Australia is a popular destination for higher education among international students due to its multicultural environment, renowned education system, and greater opportunities for academic experience and professional growth. Students, domestic and foreign learners alike, choose to study in Australia for these factors: the investments in science and technology, high demand for qualified graduates to step on the job market, excellent opportunities to study in an English-speaking country, and many more. From providing low-cost education to generous scholarship options, Australia’s mission to provide the utmost support to domestic and international students makes it one of the most attractive countries to obtain a degree.
With all these advantages Australian education offers, how does one aspiring student prepare for their academic journey abroad? The application process to study in Australia can sometimes be perceived as too complicated. In this article, we’ve come up with a comprehensive guide on how to apply for a degree program at an Australian university. Go through the steps to get a glimpse of how to prepare for your application.
University Application Process in Australia
If you’re considering studying in Australia, here’s a list of the general application steps for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Step 1. Choosing the Right Study Program and University in Australia
The very first and necessary step is to search for the right study program and university. This may sound like an easy step, yet you must pay specific attention to your academic skills and interests, as well as what you want to do with the degree during and after your education. Even if you’re clear about your program, the university choice can change your student life to a great extent. Therefore, you need to start by doing extensive research and making a list of the programs and universities you are planning to pursue.
Some well-established universities in Australia include the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, and Monash University. The University of Melbourne is notable for its School of Law, which is ranked first in Australia. Similarly, the University of Melbourne is recognized for its Faculty of Medicine and Health. Monash University is preferred for its Education and Computer Science programs.
Step 2. Browse Each Program’s Admission Requirements and Application Process
Once you’ve decided what study program to take and have listed down the universities that offer your desired program, it’s time to examine the program structure, eligibility requirements, and internship/scholarship possibilities.
At this stage, you learn that admission criteria differ per university. For example, UNSW Sydney’s Bachelor of Medical Studies & Doctor of Medicine requires 96 in International ATAR score or the equivalent, yet for the University of Sydney’s Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine, the ATAR score must be 99.5.
Furthermore, the English language requirement at the University of Melbourne’s Master of Management is a minimum total score of 94 in TOEFL iBT, whereas at the University of Queensland’s Master of Business (Management), the minimum total TOEFL score is 79.
Step 3. Collect Your Application Materials
Now that you have your list of programs you’ve decided to apply for, you should start preparing your application by creating a checklist of the necessary documents and other materials. Preparing your application may take longer than you originally planned, so we advise you to check the application deadlines.
General application materials include official copy of your diplomas, academic records, English proficiency certificates, academic references, and so on. Application documents will be discussed in detail in this article, and the type of documents can vary depending on the university or degree of the program. For reference, you can check the University of Sydney’s bachelor’s and master’s application requirements in Civil Engineering.
Step 4. Apply for Scholarships (if available) and Complete Your Application Form
Often, during the application process, you can also apply for a scholarship with your study program application. The university will provide details in the application form, or you will need to fill up a separate application, so before applying, browse through the university’s financial aid section and check what opportunities are available and when is the right time to apply. The University of New South Wales has a search tool that will help students find the scholarships available.
Step 5. Pay the Application Fee and Submit the Documents
Once you have completed obtaining the documents and filled out the application form, submit your application on or before the deadline. Usually, the application is marked completed once you pay the application fee. For instance, Monash University has an application fee of AUD 100 for undergraduate and graduate applications, while the University of Queensland charges AUD 150 for undergraduate and postgraduate applications. However, there are some universities like the University of Newcastle, that don’t charge any application fee for postgraduate programs.
Step 6. Track Your Application
Following the submission of your application, you need to track your application status to make sure you have enough time to apply for a student visa once you receive your admission letter. The university will provide you with the details of when and how applicants can track the results. Typically, Australian institutions will notify applicants by either emailing or announcing the results on an online portal. An example portal is the University of Queensland, which allows applicants to check the status of their application.
Step 7. Apply for a Student Visa
Once you receive your official admission letter from the university, it’s time to apply for your student visa, also referred to as Subclass 500. Apply for a visa right after you are officially accepted and make the initial course fee payments. For the student visa, applicants are required to apply at the Australian Department of Home Affairs page. The fee for the student visa is currently AUD 1,600 ($1,057).
General Admission Documents
It can be complicated to prepare your application to different programs and universities, below are the general admission documents for applying to an Australian university The documents are required for both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
GENERAL
DOCUMENT |
DOCUMENT DETAILS |
| Application Form |
The most essential document for anyone applying for a program at any degree level is the application form. These come in different forms, the one you manually fill out (hard copy) or an online application form. But most certainly, in Australian universities, the online application form is the standard, which can be found on every university’s portal or admissions page. In this document, students are requested to fill out the details of their personal information and academic background, so you must be careful not to omit any required section before sending your application. You can find an example application form for international students at the Australian National University. |
| Passport |
For overseas students, a valid passport is necessary for student visa applications. The passport must include a valid photo of the applicant and any change in the student’s passport should be informed to the university. |
| Diploma (Highschool / Degree(s)) |
Whether you are applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate course, you must prove that you have completed secondary education and/or degrees with the official copy of your diplomas. For bachelor’s applications, an accredited high school diploma is mandatory, whereas for master’s or Ph.D. applications, your bachelor’s or master’s degree diplomas are also required. |
| A list of the previous academic record (transcript) |
Besides your diploma/s, you will most likely be asked to submit your academic transcripts. This document must include the total number of credits completed and the grades you obtained from each course and program. If you have more than one completed program, submit the original copy of each of the program’s transcripts. Before submitting the requirement, make sure that the document is notarized by your institution, and for non-English transcripts, you must provide a certified true copy of the translated document. |
| Proof of English language proficiency |
Almost all courses at Australian universities are taught in English; therefore, English language proficiency is an important criterion when accepting students. Each Australian university has its own criteria for accepting proof of English level, with several English proficiency tests and minimum required points. Generally, exams, including IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Pearson Academic, and Cambridge English exam scores, are accepted. The minimum score can also depend on the degree level or program; for instance, the University of Melbourne requires Band 6.5 in IELTS or a total score of 79 in TOEFL iBT for undergraduate programs, yet in many postgraduate programs, the IELTS score must be at least 7.0 or 7.5. and the total score of TOEFL iBT must be 94. |
Optional Materials / Documents to Consider
OPTIONAL
DOCUMENT |
DOCUMENT DETAILS |
| Letter of Intent/Motivation Letter |
Although the letter of intent is usually not a requirement, some programs may require you to write a personal statement about your motivation, skills, goals with the program and university, and so on. Writing a letter of intent is a way to showcase who you are as an individual. This is your chance to prove to the admissions committee that you have a clear educational goal you want to attain. One great tip we can recommend is to incorporate your academic goals into the university’s mission. |
| Standardized Tests |
Standardized test scores are often left optional for the applicants since the main requirements include the academic transcript of the student. However, for applicants who have already taken several standardized tests, it can be a wise idea to submit them with your application. Universities accept several tests from applicants, such as the ACT, SAT, International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, Pearson International Advanced Levels for undergraduate students, and GRE or GMAT for postgraduate applications. For standardized test minimum score requirements, you should visit the program-specific requirements for admission. For reference, Monash University’s Bachelor in Business requires academic standardizations including ACT, SAT, and GCE A Level and the University of Melbourne’s Master in Business Administration requires A GMAT/GMAT Focus Edition or GRE score. |
| Curriculum Vitae |
Submitting your academic CV can tell more about your application and background, especially for postgraduate applications. In your CV, include your research interests, previous research activities, any internship experience, and similar academic qualifications you have completed. For some programs, a CV can also be a requirement, like at the University of Melbourne’s Master in Business Administration, so make sure you read the requirements carefully before submitting your application. |
| Academic References |
Including one or two references to your application can help the admission office better understand your profile, skills, and performance from an experienced person’s point of view. When selecting a referee, make sure you choose scholars or employers you have worked with so that they can share details about your skill set. Receiving a reply from your recommenders can take longer than planned, so we encourage you to inform your referees and request their contribution as early as possible. |
Key Facts for Applying to Australian Universities
1. The High Number of International students
Australia has the third-largest international student population in the world, following the USA and the United Kingdom. The majority of foreign national students come from the Asian region, including the Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea, and China, yet there is a large student population from all other countries.
2. The Higher Education System in Australia
Australian higher education system can be different from other countries in that many students take double degrees by choosing two programs at the undergraduate level. For instance, students can enroll in a combined program by taking a science and arts subject. The duration of an undergraduate course is usually three years, and if you’re looking to gain academic knowledge from more than one subject within three to four-years time, studying in Australia can be your best option.
3. The Humanitarian Consciousness in Australian University Campuses
Australian society is known to be multicultural and conscious about global issues, and the same mindset is applied in many campuses of Australian universities. The country is best preferred for students looking for a comfortable environment where they can attract awareness on issues such as global warming, pollution, gender studies, racism, and other humanitarian activities.
Undoubtedly, Australia has a great potential to open up one’s horizons during their study. From the generous support from the Australian government and universities in finance, and research to a multicultural campus experience leading a unique student life, Australia’s offerings to international students are much more than we can describe in this article. If you think that your place is in Australia, don’t hesitate to apply to a program at an Australian university in the next admissions period.
We hope this article on the Complete Guide to University Applications in Australia was helpful. Read more valuable tips and insightful articles in our Study in Australia section. You can also browse Available Programs for International Students for more study options!
