Undergraduate and Postgraduate Degrees at 41 Universities!

Fast Facts

Capital: Canberra
Population: Approximately 22 million.
Size: Approximately 7.6 million square meters
Time Zone: Australia has three different time zones
Official language: English

Basic Information

Both the cultural diversity and stunning nature will give you a very unique experience while studying in Australia. The country offers unlimited opportunities to live out your dreams and wishes while still keeping you on the edge of your seat with what else it has to offer.

With a coastline just under 50,000 kilometers, overcrowding on beaches is rare. Living by the sea offers a variety of free time opportunities from water sports to adventure to simply relaxing. At the heart of Australia is the famous Outback. Though remote and vast, the Outback is also very close to urban areas. The breathtaking desert landscape and ancient rock formations are alone well worth a visit.

But the Outback is also a good place to learn more about the culture and traditions of the oldest civilization of the world- the Aborigines. Since intercultural exchange is part of daily life in Australia, international students are well supported. The Australian higher education system has a very good reputation and is of high quality.

Australia’s Higher Education System

Australia has 41 universities all of which are routinely accessed and evaluated by governmental authorities to ensure a high education standard. Students are directly involved and asked to participate in discussions and projects.

Studying in Australia is divided into two parts: undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. An undergraduate degree normally takes up to three years to complete and a postgraduate degree takes another one to two years. Many universities also offer an Honors Degree, a year of specialization done once an undergraduate degree has been obtained.

However, students can also gain a postgraduate diploma after completing the undergraduate degree which can be recognized as one year of a postgraduate degree. For international students, it is popular to study for one or two semesters abroad in Australia. (Semester Abroad program). However, Australian universities do also offer excellent LL.M. programs in a variety of specialist fields.

Beginning of Semester

Most Australian universities offer the semester system and only a few the trimester system. In addition, many universities also offer summer sessions. A semester normally lasts from February till June and from July to November..

Visa

A student visa is required for any stay longer three months. Stays over 12 months require an additional medical examination by a panel doctor of the Australian government. You can also apply for a Working Holiday Visa for your semester abroad. However, this visa has a variety of restrictions which must be followed. For further information:www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/417.
Details on the 4-month-regulation:www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/417/obligations.htm

Health insurance

As a pre-requisite for the Student Visa, most students from Europe are required to have Overseas Health Insurance (OSHC). However, students from Norway and Sweden are not required to have OSHC. Most universities arrange the insurance for their international students and charge 300 AUSD per year on top of tuition fees. Having an additional insurance is recommended as the OSHC will only cover a certain percentage of medical costs.

Study-Work:

 A student visa allows you to work up to 20 hours a week during the semester and an unlimited amount during the semester break. To do so, you are only required to have a Tax File Number (TFN) which can be applied for online at: www.ato.gov.au

Transport

In cities, the public transport system is well established. As Australia is a big country, it is often necessary to travel by plane. However, flights are generally not expensive and airlines often offer a variety of discounts or special offers. Traveling by train takes more time and is not particularly cheap, but it is still popular as a means to travel from North to South on the scenic routes.

Traveling by bus is affordable and a good way to get around. Plenty of companies offer transnational busses and special deals, with Greyhound being the most popular. Please note that it is always important to plan enough time for your travels as the country is very big. Some students also decide to buy a used car which they sell before returning home.

Living

You can either live on or off campus. Most students opt to live off campus. Prices vary according to location and lifestyle. Universities offer support in finding places, however, we suggest you first find temporary accommodation before leaving for Australia. Australian universities give good service to international students and it is possible to be picked up from the airport by the universities.

The accommodation service staff will help you to find a good place to stay and an international orientation week is offered at the beginning of each semester. University staff will also help you with academic and personal enquires no matter what the problem any time during the semester. The overall study conditions in Australia are also excellent. Libraries have long opening hours, all universities offer internet access and hotspots and additional good facilities.

Good to Know

The indigenous people of Australia, the Aborigines, have the oldest culture in the world and have been living in Australia for more than 40.000 years. Modern Australia is multicultural with more than a hundred different ethnic groups. Australians are known for their hospitality and, in terms of good climate, it can’t be beat. Outdoor activities are an integral part of the Australian way of life. With more than 500 national parks and 470,000 kilometers of coastal landscape, Australia offers a great variety of choices.