Studying abroad involves meticulous planning, and understanding your potential destination is crucial for shortlisting countries. The following information may help you know more about Australia and decide whether it is the right choice for your studies abroad.
(A) Pros & Cons of Australia as an Educational destination
Pros
1. Top-quality universities
Australia has 43 universities;
-
37 Public, and 4 Private universities
-
2 international universities with campuses in Australia
The Group of Eight (Go8) comprises Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, which are as follows-
-
University of Melbourne
-
University of Sydney
-
University of New South Wales
-
Australia National University
-
Monash University
-
University of Queensland
-
University of Western Australia
-
University of Adelaide
7 of the Go8’s members are in the world’s top 100 universities; all Go8 members are ranked in the world’s top 150 universities
2. Excellence in Innovation & Research
3. Rich cultural experience
4. Strong support for International Students
5. Good merit-based scholarships, though limited
6. Post study work permit for gaining international work experience
Cons
1. High tuition fees – ranges from 15 lac per annum to 35 lac per annum
2. High cost of living
3. Weather conditions
(B) Academic Intakes for undergraduate studies
An academic year at Australian universities has three intakes
Semester 1/T1 (February/March)
-
Generally preferred by domestic (Australian) students
-
Application deadlines usually fall between October and December of the previous year.
-
For international students (including Indian students), Sem 2, is preferred, as the semester start time aligns with their high school completion
-
Application deadlines generally range from April to May.
Summer Intake |Other Intakes T3 (September/Nov-Dec)
-
Some universities offer a third intake, though it is less common than the other two.
-
Application deadlines for this intake typically fall between August and September.
-
Very few courses offered during this intake
Check the official website of individual universities to find out which courses are offered during each intake period. Research well!
(C) Important Components of Undergraduate application
-
Personal information form includes:
-
Name, Address, Contact details
-
Educational background
-
Other relevant details.
-
Official high school transcripts:
-
Majority consider 12th scores, but some universities may want to see academic performance over the years
-
Predictive grades for 12th appearing students:
-
Standardized Tests: SAT/ ACT. Not every university would consider it for their application review. A good score may help secure admissions in certain scenarios to the universities where it is considered
-
English Proficiency Tests: IELTS, TOEFL, etc. These tests may not necessarily be required, depending on the curriculum and qualifications completed in high school. However, they might still be necessary for visa purposes.
4. Portfolio (for specific programs)
-
May be required for fine arts, performing arts, or architecture programs
-
Showcases applicant's work and creativity
5. Supplemental Materials
-
Additional requirements:
-
Vary by institution and program
-
For Scholarships & Awards, a student may need to write a statement.
-
Offered by some colleges during application process
-
Allows discussion of interests, goals, and experiences
For more insights, refer to our Australia Admission Insights webinar recording -
