Higher Education in Australia: Tips for Overseas Students
Australia firmly holds its place among the most popular countries in terms of study abroad. The importance of this fact to the country's economy is widely known: Today, education is Australia's fourth-largest export item, second only to iron ore, coal and gold. Nearly 300,000 international students were set to begin studying in this country in 2014, most of them intending to pursue higher education.
There are about 110,000 graduate, undergraduate and doctoral students at 42 Australian universities, or about a third of all postgraduates in the country. Most are enrolled in postgraduate programs, with about one in six doing doctoral research. The academic and scientific community here is very international. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, at least half of the country's residents with PhDs were born outside the country, and nearly a quarter of the PhDs who fill the workforce each year come from abroad.
It's not surprising that Australia attracts huge numbers of international students from Asia, given its geographic location. Data from Universities Australia shows that China, India, South Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam are in the top five in "supplying" students. But the reputation of Australian universities, combined with the laid-back, culturally diverse and open-minded way of life they are known for, makes Australia's student body truly international.
The top 10 universities in Australia
The leading Australian universities consistently rank high in international rankings. The 2014-2015 QS World University Rankings® list features 33 Australian universities at once, five of which are among the top 50 universities in the world.
Learn more about Australia's top universities
If you look at the 2014 QS World University Rankings by Subject, you can see Australian universities at the top of the charts in a whole range of subject areas. The Australian National University, ranked seventh in the world for Politics and International Relations, and the University of Melbourne, which is in the top 10 for Law, Accounting and Finance, and Psychology, are particularly strong.
But the most impressive successes are in the teaching programs: in this subject area the University of Melbourne is second, Monash University is sixth, Sydney University is eighth, and Queensland University is tenth.
Where to study in Australia
Australia's prestigious universities, high standard of living and diverse communities make it the second most represented in the 2015 QS Best Student Cities QS Best Student Cities list, with only the US having more positions in the 50-city list. Melbourne is second on this year's list of best places to study abroad, with Sydney fourth. Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth are also in the top 50.
Australian cities turn out to be among the most cherished places for students in other studies as well. For example, fresh data from the consulting firm A.T. Kearney, shows that Sydney is the absolute leader among cities in its 2014 Global Cities Index in terms of student population.
Australian regional centers consistently rank among the world's most livable cities because of their dynamic economies, vibrant cultural life, and often close proximity to stunning ocean beaches.
One proof of Australia's leadership is the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Ranking. Melbourne tops the list, followed closely by Adelaide (fifth), Sydney (seventh) and Perth (ninth).
Study and Work
It's not surprising that many international students are happy to extend the pleasure of living the measured Australian life for a while longer. The post-study work visa, which has been extended in recent years, provides this. This measure was part of a broad modernization of the student visa system and motivation for overseas students. Since 2013, international students who have completed an undergraduate or non-research master's degree can apply for a two-year work visa, while those who have a master's or doctorate in an academic field can linger for up to four years.
Zane Nabi, who is currently finishing his master's degree at Monash University in Melbourne, strongly encourages prospective students to extend their time in Australia and gain work experience. Regardless of your future plans, though, a degree from an Australian university is sure to look like an advantage in the eyes of employers anywhere in the world.
Dr. Eric Lysander, the Australian National University's provost for academic affairs who is responsible for informing international students, stresses that a major advantage of the Australian education system is the focus on professional training - whether the graduate then works in this country or overseas. "Australian universities have high rates of graduate employment, and students who want to travel overseas while studying find many great opportunities to participate in student exchanges and other types of mobility," Dr. Lysander says.
Cost and Scholarship Programs
In short, Australia is just the right place to be. Perhaps the only drawback to studying in this country is the prices, which match the high rankings of universities and cities. While what Australia offers could hardly be more appealing, says Zane, "the world wouldn't mind if life and education here were a little cheaper." Indeed, a 2013 HSBC study on the cost of studying abroad found that Australia outpaced even the United States and the United Kingdom. Studying and living here costs an average of $38,500.
If these figures upset you, don't hang your head: Every year the Australian government allocates more than $200 million (about $163 million) for scholarships and grants for international students. Among the government's major scholarship programs is the Australia Prize (Australia Awards) and the International Postgraduate Research Scholarships program (International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS) program). In addition, a list of postgraduate scholarships exists in JASON (Joint Academic Scholarships Online Network).
Material prepared from the QS 2014-2015 Best Universities Guide.
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