Higher studies in Australia

Australia is a land of opportunities with sunshine beaches and bustling communities. This makes higher studies in Australia a great choice for students. If you are looking to study specialised courses abroad, Australia would be a perfect match. So what makes the country of kangaroos and beautiful people so appealing for higher studies? Let us tell you just how!

A paradise for the immigrant community, the country has beautiful weather, relaxed living and many leisure activities to indulge. That’s not all; it is also the world’s third most popular destination for study overseas. Australian universities are also internationally renowned for high-quality research and training. (source)

What makes higher studies in Australia so alluring?

• Reputed institutions–The eight universities in Australia rank among the world’s top 150. This is a testament of the country’s academic excellence.
• The international community– With a growing number of international students coming in every year, the country has a diverse community.
• Great climate and high quality of life –Year-round sunshine, sprawling beaches, and being one of the world’s safest and most stable countries makes it a great place to be.
• Research opportunities – The country offers an excellent opportunity for environmental science research.
• Internationally recognised programmes -Australian Masters degrees are respected around the world. They are modelled based on the British degree system. (source)

Australia for higher studies for Indian students

Indian students rank 2nd after China in the highest number of enrolments in the Australian educational system. Indians have the highest number of applicants here to study Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses.

Indian students are also interested in pursuing courses in business and management degree programs. There are also many takers for accounting, health care, IT, hotel management and MBA in the country.

Universities in Australia offer international students a range of courses. These include associate, undergraduate, postgraduate programs and PhDs. Of the total international student population, 40% of them are doing higher education programmes.  About 18% of the rest are pursuing in English language programmes. (source)

Higher studies in Australia after B.Tech

Australian education has a three-tiered degree system. Undergraduate Bachelor’s degrees are followed by postgraduate Masters degrees. Students can continue further to research qualifications, like the PhD.(source)

While undergraduate courses last for 3 to 4 years, postgraduate programmes are of two-time spans. Postgraduate by research program extends for 1–2 years.  The postgraduate extended programmes usually go on for 3-4 years when studied full-time. Students studying here can also transfer their credits. They can also shift between study levels and institutions if required. This has to be done by adhering to the guidelines in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). It is a national policy. The AQF standards have levels starting from 1 to 10. This also includes a certificate to doctoral courses. (source)

Why choose Australia for higher studies?

Australia is a popular destination for a large student population from around the world. This is because the country is comparatively affordable. Added to this, they also offer many scholarships to international students. It makes it easier for students to find the required funding to support their living and tuition costs. Being an amicable and stable country, you can even to look to settle here with a permanent job and family. If you are thinking seriously about doing your higher studies in Australia, get in touch with MindMine Global. Let us guide you right to choose the right courses for your higher studies.

Masters degree in Australia

There are several Masters degrees available in Australia. Higher education courses are usually taken up right after your undergraduate study. There is also advanced training to boost your career or skills.

• Traditional Masters: These are academic courses that give you an in-depth understanding of a specific subject. Examples are Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MSc).
  The courses are structured to have a combination of teaching and/or research. You will conclude with a final dissertation or project.
• ‘Change of direction’ Masters is a chance for graduates to change their stream of study. By this course, they can gain expertise in a new skill.
  The courses usually start from the ground up. It gives you an understanding of the basic principles of your new subject first. This is followed by advanced training in a certain specialisation.
• Graduate entry professional qualifications are courses for candidates who have completed their undergraduate study.  These are opted by candidates who want to qualify professionally in a career in the same stream.
  These courses are best to get into a regulated profession.
• Professional development Masters are for candidates who are already working. Those who wish to enhance their career and position. The course gives additional training in a particular skill. These programmes, therefore, require pre-existing qualifications and experience. Studying these courses abroad from reputed universities can be a stand out point in your CV for promotions.(source)
  

  Why students choose Australia for higher studies

So how much does it Cost to do higher education courses in Australia?

On an average, an undergraduate degree could cost around AUD 10,000–30,000. Postgraduate and PhD degrees could cost you anywhere between AUD 20,000–40,000.

Apart from the cost of studying, you also have living expenses. Living in Australia isn’t precisely cheap. The average living cost estimated to AUD 18,000 per year. Accommodation can cost about $440 per week. Other expenses like transport and provisions could cost you $15 to $280 per week. (source)

Higher studies in Australia with scholarship

Although the courses can be expensive, a large number of scholarships available. This makes it less of a burden. Scholarships are offered to international students purely based on merit. Some scholarships cover both tuition and living expenses. Universities, colleges and many Australian government institutions also provide scholarships. You can also get financial aid for international students. Some of the well-known scholarships that can be availed by international students are(source):

• Australia Awards – students looking for undergraduate or postgraduate programmes and TAFE certificates at some of the Australian institutions can apply for this scholarship. This Scholarship cover full tuition fees, return airfare, living expenses and student health cover.
• Postgraduate Scholarships – students joining postgraduate programmes in Australian can apply for Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship Awards or International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS).
• Australian University Scholarships – renowned Australian universities help international students meet their tuition fees by offering them various scholarships, like –

1. RMIT University – Scholarships in Science, Engineering and Health for undergraduates. Postgraduates can apply for Global Leaders Scholarship.
2. Edith Cowan Scholarship –Offers an Early acceptance scholarship.
   The University of Sydney – Offers Vice chancellor’s international scholarships.
3. Deakin College – Offers Merit scholarships.
4. La Trobe University – Offers Postgraduate excellence scholarships.
5. The University of Queensland – Offers MBA student scholarship and UQ. It is an international scholarship for Indian high achievers. (source)

Who can apply for a scholarship?

Most scholarships available in Australia are available to students of all nationalities. However, all scholarship conditions are set by the institution or organisation offering the scholarship. Applications have forwarded directly to the scholarship provider. To clarify on your eligibility, you can check the website of the organisation. (source)

Great work opportunities

You can make up for your tuition fee and cost of living by doing part-time jobs in Australia. International students have been permitted to work in Australia. They can do up to 40 hours per fortnight(20 hours per week). You can also use this time to travel, get to know the country and the culture too. Post-study work visa that can be valid for 18 months to 4 years is a boon for students. By this, they can stay in Australia for work once they have graduated. Professional Year Program (PYP) allows graduates in fields like accounting, IT and engineering degrees. It gives the opportunity to gain work experience in an Australian workplace. This can boost your chances of getting permanent residency. (source)

Reasons for choosing Australia for higher studies

Australia has become a thriving destination for international students. Major cities of interest for students are Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Sydney.

What makes the country interesting?

People – The Australian folk are warm and very amicable. The country has a culturally and ethnically diverse society. It also flaunts a vibrant indigenous community with migrants from over 200 countries.

Accommodation –Students in Australia usually prefer to stay off-campus. With an efficient transport system, it is easy for students to commute daily to their universities. University campuses too, have on-campus accommodation for international students. You can do your research before choosing your place to stay. (source)

Job opportunity-The country is a land of opportunities with a need for a skilled workforce.

Engineering

Engineering professions are highly sought-after. Civil Engineering topping the list. International students can also find immense opportunities in Building & Property, Energy & Resources and Environmental Engineering. Transportation, and Water & Marine streams are also very popular. Computer science graduates and IT professionals find takers in Australia as well.

Data Science

The country has opportunities for professionals with hands-on experience in Data related sciences. These include Business Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Visualization, and Data Management.

Finance

Accounting and financial risk managers are highly in demand in the insurance and finance sectors.

Oil & Gas

Oil & Gas Engineering is another booming industry. Australia has some of the biggest reserves of coal, uranium, and natural gas. Geologists & Geo-Scientists are in demand. The country has sen a boom in the oil/gas and mineral exploration sector. Geologists also find employment in the renewable energy field.

There is also a skill shortage in Electrical Engineering and Mechanical & Industrial Engineering. Significant salary packages are also awaiting those in Telecom and Cable & Media. There are also hefty pays for the field of Hospitality and Banking. (source)

Climate – Beautiful, sunny weather makes it a great tropical place to live. The climate does vary from north to south. It depends on where you live, but it is pleasant most of the time.

City life –Cities like Sydney and Melbourne are buzzing and vibrant places. Most universities are located in urban or suburban areas. You can indulge in recreational activities and visit several spectacular places in the country. Look out for Uluru, Fraser Island, Whitehaven Beach for weekend travels. The Great Barrier Reef is undoubtedly, as must-see destination.

Food and drink – From seafood to native produce and a lavish spread of drinks, food will be a delight during your stay here. You can experiment with local dishes. The staples here are mutton, meat pies, lamb chops and barbecues.

Wildlife-Australia is home to several unusual species of reptiles, birds and other animals. You can experience them on your journeys across the county on weekends. (source)

Higher studies in Australia for Indian students

Let us discuss the entry requirements for higher studies programmes. Most masters programs need a relevant undergraduate/bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) in Australia. Consult with your university in case of doubts. Mindmine can also help you with the eligibility of your existing qualifications.

The required standard for undergraduate qualifications will be different depending on the programs you choose. Most universities have a high standard of UK 2.1 or higher. This is roughly equal to a GPA of 3.0 or better in the USA. You can ask for your home university to give you your GPA calculated certificate to convert CGPA to GPA.(source)

Statement of purpose for higher studies in Australia

The statement of purpose SOP is a necessary document to pursue higher studies in Australia. It indicates a strong research interest. It also talks about your potential for advanced research. The SOP should span 2-3 pages with approximates 800-1000 words. It should not be generic. SOP should specifically talk about why you are the best fit for your course at the selected university. It mainly consists of 4 parts:

• The motivational story: This talks about why you are interested in pursuing this particular course at this university. You can talk about your skills and knowledge that make you eligible for the program.
• Education- Enlist your details of education and relevant qualifications for this course. You can show your graduation degree, your score and details of your university.
• Professional experience- If you have work experience, elaborate on it. If you are looking to improve your career with the course you are applying to, speak about it.
• Short and long-term goals-Write about your goals as part of doing studies in Australia. Speak about enriching your knowledge and job opportunity as a short term goal. Inform them of the possibility of settling in the country as a long term goal. These goals depend on what your purpose for studying in Australia is.
• Non-academic interests/volunteering: Amplify your persona by talking about charitable and voluntary work you were involved with. Holistic learning, participation in co-curricular activities and volunteering will give you an extra edge over others.(source)

Why this University?

Here you will specifically need to talk about why you choose your particular university. You will also elaborate on what you expect to gain from here.

What makes you are a great fit for the school?

You will have to write about how you are qualified and well suited to be part of the university. Write about giving back to the institution. You can even pitch how you would wish to become a faculty there in the future.

Conclusion

End your story with a banging conclusion about your ambitions. Talk about your commitment towards your goals. This assures the committee of your interest in studies.

The SOP always needs to be should be written in reverse chronological order. (source)