Higher education in Australia
- Briefly about Australia
- Education system in Australia
- Features of education in Australia
- Advantages of education in Australia
- Disadvantages of education in Australia
- How to choose a university in Australia?
- Foundation — preparation for admission to higher education programs in Australia
- Bachelor's degree in Australia
- Master's degree in Australia
- Doctorate programs in Australia
- Scholarships in Australia for international students
- Student visa to Australia
- Job search and immigration to Australia
- Frequently Asked Questions
Bachelor of Commerce - Business Analytics
The University of Western AustraliaOver the previous 20 years, ‘big data’ exploded. Businesses can obtain customer, supply chain, and logistical data. Accessing this enormous data set is different from using it to make informed business decisions. Employers want quantitative workers to collect, organize, and evaluate data.
Computer…
Bachelor of Science - Marine Biology
The University of Western Australia
Bachelor of Commerce - Management
The University of Western AustraliaSee how successful leaders lead their organizations. The Management major will teach you theoretical and practical topics in organizational behavior, leadership, information systems management, small company management, entrepreneurship, and project and operations management through classroom instruction…
Bachelor of Science - Agribusiness
The University of Western AustraliaIn order to meet the food needs of an expanding population, agribusiness includes all aspects of the food production process, including but not limited to production, financing, processing, and selling of food and fiber. The growing global demand for food has propelled the agricultural industry to…
Bachelor of Arts - Contemporary Popular Music
The University of Western AustraliaGain knowledge and expertise in modern performance and composition, songwriting, and digital innovation by majoring in contemporary popular music. You'll also improve your networking and entrepreneurial abilities. Digital production abilities, analytical thinking, listening comprehension, and creative…
Bachelor of Arts - Linguistics
The University of Western AustraliaThis major allows you to focus on your interests while also providing a comprehensive overview of modern linguistics. Exciting theoretical research and hands-on field initiatives are also a part of this major. Among the many linguistic areas you'll be able to delve into are dictionaries and grammatical…
Bachelor of Arts - Music Studies
The University of Western AustraliaPursue a well-rounded education in music while honing your creative and artistic abilities with our Music Studies major. Opportunities to innovate, create, and expand knowledge through performance, composition, or musicology are available to students across the University who are passionate about…
Bachelor of Commerce - Economics
The University of Western AustraliaEconomics majors can become government or corporate economists, consultants, analysts, or policy advisors.
This major will help you deconstruct complex economic events and understand concepts like the theory of choice. This economic strategy can explain climate change economics, asset value,…
Bachelor of Biological Science - Plant Biology
The University of Western AustraliaYou will study plants from molecular, cellular, and physiological perspectives in Plant Biology to understand plant development and reproduction, as well as genetic, genomic, and physiological studies to understand how plants interact with their environments. You will also research plant abundance,…
Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology
The University of Western AustraliaAn extensive synopsis of the research methods used in the field of anthropology will be given to you. Coursework in critical thinking, ethnographic writing, participant observation, record keeping, oral and multimedia interviews, and material culture and archive research are all examples of real-world…
Briefly about Australia
Australia is a continent and a country known for its high standard of living, safety, diverse nature, and strong education system. It is the sixth largest country in the world and one of the global leaders in academic quality. Australia is among the top 3 most popular destinations for international students, along with the USA and the UK. A multicultural environment, English-language education, and employment prospects make Australia especially attractive for young people and their parents.
Education system in Australia
The Australian higher education system is built on three levels:
- Bachelor — 3–4 years;
- Master — 1–2 years;
- PhD — 3–4 years.
All programs are regulated by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), and for international students, they are accredited in the CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) system, which guarantees the quality and transparency of educational services.
Features of education in Australia
- Flexibility: students can choose subjects, forming an individual study plan.
- Practice-oriented approach: education is connected with real cases and industry projects.
- Modern campuses: universities are equipped with the latest technology.
- Small study groups: this ensures closer contact with lecturers.
- English-speaking environment: students improve the language in both academic and everyday settings.
Advantages of education in Australia
- Worldwide recognition of diplomas — Australian universities are included in international rankings such as QS and THE.
- Part-time work during studies — up to 48 hours per two weeks (and unlimited during holidays).
- Immigration opportunities — the Post-Study Work visa allows staying in the country for up to 6 years.
- Safety and quality of life — Australia consistently ranks among the top countries with the best living conditions.
- Innovative specialties — from climate engineering to artificial intelligence.
Disadvantages of education in Australia
- High cost — tuition and living expenses are not cheap.
- Distance from Europe — long flights and time adaptation.
- Climatic features — the seasons are opposite to those in Europe.
- Strict visa requirements — proof of financial and academic capability is required.
How to choose a university in Australia?
When choosing a university, it is important to consider:
| Criterion | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Ranking | QS, THE, ARWU — university positions by subject |
| Cost | Tuition and living — from 20,000 to 50,000 AUD per year |
| Geography | Cities and regions — Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, regional campuses |
| Specialty | Availability of a program that matches career goals |
| Scholarships | What grants and discounts are available |
| Internship opportunities | Partnerships with companies, professional practice |
Foundation — preparation for admission to higher education programs in Australia
Foundation is a preparatory program for international students, lasting from 8 to 12 months. It allows students to fill academic and language gaps for admission to a bachelor's degree.
Features:
- Intensive study of English and specialized subjects;
- Guaranteed admission upon successful completion;
- Cost — from 15,000 to 30,000 AUD per year.
Admission requirements for foundation programs:
- Academic: Completion of Year 11 or 12 (depending on country and institution).
- English: IELTS 5.0–5.5, TOEFL iBT 50–65, or PTE 42–46.
- Age: Minimum 16–17 years old at course start.
- Documents: Passport, transcripts (in English), certificate of completion, possibly a statement of purpose or portfolio.
- Visa: Subclass 500 with CoE, financial proof, GTE statement, and OSHC.
Bachelor's degree in Australia
Bachelor's degree is the first level of higher education. In most cases, it lasts 3 years, but for some professions (for example, engineering, medicine), the program may take 4–5 years. Honours programs are also available — an advanced 4th year of study, useful for admission to a master's degree or a research career.
Popular fields:
- Business and international relations
- Computer science and IT
- Psychology and biomedicine
- Engineering and construction
- Tourism and hospitality
- Arts and design
Admission requirements:
- High school certificate or Foundation diploma;
- IELTS from 6.0 (or TOEFL / PTE);
- Academic transcripts, motivation letter, portfolio (depending on the field).
Tuition fees: from 20,000 to 45,000 AUD per year, depending on the university and faculty.
Master's degree in Australia
Master's programs in Australia are divided into two types:
- Coursework — lecture-based and practice-oriented programs;
- Research — research courses with dissertation preparation.
Duration — from 1 to 2 years. A master's degree is especially valued when changing fields: many courses accept students with a non-related background.
Popular master's specialisations:
- Project management, finance
- Data analytics, artificial intelligence
- Education, social sciences
- Health, sports, public health
- Law and international law
Admission requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree;
- IELTS 6.5–7.0;
- Recommendation letters, CV, motivation essay;
- Sometimes — portfolio or interview.
Tuition fees for master's programs: from 22,000 to 50,000 AUD per year.
Doctorate programs in Australia
PhD is the highest academic degree, focused on independent research. The study lasts 3–4 years and is often accompanied by a scholarship.
Advantages:
- Opportunity to publish in academic journals;
- Involvement in teaching;
- Participation in international projects.
Cost of PhD: from 20,000 to 42,000 AUD per year, but most students receive RTP scholarships covering full tuition and living expenses.
Scholarships in Australia for international students
Australia offers a wide range of scholarships and grants available for students at different levels — from Bachelor to PhD.
Government Scholarships:
- Australia Awards Scholarships — Full coverage of tuition, airfare, living expenses, and insurance. Requires excellent academic performance and social motivation.
- Destination Australia Program — Up to 15,000 AUD per year for studying at regional universities.
- Research Training Program (RTP) — Support for postgraduate students (PhD and MPhil), includes tuition coverage and a living allowance.
University Scholarships:
| University | Scholarship and Conditions |
|---|---|
| University of Sydney | International Scholarships (up to 40,000 AUD) |
| Monash University | International Merit / Leadership Scholarships (up to 100%) |
| University of Melbourne | Graduate Research Scholarships (full grant + accommodation) |
| UNSW Sydney | Future of Change / Global Academic Scholarships |
| Griffith University | International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship (25–50%) |
How to get a scholarship:
- Prepare a portfolio, resume, and motivation letter;
- Maintain a high GPA (80%+);
- Applications are submitted 6–12 months before the start of studies.
Student visa to Australia
International students need a Subclass 500 visa. It allows you to:
- Study in a full-time program;
- Work up to 48 hours per fortnight;
- Travel within the country and abroad.
Required documents:
- Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE);
- Proof of financial capacity (from 21,000 AUD for living expenses);
- IELTS/TOEFL results;
- OSHC — health insurance;
- Passport, application form, photo.
Job search and immigration to Australia
After graduation, students can stay in Australia on a Post-Study Work Visa:
- Up to 2 years — for bachelor's graduates;
- Up to 3–4 years — for master's and PhD graduates;
- Up to 6 years — if studied at a regional university.
Popular professions for immigration:
- IT, engineering;
- Education and teaching;
- Medicine, aged care;
- Architecture, construction.
Immigration visas: Skilled Independent (189), Skilled Nominated (190), and Temporary Graduate (485).
Frequently Asked Questions
From 20,000 to 50,000 AUD per year, depending on the level and specialty.
Some universities do not require SAT/GMAT, but English proficiency must be confirmed.
Completely free education is only possible through scholarships — competition is high.
Yes, officially allowed up to 48 hours per two weeks, which helps cover part of the expenses.
If you have all the documents, finances, and academic justification — the chances are high.