Education system
Australia offers a diverse range of undergraduate, postgraduate, vocational, technical and school programmes. The Australian higher education system also incorporates a 'foundation study programme' for those who do not meet the entry requirements. Foundation studies give international students the knowledge and skills for a smooth transition from learning in their home country to undergraduate studies in Australian universities.
As per the Australian Government’s website, the Australian higher education system, as of 2007, comprises:
39 universities of which 37 are public institutions and two are private
One Australian branch of an overseas university
Four other self-accrediting higher education institutions
Non-self-accrediting higher education providers accredited by State and Territory authorities, numbering more than 150 as listed on State and Territory registers. These include several that are registered in more than one State and Territory
The non-self-accrediting higher education providers form a very diverse group of specialized, mainly private, providers that range in size and include theological colleges and other providers that offer courses in areas such as business, information technology, natural therapies, hospitality, health, law and accounting.
Types of institutions
Vocational education and training (VET) Institutes
Australia specializes in vocational education and training. The VET sector is divided into two sections: a nationally recognized government system of Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and private providers. Students can study vocational courses at both public TAFE institutes and private colleges. The government ensures the quality of courses, staff and teaching by carefully monitoring these institutions.
The vast range of courses under this category includes information technology, business and management, marketing and communications, health, science, design and the arts, television production and media, environmental studies and land management, sport and recreation, engineering and building, and hospitality and tourism. English language training and university preparation courses are also offered. TAFE is the largest provider of tertiary education courses in Australia with approximately 250 institutes and 41,000 international students.
Industry training is common to all the VET programmes. The awards in VET sector are certificates, advanced certificates, associate diplomas, and diplomas. Studying at TAFE level is also described as a way of gaining entry to Australia's universities. Most TAFE institutes have arrangements with specific universities, enabling students to gain credit for a portion of their study undertaken at TAFE.
Universities
There are 39 public universities and two private universities in Australia which offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The most popular courses of study amongst Indian students at the postgraduate level include studies in business administration, management, computer science, information technology, engineering, and surveying.
University study in Australia can lead to either of the following awards: Bachelor degrees (with or without honors), undergraduate diplomas, associate diplomas at the graduate-level, masters degrees, doctoral degrees, graduate diplomas, and graduate certificates at the postgraduate-level.
Note of Caution: Interested students should bear in mind that all universities and institutions approved to offer degrees and other higher education awards are listed on the registers of the 'Australian Qualifications Framework'. Institutions that are not listed on the AQF are not recognized by the Commonwealth, state and mainland territory governments of Australia.
Eligibility
Students who have passed 10+2 can either admission to universities or other tertiary institutions with a good band score (minimum 6.0) of International English Language Testing System (IELTS). IELTS is required for admission into all Australian institutions. The great thing about most Australian universities is that they accept the graduation system of three years for admission into most postgraduate courses. An Indian bachelor’s degree like B.A., B.Com. or B.Sc. (Ordinary) is equivalent to an Australian Bachelor’s (Ordinary) Degree.
However, some courses and universities may require a qualification equivalent to an Australian Bachelor’s (Honors) Degree, which requires either an honors graduation degree like B.A. (H), B. Com (H) etc or 16 years of formal education, which would mean another year after graduation or a four-year degree course like B.E., B. Tech and other such courses.
Undergraduate degrees
Bachelor’s degree: This provides initial preparation for professional careers and postgraduate study, and involves a minimum of three years of full-time study. Entrance typically requires completion of an Australian secondary school certificate of education (year 12) or the overseas equivalent, or a Diploma or Advanced Diploma from the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.
Bachelor degree (honors): This may require an optional, additional year of study following the three-year degree, or it may be awarded for academic achievement in degrees of four or more years.
Postgraduate degrees
Graduate certificate/diploma: This is generally designed for specific vocational purposes, either for broadening of skills and knowledge already gained in an undergraduate program, or for the development of vocational skills and knowledge in a new professional area. The typical requirement is six months of full-time study for the graduate certificate and twelve months of full-time study for the graduate diploma. Admission usually requires a bachelor’s degree or advanced diploma.
Masters degree: This provides a mastery or high-order overview of a relevant field of study or area of professional practice. Typically, this involves two years of study after a bachelor’s degree, or one year of study after a bachelor’s degree (honors). The Masters degree may be offered in three formats:
Coursework Masters: Consists of coursework, project work and research in varying combinations. Entry typically requires prior completion of a Bachelor’s Degree, a Bachelor’s Degree (Honors) or a Graduate Diploma.
Research Masters: Consists of at least two-thirds research with a substantial thesis, which is often externally assessed. Admission normally requires a Bachelor’s Degree (Honors) or Masters preliminary year, a research-based Graduate Diploma or equivalent research experience.
Professional Masters: May consist of a work-based project. Admission requires a relevant qualification and professional experience, or extensive relevant professional experience.
Doctoral degree: Recognizes a considerable original contribution to a given field in the form of new knowledge or the adaptation, application and interpretation of existing knowledge. The Doctoral Degree may be offered in two formats:
Research Doctorate: Consists mainly of supervised research. Admission requires a research or part-research Masters Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree (Honors).
Professional Doctorate: Admission consists of varying combinations of coursework and research. Entry typically requires a combined research and coursework Masters Degree or a Bachelor Degree (Honors). In addition, considerable professional practice experience is required either before or during the course.
Academic calendar
The first semester begins in late February and continues to mid or late June. The second semester begins in mid-July and continues until late November. Examination periods at the end of each semester can last over two weeks. In most cases orientation for international students takes place the week before the beginning of the semester. Bond University, Gold Coast, is the one exception to this calendar year, as they operate on a Northern Hemisphere trimester system, with terms beginning in September, January and May.