Study in Australia

Head Down under and join the booming international student population at some of the best universities in the world

Sandy beaches, deep blue ocean, relaxed living, good weather and barbeques in the sun are just a few of the things that we associate with Australia. But did you know that the country has a globally recognised higher education system? It welcomes international students with open arms, and even has regulations to ensure you'll receive a high-quality education.

The cost of living is generally higher than in Europe, so be prepared for the expense. However, Australians love the great outdoors and strolling along the beach or surfing is free. In your study-free hours you can explore a variety of landscapes, from metropolitan cities and coastal idylls to rainforests and the outback. One thing's for certain, you'll never be short of places to explore thanks to the country's 20 world heritage sites.

Australian universities

The country is vast and has 43 universities located across state capitals and regional areas, so with some thorough research you're bound to find the perfect place to settle.

Institutions offer thousands of courses in a range of subjects, from science and humanities to management and engineering. The education structure mirrors that of the UK, allowing students to pursue Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees.

For a full list of Australian universities, see Study Australia.

When it comes to university world rankings Australia has an impressive track record. Nine of the country's institutions feature in the QS World University Rankings 2024 top 100. These include:

Australian National University
The University of Melbourne
The University of Sydney
University of New South Wales
The University of Queensland
Monash University
The University of Western Australia.

The country's oldest research universities comprise the Group of Eight (Go8) including Australian National University, Monash University and the universities of Adelaide, Melbourne, New South Wales, Queensland, Sydney and Western Australia.

Melbourne is the most popular student city according to the QS Best Student Cities 2023, with Sydney and Brisbane following close behind in the top 30. Adelaide, Perth and Canberra also feature in the top 40.

The academic year usually starts in February, but this can vary depending on your institution and level of study.

Study Options

The official free application support service for students wanting to enrol at Australian universities. They can answer any questions about entry requirements, course details, costs, student visas and student accommodation.

Degree courses in Australia

Bachelors programmes typically take three years to complete (four years for an honours degree). They're generally split into two semesters, although some universities offer three.

Entry onto Australian higher education programmes is competitive and to gain a place on a course you'll need a high school leaver's certificate or equivalent. You'll also need to prove your level of English proficiency if it's not your first language.

Additional entry requirements for some programmes may include the successful completion of work experience, a portfolio or audition. It's best to check this with your chosen institution.

Masters degrees

Australian Masters follow a similar format to those in the UK and usually take one or two years to complete. Qualifications awarded from Australian institutions are globally recognised and well respected by employers, putting you in a good position upon graduation.

Institutions in the country offer a range of taught and research-based Masters in areas such as creative arts, engineering, health, education and sciences to name just a few. Just like in the UK, you'll have the opportunity to pursue a Master of Arts (MA) or a Master of Science (MSc) degree. Courses focus on either traditional coursework (taught courses) or independent research (research courses), or a combination of both.

In Australia you'll also be able to study a 'Change of direction' Masters - for students looking to change subject pathways and a 'Professional development' Masters - for students looking to further their careers through additional training.

There is also the option to complete a Pre-Masters Diploma in some universities, for students with an undergraduate degree who want to qualify for a Masters in another field of study.

Entry requirements for Masters programmes in Australia vary depending on your university and subject, but basic requirements include the successful completion of a Bachelors degree, with most looking for students who hold a minimum of a 2:1 or 2:2 grade.

Other postgraduate qualifications on offer include:

Graduate certificates
Graduate Diplomas
Doctoral degrees.

PhDs

The Doctoral degree, or PhD, is usually a pure research degree and the highest qualification awarded by Australian universities. They typically take three years to complete and are undertaken on completion of a Masters qualification.

The Doctoral degree is a research programme made up of three components:

a review of literature, experimentation or other methodical approach to a body of knowledge
an original research project that contributes to understanding and knowledge in your field
a thesis that demonstrates a relationship between the research and the field of study.

In terms of assessment, you'll submit a written thesis, but unlike in other countries, you won't need to orally defend your work.

Student exchanges

Exchanges are possible and can be a cost-effective option, as you'll continue to pay your home university's tuition fees. To take part in a student exchange programme you must be nominated and approved by the exchange coordinator at your home institution.

The University of Nottingham has partnership agreements with institutions in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

If you study at the University of Edinburgh, you could head out to a total of six Australian universities on an exchange depending on your course of study. The University of Syndey has partnerships with The University of Glasgow and UCL. Manchester Metropolitan University offers exchanges in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Newcastle (NSW).

Check with your institution to see what links they have to Australian universities.

Course fees

The cost of higher education in Australia is among the most expensive in the world. Fees are set by universities, not the government, so the cost of postgraduate study can vary widely. International students will pay considerably more than Australian students and foreign students are also required to pay their full tuition fees before they start their course.

Despite the increased cost of study, the country remains popular with foreign students.

You can expect to pay anywhere between $20,000 to $37,000 (£10,280 to £19,018) for a Masters degree and $14,000 to $37,000 for a Doctoral degree (£7,196 to £19,018). All costs are per-year in Australian dollars.

These estimates do not include high-value courses such as veterinary science, medicine and the Masters of Business Administration (MBA), where you should expect to pay considerably more.

Funding to study in Australia

Australian institutions are big on internationalisation, so as an overseas student you're guaranteed a warm welcome as well as a helping hand. International scholarships can take the form of grants or bursaries.

Some of the major scholarship programmes available for international students include:

Australia Awards - bringing together scholarships offered by several agencies including the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).
Endeavour Leadership Programme - offers a range of merit-based, government-funded scholarships to study in Australia.
Research Training Program (RTP) - administered by individual universities on behalf of the Department of Education and Training the RTP awards grants to support domestic and overseas students studying research Masters and research Doctorate degrees.

Several Australian universities also offer scholarships to international students - for example the Monash University International Scholarships for Excellence and the University of Sydney International Scholarships. To find out what help your institution offers get in touch with the international office.

You can search for scholarships on the Study Australia website.

To help with living expenses you could also consider working while studying. Most student visas allow you to work for up to 40 hours every two weeks during term time. To make sure that you don't fall foul of the law, always check that you can work on your visa type before accepting a job offer.

Student visas

To study in Australia, you must obtain a student visa.

All international students need to apply for the student visa (subclass 500) online, which enables you to study full time in Australia in a recognised education institution. This visa lasts up to five years and costs around $650 Australian dollars (£309).

It is important to note that students on this visa are only permitted to work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight. To find out more about work restrictions on the visa, visit Study Australia's Subclass 500 visa page.

To secure one you must:

provide evidence that you've been accepted onto a course, be this a copy of your confirmation of enrolment or offer letter
provide proof of your finances
possess English language proficiency skills
have health insurance
not have a substantial criminal record.

For more details on Australian student visas, visit the Department of Immigration and Border Protection - Visa finder.

How to apply

To study a postgraduate degree in Australia you'll need to apply directly to your chosen institution online. Entry requirements vary between universities so check these details before you begin the application process. Closing dates differ depending on your course and some programmes may accept applications all year round.

To gain a place on a course you must:

submit an application form to your chosen university
receive a Letter of Offer
receive an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE)
apply for a student visa.

For your application to be successful you will need to provide evidence of:

academic achievements (transcripts, certificates)
English language proficiency
funds to support your study
overseas student health cover.

Language requirements

Programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level are taught in English. In some cases, you may need to provide proof of your proficiency in the language through a recognised English language test. You may want to consider proving your proficiency through the IELTS.

It is important to note that the skill level required by institutions can differ from the level required on your student visa application.

Comparison to UK qualifications

As the Australian higher education system closely mirrors that of the UK, your qualifications will be recognised all over the world.

If you're still unsure whether your Australian qualification will be recognised in your home country, speak to your institution for clarification.

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