
Are you considering applying for a student visa in Australia? If so, you may be wondering how to select the right course for your student visa application. With so many options available, it can be difficult to decide which one is the best fit for you. In this blog, we will explore the different factors to consider when choosing a course for your student visa application in Australia to help you make an informed decision and ensure a successful outcome. Read on to learn more!
Types of Courses Available for International Students in Australia
In Australia, you study all types of courses at all levels. From engineering to agriculture to business or even design! However, you need to select a course that is approved by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. This is the mandatory requirement that international students need to fulfil in order to be eligible for Australian Student Visa (subclass 500). There are three courses that an international student can choose from:
University Courses
You can choose to continue your studies to obtain a Bachelor, a Master or even an MBA. These types of courses are more on the expensive side. However, these degrees are recognized worldwide and are also valued by recruiters around the world.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) Courses (Also Called Short Courses)
VET Courses have a more operational focus on the job you have chosen for yourself. These courses help you become ready for the work more quickly and efficiently. These courses are cheaper than university courses. However, they are the perfect way to make your dream of studying in Australia a reality while improving your current skills or getting new ones. There are 3 different levels of VET courses:
- Certificate
- Diploma
- Advanced Diploma
English Language Courses
English language courses or also known as ELICOS can help you improve your English or to prepare you for international English exams such as IELTS, TOEFL and others. The duration for ELICOS varies and can take up to 2 weeks to get you started to 1 year to perfect your grasp of the language.
Considerations for Choosing the Right Course for Your Student Visa Application
Some of the things that you should consider before choosing the right course for your student visa application are as follow:
Academic Requirements
The first thing you need to consider before making a decision is if you have the minimum academic requirement to qualify for whatever course you are aiming for.
- Undergraduate courses: An equivalent of the Year 12 or the Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Some undergraduate courses may have a specific prerequisite subject as well.
- Postgraduate courses: An undergraduate degree and education providers may also consider your research ability and work experience.
- VET courses: In order to get into the first level of a VET course, the minimum requirement is to have attended and completed at least the third year of high school in your home country. mostly there are no entrance exams for VET institutions. However, in some cases, you may require to have studied specific subjects or have work experience.
- English Language courses: The requirement is not just limited to English language skills but is also course specific.
The above-mentioned requirements are very basic and general. therefore, it is necessary to do a thorough research of the requirements before applying to the university. Additionally, for university courses, you may need to submit your standardised test such as GRE, GMAT, etc.
English Language Proficiency
Every course in Australia is taught in English, so it is no wonder that you will need to qualify with the minimum proficiency levels in English. In most cases, you will need to submit an English test score such as IELTS or TOEFL.
- For a vocational course, you will be required to have at least 5.0 in IELTS and its equivalents such as PTE or TOEFL
- For an undergraduate program, you will require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 and a TOEFL score of at least 79 – 87
- For a postgraduate program, you will require a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 – 6.5 and a TOEFL score of at least 79 – 87
The scores that we have provided above are just to give you an idea and are just a general guideline, the score requirements for individual programs may vary.
Cost of Education
Australia is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations among international students, hosting over 594,027 international students between January to October 2022. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most expensive, with students needing at least AU$ 21,041 each year for the cost of living alone according to the country’s visa requirements. Meanwhile, Australian universities’ tuition fees vary considerably depending on what you study and the level you will be studying it.
We will break down these costs for you below:
Tuition Fees for University Courses
- For undergraduate course – AU$ 20,000
- For postgraduate course – AU$ 22,000
These figures don’t include the tuition fees of high-value courses such as medical degrees, which usually cost significantly more.
Tuition Fees for Vocational Courses
Just like any university course, the costs of vocational courses in Australia vary widely depending on the course you want to study, in which city and the type of school you will choose. Tuition fees range from AU$4,000 to AU$22,000 per year (inclusive of training material)
So, these were just a few things that you need to consider before the course selection process. Studying abroad is a life-changing experience and therefore it is imperative that you make a well-informed decision. If you are unsure of the type of course you would like to study, feel free to get in touch with Edvise Hub. We will be more than happy to help you with any query you may have.
Good Luck!