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General overview of Australia's
education system
Australia’s secondary and tertiary education system is made up
of high schools, senior colleges, vocational institutes and
universities. Australia has 38 public (government-funded) and three
private universities. The 41 universities range in size from about
3,000 to 50,000 students and are located around the country in both
rural and urban settings.
Undergraduate and postgraduate programs are offered in a wide
variety of subjects. Vocational institutes offer a range of
qualifications that give you practical skills and industry
experience to boost your career. These types of vocational courses
are offered at government-funded Technical and Further Education
(TAFE) institutes. There are over 100 TAFE institutes in more than
1,100 locations across Australia.
Below, you'll find a general overview of the Australian academic
system. To learn more, please visit students.idp.com.
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The Australian academic year
Since Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, the
academic year differs from the North American academic year. For
universities on a semester system, first semester starts in
mid-February and ends in late June; second semester starts in
mid-July and ends in late November.
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Attending classes in
Australia
For both universities and vocational institutes, classes are
held in the form of lectures, tutorials, seminars, laboratories,
practical classes and field work. Lectures and tutorials are the
most common. Lectures for each subject usually take place once a
week, and tutorials are small group sessions held after the
lecture.In Australia , students are expected to be independent in
their studies. Fewer hours are spent in class than in the US and
students have to do more studying on their own. Professors may
appear to be informal and approachable but they expect to be
treated with the respect you would show someone in their position.
Not all classes use textbooks so it is extremely important for
students not to miss any lectures or tutorials. Learn more about
Australia's academic culture .
Each university and vocational institute has its own credit
system. One course (called a subject or unit in Australia) can be
worth one credit or 12 credits, depending on the system in place
for that institution. In most cases, students are expected to take
the equivalent of four courses to be considered full-time. A
minimum of three courses are required to remain in status for the
student visa. The number of credits associated with a class does
not necessarily correspond to the number of its weekly contact
hours. Depending on the class, assessments can take the form of
essays, laboratory or practical work, oral presentations or exams.
Some assessments may be heavily weighted toward the final
grade.
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Recognition of Australian
degrees
Australian undergraduate degrees are considered comparable to
American undergraduate degrees in virtually all fields of study.
Australian masters and doctoral degrees are considered virtually
equivalent to similar US degrees. Australia has a comprehensive
quality assurance framework that guarantees the quality of
education to overseas students. Learn more about quality assurance
and recognition of Australian degrees .
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Costs for studying downunder
International students holding student visas are permitted to
work in Australia on a casual basis for up to 20 hours per week
during course time and full-time during vacations. Australia also
has a low cost, high standard of living with modern technology,
good facilities and services, lots of parklands and a great social
and cultural environment.
Many of Australia’s programs are world-renowned. Outstanding
areas of study and research achievements within Australian
institutions include biotechnology, environmental and marine
sciences, film and media, tourism and hospitality, nursing, teacher
education, distance learning, sports studies, and many more.
Universities also offer uniquely Australian programs and courses in
topics such as Aboriginal and indigenous studies, Australian
history, and reef ecology. Learn more about programs of excellence
in Australia .