TASA ASIA | Australia

Australia is currently the third most popular destination for international students in the English-speaking world, behind the United States and the UK. Many international students choose to study here because of the cultural diversity, friendly natives and high quality of education. Some factors that promote international education in Australia are listed below.

International Recognition

Australian universities have a high international reputation which makes the students graduating from here highly sought after. The education system in Australia is regulated by the government which is the reason the high standards of education associated with the country are well maintained.

Cost of Living

The standard of living in Australia is one of the highest in the world. But, the living expenses and tuition costs are considerably lower in Australia compared to the United States and the United Kingdom. International students are permitted to work during their free hours which helps them cover their costs. Many universities offer scholarships, which are helpful to international students.

Diversity & Variety

There is a wide variety of courses and degrees offered by Australian universities as per the students’ interest. Students also have the option of choosing between universities, vocational courses, and English language courses as well. If their grades permit, they can also switch between qualification level and also between different institutions.

Innovation and Technology

The emphasis on scientific researches and state of art research facilities make Australia the most appealing destination for international students aiming for research. It is a country known for its new technology and innovations.

Part-time work

Students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week while studying in Australia. This is a great opportunity for those who want to earn money to cover their living expenses during their stay and for students who want to gain work experience in their field of interest while they study.

Australia consists of preschool and primary education followed by secondary education also known as high schools, tertiary education (universities, TAFE colleges, and vocational education and training providers) and adult education (referred to as adult and community education or ACE). Regulation and funding of education is primarily the responsibility of the States and territories, but the Federal Government also plays a funding role. The Australian Quality Training Framework has been set up by the government to strengthen the quality assurance processes in education.

Higher education in Australia

Apart from the mainstream undergraduate and postgraduate courses, Australia is also internationally recognized for providing the best practice in vocational and education training as the student is assessed on his or her procurement of competencies and focus is given on the development of skills relevant to the field of skilled specialization. Foundation Studies in Australia is also one of the great options for students who wish to be a part of an Australian university. Such programs are specifically designed for international students that allow studying a pre-university year within a fully-accredited specialist program and typically last for a maximum of one year. Established in 1995 by the Australian Government, the Australian Qualification Framework helps to make sure that the qualification titles across the country are consistent and represent the same high standards of education. It includes all Australian qualifications with clear rules about the level of education each qualification represents. This provides many benefits to international students as they find the best course and institution suitable for their needs without wasting time understanding different qualification titles.
The top universities in Australia are The Australian National University, The University of New South Wales, The University of Melbourne, The University of Western Sydney, and Monash University. Some of the best universities are situated in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra.

The qualifying exams vary between study programs and levels. For each course, international students will need to meet a minimum English language requirement. Besides, there will be a minimum academic performance record as stipulated by the universities to qualify for admission.

General Exams

GMAT - The Graduate Management Admission Test is given by those who want to pursue an MBA or business or management-related courses. The aspirants are measured on English, mathematical and reasoning skills.

GRE - The Graduate Record Examination is taken by students applying to graduate schools to pursue an MA or MS. Also, many business schools accept GRE scores for granting admission for pursuing MBA or business or management courses.

LSAT - The Law School Admission Test is a standardized test and is taken by students who want to take admission in law schools. The students are evaluated based on reading and verbal reasoning skills.

SAT - The Scholastic Assessment Test evaluates the aspirants based on literacy and writing skills that are needed for academic success in higher education. This test measures the problem-solving skills learned in school which they will be using further in college. The SAT exam is generally taken by students who have completed their schooling or students in high school looking for admissions in UG courses.

Students need to check on the qualifying exams as stipulated by the universities and accordingly apply for the same.

Language Exam

TOEFL – It is the most popular English proficiency exam accepted by a majority of the universities. The TOEFL tests the students’ usage and understanding of the English language as it is used in communicating in college and university settings. Students can appear for this exam any number of times. This test is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), which conducts the test and set the test paper.

IELTS – International English Language Testing System is a standardized language test that needs to be cleared for admission in different universities in Australia.

PTE – Pearson Test of English is also a standardized language test that needs to be cleared to secure admission in different universities in Australia.

Students are advised to thoroughly check the entry requirements of the university/college they are applying to and then take up the exams accordingly. Many educational institutes accept some specific exams whereas some institutes allow students to give the exams of their choice. Therefore, before preparing for the exams, students should check the university requirements.

Application Requirements

Apart from the above-mentioned tests, there are other requirements for applying to educational institutes in Australia.

Letter of recommendation – (LOR) is a reference letter written by a third-party describing the qualities, characteristics, and capabilities of the prospective student for recommendation to the college in terms of that individual’s ability to perform a particular task or function. The third-party could be a professor, direct manager, etc.

Statement of Purpose – A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is the introduction of the student to the college and admission officers. It is always written in the first person and describes the reason for applying to a particular college. It needs to highlight why the college should accept you. The style of writing could differ from formal to casual, but it is important to remember that it should reflect the student’s personality as well.

Essay - Essays are also required to be submitted by a prospective student. Essays are an important part of the university admissions process. Students may be required to write one or two essays, along with a few optional essays too. Common topics include career aspirations, strengths and weaknesses, skills, experiences, and reasons for considering a particular school.

There are some relevant documents required to apply for diploma and vocational courses. Students need to check the same and submit it along with the other required documents.

Apart from the above-mentioned requirements, students applying to undergraduate courses should have completed 10+2. Also, those who are applying to graduate courses must have completed 16 years of education. In addition to all these students also need to show proof of the finances to the universities to secure admission.

Cut-off for Exams

All the major universities and colleges also set cut-off for various exams which students need to obtain to get admission. Before applying to their preferred universities, aspirants should check the cut off marks for GMAT, GRE, TOEFL and then start preparing for the exams accordingly.

International students in Australia have varied tuition fee according to the university, courses and the city they have chosen. Postgraduate courses cost more than the undergraduate courses. Living expenses like accommodation, food, travel, etc are as per the choice of the student. Costs will vary depending on the lifestyle, place of residence and socializing of the students. Students studying in metropolitan cities will be spending more than their counterparts in the smaller cities. Medicine, Business Management, Computer Science, Finance and Accounting, Economics, Communications/Media are popular courses that Indian students pursue in Australia.

Student visas are issued to applicants whose primary purpose of visit to a country is to pursue education. Although getting admission in the university is extremely important, these legal documents for obtaining visas are of utmost importance. Every country has its own immigration rules. The documents can range from education-related ones to different proof of funds acceptable and so on to enable the students to study in that country. These are specified on the official website. Students can check on the same and accordingly apply for their visa. There are some common factors in all student visa applications. The students need to know the entire process of applying and obtaining the student visas to study abroad. Studying abroad requires meticulous planning. Students are advised to plan their admission/ application process as per the university deadlines and should accordingly work backward. Students are required to appear for English eligibility tests as per the university policies and also have required documents in place for the smooth processing of their application. Hence, students are always advised to apply 3-4 months in advance to avoid any last-minute delays. Candidates seeking financial aid, scholarships and education loans should start a couple of months earlier than the regular applicants for the process of application and approval of the same.

Australia

About