The education systems of Australia and New Zealand are based on the British system, so diplomas obtained from educational institutions in these countries are recognized worldwide and open doors to international companies for their holders. At the same time, tuition costs are 10-20% lower than in the US or Europe. Living expenses are also low: the average annual expenditure, including tuition, is about $14-17 thousand.
Importantly, these overseas countries (former British colonies) are known for their friendly attitude towards guests — all conditions are created for their rapid adaptation. Moreover, foreigners who graduate from educational institutions in Australasia have privileges when obtaining residency.
And finally, Australia and New Zealand are attractive for their amazing nature, high standard of living, virtually no crime, and a favorable environmental situation.
First time in... 12th grade
The main requirement for applicants to universities in Australasia is good English, confirmed by IELTS (6.0 points) or TOEFL (550-600 points) certificates. However, it is not possible to enter universities directly from school due to differences in our educational systems. Secondary education in these countries lasts 12 years, so domestic applicants will have to complete additional schooling. This can be done in three ways.
* Complete the first year of a university at home, pass a language test, and then enroll in a foreign university. The advantage of this option is that the disciplines studied at home can be credited if you provide the admissions committee with a copy of the curriculum.
* Enroll in a vocational education program at a college or polytechnic institute in Australia or New Zealand, and then transfer to the second or third year of a university. This option is suitable for those who need to improve their English. Requirements at colleges are lower than at universities, but the choice of programs is just as broad. For admission, you will need to pass a TOEFL test with a score of at least 500 or IELTS from 5-5.5 points.
* Finally, the surest path to universities in Australasia is studying at a foundation course for foreign students (Foundation).
Preparation
Enrolling in Foundation programs is the key to quality preparation not only in language but also in core disciplines of the future specialty. Moreover, Foundation includes a course in Academic skills, which prepares applicants for the specifics of studying at universities in Australasia, where the attitude towards the educational process is very serious. You will have to break the habit of leaving everything to the last night and living from session to session. Here, emphasis is placed on independence: you will need to complete a huge amount of work in all studied subjects. The final form of reporting is the defense of a paper, presentation of research, or project. That is why the foundation course teaches how to work with reference literature and develop projects. Upon completion of Foundation, a Certificate of University Preparation (CUP) is issued, with which you can enter a university on par with local applicants.
Foundation programs are typically designed for 24 weeks, although you can choose a shorter intensive option — Fast-Track. Application deadlines occur two to four times a year. To be admitted, you must present a domestic secondary education certificate and pass a TOEFL test (at least 500 points) or IELTS test (from 5-5.5 points).
Studying at college
Almost every college offers programs in business, management, marketing, accounting, information technology, secretarial work, design, and tourism and hospitality management.
There are also specialized educational institutions. For example, the Australian Institute of Commerce and Language in Sydney trains specialists in information technology, business and management, hairdressing, and hotel management. For the popular specialization in tourism, apply to the International College of Tourism and Hospitality Management in Sydney. Applicants planning to study medicine should pay attention to the College of Natural Medicine in Sydney, which offers programs in naturopathy, dietetics, and cosmetology. After graduation, you can continue your studies at the Faculty of Health of the University of New England.
In New Zealand, so-called "polytechs" (polytechnic institutes) are in high demand. The most popular areas are hospitality management, tourism, and information technology. Like colleges, they offer a wide selection of programs, for example, at Open Polytechnic there are about a thousand. Besides the most popular areas, you can find exclusive programs — "Viticulture and Winemaking" at Eastern Institute of Technology, and Manukau Institute of Technology offers the study of marine affairs.
Upon graduation from a polytechnic institute, you can obtain a certificate (one to six months), a diploma (one to two years), and a bachelor's degree (three to four years). Programs are structured so that students who have completed one year at a polytechnic can directly transfer to the second year of a university that has a partnership with the institute.
Entering university
You can become a bachelor in Australasia in three years. If you want to obtain a degree with honors (Bachelor with Honours), you will need to spend another year. However, your path to a master's degree will be shorter (one year instead of two), and employers, all else being equal, prefer holders of a bachelor's degree with honors. For some specialties, study will take longer: for example, a bachelor's degree in engineering is awarded after four years, in medicine after six years. Obtaining a double degree (Joint Degree) will take five years. Doctoral studies last three years.
The next step is postgraduate education. It can last from six months to a year, upon completion a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma is awarded, and a master's degree is granted after one and a half to two years of study.
You can enroll in a master's program not only in a field related to your previous specialty. For example, after studying economics, you can continue your education in PR, and engineers in electronics can study in IT fields. International students must have a high level of English proficiency (IELTS score of 6.5).
Master's programs come in three types: Coursework (professional specialization), Coursework and thesis (same with thesis defense), Research and thesis (research work with thesis defense). The final stage of education is doctoral programs, which come in two types: Research and Coursework. The first correspond to our postgraduate studies: the candidate writes a dissertation over three years, receiving a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) after its defense. The second are applied in nature: the research results have practical significance.
From art to agriculture
As a rule, universities in Australasia offer a wide range of programs, but it is better to consider the specialization of institutions - each is famous for one or two areas. For example, in New Zealand, engineering specialties are best obtained at the University of Canterbury, agriculture is the prerogative of Lincoln University, and medicine at the University of Otago. Victoria University of Wellington trains social workers, the University of Auckland is for studying architecture and management, and Massey University for veterinary science.
One of the best language institutes in Australasia is Crown English Language Academy / Crown Institute of Studies, Auckland. Another pride of New Zealand education is the UUNZ Institute of Business (Auckland), which produces managers. By the way, the institute actively cooperates with the Australian University of Southern Queensland (USQ), allowing UUNZ students to receive both New Zealand and Australian diplomas simultaneously. Moreover, UUNZ has a number of agreements with other educational institutions in Auckland to conduct joint courses under the English + Work Experience scheme in the hospitality and tourism sector.
It is also prestigious to study hotel management at the New Zealand Pacific International Hotel Management School (PIHMS). The program was developed with the participation of the Swiss university IHTTI School of Hotel Management - a leader in tourism education. According to the European model, the theoretical part of the course is supplemented with six-month paid internships. PIHMS graduates receive two diplomas - from PIHMS and IHTTI.
Macquarie University in Sydney is famous for its program in logical-mathematical business planning, and its master's program in applied finance is considered the best in Australia.
The humanities faculties of the Australian National University in Canberra are highly valued. An excellent research base is at the University of Western Australia in Perth, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country.
The price question
The main expense is tuition. Prestigious humanities and economics faculties will cost $10-13 thousand per year, technical ones slightly less - $9-11 thousand per year. The cost of postgraduate studies is $9-16, and master's programs - $11-18 thousand per year.
Set aside about $300 immediately for annual insurance. Food and leisure are cheaper than in Europe: a student movie ticket costs $10-12, lunch at a cafe - $10-20.
About $450-650 per month is spent on housing. The cheapest is to live in a university dormitory. Unfortunately, the number of places may be limited, but first-year international students are generally guaranteed a room. Each university has special services ready to help students find housing. If funds allow, you can rent an apartment. The best option is living with a family. It combines comfort and language practice in one.
Fortunately, our students are allowed to legally work part-time during their studies: in Australia - 20 hours per week, in New Zealand - 15. During holidays, you can dedicate 40 hours per week to earning. The problem of employment is easily solved: the most student-friendly option is a laboratory assistant position at a department. Trades are always in demand. But if you're lucky, you can get a job in your field: for example, programmers are in high demand.