Study in Australia

Types of higher education institutions
Universities –
institutions that offer academic courses on all three levels
TAFE - College of Technical and Further Education - institutes with a strong vocational focus, offering practical training over a wide range of occupations. Many TAFE institutes have articulation arrangements with universities which enable students to obtain credit toward a university degree through TAFE programs.

Structure of university studies
The academic year in Australia starts in the end of February or in early March and ends in the end of November or early December. The language of instruction is English.

1st level – undergraduate studies offer different types of courses leading to a diploma or Bachelor degree
* Diploma - two years full-time study
* Advanced Diploma - three years full-time study
These courses are also offered by TAFE institutes and in many instances may be credited toward a university degree program offered.
* Bachelor' s degree - 3-4 years full-time study

Note: Many Bachelor degrees require five or six years full-time study, e. g. architecture, medicine, dentistry.

2nd level - graduate studies
* Postgraduate Certificate - one semester of full-time study following a Bachelor degree
* Postgraduate Diploma - two semesters of full-time study following a Bachelor degree
* Master Degree - 2 years of study after a Bachelor degree. The Master degree is offered either by coursework and thesis or research and thesis.

3rd level – doctoral studies
* Doctor of Philosophy - at least 3 years full-time study. This award (PhD) is by research and thesis and may be taken after successful completion of a Master degree.

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Application procedures

- students should begin the application process about 12 months before they hope to enroll
- application forms may be obtained from Australian Education Centers, otherwise students are advised to contact the institution(s) of their choice directly
- students can get advised about choosing the university at the Australian Embassy or Australian Center for Education in Budapest
- where the student's native language is not English, proof of English proficiency is required (TOEFL or IELTS; see chapter "Tests")
- for the first year of undergraduate studies, International Baccalaureate exam is required; some courses may require university's own admission test
- students who have spent part of their undergraduate studies at a university outside Australia can ask for transfer of credits
- when entering the graduate or doctoral studies, students must contact the relevant faculty for admission requirements

Financing of university studies
- tuition at Australian universities differ according to the fields of study:
A$ 7, 650 - 13, 500 in humanities
A$ 13, 000 - 16, 000 in sciences and technology
A$ 20, 500 - 26, 000 in medical sciences
- the living expenses in Australia are about A$ 11, 000 for an academic year
- there is no financial aid for the undergraduate students offered by universities
- universities provide scholarships for excellent postgraduate students through the Overseas Postgraduate Research Scholarship Scheme
- government scholarships are provided by the International Development Program (IDP). IDP also gathers information on private scholarship programs
-information on all mentioned types of financial aid provides the Australian Center for education or Australian Embassy

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Health insurance

The Overseas Student Health Cover - OSHC is compulsory for all foreign students paying for their studies. Students should carry it out immediately after their arrival in Australia at any branch of Medibank Private. Cost of this insurance depends on length of the student's stay in Australia:
less than 3 months A$ 66
less than 6 months A$ 132
less than 9 months A$ 188
less than 12 months A$ 243

Visa
Students do not need student visas to enter Australia if their planned stay will not exceed three months, tourist visas will be enough. Work-permission is not required unless you work more than 20 hours a week. In summer holiday time (December-January) you can work on full-time.

Important addresses
The Education Advisor
Embassy of the Commonwealth of Australia
Mattiellistrasse 2
Wien 1040
Austria
tel. +43 (1) 512 8580
fax +43 (1) 513 2908

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The International Students Division (Europe Desk)
IDP Education Australia
One Geils Court
Deakin ACT 2600
Australia
tel. +61 (6) 285 8222
fax +61 (6) 285 3036
e-mail: auststudy@aol.com

Australian Centre for Education (IDP)
Vorosmarty u. 47/A
1064 Budapest
Hungary
tel. +36 (1) 312 4649
fax +36 (1) 302 5161

Department of Employment, Education and Training
P.O. Box: 9880
16-18 Mort Street
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia
tel. +61 (6) 240 8111
fax +61 (6) 240 9783
- universities study programs

National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition
P.O. Box: 1407
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia
tel. +61 (6) 276 7644
fax +61 (6) 276 7566
- recognition of foreign credits

Magabook Pty Ltd
P.O.Box 444
Rockdale NSW 2216
Australia
tel. +61 (2) 567 5300
fax +61 (2) 567 0399
e-mail: chris@magabook.com.au

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Useful publications

title: Awards for Postgraduate Study and Grants for Research in Australia
published: Graduate Careers Council of Australia Ltd
title: The Directory of Postgraduate Study
published: Australian Vice-Chancellor's Committee 1994
title: A Guide to Australian Universities
published: Magabook PTY LTD
title: Study Abroad in Australia
Educating Overseas Students in Australia. Who benefits?
published: Allen & Unwin 1990

Internet addresses
http://www.idped.com.au/apply - information, applications 
http://mars.technobiz.com/corp/idp/aes.html - higher education system
http://mars.technobiz.com/corp/idp/links.html - universities
http://mars.technobiz.com/corp/idp/al.html - student life
http://www.magabook.com.au - general information, universities
http://aei.detya.gov.au - Australian Education International http://aei.detya.gov.au/students/scholarships/scholarships.htm - scholarships
http://www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar - scholarships
http://www.edna.edu.au/edna - Education Network Australia
http://www.avcc.edu.au - information about universities
http://www.ashmill.com.au - "Good Universities Guide"

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