WHY CHOOSE YOUR HIGHER EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA?
Australia, the third most popular international students’ destination in the world, is the home of only 26,527,844 (in 2023) people comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. Australia is the largest country by area in Ocenia and the world’s sixth-largest country.
With over 22,000 courses across 1,100 institutions, Australia boasts 37 government funded universities, and 2 private universities. The Australian National University, University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, University of New South Wales and Monash University are all world famous institutions within 100 universities in the world in Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Australian Government has invested over A$ 300 million is scholarships and bursaries for the international students.
Please call and book an appointment to come to our office to meet our advisors for your personal preferences of which universities to apply and which city to go: Sydney (the largest city in Australia), Melbourne (the capital city of the State of Victoria), Brisbane (the capital city of the State of Queensland), Adelaide (the capital city of the State of South Australia), Perth (the capital city of the State of Western Australia) and other smaller cities in Australia.
For the Point-Based-Systems and other Settlements routes in Australia, please contact us.
The country is vast and has 43 universities located across state capitals and regional areas, so with some thorough research you’re bound to find the perfect place to settle.
Institutions offer thousands of courses in a range of subjects, from science and humanities to management and engineering. The education structure mirrors that of the UK, allowing students to pursue Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees.
For a full list of Australian universities, see Study Australia.
When it comes to university world rankings Australia has an impressive track record. Nine of the country’s institutions feature in the QS World University Rankings 2024 top 100. These include:
- Australian National University
- The University of Melbourne
- The University of Sydney
- University of New South Wales
- The University of Queensland
- Monash University
- The University of Western Australia.
The country’s oldest research universities comprise the Group of Eight (Go8) including Australian National University, Monash University and the universities of Adelaide, Melbourne, New South Wales, Queensland, Sydney and Western Australia.
Melbourne is the most popular student city according to the QS Best Student Cities 2023, with Sydney and Brisbane following close behind in the top 30. Adelaide, Perth and Canberra also feature in the top 40.
The academic year usually starts in February, but this can vary depending on your institution and level of study.
The official free application support service for students wanting to enrol at Australian universities. They can answer any questions about entry requirements, course details, costs, student visas and student accommodation.
Degree courses in Australia
Bachelors’ programmes typically take three years to complete (four years for an honours degree). They’re generally split into two semesters, although some universities offer three.
Entry onto Australian higher education programmes is competitive and to gain a place on a course you’ll need a high school leaver’s certificate or equivalent. You’ll also need to prove your level of English proficiency if it’s not your first language.
Additional entry requirements for some programmes may include the successful completion of work experience, a portfolio or audition. It’s best to check this with your chosen institution.
Masters degrees
Australian Masters follow a similar format to those in the UK and usually take one or two years to complete. Qualifications awarded from Australian institutions are globally recognised and well respected by employers, putting you in a good position upon graduation.
Institutions in the country offer a range of taught and research-based Masters in areas such as creative arts, engineering, health, education and sciences to name just a few. Just like in the UK, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue a Master of Arts (MA) or a Master of Science (MSc) degree. Courses focus on either traditional coursework (taught courses) or independent research (research courses), or a combination of both.
In Australia you’ll also be able to study a ‘Change of direction’ Masters – for students looking to change subject pathways and a ‘Professional development’ Masters – for students looking to further their careers through additional training.
There is also the option to complete a Pre-Masters Diploma in some universities, for students with an undergraduate degree who want to qualify for a Masters in another field of study.
Entry requirements for Masters programmes in Australia vary depending on your university and subject, but basic requirements include the successful completion of a Bachelors degree, with most looking for students who hold a minimum of a 2:1 or 2:2 grade.
Other postgraduate qualifications on offer include:
- Graduate certificates
- Graduate Diplomas
- Doctoral degrees.
PhDs
The Doctoral degree, or PhD, is usually a pure research degree and the highest qualification awarded by Australian universities. They typically take three years to complete and are undertaken on completion of a Masters qualification.
The Doctoral degree is a research programme made up of three components:
- a review of literature, experimentation or other methodical approach to a body of knowledge
- an original research project that contributes to understanding and knowledge in your field
- a thesis that demonstrates a relationship between the research and the field of study.
In terms of assessment, you’ll submit a written thesis, but unlike in other countries, you won’t need to orally defend your work.
Student exchanges
Exchanges are possible and can be a cost-effective option, as you’ll continue to pay your home university’s tuition fees. To take part in a student exchange programme you must be nominated and approved by the exchange coordinator at your home institution.
The University of Nottingham has partnership agreements with institutions in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
If you study at the University of Edinburgh, you could head out to a total of six Australian universities on an exchange depending on your course of study. The University of Syndey has partnerships with The University of Glasgow and UCL. Manchester Metropolitan University offers exchanges in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Newcastle (NSW).
Check with your institution to see what links they have to Australian universities.
Course fees
The cost of higher education in Australia is among the most expensive in the world. Fees are set by universities, not the government, so the cost of postgraduate study can vary widely. International students will pay considerably more than Australian students and foreign students are also required to pay their full tuition fees before they start their course.
Despite the increased cost of study, the country remains popular with foreign students.
You can expect to pay anywhere between $20,000 to $37,000 (£10,280 to £19,018) for a Masters degree and $14,000 to $37,000 for a Doctoral degree (£7,196 to £19,018). All costs are per-year in Australian dollars.
These estimates do not include high-value courses such as veterinary science, medicine and the Masters of Business Administration (MBA), where you should expect to pay considerably more.
Funding to study in Australia
Australian institutions are big on internationalisation, so as an overseas student you’re guaranteed a warm welcome as well as a helping hand. International scholarships can take the form of grants or bursaries.
Some of the major scholarship programmes available for international students include:
- Australia Awards – bringing together scholarships offered by several agencies including the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).
- Endeavour Leadership Programme – offers a range of merit-based, government-funded scholarships to study in Australia.
- Research Training Program (RTP) – administered by individual universities on behalf of the Department of Education and Training the RTP awards grants to support domestic and overseas students studying research Masters and research Doctorate degrees.
Several Australian universities also offer scholarships to international students – for example the Monash University International Scholarships for Excellence and the University of Sydney International Scholarships. To find out what help your institution offers get in touch with the international office.
You can search for scholarships on the Study Australia website.
To help with living expenses you could also consider working while studying. Most student visas allow you to work for up to 40 hours every two weeks during term time. To make sure that you don’t fall foul of the law, always check that you can work on your visa type before accepting a job offer.
Student visas
To study in Australia, you must obtain a student visa.
All international students need to apply for the student visa (subclass 500) online, which enables you to study full time in Australia in a recognised education institution. This visa lasts up to five years and costs around $650 Australian dollars (£309).
It is important to note that students on this visa are only permitted to work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight. To find out more about work restrictions on the visa, visit Study Australia’s Subclass 500 visa page.
To secure one you must:
- provide evidence that you’ve been accepted onto a course, be this a copy of your confirmation of enrolment or offer letter
- provide proof of your finances
- possess English language proficiency skills
- have health insurance
- not have a substantial criminal record.
For more details on Australian student visas, visit the Department of Immigration and Border Protection – Visa finder.
How to apply
To study a postgraduate degree in Australia you’ll need to apply directly to your chosen institution online. Entry requirements vary between universities so check these details before you begin the application process. Closing dates differ depending on your course and some programmes may accept applications all year round.
To gain a place on a course you must:
- submit an application form to your chosen university
- receive a Letter of Offer
- receive an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE)
- apply for a student visa.
For your application to be successful you will need to provide evidence of:
- academic achievements (transcripts, certificates)
- English language proficiency
- funds to support your study
- overseas student health cover.
Language requirements
Programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level are taught in English. In some cases, you may need to provide proof of your proficiency in the language through a recognised English language test. You may want to consider proving your proficiency through the IELTS.
It is important to note that the skill level required by institutions can differ from the level required on your student visa application.
Universities ranked among the world’s best.
Australia is one of the world’s top study destinations for international students.
For many years, Australian universities have ranked among the best in the world for quality education, student satisfaction and overall global reputation. Check out independent rankings such as Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, QS World University Rankings and the Shanghai/Academic Rankings of World Universities (ARWU). Highlights include:
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95% ranked globally
QS World University rankings
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9 in top 100
QS World University rankings, including 3 in top 20
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15 in top 100
THE Global Impact Rankings on United Nations SDGs
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9 in top 100
QS Global Graduate Employability Rankings
Australian universities are also ranked in the top 50 worldwide in the study areas of Engineering and Technologies, Life Sciences and Medicine, Arts and Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences and Management in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.
Globally recognised qualifications
Your Australian qualification can open up global career opportunities.
Graduates of Australian courses are in demand. Employers in Australia and worldwide know that Australian qualifications are current, industry-relevant and of a world-class standard.
An exciting history of innovation
Australian education providers encourage their students to think big and achieve their goals.
Among Australia’s international alumni are leading scientists, designers, educators, entrepreneurs, artists and humanitarians. Some have become world leaders in groundbreaking research and development and have helped to change the world for the better.
The work of researchers at Australian institutions has benefited millions worldwide, from the discovery of penicillin to the development of the cervical cancer vaccine, Wi-Fi, the Cochlear implant, and so many more life-changing innovations.
Australia’s international education system is strictly regulated to protect your rights and care for your welfare.
In Australia, there is a system of quality control and government accreditation to ensure you have the best study experience. This system has been specially designed for international students.
- The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) regulates courses delivered by Australian education and training providers. It also enables different countries to recognise your qualification and issue a comparable qualification.
- Every course offered to international students by an Australian higher education provider, vocational education and training provider, Foundation college, ELICOS provider or school must meet the Australian Government’s strict quality standards.
- All higher education providers in Australia must complete a demanding accreditation process to deliver the highest standard of teaching and learning. They must also go through regular, formal reviews to ensure they meet these standards.
- Australia also has a set of laws to protect our international students’ rights’ called The Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act).
Australia has a set of laws and regulations to protect the rights of all international students.
Special laws in Australia protect the rights of international students. These are covered in the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act). The ESOS Act helps to ensure international students in Australia receive a high-quality education in a safe and fair environment.
The Australian Government and education providers work together to ensure international students have a great student experience.
One of the benefits of being an international student in Australia is the ability to work part-time while completing your degree. Australia gives those with a student visa automatic permission to work. International students must find a job on their own, but once hired, they will gain hands-on experience in a number of fields including retail, administration, and hospitality. Not only is this a unique opportunity for students to gain real work-experience in Australia, it also helps students cover their living and college expenses as well as improves their business English fluency.
If you are interested in Working in Australia, we can help provide information on visa requirements, working permissions, landing a job, and more. See why many international students are choosing Australia as their study destination where they can get international work experience and improve their English.
Australia is home to 41 universities, with 37 public Australian, three private Australian and and one private international university. The Australian universities map below shows campus locations across all states and territories. Most universities have more than one campus, providing you with a range of choices for where you would like to study.
Please note some universities have multiple campuses in and around city locations shown on the map and listed below. Please visit the university website for further information on campus locations.
Australian Catholic University
Australian Capital Territory
- Canberra
New South Wales
- Sydney
Queensland
- Brisbane
Victoria
- Melbourne
- Ballarat
Australian National University
Australian Capital Territory
- Canberra
Queensland
- Brisbane
- Gold Coast
New South Wales
- Sydney
Northern Territory
- Alice Springs
- Darwin
- Katherine
- Palmerston
Australian Capital Territory
- Canberra
New South Wales
- Albury
- Bathurst
- Dubbo
- Goulburn
- Orange
- Port Macquarie
- Sydney
- Wagga Wagga
New South Wales
- Sydney
Queensland
- Brisbane
- Bundaberg
- Cairns
- Emerald
- Gladstone
- Mackay
- Rockhampton
- Townsville
South Australia
- Adelaide
Victoria
- Melbourne
Western Australia
- Perth
Western Australia
- Kalgoorlie
- Perth
Victoria
- Geelong
- Melbourne
- Warnambool
- Werribee
Western Australia
- Bunbury
- Perth
Federation University of Australia
Victoria
- Ballarat
- Churchill
- Horsham
Northern Territory
- Alice Springs
- Darwin
- Katherine
- Nhulunbuy
- Tennant Creek
South Australia
- Adelaide
Queensland
- Brisbane
- Gold Coast
Queensland
- Brisbane
- Cairns
- Mackay
- Mount Isa
- Rockhampton
- Thursday Island
- Townsville
New South Wales
- Sydney
Victoria
- Bendigo
- Melbourne
- Mildura
- Shepparton
- Wodonga
New South Wales
- Sydney
Victoria
- Frankston
- Melbourne
Western Australia
- Mandurah
- Perth
Queensland University of Technology
Queensland
- Brisbane
Victoria
- Bendigo
- Hamilton
- Melbourne
New South Wales
- Coffs Harbour
- Lismore
Queensland
- Gold Coast
Swinburne University of Technology
New South Wales
- Sydney
Victoria
- Melbourne
New South Wales
- Leura
- Sydney
Queensland
- Brisbane
- Gold Coast
South Australia
- Adelaide
Victoria
- Melbourne
South Australia
- Adelaide
- Roseworthy
Victoria
- Melbourne
Australian Capital Territory
- Canberra
Victoria
- Melbourne
Victoria
- Creswick
- Dookie
- Shepparton
New South Wales
- Armidale
- Sydney
- Tamworth
- Taree
New South Wales
- Sydney
Australian Capital Territory
- Canberra
New South Wales
- Central Coast
- Newcastle
- Port Macquarie
University of Notre Dame Australia
New South Wales
- Sydney
Western Australia
- Broome
- Fremantle
Queensland
- Brisbane
- Gatton
South Australia
- Adelaide
University of Southern Queensland
Queensland
- Springfield
- Stanthorpe
- Toowoomba
New South Wales
- Sydney
New South Wales
- Sydney
Tasmania
- Burnie
- Hobart
- Launceston
University of Technology Sydney
New South Wales
- Sydney
University of the Sunshine Coast
Queensland
- Fraser Coast
- Moreton Bay
- Sunshine Coast
University of Western Australia
Western Australia
- Perth
- Albany
New South Wales
- Liverpool
- Sydney
- Wollongong
New South Wales
- Sydney
Queensland
- Brisbane
Victoria
- Melbourne
- Werribee
New South Wales
- Hawkesbury
- Penrith
- Sydney