Top Universities & Colleges in Australia

A country of 24.5 million people, Australia is much more than what it is famous for – clean environment, Kangaroos, and Koalas. Known to be one of the best places to live for international students and with an 11% rise of students compared to 2017, Australia had about 690,468 in 2018.

Australia is estimated to leave behind the UK to become the second most popular study abroad destination after the U.S. according to the University College of London’s Centre for Global Higher Education. Be it ranking among top universities in the world or making an impact to the society producing a high number of global achievers, Australia stands tall with its world renowned education system of 1,100 institutions and 22,000 courses.

According to QS Best Student Cities 2019, which ranks cities according to crucial factors such as Student review, University Rankings, Student Mix, Desirability, Employer Activity and Affordability, seven cities from Australia form a part of top 100 in the list.

As a way of life, the Australian outlook is to embrace the ‘new’ than to stick to the old expectations and habits. This is a big plus for any country. In 2018, China and India combined form 43% of overseas students in the country. Also known as a nation of immigrants, the majority of people in Australia are English speaking.

Popular cities in Australia for education:

• Melbourne
• Brisbane
• Sydney
• Canberra
• Adelaide
• Perth
• Gold Coast
• Wollongong
• Newcastle
• Bathurst

Popular courses in Australia:

• Accountancy
• Actuarial Science
• Agricultural sciences
• Architecture
• Biomedical Engineering 
• Business Management
• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Law
• Creative Arts and Design
• Education
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Computer Science/IT

Popular Universities in Australia:

• The University of Melbourne, Melbourne
• The University of Sydney, Sydney
• The University of Queensland Australia, Brisbane
• Monash University, Melbourne
• The University of New South Wales, Kensington
• Australian National University, Canberra
• The University of Adelaide, Adelaide
• The University of Western Australia, Perth
• The Curtin University of Technology, Perth
• University of Technology Sydney

The education system in Australia is divided into three categories- primary, secondary and tertiary. Primary, secondary and senior secondary education make up a part of school education with a duration of 13 years which is equivalent to completing 12th grade. Higher education and vocational studies can be understood as university programs and skill development-focused diploma courses in India, respectively.

 These are offered by:

• Universities
• Vocational education and training (VET) institutions.

Some key features of these higher education schools are mentioned in the table below.

While universities majorly offer Doctoral, Masters and Bachelor degrees, following table briefs about the programs offered by VETs in Australia. Entry to these courses require 10, 11 or 12 classes equivalent to Australian education and depends on the institution. Some courses may also require a work experience or portfolio and hence a student is requested to check with the institution directly. 
 

It is important for you to know about the cost of studying in any country before choosing it. There are various factors that determine the cost of studying in Australia including level of study (graduate or postgraduate) and location of the institution. Other than education costs, living expenses and accommodation, there may be additional costs of course materials and for availing institutions facilities. 

Cost of education in Australia

Provided below is a brief of the range of fees for different programs. You are requested to get the exact information about your course and institution from its official website. Figures in the tables below are in Australian dollars. 

Note: These figures do not include high fee courses such as veterinary science or medical degree.

Cost of accommodation in Australia

Average cost of living in Australia for one month is approximately AUD1300 (Rs.63000/-) which includes rentals (on- campus accommodation), transportation, basic amenities and entertainment. The figures in the table below have been taken from the official website of Australian government. The numbers in Rupees are rounded off to the nearest approximating figures. 

Other living expenses including groceries, gas, electricity, internet, public transport, and entertainment may cost a sum of $275 to $540 per week. Living in Australia is not by any means cheap. The minimum cost of living is at least 19000 AUD per year. If you live in bigger cities, you may need a little more. 

In Australia, there is not a uniform criteria for course commencements dates, duration and number of semesters. As a general criteria, Australian universities have two admission intakes: 

For vocational institutions, the intake may start from January, May or July. It is strongly recommended to check an institution’s website before applying as the exact deadlines may vary from course to course. 

Different universities in Australia have varying requirements depending on the program. Higher education qualifications in Australia are briefed in the table below.
 

If you are worried whether or not your country’s degree would be considered by Australian institutions, stay assured as the Australian Government organisation National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR) works closely with educational bodies to recognize overseas qualifications.

If you are from a non-English speaking country, you need to give either IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or CAE. IELTS and TOEFL are the most popular ones. This is not just required for University admissions but also Visa requirements. Although minimum scores vary considerably, here is a rough look at the general requirement.
 

According to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the Times Higher Education Rankings (THES) and the QS World University Rankings (QS), an elite group of universities are a part of the world's top 150. This group is known as Go8, the foundation of which is laid on intensive research facilities, significant economic impact and quality education. The table below briefs the admission requirements for higher education in the top 8 universities in Australia.

Check the points below for backlog restrictions.

• The private colleges of Australia do not consider students with more than 7-8 backlogs 
• The leading colleges or the Go8 Universities accept at most 3 backlogs. 
• If you have 8 or more backlogs, chances of being selected are higher in the non-private colleges of Australia. 

Australian universities count the number of attempts you have made to clear one exam/subject.

Once you have decided to study in Australia, you must plan at least 12 months before the admission season. You may take the following steps to move forward:

• Find your course
• Check the admission criteria for the course
• Fill and submit your application
• Submit all the necessary documents
• For some universities you might need to indicate a local agent’s name
• Application review: If accepted you will receive Letter of offer
• Australian Universities usually give out decision in 6 to 8 weeks
• Accept your offer and make the payment
• Receiving of Confirmation of enrollment (COE) (usually is received in 2-3 days)
• Apply for Visa and accommodation
• Most institutions charge a non-refundable application fee of around AUD $50 to $100 that must be included with your application. Some institutions waive this fee if the application is made online
   

Documentation

 Along with the application form, you need to attach the following documents.

• English language proficiency test scorecards
• Certified copies of academic transcripts
• Certified copies of all graduation or school certificates (Both original and English)
• Letter from a scholarship provider, if you have any
• References from employers from your workplace (LORs)
• Personal statement may be required
• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• English translations of all documents, if asked by the university
• Copy of your passport if required
• Only for Masters in research and PH.D. research proposal with two research supervisors’ names and list of prior research publications will be required
• Notarised Documents
• Syllabus (if you apply for credits)
• Portfolio (this depends on the program)

Once you have a nod from the university, you need to proceed towards your visa application. Australian student visa applications take four to six weeks to process, hence it is important to think beforehand and apply accordingly. 

• Have a valid passport
• Decide which visa to apply for.
• If you go for studying full time you will most likely go for Subclass 500
• Create an account
• Upload the documents
• Give other details such as passport, email, address etc. 
• Pay your visa fees
• Give an interview at the Visa office
• Provide character certificate and biometric information
• Get health check-ups done by panel doctors

Note:

Non-English documents must be translated into English. If you are in Australia, your translator must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.

Mentioned below we give you a list of required documents to look at quickly.

• Proof of travel cost, 1 year funds for living expenses and tuition fees
• Birth certificate
• Passport Identity Page
• National Identity Card
• A CV
• All Pages of Household Registration Book
• Confirmation of Enrolment (COE)
• Health Assessment Portal ID
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• Police Clearance Certificate
• English language test scorecards
• GTE (Genuine Entrant Statement)

Education loans and Scholarships:

There are educational loans available for abroad studies as well as scholarships that will make your study abroad a plausible journey.

The Australian Government has invested over AUD 300 million in scholarships for international students. 

• The primary criterion for most scholarships is a good academic score.
• However it also depends on factors such as your chosen destination, subject and level. 
• In some scholarships, factors like extracurricular activities, and volunteering can also be used to advantage
   

There are several scholarships in Australia such as:

• Australia Awards- Scholarships and fellowships funded by the Australian Government that cover full tuition fees, travel expenses and part of the monthly living costs among others is one of the best scholarships for students. 

• APEC Women in Research Fellowship Program- Financial support dedicated to female researchers from developing APEC economies who plan to pursue a research program in partnership with Australian universities and research institutions.
• Endeavour Postgraduate awards- Offers financial support to international students who enroll in a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarships include tuition fees, travel allowance, establishment allowance, monthly stipend as well as health and travel insurance.
• International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS): These are available for postgraduate students for Research Masters (2 years) and PH.D students for 3 years. It covers tuition fees and health cover.

Other Scholarships: They are based on your country of origin, merit, and several other factors.

• Australian Awards Scholarships: This is a scholarship awarded by the Australian Government for international graduate and undergraduate students. It is applicable to students of only a selected list of countries.
• Commonwealth Scholarships are applicable to Australian universities.
• Research Training Program (RTP) is a scholarship available to domestic and international research graduates by a few participating universities.
• There are several Dean’s scholarships which could be fully funded, depending on your university.
   

University-specific scholarships:

• UNSW International Scholarships: UNSW extends support by covering full or partial tuition fees for graduate and undergraduate students. It may also provide stipends to help students.
• Charles Darwin University Vice-Chancellor’s International High Achievers Scholarships: Some part of tuition fees for academically excellent undergraduate or postgraduate international students is waived off by the university.
• Macquarie University International Scholarships- Awarded to outstanding students for both postgraduate and graduate courses, these range up to AUD 10,000. 
• The University of the Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships - Aimed to relax living expenses, tuition fees, relocation costs, health cover, these scholarships are meant for both domestic international research students.
• Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarships- Approximately 50 in number, these are provided for fee relaxation for undergraduate students.
• Monash University, University of Sydney, Newcastle, UTS,Adelaide, Flinders etc. are some of the good universities (offers from AUD $2000 to AUD $10,000) that reserve some scholarships for international students. 

See more scholarships for UG Programs.

Australia is known to be a friendly nation with people who never shy away from giving a friendly hand. “Mate” is the most used word, referring to a friend or just about anyone you meet. People are fine to deal with various cultures every day. Incidents of mugging and racial attacks are uncommon in Australia. Sydney and Melbourne are amongst the safest cities in the world. It is also an LGBTQ friendly country. 

When in Australia, there are various ways to cut down one’s cost. Seniors recommend a good tip is to keep an eye on items on sale, and then buy, instead of buying things brand-new. 

Students suggest that it is completely normal to feel homesick. In the end, it depends on one’s perspective. One can join various ethnic and curricular social groups. It is important to stay connected with one’s family back home. There is nothing wrong in seeking help for mental health, if required. Each university has a mental health program with support groups.

As a part of your Australian Visa application, you need to have an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). It is mandatory to purchase one as a part of your visa application process as directed by Department of Immigration and Citizenship . Average cost of health insurance for an individual is $750 per year. It is needed to cover hospital and other medical expenses. This includes limited medicines and can be purchased privately or by your education provider. In any of the cases, you have the sole responsibility of maintaining the policy. Belgian, Swedish and Norwegian students are exempted from having an OSHC if they are covered under Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, National Board of Student Air and Norwegian National Insurance Scheme respectively. Following are the five providers from where either you or your institution can buy an OSHC. You can choose any basis for your budget.

• Australian Health Management
• BUPA Australia
• Medibank Private
• Allianz Global Assistance (subcontracted by Lysaght Peoplecare)
• nib OSHC

Your salary will depend on the level of education and experience. The table below has been provided to give a rough idea of the promising careers and associated salaries in Australia. The figures are produced from publications of Business Insider and PayScale and are updated by 2018.
 

• There are internships and part-time jobs available for international students in Australia
• A student, ideally, should opt for a part time of 20 hours a week in Australia. 
• On an average, students need about a month to get a job. The key is to be persistent, confident and prepare well for an interview. 
• Students are allowed part-time work on their Australian study visa.
• Students can work up to 40 hours in a fortnight while the course is in session and unlimited hours when the course is not in session
• One can only start working after their courses have started.
• Students that fall under the Postgraduate Research Sector can work for unlimited hours when the research work or doctoral thesis begins
• Students completing the Australian study requirement can apply for a Post Study Work Permit under Graduate Stream

• Types of Part-Time Work Options Available

• • Retail sales jobs in supermarkets, departmental stores
  • In restaurants, cafes, and bars
  • In hotels and motels (both in the kitchens and administration and housekeeping)
  • Farming and related activities
  • Sales and telemarketing
  • Administration or Clerical roles in different companies
  • As a Tutor – both personal as well as in institutions

Note:

It is important to be fluent at English.The Australian English accent can be difficult to start with but with time, you will get used to it. It may take longer if your English is not fluent. It is important to be aware of your employment rights in Australia.

Now, that you have spent so much time studying and exploring Australia, you might want to explore the stay back options in Australia. See the points below. 

• Since Nov 2019, International students can stay and work in Australia after finishing studies under the temporary graduate visa subclass 485 (Costs approx AUS$ 1618) for 4 years. This is valid for Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra (regional cities)
• The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) has 2 streams: Graduate Work Stream and post-study work stream.
• Graduate Work Stream: International students with certain qualifications and skills can stay in Australia for 18 months. They need to apply within 6 months of completing the course.
• Post-study Work Stream: If you have bachelors degree, you can stay up to 2 years. For masters degree holders from Australia, the limit stretches to 3 years. For doctorates, it is up to 4 years. If a student's qualification is lower than that of a bachelors such as certificate or diploma holders, he cannot apply for this visa.
• Recent engineering graduates can apply for Skilled recognized graduate subclass 476 visa to travel, work and stay for a period of 18 months in Australia. 

Permanent Residency

One has to reside for 4 years in Australia to apply for Australian Citizenship. This includes 12 months as a permanent resident. See the points below.

• 'Express interest' through SkillSelect migration program.
• This allows applicants various types of visas.
• If one is not sponsored by any employer or family member, Skill Independent Visa (subclass 189) can be applied to work for 5 years in Australia . This is a point based skill assessment test to check if one is suitable for a nominated occupation. You must score above 65. This has to be given prior to submitting 'expression of interest'. If one stays for 4 consecutive years in Australia under this visa, one becomes eligible to apply for Australian citizenship. 

You must be fulfilling the following requirements to apply for permanent residency in Australia through the SkillsetSelect Program.

• Evidence of work experience
• Demonstrate proficient English
• Have a full-time offer on a 12-months contract
• Prove sufficient fund
• An occupation listed in the New Graduate Occupation List (SOL list)