What you need to know before going to study in Australia

Education in Australia today is at a high level. The positions of Australian universities are also confirmed by authoritative university rankings. Only one international ranking QS includes 33 universities located in this country. We have prepared a guide for you, in which we talked about what you need to pay attention to before going to study in Australia.

How to prepare for tests and collect documents?

One of the most important stages of preparation for admission is passing tests and collecting a package of documents. It is better to take care of this in advance. Many universities take a long time to respond to letters from students, and because of this, you can “fly by” with deadlines for a scholarship and skip a semester.

For admission to Australia, you need to collect a fairly standard package of documents. This is a diploma, transcripts of grades (in English), an IELTS certificate. You also need to prepare an academic resume in English and a letter of motivation. If you are applying for a master's degree, it is important to enclose two letters of recommendation in the package of documents - from the teacher and from the employer.

Commentary by Tatyana Zhdanova, student of the National University of Australia

six months before I went to Australia. But I want to say right away that this is not enough. First of all, I started to prepare for IELTS. At the same time, I applied to the university through the agency GSA. They sent the documents directly to the university, so I didn't have to pay an application fee. My level of English is not the highest - 6.5, but this is enough for admission to most foreign universities. My university turned out to be very efficient, I quickly received an answer that I was being invited. It is worth noting that it is relatively easy to enter Australia, at least unlike many other countries. ”

What about funding?

It's no secret that the cost of studying in Australia is one of the highest in the world. But you have the chance to go to top Australian universities for free. The stories of real people confirm this.

Comment of Tatiana Zhdanova, student of the National University of Australia

“I went to study inAustralia under the program of the RF Government “Global Education”.Getting a scholarship is not as difficult as it might seem. The most important thing is to already have an invitation from the university. You will also need a police clearance certificate, passport.I received a full grant - 2,764,000 rubles. All this money went to pay for tuition - 1,900,000 per year, 500,000 -650,000 rubles per year for a hostel. Also, the funds went to medical insurance (100,000 rubles), flights (50,000 rubles one way), etc. I had to pay a little from my own funds, but almost all expenses were covered by the scholarship. By the way, now there is a shortfall in the program, so I think that it will not be so difficult to get a grant ”.

The State Program "Global Education" has been implemented since 2014. An important condition for participation in the program is that after graduation, graduates need to work in Russia in their specialty for at least 3 years. Students who study in the following specialties are more likely to receive a scholarship: engineering, science and education, medicine, economics and social management.

There is also the Australian government scholarship program Endeavor. The universities themselves provide scholarships. To keep abreast of current scholarships, monitor the websites of Australian universities.

Where to live?

Australia is a very expensive country. And living here is also an expensive pleasure. The hostel will cost an average of 1080 Australian dollars per month, which is about 50 thousand rubles per month.You also need to pay a deposit, in case something is broken. About 500,000-650,000 rubles for a hostel are issued annually. If you have a scholarship, then it will not be difficult for you to cover these costs.

Commentary by Tatiana Zhdanova, student at the National University of Australia

“Off-campus housing tooquite expensive. The cheapest option is to share a room with someone. That way you can find a room for AUD 180 per week. But renting a house is not so easy. You need to submit an application, then come to inspect this housing. Another 20 people can do this with you.And it’s not a fact that the owner will lease the apartment to you ”.

How to plan expenses?

Commentary by Tatiana Zhdanova, student of the National University of Australia

“Even if you are going to study in Australia on a scholarship, be prepared to spend, especially in the early days. But if you want to change your life, then be ready to invest. Most likely, then the scholarship will cover all these costs. But first, you will need to invest in your dream of strength, time and energy. "

Open an online bank account.It would also be nice to open an account in Russia in the Australian currency, so that you can safely transfer money.It is advisable to bring cash with you.

Take care of health insurance.It will cost you 100,000 rubles. The insurance covers many medical expenses, but not the dentist and ophthalmologist.Therefore, it is better to visit these doctors in Russia.

This is an insanely expensive taxi. Use it only in case of emergency, or if you are rich. The bus fare is 2.5 dollars, that is, about 130 rubles per ticket .A student pass offers a 50% discount.

If you do not want to need money, you can get a job. Many students work here. They are allowed to do this 20 hours a week.Another question is whether employers are interested in this?

What are the living conditions in the country?

In this regard, Australia is a very favorable country.You can apply for a work visa and master the profession within two years.

Also during your studies you have the opportunity to bring your family - your spouse, children. An important point - in Australia, civil marriage is recognized as legal, so you can bring a partner with whom you are not married, but have been living together for more than a year. The main thing is to show that you can ensure that all family members live in the country.

What you need to know about the climate and nature of Australia?

Commentary by Tatiana Zhdanova, student of the National University of Australia

“Australia -a country on the other side of the equator. Therefore, at a time when it is summer in Russia, it is winter here. For example, it’s pretty cool right now. People walk the streets in autumn clothes. And in January in Australia, the hottest period. It is at this time that summer holidays take place here. "

Therefore, before going to this country, it is better to study its climate and nature. Australia is an exotic paradise of endless coastlines, deep blue sea, endless jungle with wild animals.Australia is a great travel destination. Take a ride in different cities of the country and study their history, it will be very exciting!

Commentary by Tatiana Zhdanova, student of the National University of Australia

“Here is a complete idyll with nature. Hares run around the campus, and kangaroos in the city. There are parrots and cockatoos everywhere, screaming loudly. There are many animals and they are not so much afraid of people. "

Australia is a great country to learn and live. You can get acquainted with the current programs offered by Australian universities here.