Study Expenses & Financial Aid

After deciding to pursue a study program in Australia, it is important for students to plan their study expenses and look out for possible financial aids to support their educational trip to the country. Studying in Australia is not as costly as students might think and education expenses are very reasonable. It is an affordable investment with many funding options available for a study program in Australia. It is always a misconception that international student fees are very high in Australia, which is not true. However, specialized programs such as medicine or law cost considerably more. The main 'Off Campus' expense in Australia is to avail a 'stay' arrangement for the entire study period. The main types of accommodation that the students can seek in Australia are:

• Shared accommodation,
• Rental Accommodation,
• Home-stay Accommodation, and
• Budget Hotels and Guesthouses.

Students have to afford their stay costs, which may vary according to the area and the nature of 'comfortable stay' they opt-for. Study expenses may also include fees for Student Visa, passport, medical exam and student identity card. There are structured private services that have experienced and knowledgeable team to help student aspirants to assist them in getting the details on the financial aids and related information. Students may contact such service providers. Students can also get details of all possible financial aid information through researching on the Internet. Apart from the financial aids, students can earn money by doing a part-time job. Students within Australia can work up to 20 hours per week on a student visa while students studying in New Zealand for less than one year are generally not allowed to work. However, employment should not be relied upon to finance any study abroad program.

Student Visa Details

International students who wish to leave for Australia for pursuing a study program there Australia must apply and get the student visa from the country, which is the 'official entry permit' given to the overseas students. Australian Student Visa is granted to international students only when a registered Australian educational institute accepts them by offering them a full time course. The general requirements for applying an Australian Student Visa are:

• Proof for demonstrating their ability to meet the financial expenses for the full study duration in the country,
• Adequate and satisfactory level of English language proficiency,
• Good character and satisfactory health conditions,
• Acceptable Health insurance cover of the student,
• Proof for enrolment of the student in a course by any of the registered Australian Educational institution or Universities,
• Sponsors must provide evidence of cash assets for the study affair in Australia,
• Evidence for scholarships from an Australian institution or an institution in the host country, if any, and
• Past educational evidences.

Visa application procedures and requirements will vary according to the nature of the study program students are opting for and the country to which they belong. It is generally advised to start applying for the student visa for Australia at least six or eight weeks prior to the start of the study program in the country.

Re-entry into Australia: All Student Visas for Australia have a multiple entry facility for the full period of the visa. Students who plan to travel 'out of Australia' and 'return to Australia' at any time during their course are recommended to check that their visa is valid for return to Australia.

PhD Programs

The Doctorate of Philosophy or PhD program is offered in Australia in different disciplines. It trains students to excel in advanced work in research, teaching and administration areas. The study works leading to the Ph.D. degree are intended to give the students a methodical and comprehensive knowledge of their chosen professional field as well as training in research methods. The reason for granting the degree is to make the students to prove proficiency in intellectual capacity of their subject matter and a demonstrated ability to carry out independent research. A PhD program in Australia is indisputably an internationally renowned qualification, which endeavors to widen the understanding of the student's chosen area of study ahead of the Master's degree. 

Ph.D. Programs are available in many disciplines in the various universities and higher institutes of Australia that demonstrate the student's ability to perform advanced work in the selected field of study. The Program is targeted to test and support research scholars to submit the 'Doctoral Thesis' as an original work of the selected study area, which showcases the candidate's mastery of the chosen discipline. The thesis should produce significant insights and findings based on original thought and research and contribute to the development of idea and knowledge on a global level. An international student seeking PhD admission in the country of Australia must fulfill the following minimum requisites:

• Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) score is necessary in the case of management related study areas.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score is necessary in the case of general study areas.
• Minimum level of academic achievement: Minimum level of eligibility criteria in terms of qualifications, i.e., a Master's degree in the chosen field of study, is mandatory for applying to Australian PhD programs. The student's degrees and professional experiences must demonstrate that their knowledge of the discipline in which they plan to undertake their research in higher degree is up-to-date.

A number of financial aid and scholarship schemes exist for overseas students to pursue PhD programs in Australia. Details of this admission information can be obtained by contacting the relevant University or study abroad coordinators.

Master's Degree Programs

Higher education offered in the Universities and Colleges in Australia are internationally reputed for excellence. In the Australian education system, the Master's programs are offered in all possible areas of study. Australian universities constantly make endeavors to introduce many innovative courses also, especially at the postgraduate level. Academicians from Australian higher institutions and universities are recruited internationally. Master's programs in Australian Universities are offered to students in the forms of attending lectures, tutorials, seminars, as well as conducting independent research in libraries or laboratories. Students in postgraduate study level are encouraged to collect and analyze data by themselves or in groups, to discuss questions and related topics in a logical form and to participate debate with other students and lecturers. 

The duration of the postgraduate programs in most of the Australian Universities is 1 to 2 years. The evaluation system at the postgraduate study level in Australian Universities and Colleges has its own methods. Students may be assessed through examination, dissertation, essay and reports, oral presentations, class participation, practical work and tests. Postgraduate degrees in Australia mostly involve research work, which is judged by thesis. Postgraduate admissions for international students in Australia are done through TOEFL or IELTS scores. Australian Colleges or Universities has its own academic entry requirements for various Master's programs. Many universities require students to have a certain grade point average, GPA, from high school or undergraduate degree.

Internship Programs

Internships in Australia are an incredible opening to any individual looking to add insight into their future career. Internship programs in Australia offer more benefits than just professional development. An internship in Australia provides students from other countries the opportunity to be completely immersed within the culture and work environment of Australia. Observing the Australian workplace provides an intimate view into the true beauty of the culture and customs, and as an English-speaking destination, the concerns of language barriers will not hurdle the experience.

The experience of interning within Australia lends a real-world understanding of a country rich in culture, which cannot be achieved through travel or study alone. Internship programs in Australia are broadly classified into two sectors namely General and Education. The main options in General category of internship programs include Marketing, Interpretation or Translation, Hospitality, Broadcasting or Media Trade Company, Insurance, Fashion, Finance, Business Administration, Logistics, Telecommunication, Film Production, Event Management, Technology, Freight Forwarding, Hairdressing and Winery Company.

The main option in Education sector of internships in Australia include Teaching, which is intended to provide qualified teachers and trainee teachers from overseas with the opportunity to acquire considerable knowledge of the Australian Education System. These education category internships allow teachers to develop their teaching skills with ample English vocabulary knowledge. Teaching internships let candidates learn different teaching aspects like how to plan the lessons, plan an educational excursion for students, to support the class as a class teacher etc.

Education System

The education in Australia generally starts at the age of four with Pre-School. However this pre-schooling is not mandatory. Primary school education begins for most children at the age of five. The main subjects in all primary schools are based on the eight key learning areas - English, Health and Physical Education, Language other than English, Mathematics, Science, Society and Environment, Technology and The Arts. Next to the primary school, the students enter into the secondary school system at the age of twelve or thirteen. A broad range of elective subjects are offered apart from the compulsory subjects such as English, Mathematics and Science, during the first four years of their secondary school studies. 

The elective subjects include computing studies, languages, art, music, drama, commerce, history, geography and technical subjects. After successful completion of the final year of this secondary education system, students head for their admission into degree or graduate courses in the universities. International students who look forward to Australia, to pursue their further studies after secondary education, generally enter into the 'Foundation studies'. Foundation studies are usually one year in duration and students are assessed and checked up by their lecturers. Foundation studies are divided into various streams like arts or science studies. The common characteristics of foundation studies are that a university allocates a provisional place in an undergraduate course for a student who achieves the prescribed grades.

Students from overseas who come to Australia to study English either for educational purposes or for any other career purposes enter into 'English language schools'. Wide range of English language courses are available in these schools to suit candidate's requirements. 'Vocational Education and Training Institutes' of Australian education system gives students practical skills for their careers. These vocational institutes are broadly categorized into two types - Government recognized and private ones. Different vocational courses are taught in Vocational institutes across the country such as computing, designing, pilot training, business management, hospitality and tourism.

For higher education in Australia, a student must get an entry into 'University education system'. There are more than thirty universities in Australia to offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The most popular courses for international students till now are offered in the fields of Business, Administration and Economics followed by Science, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. University study can lead students to awards such as Undergraduate Bachelor Degrees, Bachelor Degrees with Honors, Undergraduate Diplomas, Associate Diplomas, Postgraduate Degrees, Doctoral Degrees, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.

Bachelor's Programs

There are about thirty-seven public universities and two private universities in Australia, which offer Undergraduate or Bachelor's programs, Postgraduate and PhD programs. University study in Australia can lead to the following awards:

• Undergraduate or Bachelor's Degrees,
• Undergraduate Diplomas,
• Associate Diplomas,
• Postgraduate Degrees or Masters Degrees,
• Doctoral Degrees,
• Graduate Diplomas, and
• Graduate Certificates.

Undergraduate or a Bachelor's degree in Australia is normally a three-year program, although in certain specialized disciplines and double-degree areas, the time period extends from three years to four-to-six years. Students who excel academically may be invited into an Honor's Year, which makes up the fourth year of study in Australian bachelor's degrees. This is a graduate-level year of study followed by an intensive research module. In some universities of Australia, it is possible sometimes to pursue a PhD degree with 'superior academic performance' of exceptional students in the honor's year of the bachelor's programs. The undergraduate programs offered in Australia are:

• Bachelor Degree,
• Bachelor Degree with Honors,
• Undergraduate Diplomas, and
• Associate Diplomas.

The most popular courses of study for global students in Australia are Business, Administration and Economics, followed by Science, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

College Admission Procedures

The admission procedures for international students to pursue studies in Australia are similar to the western educational systems of UK or USA. Australian educational institutions are friendly to students' cultural and religious needs. They also provide strong support and monitoring services to help them deal with settling into the new environment. Here are some things you need to know to take admission in an Australian institute:

• Eligibility conditions for undergraduate admissions: Along with the secondary school education certifications, most courses and universities in Australia require international students to take IELTS (a standardized entrance test) to get admission. IELTS is governed by British council and conducted on regular basis all over the world. Some universities may accept TOEFL score also. IELTS is compulsory for Australian Student visa for students from particular countries like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The personal application essays and/or statement of purpose SOP play a very significant role in the process of evaluating student's application for both admission as well as financial aid.
• Eligibility conditions for post-graduate admissions: Most of the Australian universities and higher institutes acknowledge the graduation system of three years for entry into most postgraduate courses. But, some of the courses and universities may require a qualification equivalent to Australian Bachelor-Honors degree, which requires either a honors graduation degree with 16 years of formal education, which would mean another year after graduation or a four year degree course like Engineering degree courses and other such courses.

Complete details of your education including your course subjects and grades are required in the applications. Official records of previous academic qualifications of students are important for your application procedures. Students applying for admission are required to submit an official transcript from each college or university that they have attended after secondary school with complete details of the subjects, credits involved and other details like correspondence courses and diplomas. English Proficiency tests like IELTS and/or TOEFL score are required for International students to get postgraduate admission in the Australian universities. For management postgraduate courses, International students are required to take Graduate Management Admission Test, GMAT.

• Past work record: A number of professional and vocational courses require relevant work experience. For example, many MBAs or master's courses in information studies require at least a couple of years' work experience. Most Australian universities are stiff about this condition. A complete Résumé is an important part of your application. It should include all information about professional work experience along with the details like positions held, achievements and range of work. Some Universities may put aside IELTS/TOEFL, if overseas students can get a 'letter of recommendation' from the past institution(s) that they have last studied in, mentioning that they have been studying in English medium throughout and they are convinced that you are proficient in English.
• Statement of Purpose: The personal application essays or statement of purpose (SOP) play a very important role in the process of evaluating your application for both admission as well as financial aid. These essays give better information to the admission officials to assess your individuality. A personal statement or SOP generally include reasons for choosing this particular course, area of interest of the student, the suitability of student's education and experiential background for the targeted course. It may also include student's goals in life, his or her hobbies and other related details.
• Students who apply for Doctoral research programs must give the details of their previous research related publications, abstracts and all related papers.

For admissions in Australia, student-visa and a valid passport are 'must-to-have' factors for international students. Students are advised to start the procedures of getting visa al least eight weeks before the commencement of programs.

Top Universities

The alluring Australia is one among the most sought-after study destination of international students. Australia is a dynamic and technologically vibrant country that offers good educational and career life to the students from all over the world. Every year students from different parts of the world visit this country in abundant number to avail dream educational opportunities here. The main reason behind this is that it offers the best educational system along with a challenging English-speaking environment. Thus, Australia deserves attention students from all over the world to study here. Having the world's top Universities like University of Queensland and the University of Sydney as its assets, the country offers best educational surroundings for the international students.

Studying in Australia is a wonderful experience amid its exciting, progressive and diverse education programs. An Australian degree program surely is recognized as an outstanding degree program all over the world. The four-year degree programs, professional and higher doctoral programs are recognized as world-class programs. Quality assurance given in the educational system of Australia is matchless and studying in Australia is safe and certainly leads you to the best world-class career opportunities. As Australia has tie-ups with many world-class Universities, Colleges and Schools, exchange programs for students are encouraged with rules and norms. Tremendous educational options with quality assurance are the ultimate reason for the international students to prefer Australia as their study destination.

Ranking of universities is done on different parameters on regular basis by different organizations. The rankings are done in various ways. It is impossible to say how result-oriented they are but they are always accepted by everyone as a fact. They rank Universities of any given region according to the preference of the students' community as 'all time favorites' and on several other positive aspects. Listed hereunder are the 'all-times' favorite universities in Australia that have attracted most of the students for quite some time and are judged 'great universities' internationally:

• Australian Catholic University, Australia
• Australian National University, Australia
• Central Queensland University, Australia
• Charles Darwin University, Alice Springs NT 0871, Australia
• Charles Sturt University, New South Wales, Australia
• Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia
• Deakin University, Victoria, Australia
• Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia
• Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
• Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
• James Cook University, Queensland, Australia
• Macquarie University Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia
• Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
• Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia
• Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
• RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
• Southern Cross University
• Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
• The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
• University of Adelaide, South Australia
• University of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
• University of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
• University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC., Australia
• University of New England, New South Wales, Australia
• University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
• University of Notre Dame, Australia
• University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
• University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia
• University of Southern Queensland, Queensland, Australia
• University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
• University of Tasmania, Tasmania 7001, Australia
• University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
• University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
• University of Western Australia, Perth, W.A., Australia
• University of Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
• Victoria University, Victoria, Australia
• Victoria University, Victoria, Australia