Venturing to study abroad is, without a doubt, one of the best options to grow as a professional and have a multicultural experience. Having studied in another language, with people from different cultures, with different professional points of view, is always something highly valued when looking for a new job. In this article, we describe how you study at a University in Australia, its benefits and possibilities. Read to the end!
Firstly, you should know that studying in Australia always has a price. There are no public or free Universities as there are in other countries of the world. Especially if you are an international student, your studies may be more expensive than those of your Australian colleagues. In any case, experience and learning are highly valued so we recommend that you continue reading to find out how to study a master’s degree or university course in Australia.
Why choose to study at a university in Australia?
There are many benefits to studying in Australia. Here we list the main ones:
1 – Within the top 100 universities in the world, there are several Australian universities.
For example, The Australian National University (ranked number 1 in Australia and 22nd in the world), University of Melbourne (number 41 in the global ranking) and the UNSW in Sydney (number 44 in the ranking). After these, there are many others that are also in the ranking with considerable prestige, and many others that are not within the ranking but are also recognized and more economically accessible. If you want us to help you find the right one, contact us here.
2- As we have already mentioned in this other article, the style and quality of life in Australia also stand out within the world ranking of best cities to live.
Cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide are within the ranking, but we assure you that any city you choose will provide you with an excellent lifestyle. We believe this because of the good wages, living costs, city infrastructure, transportation possibilities, and the relaxed and modern culture that Australia generally runs. So don’t be afraid to choose a city near the sea, the mountain or in the desert! In any case, you will earn well, have a quiet and safe life.
3- When you study in Australia you do so under a Student Visa.
The good thing about this visa compared to other countries in the world is that it allows you to legally work 40 hours a fortnight while you study, and work full-time while you are on vacation in your course or program. This is so important! With this option, we assure you that you can support yourself with your income and weekly expenses, and if you get a job that pays well by the hour, you can even save and pay for your university. If you want to know more details about this visa, check out our guide with everything you need to know about studying in Australia.
4- One of the greatest attractions to study a university course of at least 2 years is the possibility of a Post Graduate Visa.
You can access this visa after finishing your studies, and it allows you to work full-time for between 2, 3, 4 and up to 5 years, depending on the city in which you study, the region where you live and the type of program you are studying. If you want official information about this visa, enter this link, or do not hesitate to write to us at info@puravidastudy.com.au. We work with migration agents who can advise you in this process 🙂 This opportunity is very important, imagine having a full-time job in Australia for so long! Not only will you grow incredibly in your professional career, but you will also be able to recover the investment you made in your studies and even plan a Permanent Residence in the country.
5- And last but not least, you are going to be studying in English.
If this is not your native language, you are going to learn it in-depth, put it into practice 100%, and you will gain this skill that will help you differentiate yourself as a professional and get a better job. In addition to English, the multicultural experience also opens employment doors, opportunities, new contacts, and will greatly improve your future professional relationships.
We could follow this list nonstop! But let us tell you how to effectively study at a university in Australia…
What do I need to study a master’s or university degree in Australia?
1- To start, you need a minimum level of English.
This is a requirement that you will be asked at any educational institution in Australia. In general, the level of English required varies depending on the degree or level of the program, but in general, we could say that you need at least a 6.5 in IELTS Academic (to have a reference). You can take other exams, such as Cambridge and TOEFL, but always check with the institution of your choice which one is necessary and its minimum grade. If English is not your thing, remember that there are also very good English courses in Australia that you can take before starting your university career.
2- Meet the requirements of the University.
And which are these? Well, basically it will depend on the program you study and the institution. In general, the basic requirements are title/certification of your previous career (or of your completed high school / higher studies if you are going to do a Bachelor’s degree), certificate of grades from your previous career, a resume with your experience, motivation letter about your chosen course and university, and letters of recommendation from former employers. All of these papers must be written in English and some officially translated by a translator. Check on the website of the university the necessary requirements, and head to gather these papers with time! They are not always easy to collect and prepare.
3- Pay in advance for the first semester of college.
This is generally how all colleges are run here, they are paid every semester. So you must have this money together for them to be admitted. To make this calculation, keep in mind that depending on the study and the institution, a university degree can cost you from $ 20,000 AUD to $ 45,000 AUD per year. If you want a more accurate quote, write to us at info@puravidastudy.com.au
4- Once you are accepted into the University, the next step is to apply for your Student Visa.
To see these steps you can contact us at info@puravidastudy.com.au or read this guide with everything you need to know to study in Australia.
How to get a Scholarship in Australia to study?
The million-dollar question! Yes, there are, but it is not easy to find and apply to them. First of all, we recommend that you go to the page of the University you are interested in and look for the list of “Scholarships” on its website. In general, the list is very long and even includes scholarships from the Australian government. Carefully review each link until you find the one in which you meet the requirements.
Another way is to contact the university in your country since there are certain agreements between universities that may serve you, as well as own initiatives of the government where you live.
The best known Australian government scholarships are Endeavor, but remember that they are also very competitive!
Basically googling a lot! It is not easy, but it is not impossible!
What is life like for a university student in Australia?
If you come from countries like Latin America, you will surely find in Australia that the educational experience is very different. Perhaps, education in Australia can be more similar to studying in the US. Basically, you can study in semesters or trimesters, depending on the program. Each semester you must complete at least 4 units/subjects, or the equivalent of their credits depending on the university. You don’t go to class every day, even if you are a full-time student. In general, the level of classes per week is lower, but the workload at home is much higher. We recommend that you ask the university to put you in touch with a student or former student of the course you have chosen so that they can tell you about their experience in person.
Each university has a portal where it centralizes all the studies, materials, and communications to the students, with which you can keep abreast of everything. They also have student offices where they will help you with everything you need, from registering for your classes to understanding payments and their deadlines.
Even if you are studying in Australia, you can also participate in exchanges with other countries! So check with your university, maybe some semester you can walk around Hong Kong, Japan, or somewhere in Europe? They have quite a few good relationships with institutions in other parts of the world so take advantage of them!
All international students, despite studying full-time, can and do have enough time to work part-time. So don’t be afraid to look for a job while you study, it will help you a lot to pay for your life in Australia and maybe it can even be useful to find job options and build your networking when you finish your studies!
On vacation, take the opportunity to travel! In Australia, you don’t need much more than a car and a tent to go out and explore every corner! From activities and cultural trips to a little more adventurous plans in nature, Australia has everything and for everyone. Search our blog for possible places you can visit! Our blogger community loves to travel, so read their experiences!
If you want to hear the experience of studying a Master in Sydney, listen to this chapter of the Podcast where Fernanda, from Chile, tells a bit about her experience. Or read about it on our blog, by clicking here!
If you are thinking of studying in Australia remember that you can contact us through info@puravidastudy.com.au. Our advice is free and we work hand in hand with immigration agents who can guide you if you want to be in Australia for the long term. Remember that it is a process that takes time, so write to us today if you have this idea in your head 🙂 We are waiting for you!
Josefina
An Argentina passionate about travelling, cooking, interested in sustainability and always learning new things. After having travelled and lived in Australia, she is now studying a master's degree in Sydney and sharing her experience with all those who want to come!