Courses

Find right course

All you need to know about courses in Australia

There is no waterproof formula for choosing the right course, because each person has a range of different motives. Some may choose a course to follow their passion, to prepare for their career or to continue their previous choice of study. It is important to get lots of information about the course you are choosing. A good starting point would be to browse through school or university websites and read the course guide (Link List of Universities). There are hundreds and maybe even thousands of courses in Australia, so which one suits you? The Australian Government website http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au offers three interactive features to help you select a course and institution that best meets your needs and career goals:

The study wizard: http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/Sia/StudyWizard/Login.aspx?Language=en
Interactive map: http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/Sia/en/Tools/InteractiveMap.asp
List of courses: http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/Sia/en/CourseSearch/searchform.htm

What do other studens think?

To find the course of your dreams it is often helpful to listen to another student’s story about the course. Once you’ve found a few courses that interest you, the best way to find out more is to ask others and go our forum (link) . See if others have commented about your course of choice. If not, you may want to post a new question and find out other students’ opinion. They may already be in Australia and some may even be studying the same courses you are interested in!

You can't just start any course of your choice: Entry requirements

Even though you pay thousands of dollars for a course, you cannot just enter any course of your choice. To keep up a certain level, courses set their own specific minimum academic requirements to be accepted as a student. Schools and Universities will assess the level and content of the study you have completed in Australia or your home country, so you will have to provide evidence of your academic achievements. Particularly MBA and other postgraduate studies may also ask you for relevant work experience.

Foundation Studies

If you do not meet the entry requirements for further study you will have the opportunity to study first at a secondary school in Australia. If you do not meet undergraduate course entry requirements you may be able to enrol in Foundation Studies or Bridging Courses, which prepare you for further study in Australia. Foundation studies can help you adjust with the style of learning in Australia and may help you enter an undergraduate course after you successfully complete the course. Foundation courses are usually divided into streams according to your interest and the teaching style is similar to university so you can get familiar and be prepared for their higher education learning. The course may also help you decide which university and major to take.

Do you speak English?

Evidence that you understand and speak English well enough is required when applying for a student visa. Depending on your proposed study sector you will need to have a minimum score in the IELTS English language proficiency test and/or a period of English language tuition. Most university and vocational education and training courses also require students to have a sufficient ability to understand and speak English You should check with each institution what English language tests are recognised by that institution and what the minimum scores are for each course. There are many English language courses with starting dates throughout the year to prepare you for further study in Australia. Overall five main types of English courses are taught in Australia:

1. General English – Learning speaking and listening skills for a basic conversation

2. English for Academic Purposes – This course will prepare you for University or vocational studies.

3. English for Specific Purposes – Practical English for specific industries, including English for Business, Aviation, or Tourism.

4. Secondary School Preparation –

5. Examination Preparation – these courses will prepare you for English language proficiency examinations, including the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Cambridge Certificates.

English language courses start at any time of the year. Full-time courses range from one month to one year.

Applying for admission

After lots of thinking and research you decided what you would like to study and where. Now it is time to obtain an application form. There are two basic ways:

Use the services of a local Australian education agent. Here you can find a list of local Australian education agents [link].
Apply directly with the School or University. Although it is not very difficult, you will need to fill in a pile of papers relevant to your application. This will typically include: full details of previous study, including copies of qualifications already awarded to you and evidence of your English language proficiency (for undergraduate and postgraduate studies, and vocational education and training).

Confimation of enrolment and payment

If your application is successful, the school or University will send you a letter of offer. Sometimes they will ask you to (pay parts of) tuition fees (at least one semester of course fees) before applying for the student visa.

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