Australian education providers offer world-class education. Bachelor degrees, Doctorates and post-doctoral research are offered at Universities and some other state and private institutes such as colleges and TAFE's. Of the 40 universities most are in the capital cities, with some in regional centres.
Australia is popular for students wishing to complete higher education overseas. More international students are in Australia than the UK or USA.
Course qualifications and entrance requirements
Australia has a national set of qualifications endorsed by the Government, meaning there is national and international recognition of your qualifications and education.
The types of awards offered by most institutions include:
UNDERGRADUATE
- Bachelor degree (pass): initial preparation for professional careers and postgraduate study, involving a minimum of three years full-time study. Entrance requires completion of an Australian Secondary School Certificate of Education (Year 12) or overseas equivalent, a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
- Bachelor degree (honours): may be taken as an additional year following the third year or awarded on achievement in degrees of four years or more.
POSTGRADUATE
- Graduate Certificate / Diploma: for broadening skills and knowledge gained in an undergraduate course, or the gaining of vocational skills and knowledge in a new profession. The requirement is 6 months full-time study for a Graduate Certificate and 12 months full-time study for a Graduate Diploma. Entrance requires a Bachelor Degree or Advanced Diploma and may also be accessed in part by recognition of prior learning.
- Masters degree: provides high-order overview of a relevant field. They involve two years of study after a Bachelor degree or one year after an honours degree. The Masters degree may be offered in three ways:Â Â Â Â Â coursework: comprised of coursework, project work and research. Entry requires the prior completion of a Bachelor degree, an honours degree or a Graduate Diploma.
Research: at least two-thirds research with a substantial, externally assessed, thesis. Entry requires an Honours degree or Masters preliminary year, a research-based Graduate Diploma or equivalent research experience.
Professional: may involve a work-based project. Entry requires a relevant qualification and professional experience. - Doctoral degree: recognises a substantial original contribution in new knowledge or significant and original adaptation, application and interpretation. The doctoral degree comes in two ways:
Research: consists mainly of supervised research. Entry requires a research or part-research Masters degree or an honours degree.
Professional: achieved though coursework and research. Applicants are expected to hold a combined research and coursework Masters degree or an Honours degree. The program requires professional practice experience before or during the course.
STARTING DATES
These vary, depending on the course. Higher education courses run from early March to late November, with the year divided into two semesters. Some institutions offer a trimester system and/or run summer schools from December to February.
Undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students enrol for courses at the beginning of the year (January or February). Some do allow mid-year enrolment (July). Students studying towards a doctoral degree or other postgraduate research awards may be able to negotiate an alternative starting date with their study supervisor.
Average tuition costs
- Bachelor degree: AU$10 000-AU$13 500 a year (based on arts, accounting, business and management, and at the higher range, on law courses)
- Laboratory-based bachelor degree: AU$11 000-$A16 500 (based on science and engineering courses)
- Graduate Certificate / Graduate Diploma: AU$9000-AU$16 000 per year
- Masters and Doctoral degree: AU$11 000-AU$18 500 per year
Entry requirements
Entry into most higher education courses in Australia is highly competitive. A high standard of English is required for entry into both undergraduate and postgraduate courses, although individual institution requirements may vary. Check entry requirements with the institution first.
Foundation Studies Australia
Postgraduate Australia
Master Australia
Graduate Certificate Australia
Graduate Diploma Australia
MBA Australia
PhD Australia
Undergraduate Australia
