When choosing a study destination overseas there are a number of important things to think about before reaching your decision. Australia has a world-class education and training system, which welcomes students from other countries.

Students go to Australia from many countries because of the high standard of education offered and because Australia is an attractive, friendly, beautiful and safe place to live.

The Australian Government and Australian education and training providers have joined forces to establish the Australian studyaroundworld.com Foundation (AIEF) to promote internationally the high quality and standard of education, training and research opportunities which Australia has to offer. The partnership embodied in the AIEF reflects the commitment from all parties to promote and deliver quality education and training services and to pursue excellence in studyaroundworld.com and research.

Australian education institutions offer a broad spectrum of courses ranging from English language training at school to advanced areas of post-doctoral work. There are also opportunities for international students, teachers and university staff to undertake study or research in Australia through award and exchange arrangements. Flexible programs of study, which can combine English language courses with study in other fields, are also available to cater to the diverse needs of international students.

Australia compares very favourably with other more traditional destinations considered by international students.

Below are some of the reasons to help you in your final decision - which may well be one of the most important decisions in your career.

• Australia's education system is of the highest international standard.
• Degrees, diplomas and other awards receive worldwide recognition.
• For students coming from Asia and the South Pacific there are frequent direct air connections to the east and west coast of Australia. We also have similar time zones.
• Australia's multi-cultural society makes it a very attractive option for both non-English speaking and English speaking students.
• Because of Australia's vast size and the consistently high standard of education and training delivery, one of the most difficult decisions for any international student will be deciding where to study. Universities, colleges and schools are not only situated in all the larger cities, but many are also located in small rural towns and coastal villages.
• Australia's size also offers an enormous diversity of climate to suit all tastes. Choices range from cool and moist to hot and tropical, with regions in between enjoying a warm temperate climate.
• Most institutions offer excursions for international students to places of interest, both locally and, quite often much further afield. Australia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world to discover and should be a priority for any overseas visitor.
• Australia's living conditions are among the highest in the world and the generally fine weather encourages a healthy, relaxed lifestyle with a strong emphasis on outdoor life and sport. There is an abundance of fresh, local produce, meat and local seafoods. Specialty imported foods are also widely available.
• Living and tuition costs compare favourably with other countries of a similar standard. Australia is strongly promoted as a multi-cultural society and has become home to a wide variety of citizens from numerous ethnic backgrounds. International students should have no difficulty in meeting others from their home country, and neighbouring countries in their region.

Universities in Australia
Higher education in Australia has long enjoyed an international reputation for excellence where quality across the system has been of paramount importance. Australian universities are part of a clearly recognised international community of scholarship, the foundations of which are the creation, preservation and dissemination of knowledge.

Academic staff in Australian universities are recruited from around the world, and Australian academic staff and graduates are eagerly recruited in other countries. The willingness of leading international universities to accept graduates from Australian universities for admission to postgraduate studies provides a clear indication of the high acceptance of the quality of output of Australian universities. To a large extent it is this inbuilt aspiration for international recognition, which provides continuing assurance of the quality and standards of Australian institutions.

Most Australian universities are internationalising their campuses by actively encouraging student and staff exchange programs and the development of international curricula and research collaboration. The first Australian university was established in 1850. By 1911, principal universities were established in each major city. Today there are 38 universities throughout Australia. These universities have an excellent reputation in other countries, including the USA and Britain. They also rank highly in modern computer facilities and technologies.

Australian universities offer two levels of study:

• undergraduate - including Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas and Bachelor Degrees; and
• Postgraduate - including Graduate Diplomas and Certificates, Masters Degrees by either coursework or research, and Doctoral Degrees.

University award outcomes and length or course
Students generally begin their major/specialisation in their first year of study and can complete their Bachelors Degree in a minimum of three years in disciplines such as general science, business, information technology and arts. Education, engineering and law degrees require four years of study while medicine takes longer. For graduate studies most universities require a prerequisite of four years of study in the particular subject area for which graduate enrolment is desired.

Many students consider enrolling in a Graduate Diploma course, which is a one-year graduate program in Australia that can enable students to qualify for a masters program. Masters Degrees are based upon research or coursework (or a combination). Increasingly, Australian universities are offering coursework Masters degrees of one year to 18 months.

Most postgraduate degrees are by research only, which means you pay tuition fees to perform research work at the campus, but may not have a set schedule of lectures and tutorials to attend. In most cases a thesis is required before a student is eligible to graduate.

Academic requirements
Australian universities place more emphasis on understanding and applying concepts and theories and being able to examine critically different arguments and viewpoints than on route learning. Students are expected to participate in class discussions and to ask questions if they do not understand something. Most universities offer counselling services and assistance to students to develop effective study skills.

Entry into Australian universities is determined by each institution's own assessment of how a student's existing qualifications compare with the content of the Australian institution's courses. The same method of assessment will be undertaken by foreign universities presented with Australian degrees. In assessing a student's academic standing, an Australian institution will look at both the level and the content of the courses completed by the applicant.

Australian universities operate on a semester basis. For the majority of universities, the first semester begins in mid February and ends in late June. Second semester begins in mid July and ends in late November. Summer break occurs during December and January. There are mid semester breaks which occur during both semesters of the year. The timing of semesters at private universities may vary slightly. Entry into Australian universities is highly competitive and it is advisable to apply for admission to more than one university.

Australia
Your study options …

The University of South Australia
The University of South Australia (UniSA) is a truly international university that is successful in striking a balance between knowledge and application. Spread over five campuses in central Adelaide and the regional city of Whyalla, it’s one of Australia’s largest institutions offering more than 200 postgraduate and 140 undergraduate programs.

Its international students are extremely well-catered for. International student advisers are located on each of the four metropolitan campuses, while UniSA also has specifically-designed services to assist with orientation, accommodation, counselling and English language support.

Fast facts
It’s all about: UniSA graduates not only leave with a degree – they graduate ready to succeed in their chosen profession or to progress to a career in research.
Total students: 31,450
Total international students: 8,700
Teaching staff: 2,500
Yearly course fees: A$12,500 to A$19,300
Renowned for: An innovative approach to teaching and research that is both economically and socially relevant.
www.unisa.edu.au

The University of Adelaide
Australia’s third oldest university has a prestigious record of achievement, and is known internationally for its research and research training. Its five faculties are supported by state-of-the-art teaching laboratories and classrooms, and it also has an outstanding teaching and research library of more than two million items.

The university has been welcoming students to Adelaide for more than 60 years – in fact, its peer mentor program for new overseas students was last year voted the best of its kind in Australia.

Fast facts
It’s all about: 132 years of learning and teaching; Adelaide’s oldest university produces outstanding graduates recognised for their creativity, knowledge and leadership qualities.
Total students: 19,646
Total international students: 4,925
Teaching staff: 1,207
Yearly course fees: A$14,000-A$33,900
Renowned for: being among the world’s finest universities; association with five Nobel Prize winners and 100 Rhodes Scholars; alumni who have become national and international leaders in government, business, the professions, and many fields of science and technology.
www.adelaide.edu.au

Flinders University
One of Flinders University’s greatest strengths is the quality of its teaching. The university has won national recognition in 2006 and 2004: the Prime Minister’s Award for University Teaching. Courses are supported by strong links between teaching and research. Flinders consistently ranks among Australia’s top universities on a per capita basis for research spending, and for the citation of our work in scientific and professional journals.

The International Student Services Unit provides all services to international students, from airport pickup to ongoing academic and social welfare support. The only on-campus accommodation in Adelaide overlooks the city and the sea and provides for catered accommodation in University Hall or more independent living.

Fast facts
It’s all about: cutting-edge courses taught by award-winning teaching staff to produce top graduates.
Total students: 15,923
Total international students: 3,379
Teaching staff: 712
Yearly course fees: A$14,000-A$39,000
Renowned for: innovative world-class research; biotechnology; nanotechnology; student satisfaction. In the last six years, over 90% of students expressed satisfaction with their overall Flinders experience (Graduate Careers Council of Australia Course Experience Questionnaire).
www.flinders.edu.au

Carnegie Mellon University
Just over a year ago, Australia’s first foreign university, Carnegie Mellon University, opened its doors in Adelaide – offering US degrees from Australia. It’s consistently ranked among the top universities in the world, and as a result, its graduates are highly sought by organisations in all sectors.

The H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management has an international reputation for excellence in educational programs and faculty research. The Heinz School is consistently ranked among the top 10 public policy programs in the US and is ranked first in information technology.

Fast facts
It’s all about: problem-solving, collaboration and innovation.
Total students: 71
Total international students: 20
Teaching staff: 7
Renowned for: giving graduates the ability to work in teams, tackle unstructured problems, work with ambiguity and produce results under tight deadlines – the same demands that organisations will place on them during their careers.
www.heinz.cmu.edu/australia

TAFE South Australia
TAFE stands for Technical and Further Education and its here that you’ll get qualifications from certificates to advanced diplomas and degrees, in everything from beauty therapy and fashion design to hospitality and engineering.

TAFE South Australia is a group of 54 campuses offering a huge range of vocational education and training (VET) courses, designed to provide real and relevant work skills. Qualifications are valued highly by workplaces around the world, but they can also see you safely into university.

Fast facts
It’s all about: learning, gaining work skills and enrichment.
Total students: 80,000
Total international students: 1,000
Teaching staff: 4,300
Yearly course fees: A$8,000-A$21,750
Renowned for: ELICOS; interpreting and translating; hospitality, cookery and food science; business and financial services; tourism; accounting; nursing; engineering; horticulture and community welfare.
www.tafe.sa.edu.au

And then there’s:

Foundation studies: If you need extra qualifications to meet university entry requirements, Adelaide-based Foundation Studies and Pathway Programs might be the way to go. www.studyadelaide.com

Hospitality and Hotel Management: Adelaide is home to two of Australia’s most prestigious hotel management schools: the International College of Hotel Management (ICHM) and Le Cordon Bleu (LCB). www.ichm.edu.au or www.lecordonbleu.com.au

English language: Adelaide has full-time English Language courses (both beginner and advanced) running from one to 48 weeks. English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) are especially popular, with some courses tailored towards specific fields such as tourism, IT and business. www.studyadelaide.com

School education: Adelaide’s government and nongovernment schools have an outstanding reputation, and an excellent history of providing high quality educational opportunities to overseas students. Young people who complete their secondary education (age 17) receive the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) which is highly regarded by tertiary institutions around the globe. Adelaide’s International Baccalaureate program is one of the world’s largest.

www.internationalstudents.sa.edu.au
www.ais.sa.edu.au
www.ceo.adl.catholic.edu.au