Study in Australia

1. Australia is a big & diverse country

Australia is the largest island and the 6th largest country in the world. In spite of that, the population of only 24 million (and growing) is mostly concentrated in the capital cities. Sydney and Melbourne are the largest cities with nearly 40% of the entire population. The other capital cities are Canberra (the national capital), Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, and Darwin.

Diverse scenery

What images do you conjure up when you think about Australia? Perhaps you think about amazing beaches, surfing, huge cattle stations, the endless outback or Australia’s indigenous population. Or about the fact that more than one-third of Australia is desert, but did you know Australia also has tropical, subtropical and cool temperate rainforests, or that you can ski in the Australian Alps?

Australia has a plethora of distinctive and unique ancient animals, including the platypus, kangaroo, echidna and koala, as well as deadly spiders, snakes, and other creepy crawlies! Australia has no less than 516 national parks to protect its diverse wilderness.

Multicultural modern Australia

Australia is also one of the world’s most ethnically diverse nations. One in four people in Australia (26%) were born overseas, more than 300 languages are spoken in Australian homes, and over 100 religions are recognized in Australia.

2. Rankings don’t lie

Most liveable cities

Melbourne was voted the 2nd most liveable city in the world (after holding the #1 spot for a record 7 years from 2011-2017), with Sydney ranking #5 and Adelaide #10 in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index, 2018.

Melbourne #1 & Sydney #2 student cities

Melbourne and Sydney were respectively ranked 1st and 2nd in the QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2018 (Student Mix Rank). Australia is ranked 8th in the best environment in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2017 Worldwide Educating for the Future Index overall results. Australia is also ranked 9th in the world in the 2017 Legatum Prosperity Index™.

3. A safe study choice

International students

If you choose to study in Australia, you won’t be alone and will likely be amongst people from your own country and others, as well as Australian students, of course. In fact, Australia welcomes the third highest number of foreign students in the world after the United States and the United Kingdom. Australia counted 534,189 international students of all levels in March 2018 with most international students coming from China, India, Nepal, Malaysia, and Vietnam, with a growing number of students from Brazil and Colombia. There are more than 300,000 international students from many different nationalities at Australian universities, with these numbers making up 24% of the Australian university population.

4. Quality educational institutions

There are 43 universities in Australia, with more than 1 million enrolled university students and a wide range of study options. In addition, Australia boasts numerous other quality educational institutions, schools and colleges. Four Australian universities are included in the top 100 universities in the latest Centre for World University Rankings. The University of Melbourne (ranked 57) is the #1 ranked Australian university. Other Australian universities in this top 100 ranking include the University of Sydney, the University of Queensland and Australian National University. In all, 25 Australian universities are included in the CWUR rankings of the top 1000 universities from 61 countries.

A degree, diploma or certificate from Australian universities represents a certain quality standard, which translates into improved employment prospects for you. Moreover, if you meet the eligibility requirements of the Department of Home Affairs (i.e. you have completed your Diploma or Bachelors in Australia and your occupation is included on one of the relevant priority strategic skills list) you might be eligible for either the graduate work stream or post-study work stream visas, enabling you to work in Australia at the conclusion of your studies. Australia maintains strict immigration laws and individual circumstances can differ, so you should consult a qualified and reputable immigration lawyer before assuming any rights.

5. Value for money

Consider all costs

Whilst the cost of living in Australia (especially in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth) is rising due to the local economy, it is still significantly cheaper to obtain a quality university education in Australia compared to the United States, for example. You should consider carefully not only your tuition costs but also the cost of books and others student supplies, living expenses, transport, food, entertainment, travel, telecommunications, medical, insurance, utilities, and visas. As always, planning carefully and early is recommended. Do your sums and make a considered judgment according to your own personal circumstances.

6. Learn English

IELTS

If English is not your mother tongue, you will need to get your English to a requisite standard to study at Australian universities. The required level might differ for different courses, but you should count on a minimum of 6.0, as a general rule. Fortunately, there are multiple high-quality English language training institutes in Australia, such as the awarded Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI), helping you to prepare your International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. Mastery of English is a prerequisite for university study, and English language oral and written proficiency will also boost your career prospects.

7. Lifestyle

The lifestyle in Australia is second to none. Australians are sports mad and you will easily find a group to play or watch your favorite sport, whether that is cricket, soccer, rugby union, rugby league, tennis, cycling, field hockey, swimming or rowing. Australians play four codes of football and have even developed their code, Australian Rules Football.

Arts, culture, fashion & music

Cultural options abound with plentiful major galleries and museums, including Sydney’s Art Gallery of New South Wales and Melbourne’s National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), which was the 19th most visited art museum in the world in 2017, boasting major international and Australian exhibitions. Fashionistas will enjoy great shopping opportunities and discovering quirky new brands. Most Australian capital cities boast a dynamic live music scene. Join those who enjoy discovering the hidden bars in city lanes and alleyways.

What about traveling to Australia’s many excellent wineries, or visiting Australia’s historic old towns or hiking in the great outdoors? With the 7th largest coastline in the world, Australia has an abundance of beautiful beaches. Sydney’s Bondi Beach is probably the most famous, but with Australia’s more than 10,000 beaches, there are so many to explore. There are countless options for enjoyable mini breaks, next to your study.

Food with friends

But we know that when you are homesick and far from home, you miss nothing more than the food from your own country. The quality of produce in Australia is outstanding, making it easy to cook delicious meals at home, or perhaps you would prefer to visit Chinatown, Little India or Little Saigon. The culinary landscape in Australia is as diverse as the population, with a range of options from budget to fine dining to suit all tastes.

8. Safety & security

Australia is a safe and secure country with strong democratic traditions and respect for others. Of course, you always need to be street smart and pay extra attention in large cities, but you can live a safe and secure life in Australia, with the right to express your opinions or observe and express your own religious or political beliefs.

9. Australian Nobel laureates

Australia has produced 15 Nobel prize laureates, half of which have been awarded in the fields of physiology or medicine. Some Australian discoveries and innovations, upon which the world relies, include Wi-Fi, the bionic ear, cervical cancer vaccine, and Black Box flight recorders. Will you be the next Nobel laureate? Come study with the best and brightest in your chosen field.

10. Fact or fiction?