there is nothing better than Australia. You get to have all the flexibility as per your choice. You can be a part of many research projects or undertake your own in fields such as arts and humanities, education, and sciences. There are no limitations when it comes to studying at an Australian university.
- Great work opportunities for students and professionals alike: One of the most significant advantages of studying abroad in Australia is that students get to take up part-time work opportunities during term time. With a subclass 500 visa, students can work up to 40 hours per fortnight. Students can easily take up jobs from a variety of opportunities and considerably lessen their study abroad expenses.
- So much to see, imbibe and explore: Australia is a diverse country with just about every type of landscape and tourist site. From lush rainforests to deserts to heritage sites and local markets, there is so much to see and explore post-Uni, where each one will contribute to a unique experience to your study abroad journey.
So now you know the reasons and are finally making up your mind. We shall now take a further step and look at what student life seems like in Australia, how to prepare for it, and make your journey towards it.
- Education system: Australia ranks among the top 3 countries for its education system, categorized into three levels.
- Primary education: Starting from kindergarten to 6-7 years.
- Secondary education: Starts from 7-8 years and lasts up to 10 years, and the senior secondary runs for two years, 11 & 12.
- Tertiary education: Includes higher education and vocational education & training (VET). Tertiary education is regulated by the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF), which has categorized this education into ten levels. Each level represents a different qualification. Starting from levels 1-4, they represent certifications. Further, levels 5-6 represent diplomas. Levels 7, 8, 9, and 10 represent bachelor’s, graduate, master’s, and doctorate degrees, respectively.
- Intakes: Australian universities and colleges offer two Australian colleges and universities have two primary seasons for intakes, namely February and July. There are also September and November intakes but for very few courses. Vocational course intakes start in January, March, and July but can vary with the university and courses.
- Financial aid and scholarships: Studying abroad, in general, is expensive. You need to make sure you have finances ready in the form of education loans and scholarships. When you choose to study in Australia, various scholarships are available for Indian students that are government, public, and institution funded. To check the eligibility criteria or guidelines or apply for these scholarships, you can visit the official website of the sponsorer. However, it’s better to take the assistance of Australian education consultants as they are well versed with the processes and help you secure an education loan and find suitable scholarships according to your academics & other qualifications.
- Test Preparation: Test Preparation: Like in other countries, in Australia too, students are required to appear in a standardized exam to prove their English proficiency skills to get admission or visa approval. There are various language proficiency exams, each holding significance to different universities. Some of the popular tests are:
- IELTS: One of the highly accepted English proficiency tests by Australian universities as well as for the visa process. The score requirements of this test vary with universities and the course. However, for admission, a minimum of 6.5 IELTS score is a must, with no band below 6.0. For visa purposes, a minimum 5.5 overall score is required.
- TOEFL: It is also a well-recognized test among Australian universities. TOEFL is a 100% academic test. There are two modes to appear in TOEFL, iBTTM, and PBT. TOEFL iBTTM is an internet-based test, and TOEFL PBT is a paper-based test. A minimum score of 90 is required to qualify for admission to an Australian university.
- PTE Academic: PTE or Pearson Test of English is a computer-based exam accepted in more than 150 institutions in Australia. This test examines the candidate’s knowledge based on four skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. A student should have a score of a minimum of 75-80 to qualify for admission.
- Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): A computer and paper-based test regulated by the University of Cambridge. CAE comprises five papers that test the candidates’ command of the English language through their skills of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and usage of English. Most Australian universities accept a score between 60-80.
Major expenses you will likely encounter as an international student in Australia:
- Tuition Fees: This is one of the most important ones as a major chunk of your money to study abroad will be going for tuition fees. The fees vary with the university and course. Some universities have a reasonable fee structure, whereas others may charge high. Make sure you do your research beforehand for the same and select the university and program based on your budget limits. Here is an approximate outlay of tuition fees for various courses:
- Undergraduate courses: Approx 20,000-45,000 AUD/year (approx Rs 11-25 lakhs/yr)
- Post-graduate courses: Approx 22,000-50,000 AUD/year (approx Rs 12-28 lakhs/yr)
- Doctoral (Ph.D.) courses: Approx 22,000-50,000 AUD/year (approx Rs 12-28 lakhs/yr)
- Cost of living: An international student studying in Australia would need approximately USD 10000 to 18000 per year or 1,400 and 2,500 AUD per month (Rs 5-10 lakh per year or Rs 80k -1.2k per month), which will vary depending upon the city you choose.
Cost of living would include expenses for:
- Accommodation: Some universities provide on-campus housing facilities, which can cost between 440 – 1,100 AUD/month (including meals & others) to international students, but others don’t. If your preferred university doesn’t cover you with on-campus facilities, you may have to pay extra money for off-campus rental places. There are a lot of off-campus housing options available in Australia with varying rental amounts and facilities. You may choose to stay by yourself or share the place with other students, and it will cost you between 400- 1,700 AUD/month, depending on your choice.
If you are planning to study in Australia and would prefer an off-campus stay that is comfortable yet affordable, you must start your research as soon as possible. The research to find a suitable place to stay may take a lot of time. You can ease your work by connecting study abroad consultants and get assistance for every aspect of study abroad preparation.
- Traveling & daily commute: Traveling to and from your study abroad destination can be expensive. Some universities cater to your flight expenses but mostly don’t. So these expenses students have to look after. Start your preparation well in advance to get the most cost-effective route. There are also expenses associated with the daily commute. Public and private transport combined will cost you somewhere between 70-200 AUD/month. However, the costs can vary with the city you choose to stay in and the frequency of travel. Make sure you consider this while planning for financials.
- Entertainment: Australia is home to different cultures, traditions, and touristy places you would want to experience post-Uni. Typically, an international student spends about 300 AUD/month on entertainment. Make sure you plan your budget accordingly, so the costs won’t deter you from enjoying this experience. Australia has incredibly diverse work opportunities, which is the reason for its high employment rate. Many students manage their living expenses in Australia by working part-time. You can also grab one of these to tackle your expenses quite well and maintain the lifestyle you wish to live in Australia.
- Other expenses of studying & living in Australia may include study material, groceries, medical, shopping, traveling, phone recharge, etc.
- Visa Fee: If you are visiting Australia as an international student, you would need a student subclass 500 visa. It will cost you around AUD 630and an additional AUD 470 (if 18 and above) or AUD 155 (if under 18). It will offer you a validity of 5 years.
Australia is one of the best destinations students can choose to study and travel to. The higher education system, world-class institutions, and chilled-out lifestyle will put you into a world of incredible opportunities and experiences and make your study abroad decision worthwhile. If you are ready to take the next step towards studying abroad in Australia, the study in Australia consultants at Vision international will help guide you along. Connect for a free consultation today.
