We offers more options than other regional alternatives (such as Hong Kong and Singapore). It’s a popular destination for international students from all over the world for a number of reasons:

• It offers world-class education at a fraction of the cost of the US.
• It provides more flexibility in specialization compared to the UK.
• It has a diverse population and the potential to stay and work after studying.

Here are a few things for you to bear in mind as we go through the guide to applying to university in Australia:

1. As a country, Australia is huge, but the universities are clustered mainly on the coastal cities, with a couple of notable exceptions. Australia’s coastal cities are very far from one another. This means that just because your friend is going to Australia doesn’t mean you’re likely to see them! Even Melbourne and Sydney, which look comparatively close on a map, are a flight away from each other.
2. The cities that several universities are in (e.g. Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide) are widely considered to be some of the most pleasant ‘liveable’ cities in the world.
3. Similar to Canada, Australia can be seen as a hybrid between the flexibility of the US university system, and the specificity of the UK university system.
4. Australia’s university system is not centralised, so the requirements and deadlines will vary from university to university.

Why Study in Australia?

Quality & International Recognition

Australia is gaining a strong reputation in academic excellence. At the time of writing, 5 Universi­ties in Austraia (over 10% of the total number!) are recognised in the world’s top 50 by QS, and 9 in the top 200. Research and Innovation Australia is in the top 10 countries for government spending on research and development (0.71% of GDP), and publishes around 250,000 scientific papers in a decade. This puts it at the forefront of new technology and innovations.

Not so Test and Transcript-Heavy! The Australian admissions system, similar to the UK and Canada can be good for ‘late bloomers’ compared to the US. If your test scores weren’t so hot in grade 9 and 10, but they’ve been getting stronger and stronger in recent years, you can still get into a top university in Australia because more recent grades are typically given more weighting compared to the US dmissions process. Australian universities do not require SAT or ACT, so if your skills aren’t best shown through those tests, Australia could be a great option for you.

Work While You Study When you study in Australia, you get a student visa - this allows you to work up to 20 hours a week, which means you can help to fund your study and potentially get work experience in areas you are interested in. This can be particularly helpful since Australia’s minimum wage is over US$13 (AU$18).

Admissions Requirements

Completed Application Form

Each university has its own process and form, so unfortunatley you’ll need to fill these out separately.

Academic Documents

If you took them, submit original certificates (GCSE or AS) for middle year exams. Predicted grades for IB/ A Level in an official letter from your school. If you are applying with your final results then you will need to provide your original exam certificates.

Language tests To ensure your English language is at the right level to benefit from university in Australia, you may need to take a TOEFL (580-600) or IELTS (usually 6-6.5).

Personal Statement

Although these are not mandatory, they’re recommended to help you stand out from the crowd by highlighting why you are a good fit for the program, and to highlight any achievements outside of the classroom.

Student Visa

You can apply for a student visa once you are accepted onto a registered course (this essentially means any provided by a recognised university).

Evidence of Financial Capability

Australian degrees are expensive for international students, with fewer financial support options compared to Canada or the US. Australian universities typically require evidence that you/ your family have the financial resources to cover return airfare, tuition costs. Loans, parent financial history, and bank accounts are considered as evidence.

Additional Requirements

• If you are applying to study medicine or dentistry, you will be required to sit an admissions test.
• For creative programs such as art or music, you may be required to submit a portfolio or perform a piece.
• You may need to provide health references and/or health insurance coverage proof.

Double-check the requirements for the universities you are applying to to avoid any surprises!