Many students dream about studying in a university in a beautiful location abroad, such as Australia. But oftentimes, many students do not know where to start and what to consider before studying abroad.
If you are planning to pursue your studies in Australia, one of the most popular destinations for international students in the world, it might be helpful for you to explore the questions listed below before you start planning your studies.
1. What to Consider when Choosing a University in Australia?
Undoubtedly, Australia has some of the best universities for international students globally, which is why it is a hotspot for international students from all over the world.
If you are to explore the different university options in Australia, something you should know about is the Group of Eight (Go8) universities, which are the largest and oldest universities in Australia who are pioneers in research and education. In fact, all the Australian Nobel Prize Winners are from one of these 8 eight universities and 70% of Australia’s research is rooted from these universities.
Listed below are the Top Universities in Australia, Listed in the Group of Eight:
- University of Melbourne
- Australian National University
- University of Sydney
- University of Queensland
- Monash University
- University of New South Wales Sydney
- University of Western Australia
- University of Adelaide
For more information regarding entry requirements, scholarship options, and assistance with application, contact Excel Education.
Apart from these universities, Australia also has some young universities ranking among the top universities in the world. Listed below are some of the top young universities in Australia.
Listed below are the Top Young Universities in Australia:
- University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
- University of Wollongong
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
- Curtin University
- RMIT University
- University of South Australia
- Deakin University
- Griffith University
- James Cook University
- Swinburne University of Technology
For more information regarding entry requirements, scholarship options, and assistance with application, contact Excel Education.
While Australia’s several top universities provide top quality education for its students, it is also important to realize that it comes with high tuition fees. Hence, it is crucial to make sure the tuition fees for the university you are looking to study in fits within your budget.
Tuition fees for international students generally fall within the range of;
- A$20,000-50,000 per year for Bachelor’s Degree
- A$22,000- 50,000 per year for Master’s and PhD Degrees
Another factor you need to be mindful of is whether your qualifications match the entry requirements of your preferred Australian University. Entry requirements in Australia typically include academic requirements and English language requirements. These requirements vary between different universities, different courses and different levels of qualifications.
For more information regarding entry requirements, scholarship options, and assistance with application, contact Excel Education.
2. Which Cities are the Best for International Students in Australia?
Whenever Australia is mentioned, we often tend to think of cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. These cities do have a lot to offer, but international students should think beyond the big cities and explore the benefits of studying in different parts and regions of the country.
All the towns, cities and regions that lie beyond the major capital cities in Australia are called regional areas. Vice versa, the major capital cities, particularly, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are referred to as non-regional areas. During recent years, the popularity for studying in regional areas among international students has been increasing due to the several perks associated with it. Let’s take a look at a list of differences in terms of benefits that regional and non-regional areas in Australia have for you.
1. Lower Cost of Living in Regional Areas
If you are a student looking to minimize the cost of living in Australia, studying in a regional area would be an excellent option for you, as the cost of living in big cities, unlike regional areas, are very expensive, mainly due to the high accommodation expenses.
To compare costs of living in different regions of Australia, you can visit numbeo.com.
2. More Migration Opportunities in Regional Areas
Students who graduate with a bachelor’s Degree or higher from universities in Regional Areas also have broader migration opportunities, and are offered an additional 2 years in Australia on a post-study work visa (post graduation visa given to students who studied a minimum of 2 years). In addition to the extra 2 years, an additional 5 points on the Immigration Points Test is also also offered to students who pursue their studies in regional areas, which means you will be more likely to get Permanent Residency in Australia upon application.
3. Nature and Culture of Australia
In addition to the perks mentioned above, regional areas are also closer to nature, meaning you will get to experience the true beauty of Australia. Moreover, you also get to experience the true Australian culture when living in regional areas, and live the true and typical Aussie lifestyle.
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For more information regarding entry requirements, scholarship options, and assistance with application, contact Excel Education.
3. How Much are the Living Expenses in Australia?
The Average cost of living in Australia for students ranges between A$1300 and A$2000 to cover all costs of living, including accommodation, food and transportation. This amount however varies between different cities and locations in Australia.
Making sure you have the budget to live in Australia is particularly important because when applying for a student visa, you are required to prove that you have the financial capability to study and live in Australia.
Ultimately, your cost of living in any country comes down to your own lifestyle and preferences. So you need to be mindful about how you spend and make sure you do not exceed your monthly budget.
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4. What are the Student Accommodation Options in Australia?
Here’s a list of the general types of accommodation in Australia for international students that you can choose from.
Please note that some universities require students to stay on campus during the first year of study. So make sure you know the requirements of your university before signing any lease to live somewhere else.
1. On Campus
Some universities offer on-campus accommodation for students such as on-campus housing or halls of residence. This is a popular option for international students because of the convenience it provides, such as proximity to university. Depending on your university, you might have the option to rent a private room, shared room or shared suite with a kitchen and common area. The average rent for an on campus stay can range from A$110 to 280 per week, depending on the type of accommodation you choose.
2. Off Campus
Off campus accommodation options include, private rentals, or “share houses” (if you are sharing with other people). This type of accommodation is rented from a landlord , where you are the tenant. This option provides you with more independence as you can live anywhere and you have more flexibility in terms of accommodation type. The average rent for off campus accommodation can range from A$185 to 440 per week, depending on the type of accommodation you choose.
However, it is important to choose a location that is close to your university, so that getting to the university everyday is not a hassle for you.
3. Homestay
Homestay is an excellent option for international students during their first few months of stay in Australia. It is a type of cultural exchange program where students live in the house of a local host. It gives you the opportunity to experience the local culture and get used to the new environment with the help of your host and also a way to make new local friends. The average rent for homestay can range from A$235 to 325 per week, depending on the types of meals provided, rooms and utilities.
To explore your accommodation options in different locations of Australia within your budget, you can search the world’s largest student housing provider, unilodgers.com.
For more information regarding entry requirements, scholarship options, and assistance with application, contact Excel Education.
5. Can I Work and Study as an International Student?
The answer is, yes! A great way to cope with the high cost of living in Australia for many international students is getting a part-time job.
International students are allowed to work 40 hours per fortnight (14 day period which starts on Monday and ends on Sunday) while school is in session and are allowed to work for unlimited hours during the school vacations. However, students can only start working after their course has begun, even if they are allowed to enter Australia 90 days before the course start date.
The minimum wage in Australia is currently at $19.84 per hour.
Some of the popular part-time jobs for international students in Australia include jobs that offer flexible working hours such as jobs at supermarkets, cafes, bars, and tutoring among many others. You can use popular job-search websites in Australia such as, Seek, indeed, careerone and ApplyDirect to search for jobs. Some universities also have their own websites for job postings for students.
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6. Can International Students Stay in Australia After Graduation?
One of the perks of choosing Australia as your study abroad destination is that it provides students with work opportunities in the country even after graduation with a post-study work visa. This is a great option for students looking to stay long term in Australia or gain permanent residency.
For this visa you are required to apply for Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). Under this visa, students who completed their bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Australia can stay for 2-3 years, whereas students who completed their PhD are eligible to stay for 4 years. All in all, in order to be eligible for post graduate visa you need to have studied in Australia for a minimum of 2 years pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Skilled migration is another option that international students in Australia have, to obtain permanent residency without being sponsored by an Employer in Australia. This visa is solely based on your skillset and uses a point system to see if you are qualified. Your points depend on whether your occupation is in the Skilled Occupation List, your length of study, length of work experience in Australia, age (19-44 years) and English ability.
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For more information regarding entry requirements, scholarship options, and assistance with application, contact Excel Education.
7. What is the University Application Process in Australia?
After choosing which university to pursue your preferred course at, the application process starts.
Applying to an Australian university can be quite easy, as it can be done both online and offline. But it includes a lot of paperwork. After checking whether you have fulfilled all the academic and english language requirements, the next thing you need to do is to submit the required documents to your university. Listed below are the documents that you would generally need to submit;
Completely Filled Application Form
TOEFL/IELTS/PTE Exam Score Xerox
Academic Certificates (A-Levels, IBDP, Bachelor’s, etc.)
Photocopies of first page of your passport
Job Experience Certificates (for postgraduate applicant)
Medium of Instruction (MOI)
Any Other Documents ( as asked for)
The processing time for applications at Australian universities can take upto four to six weeks. So it is also very important to start planning ahead and be mindful of the key dates and deadlines. Australian universities typically offer 2 intakes, in February and July, in addition to a November intake that some universities offer.
The table below shows a timeline of the key dates to keep in mind when planning your studies in Australia. For more detailed information specific to different universities, contact Excel Education.
Month | Timeline |
November | Application deadline for February intake |
February / March | Semester 1 commences |
March | Application deadline for July intake |
June/July | Semester 2 commences |
July | Application deadline for November intake |
November | Semester 3 commences ( some universities) |
Please keep in mind that you have to submit your student visa application no later than six weeks before your classes start and no earlier than 12 weeks.
After applying to your university, the university will provide you with a Confirmation of Enrolment Letter (CoE). After you receive the CoE it is time for you to submit the required documents to apply for a student visa in Australia.
Please keep in mind that you have to submit your student visa application no later than six weeks before your classes start and no earlier than 12 weeks.
Listed below are the Australian Student Visa Requirements;
- Passport/ Birth Certificate
- CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment)/ Offer Letter
- OSHC (Overseas Health Cover)
- Evidence of Financial Capacity for 12 months stay
- English Language Test Scores
Overseas Health Cover (OSHC)
If you are wondering what an overseas health cover is, it is a mandatory health cover for all international students that covers any medical expenses within Australian premises borne by the student.
What Does Excel Education Do?
Excel Education – E2 is a education consultancy agency providing a wide range of personalized services such as counselling on which course or university might be the best fit for you, planning your studies abroad with you, helping you apply to your preferred university, assistance with exploring different scholarship options, and even assistance with finding accommodation. All in all, E2 is here to make your education journey easier for you, from the start till the end.
Our services are completely free of charge, so that there is no barrier between you and an easier journey into your dream university!
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