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Evaluating Australian higher education and its local reps
Prep reading
Here's a reality check for those evaluating whether studing abroad is right for them. The benefits and opportunities provided by international higher education providers are well known, but those getting started in their own search should be aware of some shortcomings:
- Self-interested/biased advice from 'educational consultants'/IDP (universities) to potential students
- Insufficient follow through after the initial huge marketing/enrollment push by universities/'educational consultants'
- Universities fail to provide adequate support to full fee paying foreign students
Brief US v Australia comparison
Once you're done with the precautionary pre-reading, and are ready to evaluate your options, consider the following comparisons between studying in Australia and the US. Note, this was compiled in 2007, based on data from 2006/2007. Also, it uses University of New South Wales (Australia), University of Melbourne (Australia), and Wake Forest University (US) in the examples because these were found to have comparable entry requirements/caliber of students.
| Australia | US | |
|---|---|---|
| Time to get a BA/BS | 3 - 4 years | 4 years |
| Example tuition cost for BA/BS | AUD 20,000/year | USD 35,000/year |
| Time to get an MA/MS/MBA | 1.5 - 2 years | 1 - 2 years |
| Example tuition cost for MA/MS | AUD 23,000/year | USD 29,000/year |
| Example tuition cost for MBA | AUD 52,000 (total) | USD 70,000 (total) |
| Working while studying | 20 hours/week during session; unlimited during vacations | 20 hours/week, on-campus only, during semester; 40 hours/week on/off-campus during vacation, with CPT approval |
| Working after graduation | n/a | Student visa allows for 1 year of OPT following graduation |
| Residency after graduation | Employer can sponsor a work visa. Some students may be eligible for applying for permanent residency. | Employer has to sponsor visa, and permanent residency. |
South Asian Students Studying in Australia
source: http://aei.dest.gov.au/AEI/MIP/Statistics/StudentEnrolmentAndVisaStatist...