To study in Australia, to the other end of the world? Why, surely! Over 230,000 overseas students are currently enrolled in Australian universities. This makes Australia one of the most popular destinations in the world for studying abroad – and not just because of its excellent universities.
A guest in Australia – in the land of contrasts
Those who want to study in Australia are usually looking for sun, exotic landscapes and a casual lifestyle. This huge country has all of this to offer – the only one, incidentally, that encompasses an entire continent.
On the one hand there are the coastal areas where the majority of the approximately 23 million Australians live. In the “wild west” of the country is the coral coast with its endless, white beaches and reefs. Dolphins, sea turtles and even whale sharks can be seen there. The north captivates with tropical, green rainforests and the colorful Great Barrier Reef. Surfers and sun worshipers get their money’s worth on the east coast.
In the interior of the country, the outback, “Oz” presents itself from a completely different perspective: red desert landscapes, peculiar rock formations, rugged mountains and huge cattle ranches radiate their own beauty.
The big cities of Australia, which are mainly on the coasts, form a contrast to the lonely hinterland. Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney are metropolises of millions, which are characterized above all by their relaxed, cosmopolitan flair. Sydney and Melbourne in particular offer residents and visitors a never-ending range of restaurants, bars, museums, exhibitions, concerts and festivals. You can get to know and experience all of this while studying in Australia.
Australian higher education landscape
Australia is not only characterized by its scenic beauty and its laid-back lifestyle. It also impresses with its first-class university landscape. Currently there are in Australia
43 state universities, including two foreign universities and one private university
numerous state TAFE ( Technical and Further Education ) institutions
various private educational institutions such as colleges.
Quality assurance in Australian higher education
In Australia, the state is responsible for ensuring the consistent quality of the courses. Therefore, the universities are subject to various laws and measures. These include
External quality audits by the independent state Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency ( TEQSA )
Quality assurance measures for international students, such as the ESOS Act.
Universities that accept international students must follow strict guidelines in order to meet international standards. The measures taken by the Australian government are reflected in international rankings. There the Australian universities regularly appear in the top 100.
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Study system in Australia
The study system in Australia is based on the English system. That means studying in Australia turns into one
Undergraduate section
Postgraduate Section
divided. At Australian universities, students can first obtain a bachelor’s degree. You then have the option of joining a master.
Usually the academic year in Australia is divided into two semesters. Some colleges use a trimester system. The division of the academic year also affects the duration of the study.
There is no uniform grading system for assessing academic performance at Australian universities. The grading scheme can vary from university to university.
From honors degrees to Ph.D. – the degrees
With an honors degree one step closer to the Ph.D.
In addition to the undergraduate bachelor’s degree, studying in Australia also includes the so-called honors degree. This can be compared to a one-year postgraduate course. Students with particularly good academic performance have the opportunity to study for another year after completing their bachelor’s degree. You will then acquire an honors degree. This is the specialization and can in the future course of studies to programs Ph.D. faster uptake in lead.
Master by Coursework and Master by Research in Australia
A Masters degree in Australia usually takes one to two years. Students have the choice between two types of master’s degree, the Master by Coursework and the Master by Research.
The Doctoral Degree in Australia
The highest degree awarded by Australian universities is the Doctoral Degree. The title Doctor of Philosophy, or Ph.D., is awarded in almost all subjects and is often supplemented by the corresponding specialist title. In most cases, the award of a doctorate requires the writing of a scientific research paper. This course takes an average of three years in Australia.
Australian postgraduate courses
In addition to the bachelor’s and master’s degrees that are customary in our country, Australian universities also award so-called (post) graduate certificates and (post) graduate diplomas. These short postgraduate courses have the following characteristics:
Duration: 1-2 semesters
Prerequisite: Bachelor’s degree
Objective: deepening the knowledge acquired in the bachelor’s degree and / or specializing in a field of study
Postgraduate courses in Australia are an attractive option for all students who want to change their subject after completing their bachelor’s degree. This gives them the opportunity to acquire knowledge in a new subject without starting from scratch.
The study achievements from the postgraduate courses are partly credited towards the master’s courses in Australia. In Germany, the (post) graduate certificates and (post) graduate diplomas are not regarded as independent degrees. But they represent an interesting additional qualification on the job market.
Studying in Australia without a high school diploma: the VET programs
Part of the Australian study system are also the so-called Vocational Education and Training ( VET ) programs at the TAFE institutions. These
usually close with typical Australian degrees such as Certificates, Diplomas or Advanced Diplomas from
serve primarily for practical vocational training
are not recognized as academic degrees in Germany.
In some cases, these degrees make it possible to switch to the second year of a Bachelor’s degree at a regular Australian university. A high school diploma is not required for studying at a TAFE or private institute. Therefore, this path can represent a back door to gain access to university studies in Australia even without a higher education entrance qualification. Many of the institutes work closely with universities in the region and offer the opportunity to acquire professional bachelor’s degrees.
