Study in Australia Guide: Requirements, Cost, Job Prospects, Visas

Do not index

Review Status

Created time

Apr 25, 2023 08:53 AM

Be it the astounding out backs or the Aussie English slang, Australia never fails to leave visitors in wonderment. Australia is not only one of the highly urbanized countries but is also blessed with rich biodiversity, which means you get the best of both worlds here. With people from at least 200 different countries, Australia is undoubtedly one of the most diverse nations in the world.

Now, if you are reading this article, then you are probably planning or at least thinking of doing your masters in Australia. Let us help you make the decision by presenting some irrefutable and inspiring facts!

What makes Australia a compelling choice of destination?

Australia is the third most favoured international student destination, only behind US and UK.

It is home to six of the world’s top 100 universities.

Australia is currently hosting and nurturing nearly 700,000 international students.

Australia lays strong emphasis on positive student experience and graduate outcomes.

The Australian government has generously invested over A$300 million in scholarships for international students.

Australian universities rank in the world’s top 50 in a wide range of study areas like Engineering & Technology, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities and Clinical, Pre-Clinical & Health.

Australia boasts of 2.5 million international alumni making a difference across the globe

Australian universities have produced 15 Nobel laureates.

Now that the facts sound enticing and favourable let us try to answer some of the most common questions regarding masters in Australia.

First and foremost, what are the mandatory entry requirements?

There are four mandatory requirements that need to be met – Academic, English language, Visa, Overseas Health Insurance Cover.

Can an international student study for free in Australia?

Unless you are an Australian citizen, you will not be able to avail the educational benefits that the Australian government provides to its citizens.

But universities do offer scholarships to international students who have an excellent academic score and achievements. In addition to this, students also try to pay off the loans by doing part-time jobs while they complete their courses.

How much will it cost for an international student to do their graduate studies in Australia?

The tuition fee for your master’s program mainly depends on the branch you are planning to study and can range anywhere between A$20,000 and A$37,000. Besides this, you will also have to take into account the living cost, which might differ based on your location and lifestyle.

What are the basic requirements that an international student has to satisfy to Study In Australia?

Since education in Australia is mainly English based, it is necessary for international students to prove their English proficiency. Therefore students from non-English speaking countries need to write one of the following tests: IELTS, TOEFL, CAE, or PTE.

Students also need to provide a comprehensive CV along with a Statement of Purpose (SOP)and a Letter of Recommendation(LOR). Management related courses such as MBA requires at least a few years of work experience.

Also, please refer to the respective university website for other eligibility requirements for the course.

What are the different intakes that Australian universities offer?

Australian universities generally have two intakes, the first in February and another one in July. But, few universities also offer September and November intakes.

Most universities open the applications at least 7-8 months prior to the date of the intake.

Can I study in Australia without a GRE score?

Although most Australian Universities do not require GRE for admission to postgraduate courses, it is advisable to report your score sheet if you have excellent results.

International students planning to do any management related courses are required to take GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test).

Can international students do part-time jobs during their graduate studies in Australia?

The Australian Department of Immigration and Border patrol allows international students on a student visa to work for up to 40 hours in a period of 2 weeks, where they can either choose to work for 40 hours in the first week and take off on the second week or work for 20 hours each week.

And the icing on the cake is that one can work for unlimited hours during the summer holidays.

What are the factors to consider while choosing a university?

Quality of education – This can be assessed by reading about the research and publication records of the faculty of the chosen institution. You can also talk to current Professors for guidance. Additionally, you can look at the opportunities available for independent research and direct work with faculty.

Infrastructure – Gather details about lab/ research facilities, library and the ambience of the campus.

Cost of education – Cost of education varies from one institution to another. You can avail financial aid for education through scholarships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, grants, loans and fee reductions.

Access to healthcare – Many universities have student health care centres that provide basic medical care at little or no cost to the students. Make sure the university has adequate facilities to provide health care is located near a comprehensive healthcare centre.

Social activities – Many universities have clubs and organisations that groom students interests. There are plenty of sports teams, music and theater groups, international student societies, academic societies etc. Do a detailed study on what is on offer, in the institutions of your choice.

Location and Climate – Location and climate can be determining factors depending on what weather conditions you are used to. Students from hot countries might find it difficult to get used to humid weather. Understanding the climate in the location of your chosen university is important, given the vast expanse of Australia.

How To Increase The Chance Of Admission?

Choose courses with a variety of selection methods and entry requirements: Apply to some courses that have higher or difficult entry requirements and some courses with lower or easy requirements. The odds of your selection increases with the number of courses you apply for.

Have your prior learning recognised: Many institutions recognise and accept your prior work and life experiences in place of academic requirements through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). You will be eligible to apply if your previous experience is considered equivalent to standard entry requirements.

Educate yourself about the alternative selection methods: Some institutions have supplementary selection methods like tests. These tests can put you at an advantage compared to the other applicants.

Take step by step to reach the qualification: If you don’t meet the entry requirements for the course or qualification of your choice, you can work your way up by first entering a lower-level qualification and then move up. For example, you can first sign up for an advanced Diploma and then move up to a master’s degree.

Gain work experience: Industry experience will boost our chances, whether it is a set requirement or alternate method of selection.

What are the most popular accommodation options for International students in Australia?

When it comes to accommodation, international students have an endless number of options, such as boarding schools, homestays, university accommodations, residential colleges, halls of residence, apartments, hostels and guesthouses, private rentals.

Accommodation Options	Details
Boarding school	Some private universities usually provide this option, where students are offered fully catered meals, housecleaning, and laundry services. Depending on the school, the fees for such accommodation ranges from AUD$11,000 to 22,000 per year.
Homestay	International students get a chance to live with a host family while living independently at the same time. Enjoy the best of both worlds. Although most homes provide meals, students can also opt for self-catering if they want to save some money on food.
Halls of residences	Suitable for students who want to live independently but on or near the university campus.
Residential colleges	Expensive than halls of residences, as they provide more services , such as shared bathrooms, dining halls and recreation areas.
Rental apartment	Students who want a fully independent accommodation, but under the security of the institution they are studying in, usually chose to stay in these university-approved rental apartments.
Hostel and guesthouse	This type of accommodation is perfect for temporary living. Such accommodations come with private rooms, bathroom facilities and a shared kitchen for cooking.
Other rental properties	This is the most common type of accommodation among international students. Rent for such properties is paid in advance, along with a security deposit. You will be responsible for everything from your furniture to your electricity and water bills.

Some of the most popular websites in Australia for finding accommodation are flatmates.com or gumtree.com

What is the mandatory insurance for international students?

Australia has a special health insurance coverage called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). It is designed to cover medical and hospital care expenses while they live and study in Australia. Students need to purchase this insurance prior to leaving their home country. Currently, there are five insurers that offer OSHC- Australian Health Management, BUPA Australia, Medibank Private, nib OSHC and Allianz Global Assistance. Apart from this, students can also purchase private health insurance, travel insurance, home and contents insurance and vehicle insurance.

Are Australian universities good at research?

When it comes to research, Australia houses some of the best research institutes in the world. Almost all universities either focus on research or they are somehow involved in a research-related field, which, in turn, gives an overall outstanding research outcome.

What are the job prospects for international students In Australia?

Educational institutions and Australian government connect the students and potential employers through career fairs, job boards, employment hubs and industry network events in every state and territory.

What type of visa do I require to study in Australia?

Following are the types of Visa:

Visa Type	Eligibility
485 Skilled Graduate	The 485 Skilled Graduate Visa is the most common type of visa among international students with a degree from a program of at least two years from Australia. This visa has a validity of 18 months to 4 years.
Employer-Sponsored	This type of visa is usually offered to an individual who has been hired by legally operating Australian businesses or Australian based overseas businesses.

International students other than the ones from New-Zealand who are planning on doing their masters from Australia need to acquire an Australian student visa. Apart from this, students should be able to fulfill the following:

Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE), which demands the applicant to prove that their stay in Australia is temporary and for education only.

Other basic Financial, English proficiency, and health and character requirements.

Study in Australia Guide