Why Choose Australia?

• Important things to consider first
  
  
• Tuition Fees
  
  
• English Language
  
  
• University (undergraduate and postgraduate)
  
  
• TAFE
  
  
• Private and Specialist Colleges
  
  
• High Schools
  
  
• Study Abroad (one semester or one year)
  

Important things to consider first

You have so many educational options to choose from in Australia, so take some time to think about your career and life goals. The course you study will shape your career and life plans. Also think about whether you want to study in the city or in the country. Do you want to study at a small or large college or university? What level qualification do you want? (eg certificate, diploma, degree etc). You will probably find that the course you want to study is offered at several places in Australia. Is it important that you live somewhere warm or cold?

You will also need to consider the institution’s academic entrance requirements, as each college or university and each course has its own standards. If you don’t have enough English, you will need to think about English Language too.

Tuition Fees

The cost of studying in Australia compares well with other countries that take international students. You will find that the combined costs of tuition fees and living expenses are lower in Australia than the US and UK. Each institution has different fees for different courses.

You will find that tuition fees in Australia for international students are even more competitive with other countries, especially when you calculate current exchange rates.

The following is a guide only:

English Language

You can study intensive English language (known as ELICOS) at more than 100 institutions in Australia and at a relatively low cost. Some institutions are private, semi-private or government owned. All institutions are properly registered and offer high quality English language training, many using advanced language laboratories, video, computer and library facilities.

There are no entrance requirements for English Language courses. Courses are offered at all levels (beginner to advanced) and course starting times are very flexible. This flexibility makes it easy for you to combine English Language Training with a holiday, or with another course.

You can study:

• General English (emphasis on communication skills)
• English for Academic Purposes (preparation to study at university, TAFE or a private college)
• Examination Preparation (preparation for TOEFL or IELTS examinations)
• Study Tourism (learn English while learning about Australia or enjoying activities such as scuba, golf, horseriding, sailing etc)
• And more…

Many students will take an English Language Test to determine their level of English, and to decide how much English Language Training they may need. All tests assess your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is a very popular test in Asia, however, most Australian institutions prefer the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test.

University (undergraduate and postgraduate)

There are 39 universities in Australia ranging in size from 3000 students to more than 30,000 students. Two of Australia’s universities are privately owned and funded and 37 are public, funded by the Australian government. There are more than 600,000 students studying in Australian universities and over 65,000 of these are international students. All Australian universities are strictly monitored to maintain high standards in teaching and research. Most Australian universities are located in cities, while some are found in rural environments.

Universities offer courses in a wide range of areas at the following levels:

• Bachelors Degree
• Graduate Certificate
• Graduate Diploma
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate (PhD)

University in Australia is a combination of lectures, tutorials and seminars, as well as individual study in laboratories and libraries. There is a wide range of extra-curricular activities that balance academic life.

Each university has its own entrance requirements for each course offered. You will also need to have a minimum level of English before you can start a course.

Average fees for classroom-based courses (eg Law, Arts, Economics, etc) range between $9,000–$11,000. Laboratory-based courses (eg Science, Engineering, Medicine) on average range between $12,000–$27,000.

Most courses start in February, however, some may also start in July and October.

TAFE

Australian Technical and Further Education (TAFE) is a government owned and operated education system that offers courses in almost every field of study. There are more than 230 government TAFE colleges around Australia that offer courses at certificate, diploma and advanced diploma levels. Many TAFE courses will lead to credit transfer arrangements at Australian universities so you can earn credit towards a bachelors degree. Some TAFE courses are only a few weeks while others may take up to three years to complete. Some TAFE colleges are located in cities, while others are in rural areas. Most courses start in February, however, some may also start in July.

TAFE courses emphasise practical and professional learning that will help you get a job.

Private and Specialist Colleges

Private and Specialist colleges offer courses in almost every area of study, usually at certificate, diploma and advanced diploma level. These courses are often designed to teach practical skills you can use in the workforce. Courses can range from 10 weeks to 3 years, and each college will have its own entrance requirements. Many private and specialist colleges have credit transfer arrangements with Australian universities so you can earn credit towards a bachelors degree.

Some examples of the types of courses you can study at a private or TAFE college:

• Accounting
• Aviation
• Business management
• Child care
• Computer studies
• Graphic design
• Hair and beauty therapy
• Information Technology (IT)
• Marketing
• Office administration
• Secretarial Studies
• Travel and tourism
• Hospitality and hotel management
• And many more…

High Schools

Australian schools offer quality education at world class standards. Each State or Territory in Australia is responsible for its own schools however the Australian Federal Government ensures the standards and quality of teaching are maintained throughout the country.

The majority of Australian schools are public and approximately one quarter are private and charge full fees. Many private schools are run by religious institutions. Some schools offer boarding facilities.

There are thousands of schools in Australia, far too many to list here. You need to consider your individual needs (ie large school or small school, is religious education important, which city or town would you like to live in, etc).

Study Abroad (one semester or one year)

Many students choose to study at an Australian university or college for one semester or one year and earn full credit points towards their degree at their home college or university. You are able to study across a range of subjects and disciplines as Australian universities ensure the Study Abroad program is as flexible as possible. The credit transfer arrangements at each university may vary, as do the entrance requirements.

Students are charged full tuition for the duration of their studies (usually one semester or one year) and fees are approximately A$6,000 per semester for tuition. Each university has slightly different fees.