Why | How to study in Australia? For Pakistani students

**tiger** · 01-20-2010 03:07 PM

Australia is one of the leading destinations for students who are looking to study abroad, and every year the number of international students increases. Over 500,000 international students chose to study in Australia last year. There are many factors that contribute to the popularity of Australia as a study abroad destination, with the low cost of living and tuition fees and excellent lifestyle and weather being important contributors.
Major cities include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Darwin, Hobart and the country’s capital, Canberra. The population of the country is small, at approximately 21 million, and is mostly found along the eastern and south-eastern coasts of the country, while the interior is flat, barren and sparsely populated.
An outdoor lifestyle and love of sports punctuates Australian life. With more than 80 per cent of Australians living within 50 kilometres of the coast, urban and secluded beaches are popular for leisure and holiday activities. The most popular watched sport in Australia is Australian Rules Football, with rugby, cricket, tennis, swimming, and of course surfing and yachting all popular participant and spectator sports.
Australian culture
Australia is one of the leading destinations for students who are looking to study abroad, and every year the number of international students increases. Over 500,000 international students chose to study in Australia last year, and in 2008 almost 6,000 Pakistani students chose to study there. There are many factors that contribute to the popularity of Australia as a study abroad destination, with the low cost of living and tuition fees and excellent lifestyle and weather being important contributors.
Major cities include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Darwin, Hobart and the country’s capital, Canberra. The population of the country is small, at approximately 21 million, and is mostly found along the eastern and south-eastern coasts of the country, while the interior is flat, barren and sparsely populated.
An outdoor lifestyle and love of sports punctuates Australian life. With more than 80 per cent of Australians living within 50 kilometres of the coast, urban and secluded beaches are popular for leisure and holiday activities. The most popular watched sport in Australia is Australian Rules Football, with rugby, cricket, tennis, swimming, and of course surfing and yachting all popular participant and spectator sports.

Getting around Australia
Flying time to Australia from Pakistan (Karachi) can vary between sixteen hours to Perth, to over twenty-four hours to Sydney. Emirates and Quantas offer flights to Australia via the Middle East and Malaysian Airlines, Thair Air and Cathay Pacific also service these routes. Flights to Australia often vary greatly in price, so it pays to shop around for the best fare.
Australian cities and towns have excellent public and private transportation systems, which include ferries (in coastal towns) along with trains, trams and buses. Using public transportation is often the cheapest way to get around. Some cities, like Melbourne, also have a very developed network of bicycle paths.
Because of the large distances, most Australians travel by air between cities to save time. However the country has an excellent system of roads and bus and train services.

About Australian institutionsHigher education in Australia

Higher education in Australia is marked by top quality and an excellent reputation worldwide, and for international students, it offers extremely rigorous consumer protection. This means that as a fee-paying international student, you will be guaranteed the education you paid for by law, as well as superior student support services to help students adjust to living and learning in a new country.
If you have already studied at tertiary level, the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR) recognises international qualifications. The institution you apply to will assist you in determining your equivalent
Australian qualification.
All the courses of study within Australia come under the scope of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) which simplifies the process of evaluation of the levels of study in all the universities, vocational education and training institutions and schools across Australia. The AQF allows you to move from one level of study to another as long as visa requirements are met.
The AQF covers most of the courses taken up by overseas students in Australia. However, there are some courses which are not part of the AQF, known as Bridging or Foundation courses. These courses help students meet the entry requirements for their further study and often lead to an AQF qualification.
Most of the universities in Australia are publicly funded. There are 38 publicly funded universities and 4 private ones. International students, however, pay full tuition fees which are not subsidised by the state.

Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Institutes

Technical and Further Education or TAFE institutions provide a wide range of predominantly vocational tertiary education courses, recognized internationally but approved by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Fields covered include hospitality, tourism, construction, engineering, secretarial skills, visual arts, computer programming and community work.
Individual TAFE institutions (usually with many campuses) are known as either colleges or institutes, depending on the state or territory. TAFE colleges are owned, operated and financed by the various State and Territory Governments. This is in contrast to the higher education sector, whose funding is predominantly the domain of the Commonwealth government and whose universities are predominantly owned by the state governments.
TAFE education can be used as a pathway to university or higher education. Many Australian universities count previous studies at a TAFE institution as credit towards a degree.
Private Colleges
Each year, more than 2 million students choose to study at private colleges in Australia.
Private providers offer accredited courses in both higher education and vocational study across a wide range of industries, including niche courses targeted to specific industry needs.
As independent organisations, private colleges can readily adapt to the needs of industry and students. Since many teaching staff at private colleges also work actively in the fields they teach, they are inherently aware of changes in market forces across all industries and quick to reflect such developments in their curriculum.
Many private providers have partnerships with public or private universities which recognise prior learning, while close industry ties and an outcomes driven approach often lead to job opportunities for graduates from private colleges.
Academic calendar
There are usually two semesters a year at Australian universities: late February to June (Semester 1) and July to November (Semester 2). Short, intensive summer courses are sometimes on offer between November and January.

Types of courses English language courses

If your English level is not high enough to enter a higher education course in Australia or if you only want to take an English immersion programme, you may want to attend English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS).
There are other English language programmes besides ELICOS that you can take, but the Government of Australia has an official ELICOS student visa especially for students who study one of these courses.
There are five different types of ELICOS courses:
»General English
»English for Academic Purposes
»English for Specific Purposes
»Secondary School Preparation
»Examination Preparation
There are more than 150 registered ELICOS institutions, which are monitored by the National ELT Accreditation Scheme (NEAS). You can enrol on English language courses at any time of the year, and courses usually last between four and 25 weeks.
ELICOS application procedure
Each institution will have its own application procedure. Check your preferred institution’s website for more information.

Vocational courses

Australia has a number of vocational and educational training courses (VET), which provide students with hands-on learning experiences in subjects as diverse as business administration, science and technology, art and design, and tourism and hospitality.
VET courses are offered at private colleges as well as technical and further education institutes (TAFE).
Vocational courses available to international students vary in length from six months to two years. These include Certificates I, II, III, IV; Diploma; Advanced Diploma; Vocational Graduate Certificate; and Vocational Graduate Diploma.
Eligibility criteria
»Secondary education
Entry into a VET course usually requires either 10, 11 or 12 years of secondary education. Some courses, such as art and design, may require that applicants submit a portfolio. Others may require significant work experience. You should check with your institution regarding exact entry requirements.
»English language ability
Applicants to VET courses must have prior English language knowledge. IELTS is the only test recognised by the Australian Department of Immigration for your student visa application, so it is recommended that you take this test, even if your institution accepts another form of English language proficiency.
Institutions set their own English language requirements, which may be different from the score you need to secure a student visa. To obtain a student visa for a VET course you need a minimum IELTS overall band score of 5.5 or 4.5 plus 30 weeks of English language courses (ELICOS) in Australia.
VET application process
Applications to VET courses are made directly to the institution. After you submit your application, the institution will check that there are places available on your chosen course and if you meet the academic entry requirements and English language proficiency level.
VET applications usually include:
»Application form
»Application fee
»Academic credentials, usually called transcripts. For Pakistanis this is your Intermediate Secondary Certificate, Higher Secondary Certificate or IB Diploma
»Work experience (if applicable)
»English language proficiency exam (IELTS)

Undergraduate education

The basis of the Australian university qualification is the bachelor degree. . It usually consists of three years of study. Unlike American undergraduate degrees, students start studying their chosen major right away, with little general education courses.
A bachelor degree with Honours requires an additional year of study and usually requires the student to write a thesis based on research that is done during that additional year.
Courses
Most international students will find that they have less contact hours with their professors than they may have initially expected. An Australian university education focuses on fostering creativity and independent learning.
Classes at undergraduate level will be a mixture of lectures and tutorials. Lectures are usually held in large halls and can have upwards of 200 students. Tutorials are usually held in smaller groups with around 30 students.
University qualifications
»Associate degree
This is a two-year qualification which usually follows the completion of your secondary education and can lead into a bachelor degree.
»Bachelor degree
A three-year qualification which forms the basis of university education.
Eligibility criteria
»Higher Secondary Certificate / IB Diploma / Pakistan Bachelor degree
International students are required to have completed 12 years of primary and secondary education before applying to an Australian university. For Pakistani students, this usually means you need to present your Higher Secondary Certificate or a bachelor degree from a Pakistani university. Check with your institution regarding qualifications for direct entry to an undergraduate degree programme.
»English language ability
You will also be required to submit your IELTSInternational English Language Testing System). Some universities may accept TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or Cambridge examresults, however these will not be accepted when you apply for an Australian student visa. For a bachelor degree you will need IELTS 6.0 to 7.0.
Undergraduate application process
You should start your application process anywhere from six months to a year before your intended study date in order to research the different institutions and complete your IELTS exam.
Each institution will have its own application deadline. However, to start courses in Semester 1, application deadlines are generally between September and November of the previous year. For Semester 2, application deadlines are usually between April and July. It is always a good idea to submit your application as soon as possible.
Undergraduate applications are made directly to the institution and usually include:
»Application form
»Application fee
»Academic credentials, usually called transcripts. For Pakistanis this is usually your Higher Secondary Certificate or IB Diploma
»English-language proficiency exam (IELTS, TOEFL)
»Any other additional information or portfolio work required by the specific department you are applying to.

**tiger** · 01-20-2010 03:09 PM

Postgraduate education

Graduate certificates and diplomas last between six months and one year of study. They generally provide a more intensive study of previous knowledge or new professional material. They can also be stepping stones to further postgraduate studies.
At degree level, there are two types of postgraduate qualifications in Australia: master’s and doctoral degrees.
There are three types of master's degrees:
»Coursework: consists of coursework and project work
»Research: consists of at least two-thirds research with a thesis
»Professional: may consist of a work-based project
Master’s degrees usually involve two years of study after a bachelor degree, or one year of study after a bachelor degree with Honours.
There are two types of doctoral degrees offered:
»Research: consists mainly of supervised research
»Professional: consists of a combination of coursework and research
A doctoral degree is the highest award offered by Australian universities and is usually a research degree which typically lasts three years.
Eligibility criteria
»Previous university studies
You will usually be required to have completed a bachelor degree of three years in length to enter a two-year master’s programme or a bachelor with Honours degree to enter a one-year master’s degree. Some universities also provide pathways to entry via graduate certificates or diplomas or to those who have relevant work experience.
»English language proficiency
You will have to prove you have sufficient English language ability by providing your IELTS score or other approved English language test. Most master’s and doctoral programmes require a minimum overall band score of 6.0.
Depending on the type of postgraduate degree you choose to study, especially at doctoral level, you may need to fulfil additional entry requirements such as preliminary research proposals, prior contact with a prospective supervisor and proof of correspondence as well as letters of reference, list of published works, and possibly a CV.
Postgraduate application process
You should start your application process between 12 to 18 months before your intended study date in order to research the different institutions and complete any necessary tests as well as to research potential funding and scholarship opportunities. Once you have made your shortlist of institutions you wish to apply for, you’ll have to prepare your application.
Each institution sets its own application deadline. These are usually between September and November of the previous year to start in Semester 1 and between April to July to start in Semester 2. It is always a good idea to submit your application as soon as possible.
Applications are made directly to the institution, and usually include:
»Application form
»Application fee
»Academic credentials: certified copies of original diplomas, degrees or professional titles and university transcripts (grade awarded)
»English language proficiency scores (IELTS, TOEFL)
»Personal statement where you must clearly outline your academic ambitions goals and achievements
»Recommendation letters, usually from a teacher or employer who will be able to write about your work and potential
»Some universities may require a financial statement to confirm you have the funds to cover your undergraduate education
»Some universities, especially business schools, will interview candidates internationally. University staff or alumni may conduct these interviews.

**tiger** · 01-20-2010 03:11 PM

Online courses

Online courses incorporate a range of delivery methods and many programmes can be studied entirely in your own country. You may therefore be able to complete the whole course without travelling to Australia, Singapore or the UK and the USA for workshops or seminars, while others may require some form of attendance in Australia, Singapore or the UK and USA or at local partner institutions. Check with your chosen institution to find out if the course is 100% online or if any attendance is required.
Full-time and part-time study options are usually available. With both you’ll be supported through a range of media included printed study materials and the internet, and you’ll communicate with your tutor and other students by mail, email or online via video conferencing and chat facilities.
You can study courses at every level including: undergraduate certificates, diplomas and degrees; postgraduate masters and MBA’s and professional qualifications via online learning.
Eligibility
The entrance requirements to take a online course will vary depending on the institution and the qualification you’re interested in pursuing. These requirements are designed to ensure that once you’re admitted onto a course, you’ll be able to manage your studies successfully. Most institutions will require a good standard of English language, because of the way the course material is delivered and they way in which your work is assessed.
Rankings
University rankings

There are many rankings of universities and colleges which qualify institutions on any range of factors from academic research, student performance, surveys of educators and current/prospective students. Other rankings and league tables qualify specific academic programmes or departments.
An institution’s ranking usually figures highly in the decision-making process of prospective students, however it is important to be aware if the ranking had the input or support from the institution itself.
»Times Higher Education/QS, Top 200 World Universities
»Academic Ranking of World Universities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
»Professional Ranking of World Universities, Mines Paris Tech
»Ranking Australian Universities, Melbourne Institute

Applying for an Australian student visa

There are seven types of student visas to enter Australia:
»Subclass 570 Independent ELICOS: for international students undertaking ELICOS
»Subclass 571 Schools: for international students studying at primary or secondary school
»Subclass 572 Vocational education and training: for VET students
Subclass 573 Higher education: for bachelor and associate degrees, graduate certificate, graduate diploma and master’s by coursework
»Subclass 574 Postgraduate research: master’s and PhD by research
»Subclass 575 Non-award: Foundation, bridging, or other courses that do not lead to an award
»Subclass 576 AusAID or Defence sponsored: for students sponsored by AusAID or Defence
Pakistani students at ELICOS, VET and bachelor’s level of education have been categorised as Assessment Level 4 by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Students at school level are classified as Level 3 and at postgraduate research level at Level 2. This means that you must send your application to the Australian Visa Office in Islamabad. Student visas take approximately 12 weeks to process and it is very important to submit all the information required at the time of application
To be granted a student visa you must meet evidentiary requirements and general requirements.

Evidentiary requirements
»Proof of your capacity to cover the cost of airfare, tuition fees and living costs. Your living costs in Australia are set at AUD 12,000 per annum
»Proof of your capacity to cover the cost of airfare, living costs and school fees for any dependents (if applicable)
»IELTS score
»Your personal situation in your home country, for example, personal or financial commitments that may prompt you to return home
»Your academic records
»Your previous immigration history in Australia

General requirements
»You are of good character
»You are of sound health
»You have health insurance through the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) (Australia has a special system of health cover for international students called OSHC. You must have health cover for the duration of your enrolment as a condition of your visa requirements)
»You have no outstanding debts to the Commonwealth of Australia, or have made arrangements to repay such debts
» Where you are under 18 years of age, you have acceptable arrangements for your accommodation, support and general welfare in place
For more information on the procedure, go to www.immi.gov.au/students
Additional consular information can be found at www.pakistan.embassy.gov.au
Australian High Commission in Pakistan
Constitution Avenue and Ispahani Road
Diplomatic Enclave No. 1
Sector G-5/4
Islamabad
General line: 8355 500
General fax: 282 0112
www.pakistan.embassy.gov.au

Financing your studies

The two main costs you will incur while studying in Australia will be tuition fees and living expenses.
All international students will be required to pay their tuition fees up front. Besides the cost of your course, you may also be charged for other fees such as sports facilities and library fees.

Tuition costs
Below is an outline of tuition fees for international students studying in Australia. Contact your institution of choice for more details.

Vocational
Certificates I to IV/Diploma/Advanced Diploma AUD 5,500 to 18,000 a year
ECLIOS
English language training Varies significantly
University
Foundation studies AUD 9,000 to 14,000 a year
Bachelor (e.g. arts, business, law) AUD 10,000 to 13,500 a year
Bachelor (laboratory-based) AUD 11,000 to 16,500 a year
Graduate certificate/diploma AUD 9,000 to 16,000 a year
Master's/Doctoral degree AUD 11,000 to 18,500 a year
Source: Study in Australia (http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/S...ts/TuitionFees)

Accommodation
Where you choose to live in Australia will greatly affect your living costs. International students usually live in campus accommodation, homestays or in private rental accommodation.
Costs vary greatly, but expect to pay:

Campus accommodation AUD 80 to 250 a week
Homestay AUD 110 to 270 a week
Shared private rental AUD 70 to 250 a week
Single private rental AUD 100 to 400 a week
Source: Study in Australia (http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/S.../Accommodation)
Financial assistance
To offset the cost of studying and living in Australia, there are a number of scholarships international students can apply for. Check with your institution if they have any specific scholarships for international students.
Additionally, check the scholarship database on the Study in Australia website.
Finally, the Government of Australia provides Australian Scholarships to international students. There are three programmes under this scheme:
»Endeavour Awards: a merit-based scholarship for citizens of Asia Pacific and the Middle East regions
Australian Leadership Awards: support postgraduate students and short-term fellowships
»Australian Development Scholarships: support students from Australia’s partner countries to promote good governance, economic growth and human development
Part-time work in Australia
Students who are enrolled on a full-time programme are entitled to work part-time (up to 20 hours a week) during their studies, and full-time during vacation periods.
Dependents of undergraduate students are allowed to work part-time, 20 hours a week during the entire year. Dependents of postgraduate students are allowed to work full-time during the entire year.

**pakistani** · 01-23-2010 11:20 AM

Very nice and informative thread
Keep it up

**Gilby** · 07-21-2010 06:13 AM

If you want to be recognised for prior experience in hospitality like cooking or hotel management, but you don't have the formal qualifications, you can get online recognition of prior learning. This will allow you to count life experience towards real qualifications.

**wemexperts** · 12-20-2010 09:56 AM

Hello friends it is my pleasure to share some information about Australia Study Visa with you. A student who wish to apply for Study Visa Australia must remember the basic visa requirements before applying the visa. All we know that Australia is a home of world class universities and having a strong international reputation for providing excellent quality education. Whether you study at a university, school, vocational or English language institute, you will receive a quality education that will built a strong foundation for your future success. The Australian Student Visa Programs are granted by the Australian Department Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC) which allows people from all over the world to study at Australian schools, colleges and universities whichever is suitable for them. An Australian student Visa is required for all individuals. There are various visa options available for the different needs of the students. DIAC will only grant an Australia study visa if his/her course is registered on a full time basis that must be offered by a registered Australian education provider. A young student of an age of less than 18 years must have a guardian to look after him. To determine the immigration risk the applicant is analyzed through five assessment levels. These visa requirements include English language proficiency along with means to support him financially and are increasingly stringent from assessment level 1 through to assessment level 5. Generally, a student will be issued with a multiple entry visa for the duration of his/her study course in Australia. This allows him/her to travel in and out of Australia within the period they have been granted. Members of their family (spouse and dependent children under 18 years of age) may accompany them to Australia. If they wish to extend their stay in Australia for further studies they will have to lodge an application for a further visa.
Australia has a special system of health cover for international students called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Students are required to buy OSHC before coming to Australia. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship requires you to maintain OSHC for the duration of your time on a student visa in Australia. OSHC will help you to pay for any medical or hospital care you may need and will contribute towards the cost of most prescribed medicines while you are studying in Australia.

However, if you are still not satisfied, or want to have a better perspective on this topic, you might want to have a look at this guide I have prepared some time ago. Here’s the link.""Australian Study Visa
or contact me at faisal@wemexperts.com

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