11 Ways the Australian Education System Stands Apart from the Rest

The land down under may be a small country with respect to others, with a population of 24.5 million people, but is a leading study-abroad destination for Indian students. Australia, the third most popular international student destination in the world, is soon expected to take over the UK as the world’s second most popular study destination. Experienced Australian education consultants explain the reason that a large chunk of Indian students choose this destination is due to its renowned research and training methodologies.

The Times Higher Education Rankings as well as the QS World Ranking consistently ranks Australian universities’ education quality among the top in the world. If you are planning to pursue higher studies in Australia, you will most definitely be content with the well-structured curriculum that aims to develop varied skills such as critical thinking, communication, literacy, creativity, ethical understanding, analytical thinking ability, among many more. Before making your decision, learn about a few other reasons that make Australia an ideal destination:

1. The country is home to nearly 700,000 international students. Australia’s promising education, easy access to student support services and multicultural society make Australia a lucrative study destination.
2. Australia is one of the best higher education systems in the world. Don’t just take our word for it; with over 22,000 courses across 1,100 institutions, the Australian education system is ranked 9th in the Universities 2020 U21 Ranking of National Higher Education Systems, placing it higher than Germany, France, Norway and Japan.
3. According to the 2018 Department of Education International Student Survey, International students report almost 90% satisfaction scores for their living and study experience in Australia.
4. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020 placed The University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, Australian National University, University of Queensland, and Monash University in the top 100 universities.
5. As per QS Best Student Cities 2019, even the best student cities – Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, and the Gold Coast – in the world are in Australia.
6. Australian education excels in all fields of study, be it Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Clinical, Pre-Clinical & Health, Life Sciences, Engineering & Technology, or Physical Sciences.
7. Australia offered more than 3,000 Australia Awards scholarships and short courses to applicants from over 55 countries in 2019.
8. The country has produced 15 Nobel laureates and boasts of having over 2.5 million international alumni making a global difference. How many of you knew that Wi-Fi, the Earth Hour initiative, the black box flight recorder, and the Cochlear implant, among many other innovations, were all invented by graduates from none other than Australian universities?

If that kept you hooked, let’s deep dive and understand what makes Australian education stand at par with other world-leading education systems.

Australian Qualifications Framework (the AQF)

The Australian education system is distinguished from other countries by this very framework. Established in 1995, the AQF is a national policy that covers qualifications from the tertiary education sector (higher education and vocational education & training) including the school-leaving certificate; the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.

The AQF provides an integrated policy that covers:

• the learning outcomes associated with each AQF level and qualification type
• the policy requirements for issuing AQF qualifications
• the specifications for AQF’s in the accreditation and development of qualifications
• the policy requirements for qualification linkages and student pathways
• the policy requirements for the addition/removal of qualification types in the AQF, and the definitions of the terminology used in the policy.
• AQF qualifications and qualification pathways

(Source: https://www.aqf.edu.au/what-is-the-aqf )

The 10 levels under the AQF links school, vocational and university education qualifications into a coherent national system. This allows students to move easily from one level of study to the next; from one institution to another, as long as the international students satisfy the student visa requirements. This allows for choice and creates flexibility in career planning. The AQF helps students prepare for both further study and professional life.

A university with AQF qualification is considered Government-authorised and nationally accredited. So, you can rest assured that your degree or other AQF qualification will be recognised and genuine.

Australian institutions are linked not just across the country, but also, across the world. This makes it easy to move throughout the education system between courses or institutions. The formal agreement and recognition frameworks mean that every step of the path will contribute to your future.

Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT)

The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) are student surveys that make it possible to compare higher education institutions and study areas based on the results of thousands of surveys attempted by current and former, domestic as well as international students.

The QILT survey outcomes let you compare universities and the experiences of over two million students and graduates of different study areas and institutions to help inform your study decisions.

Types of Education Institutions in Australia

The Australian education system consists of public and independent education. You must explore both options before you make a decision. The public schools in Australia are essentially funded by governments, on a per-student basis, with the full cost of a student’s education being subsidized. Therefore, public education should be preferable if you are looking for an affordable option.

On the other hand, independent education is often funded through donations and tuition fees, along with smaller per-student contributions from the government. However, whether a school is public or private, it does not determine any difference in the quality of education or the teachers.

Frequently Asked Questions about Higher Studies in Australia

Ques.1 Do Australian institutions accept the education system of India (10+2+3)?

Yes, it is accepted by Australian universities for master’s programs.

Ques.2 What are the English language tests that are accepted by Australian Universities?  

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is preferred the most. However, Australian institutions are also open to accepting the following (ensure to check the official website of your targeted institutions for the same):

• Test of English as a Foreign language (TOEFL) paper-based test
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE)
• Cambridge English: Advanced and Occupational English Test (OET).

Ques.3 How can I find out whether my institute or university is registered and whether my program is an AQF qualification?

This information can be found on the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency’s website: National Register of Higher Education Providers.

Ques.4 What would be the cost of studying in Australia?
*indicative costs

Ques.5 Can I work during my study in Australia?

• All students with subclass 500 visas can work up to 40 hours per fortnight and full-time during vacations.
• Doctorate students are allowed to work full-time throughout the year.

Ques.6 I am under 18, is there any special requirement that I should know of?

You must have welfare arrangements in place for the duration of your stay in Australia until you turn 18.

Australian Universities encourage international students to think big. No wonder Australian graduates are highly sought after by global employers and they often go on to achieve unparalleled success. If you dream of joining the league of students with an Australian education, book a consultation with an experienced education counselor at Manya – The Princeton Review!

Find Your Dream University

If you are planning to study abroad and searching to match your profile with the best suited university, Experts at Manya – The Princeton Review have gathered important information of top Universities from abroad. Surely, this information will help you narrow down your quest for universities.

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