8 Reasons to Study in Australia
Australia's world-class universities make it an ideal destination for students looking to jumpstart their career. Here are 8 reasons why you should study in Australia.
- Study Abroad
"You feel free in Australia," wrote the English novelist and poet DH Lawrence. "There is great relief in the atmosphere – a relief from tension, from pressure. The skies open above you, and the areas open around you."
Today, young people from every corner of the globe are following in Lawrence's footsteps in search of a different kind of freedom.
While Australia will always be an iconic spot for thrill-seekers and romantic travelers, its world-class universities make it an ideal destination for international students looking to get the skills they need to launch a successful career.
A lively and diverse student body
Australia welcomes over 700,000 international students every year. This includes a large number of students from the USA and Europe, while an increasing number of Chinese and Indian students are also heading down under for an academic adventure. You'll also meet lots of people from the Philippines, Singapore, and Japan. Uttam Kumar has a popular blog detailing his experience as an international student in Australia. He writes, "It's been fun meeting new people from all over the world with different value systems, cultures, and beliefs. We have a lot to share with each other about all these matters."
It’s a great place to live and work
Australia offers an excellent standard of living. Firstly, there's the weather; Australians enjoy around 250 days of mood-boosting sunshine every year. What's more, all of the most popular cities for international students are within walking distance of the beach or harbor. These are perfect places to unwind at the end of a long day or even during a break between lectures.
Australia scores highly on all the OECD quality of life metrics. These include safety, community spirit, equality, education, and sustainability. It also has a booming start-up economy, which encourages large numbers of students to settle in Australia after graduation. Anyone interested in launching a venture should head to Sydney's Silicon Beach area. Brisbane, Perth, and Melbourne also offer lots of opportunities to ambitious entrepreneurs.
World-class universities
Australia has 37 universities, six of which made it into the top 100 of the Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2021. At number 30, Melbourne University ranked highest of all. The University of Sydney and Australian National University just missed out on the top 50, ranking 51st and 59th respectively. The University of Queensland comes next (62), followed by Monash University (64), and UNSW Sydney (67.)
These world-ranking schools have enabled Australian scholars and postgraduate researchers to lead the way in revolutionary research projects. Australian scientists developed penicillin into a widely available medical innovation that saved millions of lives. They also carried out some of the first observations using advanced telescopes. The data they collected proved the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate.
Globally recognized qualifications
A degree from a top university in Australia can be a passport to work anywhere in the world.
All the best schools offer globally recognized qualifications, including MD programs, tech degrees, postgraduate awards in engineering, and MBAs. The majority of these courses are regularly updated using feedback from industry-leading experts. This ensures you're always learning the skills you'll need when it comes to applying for a job or starting a career.
Karen Roldan studied business at Bond University after moving to Australia from the Philippines. She now feels well equipped to pursue her ambition to become an entrepreneur. "We were encouraged to demonstrate or showcase what we learned through actual application rather than taking exams or quizzes," says Karen. "It helped me grow as a person, improve my communication skills, and brought out my independent nature. I discovered a lot about myself!”
Early adopters
Australia has a reputation for being an early adopter of the newest technologies. It entered the year 2000 with the highest rates of internet access per capita and continues to be one of the biggest investors in technology research.
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) is Australia’s largest government research and development agency. It's also one of the world's biggest and most diverse research institutions, overseeing 750 research projects in more than 80 countries. These include initiatives in sustainable energy, agribusiness, and artificial intelligence.
The CSIRO is also funding the next phases of space exploration, including asteroid mining. It recently hosted the Off-Earth Mining conference, where experts discussed the mechanics of extracting precious metals from asteroids flying through space. It might sound like something out of a sci-fi novel, but the space mining industry is on its way to being worth $1 trillion by the year 2030.
Australia is open to new ideas
Australia has embraced another significant technological innovation; cryptocurrency. Australians can now purchase Bitcoin in more than 3,500 local post offices.
Once derided as a Ponzi scheme by all the big financial institutions, Bitcoin is slowly becoming the asset of choice for forward-thinking investors, and those with a keen interest in creating a fairer mode of exchange free from a centralized authority. "Our mission is to make Bitcoin safe and easy for every Australian, but particularly for the first-time buyers," said Holger Arians, CEO of Bitcoin.com.au.
The news makes Australia an appealing destination for anyone interested in this new type of digital money, as well as students who want to study computing, cryptography, or economics.
More value for money
Australia is a budget-friendly option for international students. Tuitions fees are considerably lower than in many other popular destinations, including the UK and the USA. Some degree programs, especially those in the arts and humanities, are up to 50% cheaper. Students who want to study medicine or veterinary degrees can also save money on tuition fees.
Accommodation costs vary depending on where you're staying, with downtown areas in Sydney and Melbourne commanding the highest rents. However, you can rent a room nearer the suburbs for around $380 a month. Homestay accommodation will cost between $450 – $1,200 per month. This will usually include all the utility bills and some home-cooked meals. On-campus housing is typically $440 – $1,100 per month; living in student halls is the best way to make new friends and really throw yourself into student life.
Health insurance is mandatory for all international students. A basic package costs $450, but provides three years of medical cover. A weekly transport pass is $30 in the big cities, although many students travel by push-bike thanks to a network of cycle lanes and bike-sharing schemes. To save some extra cash, make sure you get an ISIC student card after enrolling. It offers discounts on food, nights-out, gym memberships, cinema tickets, and even airfare.
You’ll feel right at home
Australia is a country where you'll feel at home straight away. The Australians have a well-earned reputation for being amongst the friendliest people on earth. They’re always keen to make newcomers feel welcome and have little reservations about striking up a conversation with complete strangers.
If you're from a more 'reserved' nation, you might find this a bit overwhelming at first. In fact, you might even be a bit suspicious; but don't worry, this is just the Australian way. You'll also get to appreciate Australians’ ‘unique’ sense of humor. Here are a few tips: it's sarcastic, a little bit crude, and the worst insults are often terms of endearment.
Australia is a unique country populated with unique people. It's also a world-leading educator that is always willing to embrace the future. In other words, it's the perfect place for international study adventure.
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Ashley Murphy
Author
After graduating with a degree in English literature and creative writing, Ashley worked as a bartender, insurance broker, and teacher. He became a full-time freelance writer in 2016. He lives and writes in Manchester, England.
