Australia

Australia – Best choice for overseas education

Australia is a land of diversity, a melting pot of around 200 cultures with more than 260 languages spoken in the country.

It has 17 UNESCO-listed heritage sites and has been ranked the fourth happiest country in the world!

People are warm, boisterous and helpful. With around half the current population born outside of the country, or having a parent born overseas, they have a welcoming attitude towards foreigners.

Australian cities are consistently ranked among the most livable in the world. The quality of life and the infrastructure are exceptional.

Weather is moderate and pleasant in most parts of Australia where majority of the universities and colleges are located

Recent racial attacks on Indian students are a cause of worry, but these incidents are exceptions rather than the rule. It is advisable you avoid dangerous localities and don’t venture out alone late in the night.

A majority of the huge Indian student population in Australia is very happy with the overall experience of living there.

Why study in Australia?
According to the QS World University Rankings, Australia has 7 universities in the Top 100. Only the UK and the US have a higher number of universities in the top 100.
Twenty-six Australian universities feature in the top 700. In total there are 43 universities in Australia.
According to the 2012 U21 Ranking of National Higher Educational Systems, Australia has the world’s 8th best university system ahead of Germany, the Netherlands and Japan.
12+3 education system (SSC plus 3 years of graduation) is acceptable for master’s courses in Australia, unlike in the US where a total of 16 years of education is required in a majority of the universities.
According to Top University Rankings (2012), there are 5 Australian cities in the Top 30 Best Student Cities in the world based on student mix, affordability, quality of life and employer activity.
Australia has a strong and large Indian diaspora which makes it easier for Indian students to become a part of Australian life.
The Australian government strongly encourages foreign students to choose Australia as a study destination, and provides over A$200 million annually for scholarships.
This country has produced 15 Nobel laureates.
Australia is a research-intensive country. A$2.9 billion have been set aside to fund research and A$140 million to establish federal fellowships and attract international researchers.
Education sector is a top earner of foreign exchange in Australia, next only to coal, mining and tourism. This shows the extent of internationalisation and cosmopolitan nature of Australian education.
It is a land of vibrant nightlife, surfing, beaches and spectacular wildlife. It is also bohemian, creative, intellectual and open-minded.
Flexible pathways available like undertaking an English language preparation course (ELICOS) or enrolling into a vocational/training course.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) gives you flexibility in the choice of courses and also ensures your college/degree is government accredited and genuine.
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) monitor quality, and regulate university and non-university higher education providers.
Student rights are protected by law under the Education Services for Overseas students (ESOS).

Part-time work during studies

Working part-time along with your studies gives you the opportunity to acquire valuable experience in your area of study as well as earn some money. Most visas allow students to work 40 hours every two weeks during their course, and full-time during course breaks.

Student Visa Requirements

When applying for student visa, you will have to provide evidence of the following:-
Financial requirements – evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition, travel and living expenses. If you have dependents (spouse and children) travelling with you, you will have to show an evidence of being able to cover living expenses for all.
English proficiency – It is mandatory for all students to prove their proficiency in English language via a good IELTS/TOEFL score (average score 5.5 Bands).
Health requirements – Some students may have to undergo medical checkups to show they are in good health. If asked, you need to submit your test reports with a doctor’s prescription claiming your good health.
Character requirements – All students applying for the Student Visa to Australia are assessed against the character requirements which include a criminal record check and getting a police clearance, to make sure they do not have a substantial criminal record.