Top Reasons Why Singaporeans Choose to Study Abroad in Australia

Many students in secondary school or college may have wondered about the opportunity to further their education overseas. But how do you know whether it is just a flight of fancy or a prospect worth pursuing?

According to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development), students in large numbers are choosing to study abroad. In fact, the number of students enrolling outside their country has increased five times over the last three decades, from 0.8 million in 1975 to 4.1 million in 2010, meaning it’s a global phenomenon that has taken a tight grip over the entire world.

In 2011-12, over 1.5 million students pursued their higher studies overseas in popular destinations including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK and the US.

The academic reputation of Australia

Interestingly, the latest survey conducted by Australian-based resources has revealed that teaching quality, course availability and academic reputation were ranked first, second and third respectively as the key factors for prospective overseas students when selecting a university, ahead of scholarships, living expenses and tuition fees.

The latest QS World University Rankings show that Australia has seven universities, such as University of Sydney, Monash University and University of New South Wales, listed among the world’s top 100.

Apart from getting educated at a top-ranked Australia University, international students will also get the chance to study in some of the top student cities in the world. Melbourne and Sydney in particular, have been listed among the top 10 best student cities, only behind Paris and London.

School fees and cost of living

If you have Australia in mind, the application process is quite simple as the most of Australian universities allow students to apply online. You should make sure that you provide the institution or university with certified paperwork such as academic testimonials and other documents.

And contrary to other popular education destinations, an overseas education in Australia is not reserved for the ones who have deep pockets. You might wonder to know that almost half (48 percent) of international students pursuing or looking to pursue their studies at Australian universities come from low-income backgrounds.

Also, many Australian universities encourage international students to apply for international scholarships.

Despite high living standards, the cost of living for international students in Australia is relatively low as compared to other study overseas destinations. Further, the student visa Australia permits overseas students to work part-time during semesters and full-time during holidays or semester breaks. So they can keep up with the cost of living.

For more information about studying in Australia, you can either visit the official site of Australian government or consult with one of our expert education consultants at AECC Global.