Internationally recognised degrees, a multicultural and tolerant society, a diverse and vibrant community life, and a healthy standard of living — Australia has long been the favoured destination for higher education for students from the Middle East.
Though Australia is now considered the most expensive country for foreign students, the demand for its degrees continues to remain significantly high among students in the UAE planning to pursue higher education abroad. According to a recent study by HSBC bank, the combined average cost of university fees and living expenses for a degree in Australia will set you back by more than $38,000 (about Dh139,000) per year for international students, while it costs $35,000 in the US and $30,000 in the UK.
“The dollar has hurt the international education market in Australia. It has basically made everything more expensive,” Pablo Kang, Australian Ambassador to the UAE, tells GN Focus. “However, that has started to change. So what we need to do is increase our profile and renew the emphasis on education in Australia.”
Despite the rising tuition fees and cost of living, students from all corners of the world choose to study in Australia. In 2012, there were 515,853 enrolments by full-fee paying international students in the country on student visas.
“One of the key reasons for studying in Australia is the high quality of programmes offered, which is governed by the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act introduced in 2000,” says Rashi Bhattacharya, Country Director — Gulf, IDP. “It provides the most rigorous consumer protection in the world. Australian qualifications are internationally recognised and eight of Australia’s top universities are ranked in the top 100 universities in the world.” In the UAE, IDP has been actively promoting Australian education by offering quality placement services to students and organising open days for Australian universities to meet with potential students.
International students make up 22 per cent of Australia’s university enrolments, with large segments from Asia and the Middle East. And with a thriving Muslim students’ community, some campuses also offer prayer rooms and a wide range of halal food products in cafeterias.
With a vast spectrum of options, students can choose from mainstream courses to specialisations to vocational programmes. Australia also offers a host of industry-specific courses that prepare students for future job markets.
Courses of action
While business, health care and engineering are the top choices for international students, demand for courses in design, hospitality and IT is also rising. Belinda Howell, General Manager, Market Development, UTS: Insearch, says: “The University of Technology is experiencing a lot of demand for its new courses in animation and game design. We will soon launch a bachelor of creative intelligence and innovation, which will be offered as a combined degree with 17 undergraduate programmes.”
Courses in criminology, biotechnology, environmental sciences, clinical audiology and policing, intelligence and counterterrorism are also finding favour among foreign students, says Catherine Charlton, Regional Director — Middle East and Africa, Macquarie University.
Over the years, the number of foreign students joining finance programmes in Australian universities has increased significantly.
The University of Wollongong, for instance, has noted a strong demand for its bachelor programmes in accounting and financial services and banking and financial services at its downtown Sydney campus.
“The finance sector offers excellent career prospects, with financial services comprising the fourth-largest sector of the Australian economy. Australia has one of the largest pools of funds under management, with the second-largest stock market in Asia and the eighth-largest in the world. Graduates are in strong demand with average starting salaries of A$55,000,” says Peter Day, Acting Director, Student Recruitment at the University of Wollongong.
Australia has become a popular destination for students interested in pursuing undergraduate courses in arts (humanities) and science. The University of Melbourne has a range of courses in the areas of development studies, international relations, population health and agricultural science, all of which have witnessed a spurt in demand.
Students today are also increasingly looking for opportunities to travel while studying, and universities cater to the need with courses that take them around the world. For instance, S. P. Jain School of Global Management’s uniquely crafted BBA programme offers a three-city model — Year 1 at S. P. Jain’s campus in Singapore, Year 2 at its campus in Dubai International Academic City and Year 3 and 4 at its home campus at the Sydney Olympic Park in Australia, opening up a world of career and life opportunities.
An extracurricular edge
Like other English-speaking education destinations such as the US, UK and Canada, universities in Australia look for a fine balance between academics and extracurricular activities in applicants, as well as a good competency in English. “Along with high scores in previous studies, we also look to enrol well-motivated and rounded individuals, who can fit into the university community,” says Charlton.
The University of Melbourne enrols students with academic prowess combined with a good English proficiency. “The university encourages the selection of students from all types of backgrounds both internationally and domestically to support a rich, culturally diverse learning environment,” says Carmel Murphy, Executive Director, Office of Admissions and Director International, The University of Melbourne.
Nora Kumri, Middle East and Africa Market Manager, StudyPerth, which promotes education opportunities in Western Australia worldwide, agrees: “Universities look for students who are passionate, dedicated and want to excel in their chosen career path. Applicants must ensure they satisfy admission criteria for the courses they apply for. However, Australia provides flexible study pathways through the Australian Qualifications Framework, which specifies the standards for educational qualifications in Australia. If an applicant cannot meet all the admission criteria, we can still package the desired course with an element of foundation study.”
To fund their degrees, international students are also allowed to work either on or off campus while they are studying to supplement their income. On student visas, students can work up to 40 hours a fortnight while studying and unlimited hours while on study break.
“Many students take up part-time jobs in hospitality, retail and administration. A student can earn approximately A$15-20 per hour, and this can increase based on the type of skills they have and the time of the day they choose to work,” says Kumri.
Under the temporary skilled-graduate visa, international students are allowed to work for up to 18 months after completing their study.
