Welcome to Australia Blog

Yes, Open Universities do Exist in Australia.

If you’ve just moved to Australia and are thinking about studying, up-grading your skills or taking on a new direction in life, Open University could be an option.

Open Universities Australia was set up by the Australian government and today there are 7 universities that run open uni courses.

These are the following:

Curtin University of Technology, Griffith University, Macquarie University, Monash University, RMIT University, Swinburne University of Technology and the University of South Australia.

Anyone can enrol, there are plenty of courses to choose from and you don’t have to visit the campus. All study can be done at home with the help of CD-roms, on-line, videos etc.

You can study at your own pace and in your own timing, at least any time within 10 years of starting the course. There are four semesters each year: March, June, September and December.

From what I’ve heard the courses are cheaper but check it out at: http://www.open.edu.au/.

Is Studying in Australia a Way to Migrate?

Given that Australian degree courses are short, Australia attracts a lot of international students and it is easy to see why, but is it a way to migrate?

All Australian Universities accept overseas students and there are no quotas or restricted limits on how many or what percentage of local/international students universities can take. Million of dollars are spent in marketing and recruitment off shore and places are filled with intellects from all nations.

What do Australian’s think to this? The concerns locally are that with a wider selection of future students, universities can afford to keep their requirements high and be picky. For Australian students this makes the prospect or gaining a place at their own Universities daunting.

Some people do say it is easier to gain access to an Aussie University as an international student than as an Australian. However, this is debated.

This could be partly true due to the financial capacity of foreign students able to pay fees (shorter courses in Australia is a big pull factor). Admission qualifications for international students is case by case but students do need to be able to prove they could gain a place on a similar course in their own country, Australia is not for those who don’t make the cut at home.

Fluency in the English language is tested if a certificate isn’t provided.

There are preparation for university English language courses available locally in Australia.

Australian universities accept the international baccalaureate (IB) certificate as an entrance qualification, but not an American high school diploma, for example. You can get more detailed information from your University of choice or http://www.dest.gov.au/.

What’s the Catch?

There isn’t one and it seems to be beneficial for both Universities and international students alike.

International students do need a student visa. This is gained once a place on a course has been guaranteed. Fees do need to be paid up front, not in full but for at least half of the first year.

Students must be able to pay for their day-to-day living but can work for up to 20 hours per week.

Private health insurance is a must for all students.

To keep the student visa, students do need to have good attendance and good results.

When the courses is finished, the visa expires and it is time to say goodbye.

Many students to hope to find permanent work here, get sponsored and stay on, there isn’t a guarantee and as with many visa’s there is a need to re-apply and possibly leave the country and re-enter. Switching visas within Australia is tricky if not, from what I’ve heard, impossible.

Find out more on TAFE’s.

Whilst universities offer a range of full degree courses, Technical and Further Education (TAFE) colleges, offer courses that have a strong vocational, practical focus.

TAFE colleges are state run and are similar to universities in that they have many campuses.

The typical level of qualification sought is: certificate, diploma or advanced diploma.

Degree and university entry courses are also available at some TAFE’s.

Typical courses are: pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, trade, post-trade, technician courses, commercial and general courses to certificate level.
Courses often work alongside the industry and job that a student is in.

Study can be part-time or full-time.
Fees vary with the state or territory. and concessionary rates are means tested.
TAFE websites: www.tafe.qld.gov.au/international/living_qld/regions.html
www.tafensw.edu.au/
http://www.tafe.sa.edu.au/
http://www.centraltafe.wa.edu.au/

Quick 101 on Universities Down-Under.

18 is the typical age students go to University here in Australia. The really brilliant are accepted younger and today there is also large percentage of ‘mature’ students. In this 30 years or older age bracket, a high percentage are women.

The typical length of a degree course is 3 years, with a few being 4.

Campuses range in size but are kept relatively small by spreading over smaller campuses, 10-30 000. Often campuses specialise in a discipline.

Fees for Australian universities vary according the course but the average course is between $10-15 000 per year.

There are scholarships, some cover tuition fees, others cover living costs with others covering both. The Australian International Development Assistance Bureau (AIDAB) www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/asaw/asawhome.htm and the Department of Education, Science and Training Affairs (DETYA) www.dest.gov.au are the places to go to find out more.

The most common degrees in Australia are a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BSc).

Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MSc) are gained by those with a Bachelors degree who then go on and study for a further year in a different subject.

Students who do postgraduate work in the same subject(s) as their degree typically study for a three-year Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) research programme.

Admission
For Australian’s coming through the Australian education system, the high school leaving certificate is either an OP1 or OP2.

For overseas students, qualifications which would admit them to a university in their own country are taken into consideration, each application is individually considered.

Grants
Resident students who are studying at an official university may be able to get either a Youth Allowance or Austudy grant from the government.

Migrants however, can’t get an Austudy grants until you’ve been here for two years. If you’re following a masters or doctorate course, there are no grants here either.