If you found our Australia post useful and are interested in pursuing an education in Australia, here is some more information to help you make a decision as well as help you get accepted should you choose to apply to one of the many fine institutions down under.  Also, remember that these articles can also be found on our advice library on www.africanscholar.com.

Do you dream of attending university in Australia? If so, you’re not alone. Degrees from Australian universities are recognized all over the world. Only the UK and the US have more international students than Australia does. When you attend university, or “uni” in Australia, you’ll find the lower cost of living makes it much more affordable.

Most Australians are very tolerant of cultural, religious and personal differences. The country has a long history of rugged individualism and respect for another person’s privacy. You’ll probably find strong support and mentoring by older students and college officials, to help you settle into your classes. However, Australian universities are primarily designed for students with strong English skills. There are many ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) programs in Australia, but they are not part of university degree programs. If you struggle with English, you’re likely to receive less personalized attention and special help in Australia compared to a school with special services for non-English speaking students in the United Kingdom or the United States.

Australia is one of the top countries in the world in scientific research. This country with a relatively small population boasts seven Noel Prize winners and turns out 2% of all scientific research papers. Scientists from astronomy to zoology call Australia home.

Universities as well as primary and secondary schools are regulated by the state or territorial governments in Australia. Many universities such as the University of Tasmania are funded by the state, while others are private. Private universities can often provide more financial aid to international students. The university year runs from late February to November. In Australia, as in the United Kingdom, students specialize from the beginning of their university career. Usually, as student completes one application per university, listing up to three programs or courses they are interested in. Most international students apply to three or more universities.

Most Australian Bachelor’s degrees are three year programs. Some bachelor’s programs, such as engineering, require four years. An additional year of study or research is required for the Bachelor-Honors degree, which is roughly equivalent to the Master’s degree in the U.S. Many universities require the Bachelor-Honors degree for admission to graduate school.

The personal essay or Statement of Purpose (SOP) is very important in the Australian admission process. In this short written essay, you’ll tell the admissions officer exactly what your dream is, and why. Students who demonstrate that they are highly motivated and passionate about their field of study are often approved over students with the same test scores. A good SOP demonstrates your writing ability, and tells why you are qualified to attend this course. It gives the official a sense of your personality and may tell about your hobbies and outside interests. Financial aid is also often awarded based on the SOP, so it’s very important to take your time and do a good job on this essay. Here’s the good news: usually, you can use the same SOP for most or all of your applications to different colleges.

If English is not your mother tongue, you will probably be required to take one of two standardized tests of English, the IELTS or the TOEFL. The IELTS (International English Language Test System) is the standard British test for fluency in the English language. It is given regularly all over the world by the British Council. Students from some countries are required to take the IELTS to qualify for an Australian student visa. Some schools will accept the TOEFL instead. The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is the standard test in the US and focuses on American, not British, English.