Nov 03, 2022
While most students have an idea about their dream college or university as they conduct ample research to learn everything they possibly can. However, one area that a lot of them need to put more emphasis on is the city where they will reside during their time abroad.
If you are planning to study abroad, consider Melbourne in Australia as one of your options. Read on to understand why Melbourne is regarded as Australia's best city for students.
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Often students might ask, why study in Australia when you can opt for places like Europe and America? So let us look at some reasons that make Australia the top choice for study destinations.
One of the main characteristics of Australia is its multicultural community. Australia is home to several students and workers from around the globe. Along with the traditional Australian way of life, it offers a chance to experience cultures native to almost every continent. This diversity helps to build unity and acceptability within their community and be welcoming to every ethnicity. The last thing a student wants to feel is out of place and the pressure to fit in a community where they do not belong. However, Australia eliminates this possibility.
An Australian degree also fetches global recognition among employers. In addition, most universities in Australia secured a high position in global educational ranking systems that opens many doors for students that pass out from one.
Before getting into the details of how to get admission in Australia, let us explore the student-friendly city of Melbourne. There are innumerable reasons why Melbourne is an ideal destination for international students, and here are the top 5 things a student should look for in their study location.
1. Safety
Being young and full of potential requires being safe. Australia takes safety very seriously, and Melbourne is no exception. The crime rates in the city are relatively low, making it an ideal place for students to live and complete their degrees.
2. Affordability
If there is anything of equal priority, like safety for a student pursuing education abroad, it will be affordability. Students are usually limited when it comes to funds, and Melbourne offers inexpensive and highly efficient public transport, pocket-friendly accommodation facilities, and other student-specific relaxations.
3. Employment
A big drawing point for Australia is the opportunity to settle there at the end of the course. Being the tech capital of Australia, students get numerous employment options to live in Melbourne at the end of their education.
4. High Ranked Universities
Besides the already mentioned characteristics, Melbourne houses some of the best universities and educational institutions. The University of Melbourne and Monash University have ranked 34th and 44th, respectively, in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2023. Monash University ranked number one in QS World University Rankings by Subject for Pharmacy and Pharmacology in 2022.
5. Student Support Centres
Another major reason for Melbourne to be ranked as the best student city in Australia is its support centre for students. The Study Melbourne Student Centre is a free 24-hour consultation service centre for international students. The multilingual staff provides support for accommodation, health care, scholarships, and other related issues over phone calls, emails, and in-person meetings.
A typical process of applying abroad would require some amount of research. The student must be aware of all the universities that offer a particular subject and the details of the courses provided. They must also know the specific admission requirements of each school, college, or university before going ahead with the process. Students can talk to Study Abroad Consultants like KC Overseas Education to help them in this process.
Once the student is aware of all the requirements that the institutions they chose want, they must start to accomplish them. Australian Universities generally want a certificate in either of the exams like TOEFL, PTE or IELTS for judging English proficiency. The student must fill in the required scores in these tests before applying.
IELTS- Minimum score - 6.0-6.5
TOEFL- Minimum score - 60-90
PTE- Minimum score - 50-64
Passport holders of the USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland are exempt from these proficiency tests. Applicants who have studied for at least five years in these countries are also not required to give these tests.
After carefully choosing institutes and courses, the student can get in touch with their respective overseas education consultants and start the application process. Some institutions often require an additional admission test.
The student may have to wait for a week or two after applying, filling in the requirements, providing necessary documents, and qualifying for admission tests. They may use this time to prepare for their upcoming course, brush up on skills, or the payment of fees.
Every international student needs to apply for a visa as soon as they get a confirmation from the institution. However, this process may take a while, and it is better to do it at the earliest.
Studying abroad is no joke when it comes to the cost. An Australian institution, on average, would cost up to about AUD 40,000 to 60,000 per year.
Undergraduate Bachelor Degree - AUD 20,000 - 45,000/year
Vocational Education and Training - AUD 4,000 - 22,000/year
Postgraduate Master’s Degree - AUD 22,000 - 50,000/year
Doctoral Degree - AUD 18,000 - 42,000/year
English language studies - AUD 300/week
Hostels and Guesthouses - AUD 90 - 150/week
Homestay - AUD 235 - 325/week
Rental - AUD 185 - 440/week
Shared Rental - AUD 95 - 215/week
On-campus - AUD 110 - 280/week
Groceries and eating out - AUD 140 - 280/week
Gas, electricity - AUD 10 - 20/week
Phone and Internet - AUD 15 - 30/week
Public transport - AUD 30 - 60/week
Although all of this might seem a bit too expensive, several scholarship programmes cover most of the expenses. In addition, some scholarships cover 100% of expenses which is worth a try. So take advantage of the opportunity and apply immediately.
Choosing Australia for your higher education abroad is great since there are ample opportunities to learn and grow. Moreover, if you are struggling to narrow down to which city is the best for the job, Melbourne has all the right answers. It has great universities, great transportation and accommodation facilities, and, most importantly, an inclusive society that will make you feel at home. |