Education in Australia is distinguished by high academic standards and offers opportunities for successful career growth. Along with educational institutions in the United States and Great Britain, universities in Australia are among the top 100 best universities in the world. The country has a large influx of students from abroad, who are attracted not only by high-quality education, but also by the modern cities of Australia, its wildlife, and unique wildlife.
Australian educational model
The structure of the Australian education system is based on the English model:
- The government funds and sets common standards.
- The organization and control of the learning process in the school is the responsibility of representatives of specific states.
- Universities are autonomous organizations, management functions are entrusted to the university council (senate), which includes teachers, students, state officials, and entrepreneurs.
You can get acquainted with the education system in the UK by reading the article “Education in the UK: Tradition, Innovation and Opportunity”.
For children of preschool age (4-6 years old) there are kindergartens (clubs), which you can visit if you wish. At 5-6 years old (depending on the state), children are sent to school, where for 13 years they pass the following stages of education:
- kindergarten class (1 year);
- primary school (grades 1-6);
- secondary school (grades 7-12).
Australia is dominated by public schools. There are private ones, some of which belong to the church. At the end of school, students take final exams, the results of which determine the receipt of a place at the university.
The vocational education sector is represented by institutes and colleges.
Higher education institutions offer programs aimed at obtaining bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.
For more information on how the education system in Australia works, see the article “How to get education in Australia”.
Admission rules
Russian applicants, as well as graduates from Ukraine and other CIS countries, cannot immediately enter Australian universities after school. This is due to the fact that in Australia the term of study at school is 12 years, and in the post-Soviet countries - 11. Therefore, you need to get a diploma of secondary special education or have a school certificate and finish the first year of the university in your home country.
You can take an annual Foundation preparatory course, which includes the study of English, specialized subjects, and the development of academic skills.
One option is to go to university through the Navitas Pathway program, which some Australian universities offer to foreigners. Students do not waste time in the preparatory year, but immediately begin their studies in the first year of the university in favorable academic conditions.
The procedure for admission to the university is simplified as much as possible, there are no entrance exams. Enrollment in a particular course depends on the level of academic performance of the applicant.
Preparation for admission must begin at least 9 months before the start of training. It will take time to agree on various issues with an Australian university, prepare documents, and pass additional tests (if necessary).
Some programs require a portfolio, audition, interview, or testing.
The application period depends on the specific institution and its curriculum. In most universities, papers can be submitted within the following deadlines:
- no later than November-December, if enrollment is carried out at the beginning of the academic year (February);
- no later than May-June, if studies start from the second semester (in July).
Acceptance of documents for the magistracy begins a month earlier. The application is submitted directly to the university. Through the national service Universities Admissions Center (UAC) -uac.edu.au, an international student can apply in the following cases:
- completed training in preparatory courses in Australia;
- has an international diploma of completion of a bachelor's degree;
- holds the New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement.
Consideration of applications is carried out within 1-1.5 months. After enrollment, you must apply for a student visa.
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List of documents
The standard package of documents includes:
- international certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, other analogs), confirming the level of English proficiency;
- school certificate or bachelor's degree, extract with grades;
- letters of recommendation from school teachers or university professors;
- a motivation letter containing information about the applicant, his achievements, the reasons why this university was chosen;
- student resume (at the request of the university);
- identity document.
The papers must be translated into English by a translator accredited by the National Accreditation Body for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) - naati.com.au, or a government agency providing translation services in the applicant's home country.
Additional tests
To enroll in some courses, you will have to pass an additional entrance test. Its purpose is to test the applicant's ability to think logically, solve problems and make the right decisions. Applicants will be asked to pass the following tests:
- SAT / ACT - for those who enroll in undergraduate programs;
- GRE / GMAT - applicants for master's and doctoral studies;
- UMAT - when enrolling in university medical schools for a bachelor's degree;
- GAMSAT - upon admission to medical master's programs;
- LSAT - taken by those who go to study at the Faculty of Law.
Features of Australian universities
You can get higher education in Australia at 39 universities, of which 37 are public and 2 are private. There are also advanced training colleges in the country, which also train highly qualified specialists.
The most famous universities in Australia can be divided into two groups:
- The G8, or Group of Eight, brings together the country's leading universities. It includes the Australian National University, the University of Melbourne, the University of Adelaide, the University of Queensland, Monash University, the University of New South Wales, the University of Western Australia and the University of Sydney.
- The Australian Technology Network is home to 4 of the most innovative universities offering the highest quality technical education: University of Technology Sydney, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), University of South Australia and Curtin University.
In the educational process, the independent activity of students plays an important role:
- There is no control over the attendance of lectures, but it is necessary to come to practical and laboratory classes.
- If the written work is not completed on time, the grade is reduced by about 10%.
- Teachers appreciate the presentation of information in the form of pictures and infographics, they do not like to read large texts.
- Repeated retaking of work, exam is allowed.
- Strict requirements are imposed on coursework, in which independent research must be set out. Plagiarism can be expelled from the university.
In educational institutions in Australia, you can get a specialty in various fields. The programs in the field of environmental sciences, medicine and biology, and media communications are popular.
In addition, Australian universities provide an opportunity to study a specialty at the following faculties:
- humanitarian;
- economics and business;
- natural sciences;
- architectural;
- medical;
- engineering and computer technology;
- education;
- legal;
- fine arts;
- art and culture.
Among students, "double degrees" are in special demand. For example, information technology and management, linguistics and psychology, business and law. You will have to study for at least 5 years.
Generally, higher education in Australia takes:
- bachelor's degree - 3 years;
- master's degree - 2 years, if bachelor's degree with honors - 1 year;
- doctoral studies - 2-3 years.
Benefits of pursuing higher education in Australia:
- an Australian diploma is recognized all over the world, which allows you to count on successful career growth in almost any country;
- training programs are developed taking into account the individual characteristics of each student;
- foreign students are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week, during the holidays - full time;
For more details on the labor market, eligibility for applicants, payroll and taxes, see the article "National Employment Standards in Australia and Average Wages in 2021".
- the best universities in Australia are located in large cities, where there are all conditions for study, recreation and sports;
- during their studies, young people get to know better the culture, natural attractions of the country, the way of life of its inhabitants.
In this regard, it will also be useful to familiarize yourself with the material of the article "Australia: the lives of ordinary people".
The quality of most educational programs is not inferior to American or English counterparts. The cost of training depends on the state, specialty, duration.
On average, a year of study at an Australian university costs A $ 15,000-25,000. Additionally, the budget should include the cost of accommodation, meals, travel. That's roughly $ 18,000.
Students live in student residences, host families, or rent housing. Dorm rooms are quite expensive, it is more profitable to rent an apartment or a house in a club.
Talented international students wishing to conduct scientific research or poor people can receive a scholarship or grant that will partially or fully cover the cost of training. The most famous scholarship programs: Australia Awards Scholarships, funded by the government, and the Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP), funded by the Department of Education.
You can read about what opportunities exist for students to buy housing in Australia in the article “Acquisition of real estate by citizens of the Russian Federation in Australia: pros and cons”.
University of Melbourne
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2021), the University of Melbourne (unimelb.edu.au) is ranked 32nd. Founded in 1853, the institution is the oldest in the state of Victoria. The main campus is located in the central area of Melbourne - Parkville.
The university has the following faculties:
- architecture, construction and design;
- art;
- business and economics;
- education;
- engineering;
- fine arts and music;
- right;
- medicine, dentistry and healthcare;
- veterinary and agricultural sciences;
- exact sciences.
Australian National University (ANU)
The university is located in the capital of Australia - Canberra. In the QS World University Rankings 2021, the Australian National University (anu.edu.au) is in 24th place. He received worldwide recognition due to the high level of training and the quality of research work.
The university leads Australia in terms of the employment rate of its graduates.
There are 7 colleges in the structure of the university, specializing in a number of disciplines. Research schools operate on the basis of colleges, for example:
- School of Social Sciences (College of Arts and Social Sciences);
- Culture, History and Language, Australian Center for China in the World (Asia Pacific College);
- Economics, Accounting, Management (College of Business and Economics);
- Computer Science (College of Engineering and Computer Science);
- psychology, public health (College of Health and Medicine);
- legal practice (college of law);
- Environment and Society, Institute of Mathematical Sciences, School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (College of Science).
University of Queensland
The University of Queensland (uq.edu.au) in Australia is one of the best higher education institutions in the country, as evidenced by its leading positions in various university rankings. The main campus is located in St. Lucia (7 kilometers from the center of Brisbane) and occupies a large area, on which there are ancient stately sandstone buildings and buildings of modern architecture, parks and lakes.
Globally, the University of Queensland is known for its revolutionary advances in cervical cancer treatment, autism diagnosis in children, and dengue fever prevention.
Students can choose the following study programs:
- agriculture and environment;
- Architecture and design;
- arts, humanities and social sciences;
- business and economics;
- education;
- engineering and computer science;
- health and social sciences;
- right;
- medicine;
- science and mathematics.
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney (sydney.edu.au) dates back to 1850 and is the oldest public institution in the country. Ranked in the top 50 best universities in the world in more than 30 subjects.
The largest campus in Camperdown / Darlington attracts attention with beautiful sandstone buildings, which house educational buildings, libraries, art galleries.
The university offers a wide range of programs at the following faculties:
- arts and social sciences;
- business;
- engineering;
- medicine;
- health sciences;
- exact sciences;
- education and social work;
- information Technology.
In university schools, students study architecture and design, music, law.
University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales (unsw.edu.au), located in Sydney, is a center of excellence in research, learning and innovation. Among his scientific achievements are HIV treatment by bone marrow stem cell transplantation, the introduction of new methods of cancer treatment, the development and creation of drugs.
The main campus of the university is located in Kensington, 7 kilometers from the center of Sydney.
The School of Art and Design is located in Paddington. The Australian Armed Forces Academy (ADFA) is located on the UNSW campus in Canberra.
Education at the university is organized at the faculties:
- art and design;
- social sciences;
- architecture, planning and construction;
- business;
- engineering;
- rights;
- medicine;
- natural sciences.
Monash University
Monash University (monash.edu) is located in Melbourne and bears the name of an Australian general who became famous during the First World War. It has been operating since 1958. He enjoys prestige in academic circles, occupying places of honor in authoritative rankings of universities.
The campuses are located in different cities in Victoria, there is an international campus in Malaysia and centers in China, Italy and India.
Students have the opportunity to choose from a variety of study programs in the arts, business, engineering, education, law, medicine and science.
University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia (uwa.edu.au) has been educating since 1911. The educational institution is proud to be included in the Shanghai ranking of universities in the world. The university is famous for research works in mathematics, astronomy and space sciences, medicine and health care, history and archeology, plant biology, geology, oceanography.
The main campus is located in the suburbs of Crawley, 10 minutes from Perth CBD and the beach. It is one of the most picturesque campuses in Australia.
On the campus there are modern research buildings, lecture and theater halls, subject laboratories. The structure of the university has faculties and schools of different directions:
- arts, business, law and education;
- humanities and psychological sciences;
- molecular sciences;
- earth sciences;
- agriculture and ecology;
- engineering and mathematical sciences;
- health and medical sciences;
- School of Indigenous Studies.
University of Adelaide (UoA)
The University of Adelaide (adelaide.edu.au) is located in the state of South Australia. It is one of the oldest universities in the country (founded in 1874). Recognized worldwide as a leading research university.
The pride of the University of Adelaide is 5 Nobel laureates, graduates and university employees who have made a great contribution to the invention of X-ray crystallography, insulin, penicillin and the Olympic flame.
Adelaide, where the university's main campus (North Terrace) is located, ranks among the cities with the highest quality of life. 
Historic sandstone buildings and modern buildings coexist on the campus. There are two more campuses.
One of them - Waite - is located 7 km from Adelaide, it houses the world famous research institute.
The other, the Roseworthy campus, is located 50 kilometers from the city. It is home to the only veterinary school in South Australia to conduct research in animal and veterinary sciences.
The university has 5 faculties, each of which has a number of schools and disciplines: arts, computer and mathematical sciences, health and medical sciences, faculty of professions, natural sciences.
Other leading universities in the country
It is worth paying attention to other universities in Australia. You can get a business education at the following universities:
- Sydney Universal Business School - ubss.edu.au;
- Edith Cowan University - ecu.edu.au;
- Charles Darwin University - cdu.edu.au.
Qualitative knowledge in the humanities gives:
- Curtin University - curtin.edu.au;
- Bond University - bond.edu.au;
- Deakin University - deakin.edu.au;
- Victoria University - uvic.ca.
Among the prestigious universities:
- Griffith University - griffith.edu.au;
- Swinburne University of Technology - swinburne.edu.au;
- La Trobe University - latrobe.edu.au;
- University of Wollongong - uow.edu.au;
- James Cook University - jcu.edu.au;
- Macquarie University - mq.edu.au.
Curious information
Some interesting facts about Australian universities:
- The oldest universities in Australia, built in the colonial era from sandstone, are united in an informal group called Sandstone Universities.
- The country's higher education sector brought in $ 32 billion in 2021.
The University of Queensland conducted the most famous experiment with dripping pitch (measured the speed of movement of a formally solid substance (bitumen). The experiment began in 1927 and continues to this day, the experiment is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records;
- Researchers at the University of Melbourne found that koalas hug trees to cool off.
- Students at the University of New South Wales have built a racing solar car called the eVe. The vehicle travels 650 km without recharging, the maximum speed is 140 km / h.
- Scientists at Griffith University have created an unusual beer that does not cause hangovers by adding a special ingredient - electrolytes.
- Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney shared their unexpected discovery, saying that weightlessness kills cancer cells. They conducted an experiment in which 80–90% of the cells died during a day in a chamber simulating microgravity.
Key points
Universities of different directions and specializations function in Australia, which allows foreign students to get a dream profession. Education in universities is expensive, but talented students can count on financial support from government organizations or directly from the educational institution.
When choosing a university, you should look at the websites of educational institutions, find out how much the tuition will cost, and compare with other universities. On the forums, you can read reviews, find out information about the peculiarities of life in a particular city and employment opportunities for students.
