Studying in Australia: Pursuing world-class education in a welcoming environment

Illustration: TBS

When Sadia began searching for a university for her Master's, she had two key criteria: it needed to provide ample resources and facilities for her major, and it had to feel like home.

Bite-Sized: Study in Australia: A complete guide for international students

So, when she ended up applying to universities in Australia, it felt like a no-brainer. 

When you ask any international student what they love about studying in Australia, they will always mention how easy it is to fit right in, despite being so far away from home, because of their diverse community.

"There are large cohorts of students from Southeast Asian countries in universities here, and these communities have helped me settle into the programme in different ways," shared Sadia.

A hub for world-class education

Australia is home to a diverse selection of world-class universities. It has 43 public and private universities, among which six are ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide. 

The University of Melbourne and the University of New South Wales are ranked among the top 20 globally, while the University of Sydney, Australian National University, and Monash University are consistently placed within the top 40 worldwide.

Qualifications and degrees from Australian universities are globally recognised. This is crucial for any international student who wants to keep the option of studying or working in a different country later on.

Australian universities offer a wide range of subjects to study—from humanities to hospitality. However, they are best known for the quality education they provide in fields such as Engineering, Accounting, Computer Science, Information Technology, and more. 

The country is also renowned for its research and development sector. From space science to physics, Australian research has ranked in 15 different fields of research. In fact in 2022, international postgraduate research students had an impressive employment rate of 85.6%.

A majority of universities in Australia are public universities–39 to be exact, reflecting the country's commitment to creating accessible education for all.

A significant portion of the universities in Australia are public universities–39 to be exact, reflecting the country's commitment to creating accessible education for all. International students are allowed to work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight, as per the terms of their visa. This allows students a source of income alongside their education.

Australia offers a diverse range of universities at different price ranges. For example, according to IDP, Charles Darwin University is an affordable place to study. Though tuition cost depends on the programme the student enrolls in, on average, it may cost them 20,000 to AUD 38,000 per year. For example, the annual fee for a Bachelor of Computer Science is AUD 31,688 for full-time study, which is half of the cost of some of the top universities. 

Nafis Fuad, an alumnus of Monash University, majored in Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, with a minor in Artificial Intelligence. 

Nafis praised his alma mater for being a supportive and resourceful institution. 

"Monash University offers excellent academic support. Additionally, their career counselling services are immensely helpful for students who have a clear vision of their professional goals. The availability of guidance tailored towards specific career pathways adds immense value to the international student experience," shared Nafis.

Starting the application process early

Admissions in Australian universities typically occur in two main sessions: the first runs from late February or early March to May or June, and the second from July or August to November.

Starting the process with an ample amount of time in hand is crucial as it allows you to prepare for the applications properly.

"Once I finalised the target university, I found that 2–3 weeks was a reasonable amount of time to complete the application process. It could take less time depending on the individual, but I strongly advise starting the process as early as possible to avoid last-minute stress," commented Nafis. 

Applicants who are starting the process from scratch should certainly keep more time in hand, at least a month, in order to take as much time needed to decide on the best universities to apply to. 

Furthermore, standardised tests such as IELTS will be required. Other tests such as GRE and GMAT are sometimes needed, depending on education level and degree—so it is best to check the prerequisites of the degree you will be applying for.

For the application process, you will need the application form or the acceptance letter, the required standardised test scores, statement of purpose, letter of recommendations, academic transcripts, work experience certificates, and financial income documents. 

Navigating the path

Shortlisting and applying to your preferred universities is only the first phase of the process. Upon acceptance, the visa application needs to be tackled.

Australia's subclass 500 student visa allows students to live and study in Australia for five years. The visa will cost the applicant AUD2,000 or approximately Tk159,596. While visa timelines are different from case to case, it usually takes approximately two months for the visa confirmation to arrive. 

Applicants, or their sponsors, need to prove that they have sufficient funds to cover the costs of living and tuition. In 2024, the financial capacity requirement was increased from AUD24,505 to AUD29,710. 

International students are allowed to work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight, as per the terms of their visa. This allows students a source of income alongside their education. 

"I actively sought part-time employment during my studies. I worked in a few roles, including at Coles, a major supermarket chain. Fortunately, I also secured a role as a research assistant at Monash Biomedical Imaging, where I developed image processing algorithms," shared Nafis.

Aside from institute-specific scholarships, the Australian government also provides scholarship opportunities to support students. Scholarships such as the Australia Awards provide financial aid to students from developing countries, including Bangladesh. 

The aim of the scholarship is to provide international students with the resources to apply their skills in their country of origin.

The government also provides research-based scholarships such as the Australian Government Research Training Programme. However, it should be noted that while these scholarships are prestigious, they are also highly competitive.