Study in Australia, and find the best universities in Australia.
This study guide will give you all the information you need to find universities and study in Australia.
Australia is one of the world’s most popular study destinations. The outdoor living culture of sunshine, beaches and BBQs is a big attraction.
It is a nation that offers the best of the great outdoors, weird and wonderful wildlife and over 10,000 beaches on the mainland alone.
Add the fact that Australia has an impressive higher education system, which was ranked fourth in the QS Higher Education System Strength Rankings 2016, and you have the full picture of a destination that is perfect for studying abroad.
The country welcomed almost half a million international students from almost 200 countries in 2015.
Bachelor Degree In Australia
Find the right Bachelor Degree in Australia with our comprehensive guide.
Universities in Australia
Australia have a very strong reputation worldwide, with only the US and the UK having more universities in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings.
Australia’s Group of Eight (similar to the US Ivy League) feature six times, amongst a total of 35 universities that feature in the QS rankings. It also lays claim to the highest number of institutions on the QS Top 50 Under 50 and the Next 50 Under 50, which celebrate the world’s best young universities.
The best ranked university in Australia is the Australian National University (ANU) in the capital Canberra which is placed 22 in the QS rankings, with the University of Melbourne, one of the oldest universities, coming in at 42.
Tuition Fees in Australia
Explore tuition fees in Australia for bachelor's degrees and find the right bachelors degree at the right tuition cost for you.
Undergraduate courses in Australia usually last three or four years and focus on one specific subject (the ‘major’), which students study from their first year. Whilst studying you may be invited to add an honours title to their degree – this will require a research-based thesis, undertaken over a year, and will make the degree four rather than three years long.
Professional degrees, such as medicine, law, dentistry, architecture or engineering, will take longer than four years – medical degrees, for example, take six.
Students can specialise in a wide variety of areas – there are 40 universities in Australia, offering thousands of opportunities to study a degree. If you get a confirmed offer from a university in Australia, you will receive a Letter of Offer which needs to be signed and returned.
Applications to study a degree in Australia begin in May and the final deadline to apply is in October. Prospective students applying to a university can expect to wait up to a maximum of six weeks for a response from institutions, but response times are usually around a month.
Immigration & Visa in Australia
Advice on Immigration & Visa in Australia, where you can make sure you get the right documents to make a successful application to your ideal university.
In the past student visas to study in Australia were categorised in different types based on the type of study program. Now the process has been simplified so that all international students can apply for the same visa – the Student Visa (Subclass 500).
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) grants visas to students who meet the following conditions:
Assessment Level – You will need to identify your assessment level (AL) before proceeding with your application. Your AL is measured according to the course you want to study and your country of origin, with the result determining the specific requirements you will have to meet to be granted a visa.
Course Acceptance - You must already have been accepted to study an undergraduate degree in Australia.
English Language Proficiency – All students are required to prove that they have the appropriate English language skills for their course. Students with a low Assessment Level score will only have to meet the conditions set by their university, but other applicants must prove evidence of their proficiency.
Financial Requirements – You must prove that you will be able pay travel, tuition and living expenses for the duration of your time in the country. If you have any dependents, you will also be required to prove that you can cover their living costs – even if they are not travelling with you to Australia.
Healthcare- Unless you are from Belgium or Norway, you will be obliged to purchase Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). The cost of OSHC will vary according to the type of cover needed, but the minimum cover will cost AUD$437 on average.
Criminal Record Checks – Prospective students will be assessed against the DIPD’s character requirements. To satisfy their requirements, you will need to prove that you do not have a substantial criminal record and will not pose a threat to the Australian public.
You’ll have to apply for your Australian visa online. You can use the Document Checklist Tool on the Border.gov.au website. All documents should be translated into English.
The student visa allows for study at Australian universities, as well as the freedom to work for 20 hours a week during term time and full time during course breaks. It also provides access to:
• Subsidised student health cover in Australia.
• Possibilities to study in Australia for longer than first planned.
• Possibilities to study in Australia for longer than first planned.
Advice on Accommodation & Living Costs in Australia
Advice on Accommodation & Living Costs in Australia.
The main options for undergraduate students in Australia are:
• Halls of residence – usually on campus, and solely for students. Halls of residence are filled predominantly with undergraduate students, and this is the option that most international students choose. Halls are likely to cost AUD$90-$280 per week.
• Homestays – where families open up their home to international students for extended periods, so they can experience the culture whilst completing their university course. Cost: AUD$235-325 per week.
• Private rentals – where students rent an apartment privately from a landlord, either on their own or with other people, usually other students. Cost for shared rentals is likely to be between AUD$165 and $440 per week. You will need to, on average, have at least AUD$ 19,830 per year to cover all your living costs as the cost of living in Australia is high - but this is comparative to the wages people earn. (Rates are intended as a guide only)
• Homestays – where families open up their home to international students for extended periods, so they can experience the culture whilst completing their university course. Cost: AUD$235-325 per week.
• Private rentals – where students rent an apartment privately from a landlord, either on their own or with other people, usually other students. Cost for shared rentals is likely to be between AUD$165 and $440 per week. You will need to, on average, have at least AUD$ 19,830 per year to cover all your living costs as the cost of living in Australia is high - but this is comparative to the wages people earn. (Rates are intended as a guide only)
For Parents
Helping your child stay safe
Australians enjoy a lot of freedoms, and the country is a relatively safe place to live. Students should always take care to protect their own personal safety in order to avoid becoming victims of crime. They can do this by:
• Avoiding carrying around large amounts of money
• Staying in groups, especially at night, and avoiding walking alone where possible
• Not making valuables obvious
• Always having a route home planned and never getting into unlicensed taxis
• Being wary of strangers
• Being careful of traffic
• Staying in groups, especially at night, and avoiding walking alone where possible
• Not making valuables obvious
• Always having a route home planned and never getting into unlicensed taxis
• Being wary of strangers
• Being careful of traffic
Staying in touch
Staying in touch when your child is studying on the other side of the world might seem daunting – but there are ways you can talk regularly that don’t have to involve long distance phone calls and a nasty bill at the end of the month. Here are a few tips:
• Skype – the free video calling service can be downloaded within seconds, and will allow you to talk face to face anywhere you have an internet connection
• Blogging – maybe encourage your child to keep a blog of their adventures overseas, so that other families members (such as grandparents) can keep up to date
• Local sim cards – it is also a good idea for your child to buy a phone with a local pay as you go sim card when they arrive so that they can text and call home without running up a bill
Advice For Parents
Advice For Parents whose children may be looking to study in Australia. You can find complete information on costs, safety, security and tips on keeping in touch during their time away.
Helping your child stay safe
Australians enjoy a lot of freedoms, and the country is a relatively safe place to live. Students should always take care to protect their own personal safety in order to avoid becoming victims of crime. They can do this by:
• Avoiding carrying around large amounts of money
• Staying in groups, especially at night, and avoiding walking alone where possible
• Not making valuables obvious
• Always having a route home planned and never getting into unlicensed taxis
• Being wary of strangers
• Being careful of traffic
• Staying in groups, especially at night, and avoiding walking alone where possible
• Not making valuables obvious
• Always having a route home planned and never getting into unlicensed taxis
• Being wary of strangers
• Being careful of traffic
Staying in touch
Staying in touch when your child is studying on the other side of the world might seem daunting – but there are ways you can talk regularly that don’t have to involve long distance phone calls and a nasty bill at the end of the month. Here are a few tips:
• Skype – the free video calling service can be downloaded within seconds, and will allow you to talk face to face anywhere you have an internet connection
• Blogging – maybe encourage your child to keep a blog of their adventures overseas, so that other families members (such as grandparents) can keep up to date
• Local sim cards – it is also a good idea for your child to buy a phone with a local pay as you go sim card when they arrive so that they can text and call home without running up a bill
• Blogging – maybe encourage your child to keep a blog of their adventures overseas, so that other families members (such as grandparents) can keep up to date
• Local sim cards – it is also a good idea for your child to buy a phone with a local pay as you go sim card when they arrive so that they can text and call home without running up a bill
Apply to Study in Australia
Apply to Study in Australia and get free online and telephone support with your application. The advice here will help you find the right bachelors at the right university in Australia.
If you would like to study overseas but are not certain as to where is the best fit in terms of country, course and funding you can register for free with the International Student Admissions Service (ISAS) where a dedicated admissions team will be able to help you every step of the way.
You can find out about studying in other countries with our country guides.