Higher Education in Australia - An Overview

Australian Universities are known for its superiority of education and lifestyle. The Australian lifestyle is hassle-free and more calm and relaxed, which helps students to enhance their studies without any stress. Another reason for choosing Australia is for its cost efficiency.

Australian universities and training institutions offer a wide range of courses to meet most aspirations and requirements. The curriculum and infrastructure are the latest while the faculty is up-to-date and progressive in outlook and result-oriented. As per Australian government website there are over 22,000 courses across 1,100 institutions in Australia and it has ranked eighth in the Universitas 2012 U21 Ranking of National Higher Education Systems.

Higher Education in Australia consists of both the government and private institutions.

As reported,   the Australian higher education system consisted of:

• 41 universities, of which 37 are public institutions, 2 are private, and 2 are Australian branches of overseas universities;
• 3 other self-accrediting higher education institutions; and
• Non-self-accrediting higher education providers accredited by State and Territory authorities, numbering more than 150 as listed on State and Territory registers. These include several that are registered in more than one State and Territory.
  

The Australian Qualification Framework is a national system established by the Australian Government linking courses and qualifications. The Framework provides guidelines for learning outcomes, pathways, assessment and accreditation of qualifications, allowing students to move easily between levels of study and institutions, receiving credit for previous study.

Higher education courses can be taken to earn an advanced degree and continue your studies in Australia. There are three main types of higher education which lead to Bachelor, Master and Doctoral Degrees.

Higher Education Qualifications

The qualifications you can attain at a university or higher education institution are as follows:

Associate degree

• Duration - Two years
• Completed following - Year 12 or equivalent, Certificate III or Certificate IV
  

Bachelor Degree

• Duration - Three years
• Succeeding - Year 12 or equivalent, Certificate III or Certificate IV
• Bachelor Degree(General) -3 years full-time study
• Bachelor Degree (Professional) -4 years full-time study
  

Bachelor Degree Honours

• Duration - Four years (3-4 years full-time 1 additional year's successful completion allows entry to a research Masters or Doctorate)
• Succeeding - Bachelor Degree
  

Graduate Certificate

• Duration - 6 months
• Succeeding - Bachelor Degree
  

Graduate Diploma

• Duration - One year
• Completed following - Bachelor Degree
  

Master Degree (by Coursework and By Research)

• Duration - 1 to 2 years
• Completed following - Bachelor Degree (Honours) or Bachelor Degree
  

Doctoral Degree (Research and Professional)

• Duration - Typically 3 years
• Completed following - Masters Degree
  

Australia as a Study Destination

Australia is a leading global education Powerhouse with some of the world’s best infrastructure and educators and providing a range of quality study options to local and international students. It delivers dynamic and progressive training programs with a reputation for excellence.
Facts:

• Third most popular international Student Destination.
• 22000 courses and 1100 institutions.
• University System Ranking: 8th in the world.
• Australian Universities feature in the top 50 ranked universities in the world in the following areas of study: Engineering & Technology, Arts & Humanities, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, and Clinical Medicine & Pharmacy.
• Australia's universities have made significant breakthroughs in modern technology and science while Australia's vocational training system, which is based on industry standards, is used as a model for other Asia-Pacific nations.
• Australia has vibrant, alluring and multicultural cities.

Australia offers a plethora of degree and diploma programmes which are globally recognized. The 10 most popular courses for international students in Australia are:
i. Master of Business (Management/Commerce/Banking and Finance/Human Resources Management)
ii. Master of I.T/Computer Science
iii. Master of Engineering
iv. MBA
v. Master of Law
vi. Master of Science
vii. Master of Pharmacy/Clinical Pharmacy
viii. Bachelor of Pharmacy/Clinical Pharmacy
ix. Bachelor of I.T/Computer Science
x. Bachelor of Engineering