The Aussie Edge

Australia has produced 15 Nobel prize laureates. Roughly over 1 billion people every day around the world rely on Australian innovations and discoveries – including IVF, ultrasound, penicillin, the Bionic ear, Wi-Fi, Black Box Flight Recorders and cervical cancer vaccines.

Education System

Australia offers various study options for students with 22,000 courses across 1,100 institutions to choose from. Students have an option of studying at all levels from primary and senior secondary level schools, to vocational education and training (VET), from ELICOS (English language course) to higher and further education (including both universities and colleges). Depending upon the size of a university and teaching pattern, teaching generally takes place in large group lectures and small group tutorials.

Tertiary education

Tertiary education includes both higher education (including universities) and vocational education and training (VET).

Australian Qualification Framework

The Australian education system is distinguished from many other nations by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). The AQF was established in 1995 and is a national policy that includes qualification from the tertiary education sector (higher education and vocational education and training) in addition to the school-leaving certificate; the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Reference, and for more information visit: https://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/english/australian-education/education-system

Work rights for international students

International students are authorized to work part-time up to 40 hours per fortnight while studying or full-time in the holidays, depending upon your visa conditions. They cannot work until they have commenced their course in Australia.

Universities

Fast facts about universities There are 43 universities (40 Australian universities, two international universities and one private specialty university) All universities are ranked among the world’s best by discipline

1. Universities are state funded except the private and international ones
2. ESOS Act safeguards the interest of international students
3. Australian government agency (TEQSA) monitors the quality of education
4. They offer courses right from certificate level to doctorate level
5. They are research based – both applied and basic
6. The academic course commences in February - March and ends in November
7. Some have mid-year intakes (July) also
8. 7 of the top 200 universities are based in Australia

List of Australian Universities state wise

Australian Capital Territory

• Australian National University
• University of Canberra

New South Wales

• Australian Catholic University
• Charles Sturt University
• Macquarie University
• Southern Cross University
• University of New England
• University of New South Wales
• University of Newcastle
• University of Sydney
• University of Technology, Sydney
• Western Sydney University
• University of Wollongong

Northern Territory

• Charles Darwin University

Queensland

• Bond University
• CQ University
• Federation University
• Griffith University
• James Cook University
• Queensland University of Technology
• University of Queensland
• University of Southern Queensland
• University of the Sunshine Coast

South Australian

• Carnegie Mellon University
• Flinders University
• Torrens University Australia
• University College London
• University of Adelaide
• University of South Australia

Tasmania

• University of Tasmania

Victoria

• Deakin University
• Federation University of Australia
• La Trobe University
• Monash University
• RMIT University
• Swinburne University of Technology
• University of Divinity
• University of Melbourne
• Victoria University

Western Australia

• Curtin University
• Edith Cowan University
• Murdoch University
• University of Notre Dame Australia
• University of Western Australia

Fast facts about Technical and Further Education (TAFEs)

• There are more than 50 TAFEs
• They are in partnership between governments and industry
• Small classroom size
• TAFEs are Covered under ESOS Act
• ASQA monitors the quality of education delivered
• Usually, they have two to three intakes during the year
• Competitive tuition fees
• They offer certificate levels, diplomas, advanced diplomas and top-up degrees

List of TAFEs

• https://bettereducation.com.au/TAFEList.aspx

Cost of Studying

The cost of study varies considerably depending upon the university/college, city, study level and subject. Generally, courses in areas such as engineering, health science and medicine remain at the higher end of the scale.

Tuition Fees

According to Study in Australia, the official government website for international students, the annual tuition fees are as below:

• Bachelor’s degree: AU$15,000 to AU$33,000
• Master’s degree: AU$20,000 to AU$37,000
• Doctoral degree: AU$14,000 to AU$37,000

These figures indicate an average fee range at universities and do not include high-value courses such as medical degrees or veterinary, which could cost significantly more. For specific amount of tuition fees for your course, please visit the website of the relevant university and course. The offer letter of university/college/Tafe reads the exact amount of tuition fees.

Living costs

According to Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP), the student must demonstrate the financial capacity to cover the 12-month living cost. The maintenance cost as per the government’s directives keeps changing with time and therefore, please keep visiting the website of government. As on 1 February 2018, in order to be eligible for an Australian student visa, you will need to show the below mentioned amount:

• Student or guardian: AU$20,290
• Partner or spouse: AU$7,100
• Child: AU$3,040
• School aged child: AU$8,000

Travel costs

In addition to the living and studying costs, the student also needs to demonstrate the sufficient amount of funds that he can cover the trip to Australia for his education. Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) puts a specific figure for travel cost which is AU$2,000 for each applicant included in the visa application.

Health and Safety

International students must buy overseas health coverage (OSHC) to cover all types of medical conditions and exigencies. Generally, universities or colleges have alliances with the medical insurance companies and they arrange the OSHC on your behalf. The purchase of OSHC does not fall in line with the requirement of the 12-month option. You will need to purchase your insurance policy for the full length of course. For example, if your prospective course is of two years of length, you will need to demonstrate funds for the first twelve months, but you will need to buy OSHC for the two-year length.

Visa Requirements

Your Skyler counsellor will explain you about visa requirements for your Australia application. In order to succeed in your student visa application, you must demonstrate your genuine intent to study, have enough financial support to pay your tuition fees, maintenance expenses and air tariff. Your visa application will be lodged electronically. You will need the following documents to lodge your student visa application:

• Visa application form (your counsellor will help you complete the form)
• Visa application fees
• Offer letter
• Electronic confirmation of enrolment (ECOE) issued by your school
• Valid passport
• 4 photos (size 35mm*45mm, preferably in the white background and matte finish)
• Medical confirmation receipt
• Statement of purpose
• Academic credentials
• Proof of funds (your counsellor will detail you fully)
• IELTS/PTE/TOEFL mark card
• Job credentials if applicable
• Any document/evidence applicable to your background (your counsellor will guide)

Once your application is lodged, the system will automatically generate transaction reference number (TRN) on your application. You will receive the decision on your application electronically. Australia issues a label-free visa.

Scholarship Awards

It is not a new revelation that the US is one of the most expensive countries for an education destination, but do not let that pull you off. Because, there are ways to secure funding in various forms of scholarships, assistantships and grants. The only important factor to access to such funding, you need to be organized and on the lookout for various schemes offered by the government and university/college. When evaluating your options of studying, it is common to distinguish between the ‘sticker price’ (the published rates) and the amount actually you pay once all the financial aids and sources of funding are taken into consideration. For example, the top-notched universities with the highest sticker prices offer the most generous funding opportunities. At Caltech, almost 98% of graduate students and 99% of doctoral candidate receive full financial support, while 60% of undergraduate students receive the financial aid. Similarly at MIT, which is one of the highest ranked in the US and the world, more than 90% of undergraduate receive financial aid. Similar figures are seen by the leading US universities, with forms of support including grants, scholarships, assistantships and work-study schemes. Here is the section of US scholarship awards for international students:

Government-funded US scholarships for international students

• Fulbright Foreign Student Program
• Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program

Non-governmental US scholarship awards for international students:

• Abbey Road Summer Scholarships
• Civil Society Leadership Awards
• The Next Gen Scholarship Fund
• Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship
• Asian Women in Business Scholarship Fund
• Chicago Booth School of Business
• Cornell University Tata Scholarship
• Fulbright-Nehru Research Fellowships
• S.N. Bose Scholars Student Exchange Program for Indian Students
• Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowships for Indian Students
• Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships

For Asian students

• East-West Centre Scholarships and Fellowships
• Japan-United States Friendship Commission
• Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program

For female students

• AAUW International Fellowships
• MIT-Zaragoza Women in Logistics and SCM scholarship
• Bat and Ball Game Women’s Sports Scholarship

For graduate students:

• Rotary Peace Fellowships

For students from developing countries:

• Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program
• MasterCard Foundation Scholarships

University-specific US scholarship awards for international students:

• American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship
• Brandeis University Wien International Scholarship Program
• Clark University Global Scholars Program
• Emory University Needs-Based Scholarship Program
• Harvard University Scholarships
• Illinois State University International Awards
• Iowa State University International Merit Scholarships
• Michigan State University International Scholarships
• New York University Wagner International Scholarships
• University of Arkansas International Scholarships
• University of Iowa Scholarships for International First Year Students
• University of Minnesota International Excellence Scholarships
• University of Oregon International Scholarships
• University of Wisconsin Superior Non-resident Tuition Waiver Program