STUDY IN AUSTRALIA

Swim, surf, sea-dive, guzzle cold beer, set up barbeques, and enjoy the good life! Well, this is the popular opinion about Australia. But mate, there is plenty more that Australia offers in terms of opportunity, technology, business, and career development. It is a fantastic hub of innovation, creativity, and independent thinking, promoted through its extremely well-designed higher education system. With seven out of the top 100 universities in the world, Australia is recognized as a country that offers world-class education. International students who study and live in Australia soon find that their education is challenging, fun, and rewarding. As an international student in Australia, you can expect to live, grow and learn in a young, friendly country full of opportunities.

Understanding Education in Australia

Higher education in Australia is referred to as Tertiary education and includes both higher education (including universities) and vocational education and training (VET). The various state-administered institutes of technical and further education (TAFE) across the country are the major providers of vocational education and training (VET) in Australia. TAFE institutions generally offer short courses, Certificates I, II, III, and IV, diplomas, and advanced diplomas in a wide range of vocational topics. Universities are primarily funded by the Australian Government, offering undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate courses as well as several scholarships for national and international students. Graduate education in Australia refers to Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), or Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. Students who have completed their undergraduate education are eligible to apply to graduate programs. Master’s degrees in Australia are usually awarded after two years of study. The Ph.D. is the highest academic degree amongst Australian study programs; it typically requires three to six years. Understand the Australian education system better click here.

Life In Australia

Did you know that Australia is the only country that is also a continent? Hence, owing to its large size, it has diverse environments with more than 500 national parks and over 2,700 conservation areas ranging from wildlife sanctuaries to Aboriginal reserves. Additionally, 17 of the UNESCO World Heritage sites are in Australia. It is an extremely culturally diverse country, with great variety in religion, language, history, and art. Australia is a citizen-friendly country with almost all people speaking in English. It has an excellent public transportation system and students friendly offers at cafes, museums, and several utility stores. Students from across the world converge in Australian Universities, so be sure to appreciate the diversity and learn from variety. Constructive criticism is a trait highly valued in Australian classrooms. Do not be surprised to find students having a healthy debate or argument with professors as open classroom systems are common here. Students are encouraged to think out of the box, be vocal and interact in the classroom, helping them develop their personality and free thinking. International students to be part of the community in their town by joining clubs, community sports, and welfare centers and even taking up part-time employment to feel included in the Australian way of life.

Admissions process in Australia

The admissions process in Australia is fairly streamlined.

- Standardized Tests – to determine English and academic proficiency
- University/Course Selection
- Document Preparation
- Application Review and Submission
- Receive Full or Conditional Acceptance from the University –
- Paying necessary tuition fees and receiving Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (ECoE)
- Visa Counselling & Application
- Pre-Departure Bookings and Information
- Arrival in the US and Acclimatization

Scholarship Prospects in Australia

There are many scholarships, grants, and bursaries which can help support international students financially. They are offered by the Australian Government, education institutions, and some other public and private organizations. However, the two main types of scholarships are sourced from the Australian Government and Australian Universities. Here is information about some of the major Governmental scholarships programs available for international students:

Australia Awards– The Australia Awards aim to promote knowledge, education links, and enduring ties between Australia and its neighbors through Australia’s extensive scholarship programs. The program brings together scholarships offered by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), the Department of Education and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
International Postgraduate Research Scholarships– The International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS) program focuses on improving the quality of Australian research. If you already have a graduate qualification, an IPRS scholarship lets you study in Australia with some of the best researchers in your field. The Department of Education website provides more details.
Australia APEC Women in Research Fellowship– The Australia APEC Women in Research Fellowships are open to high-achieving female researchers from APEC economies for research opportunities in partnership with Australian education and research institutions, especially in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship Awards
The Endeavour Postgraduate Awards provides full financial support for international students to undertake a postgraduate qualification at a Master or Ph.D. level either by coursework or research in any field of study in Australia. The scholarships include tuition fees, travel allowance, establishment allowance, monthly stipend as well as health and travel insurance.

Almost all major Australian Universities, such as the Universities of Adelaide, Monash, Sydney, Melbourne and many others, provide scholarships to international students holding academic excellence. To reach out to great scholarship opportunities, connect with your AEC counselor.

ELIGIBILITY EXAMS FOR AUSTRALIA

Australia does not require any entrance tests except an English language proficiency test. Students whose first language is not English are required to take the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) which is administered at the British Council in your city. The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is usually not accepted in lieu of the IELTS. The GMAT may be required by certain institutions for entry into their MBA program.

For more information on registering for the IELTS and the GMAT, please visit:

https://www.ielts.org/ and http://www.mba.com

AUSTRALIA VISA INFORMATION

In order to study in Australia, you will need to obtain an Australian student visa. You must be able to prove to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) that you meet the following key Australian student visa requirements. Before applying for a visa, you will need to obtain a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) or a Letter of Offer confirming that you have been accepted into a course registered under the Commonwealth Register of Institutions of Courses (CRICOS). The COE will be in the form of an online code that you will need to enter into the appropriate section in the online visa application. You may also need to pay a deposit towards your tuition fees.

Conditions for applying for an Australia Student Visa : The following are the top three requirements to obtain an Australian Student Visa

Proof of Funds: Financial funds covering tuition, travel and living costs for the duration of the education program has to be displayed to the visa authorities. If you have dependents (such as a spouse and children), you will also need to show evidence of being able to cover living costs for them, including school fees. Alternatively, you can show evidence that your spouse or parents are willing to support you and that they earn at least AU$60,000 a year.
English Language Proficiency: Indian students are required to take IELTS, Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic, or Cambridge Advanced English (CAE). The score required will depend on whether you are starting a full degree, doing a foundation course, or enrolling on a preliminary English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS).
Health Requirements: Some students may be asked to take a medical and/or a radiological check-up to show they are in good health (this applies, for example, to those who intend to train as a doctor, dentist or nurse). If told to do so, you must attend an appointment with a doctor who has been approved by the Australian immigration department.

Learn more about visas here:

http://www.immi.gov.au/students/students/chooser/

Visa Documents for Australia

To enable the processing of your application for a student visa, you are requested to provide the following:

Visa Application fee of A$ 719.94/- (non-refundable) to be paid by Credit card only.

Date of birth of parents and siblings along with their full name and their country of residence

Eight most recent countries visited in the past 10 years. (Name of Country, Date of Arrival and Departure from the country and Reason for visit: tourist, etc.)

Educational document from 10th std till present qualification (Scanned copy)

Valid IELTS Score Report (Scanned copy)

Work experience letter. If currently working us need the contact person’s full name and phone number from the organization.

Admission letter copy.

Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) – University will send COE after receipt of one semester tuition fee + OSHC.

Evidence of funds:

– Affidavit of Support

– Bank Statement for last 6 months.

– Bank loan letter (if applicable)

– IT Returns/ Form 16 of Sponsors for 2 years. The minimum IT Returns of Sponsors that is parents/grandparents/brother/sister should be more than 12 lakhs.

– Loan Disbursement letter

All pages of the Original passport scanned copy. Including the blank pages. Page number should be visible. The passport should be valid for at least 6 months at the time of lodgement. (File size max 4.5 MB)

Aadhar Card to create HAP ID for medicals

Statement of Purpose, outlining reasons for undertaking the proposed course of study (SOP sample attached for reference only)

Date of Medical test. Medicals to be taken. HAP Id for medicals will be provided.
OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover)

Note:

If you are showing an education loan for visa purposes then first semester fee has to be paid from the loan only and loan disbursement letter is required.
If you are showing only bank loan and not any other funds for visa then you have to transfer 1st semester fee, living expense for first year and travel expense A$ 2,200 to savings account of the student.
Student has to pay the first semester fee + OSHC to receive COE, after which only they can apply for the Visa.