Some of the best universities in the world are located in Australia, which makes the country an ideal place for you to pursue a Master’s degree. Universities in Australia consist of a diverse student body and highly qualified academic staff. Due to the welcoming and exciting environment, students have the opportunity to attend numerous social events, where networking is a significant activity.
Similar to the “Ivy League”, colleges located in the US, in Australia, there is a list of top universities called the “Group of Eight”:
- Australian National University (ANU)
- University of Melbourne
- University of Sydney
- University of Queensland
- University of New South Wales
- Monash University
- The University of Western Australia and
- The University of Adelaide.
The benefits of obtaining a Master’s Degree in Australia are endless and you will enjoy a not-to-be-missed chance. Initially, the students develop skills that improve the content of their CV and increase their employment opportunities. Not to mention the world of networking waiting for you after graduating alongside ambitious and enthusiastic scholars. Lastly, postgraduate studies will prepare you to work among successful people in highly competitive, technology-oriented, industries.
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How to Get a Masters Degree in Australia
Depending on the university or the course you choose for your Master’s Degree, the requirements for admission to postgraduate programs may vary. One of the main requirements is the possession of a Bachelor’s Diploma, not necessarily in the same field as the Master’s program you intend to pursue.
Regardless of the program, there are a few general requirements you should keep in mind when it comes to admission to master’s programs. Previous qualifications, work experience, admission essays, enrollment tests, interviews, and additional knowledge or skills, are among the qualifications that guarantee a candidate a place in their chosen university.
Language Proficiency
Language proficiency is a must when it comes to the requirements of Australian Universities on attending Master’s studies. Considering Australia is an all-English speaking nation, students coming from countries where English is not their first language, need to submit proof of language proficiency.
To prove your language proficiency, you may be asked to submit one of the following tests: following tests:
- IELTS – with a minimum academic score of 6.0.
- TOEFL (online) – with a minimum score of 79, divided depending on the section.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) with a minimum score of 58-64.
- The University of Cambridge with a minimum score of 176.
- English for Academic Purposes at Victoria University– with a level 6 performance.
Work Experience
If you have previous work experience, it is important to notify the admission office/s at the university of your choice. At some universities, work experience is more valued than any pre-academic achievement. Even so, universities appreciate such applicants; in some cases, you can even get admitted to a Master’s program solely based on your work experience.
How to Apply for a Masters Degree in Australia
Every Australian university has its application requirements, which highly depend on the courses they offer. February and March are usually when the academic year starts in Australia. There are two exceptions to this arrangement, depending on the semester system of the university. Several schools provide the option of semester entry, either in February or September. On various occasions, universities offer a trimester entry with February, September, and August as possible terms. Accordingly, the enrollment process begins at least 5 months before the beginning of the academic year.
The Universities Admission Centre (UAC) is an organization designed to provide application services for students coming from New South Wales or the Australian Capital Territory. International students all follow the same course of action when it comes to applying to Australian Universities. They should apply directly to their selected university, by submitting the essential documents.
How Long Does a Masters Degree in Australia Take?
The duration of a Master’s degree in Australia is normally based on the universities’ guidelines as well as the program you choose to pursue. A great advantage in completing your degree quicker than usual would be the previous academic qualification and experience. This will determine whether your Master’s degree will be extended or shortened.
In most cases, Master’s courses take from one to three years to complete, according to the traditional established programs. However, this may change depending on the extra training or the practice work which is required by the course curriculum. Another exception to this conformity is the ‘Master’s degree by Research’ full-time course which can take 1-2 years to complete.
Masters Degree in Australia Cost
Several factors impact the cost of a Master’s degree in Australian universities. Initially, it depends on the origin of the applicant, whether you are applying as an international or domestic student. Secondly, the location of the university you are applying to matters big time, considering the accommodation and living conditions that surround it. Another important factor to consider is the courses and the field of study you opt for.
Studying in Australia as a domestic student is normally cheaper compared to international students’ tuition fees. Domestic students can even get assistance from the government through the programs of CommonWealth Supported Places if their application is successful.
For international students, the yearly fee for a Master’s degree usually ranges from $36,480 to approximately $45,600. The highest tuition fees are in the Business and Administration areas and top Australian universities are considered the most expensive.
Here are some of the top universities for MBA, listed by the highest cost:
- University of Queensland – $76,584
- The University of Melbourne – $59,667
- The University of Western Australia – $49,000
- The Queensland University of Technology – $47,100
- The University of New South Wales – $47,040
- The University of Sydney – $46,500
- The University of Adelaide – $46,000
The same universities mentioned above are cheaper when it comes to other fields of study such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and the area of Arts.
Australian Universities with the lowest fee for international students are usually located further from popular cities and the most common degree that they offer is in the field of Education.
Such universities include:
- University of the Sunshine Coast (Sunshine Coast)
- University of Southern Queensland (Toowoomba)
- Southern Cross University (Lismore)
- Charles Darwin University (Darwin)
- University of New England (Armidale)
Masters Programs in Australia for International Students
One of the biggest challenges is choosing the university that best fits your preferences and interests. There are more than 40 universities available in Australia that offer a plethora of higher education courses. The most popular programs in Australian universities are in Law or Business and they offer hundreds of courses to choose from; thus supporting the idea that Australia is one of the most attractive study destinations for international students.
Here is a list of some of the best universities for a Master’s degree according to students’ experience and the programs they are known for:
- University of Notre Dame Australia (Arts, Business, Education, Medicine, Physiotherapy)
- Bond University (Accounting, Architecture, Business, Construction, Law, Management)
- Edith Cowan University (Arts, Business, Engineering, Humanities, Medicine, Science)
- University of the Sunshine Coast (Business, Education, Law, Medical & Health Sciences)
- Deakin University (Health, Architecture, Environment, Communication, Creative Arts)
- Queensland University of Technology (Building, Business, Design, Communication)
Are There Scholarships for Masters Degree Programs in Australia?
The Australian Government together with education-oriented partnerships and organizations are dedicated to helping students complete their studies through financial support. To check eligibility and application procedures, candidates should contact their chosen scholarship provider directly.
Most scholarships are offered to students based on their lack of financial means or significant academic accomplishments; however, community service is included in the list of scholarship awards requirements as well. Australian universities value students who have volunteered in the past and have done some kind of activities in their community, whether that is joining clubs or participating in any leadership events.
A plethora of scholarships are available when studying for a Master’s degree in Australia, therefore you should apply to all the scholarship programs that you are eligible for.
Here are some of the scholarships you can apply to, sorted according to the providers:
Government-Funded
- Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS) Destination Australia Awards
- Research Training Program (RTP)
University-Specific Australian Scholarships for International Students
- Australian Catholic University International Student Scholarships
- Australian National University
- Adelaide Scholarships International (ASI)
- Curtin University International Research Scholarships
- Deakin University Scholarships
- Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (FIRPS)
- La Trobe Academic Excellence Scholarships (AES)
- Macquarie Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships
- Melbourne Research Scholarships (MRS)
- Monash University International Scholarships for Excellence
Other Australian Scholarships
- International Water Centre Scholarships for International Students
- The Northcote Graduate Scholarship
- Fulbright Program
