Many students wonder if it is expensive to study in Australia. A survey from the Department of Education and Training of the Australian Government shows that there are about 22%-49% of international students in Australian universities. This shows that international students make up almost half of the students in Australian universities. In this blog post, we will explore the cost of studying in Australia and how it compares to other countries.
It is not expensive to study in Australia compared to other countries as long as you have all the needed information. You can get your dream program abroad without spending a fortune so far you have planned out all the expenses you’d need to get a degree in Australia.
Studying in Australia can be one of the best means for you to get a degree without spending so much. With the right resources and information about studying in Australia, you can join thousands of others who have been able to fulfill their dreams without spending so much.
To help you decide to study in Australia, we’ll take a look at how much studying in Australia costs. This will include tuition fees, the cost of living, and other costs that you may not be aware of as a first-timer in Australia. We will also take a look at the cost of studying in some popular countries and how they compare to the cost of studying in Australia.
You must know about these costs so you don’t get any surprises or get stranded in Australia. It will also help you prepare adequately and appropriately before leaving your home country for Australia. Whether you are planning to go for an undergraduate or graduate degree abroad, I’ve got you covered with useful and helpful information that you haven’t seen elsewhere. Keep reading to find out more.
Tuition fees
One of the costs you have to plan for is the tuition fee. If you don’t have a scholarship, this is one of the major things that you will be required to pay for upon getting admission into an Australian university. There are schools in Australia with tuition fees that are as low as AUD10,350($7,600) per year. You can also get undergraduate degrees (4 years) for as low as AUD14,674($20,000) per year.
A lot of factors can determine how low your tuition fee will be. If you are studying a course in Science or Technology, this may increase the chances of having a high tuition fee in Australian schools. These types of programs are high-priced as a result of the intensity and level of expertise needed to deliver them so schools spend a lot of money on them.
However, this should not discourage you from enrolling in such courses. You can find state or public schools in Australia that are subsidized since they are owned and funded by the state. Although international students pay more than citizens in Australia, your tuition fee as an international student can still be affordable.
Some schools in Australia also allow you to pay in installments so you can draw up an easy payment plan for yourself. An academic year consists of two semesters so a two-year program will consist of 4 semesters. You can decide to split your payment into four parts for convenience. Sometimes, you only have to discuss this plan with the school through the program coordinator or advisor to see if they can accommodate your payment plan. Some schools can also decide to give you a partial tuition fee waiver or scholarships such as a 15% or 20% so you are left with 80% or 85% of the tuition to pay.
Living Costs
Another important cost that you should budget for is your living cost. Like most schools, your tuition fee does not cover your living costs. Living costs include all you’d need to spend on your accommodation, your feeding, your housing, and even your clothing. These are things that you need to get by in school as you study.
Your Living cost in Australia according to the Australian government should be around AUD20,000($14,642). This includes your basic needs and other amenities that you may need to live in Australia. Your biggest living expense is usually your rent and this can be curtailed by looking for inexpensive houses or having a shared apartment. Some schools have residents for students which are often shared so you don’t have to pay so much for your rent.
Students living in Australia have mentioned the costs that it took them to live in Australia and I have gathered the information to give you an inclusive and realistic cost of living in Australia.
Renting a house in places such as Adelaide, Canberra, and Brisbane are good examples of cheap cities to live in as an international student. This will help you cut costs and invariably your living expenses since accommodation determines your overall living cost. The Study in Australia guidelines recommend budgeting as low as AUD85 ($61) per week for your accommodation depending on your city and the number of people you are living with. Most students studying in Australia have said that living in a shared apartment on campus is the cheapest accommodation you can get studying in Australia.
You can also cut costs on transportation by using public transport which is mostly free. For example, buses are free for school students in some regions in Australia such as the Nothern Territory. You only need to present a valid student card which you will already have as a student in Australia. Other regions such as New South Wales offer discounts on bus fares for international students.
When it comes to feeding, you can cut costs by getting groceries in low-cost markets and cooking your meal at home rather than eating in restaurants. This way you will be spending little on your feeding and still have more to get you through some days.
Other Expenses
Since you are living in Australia now, there are other expenses that you’d need to cover. These include miscellaneous and emergencies such as health issues. This is why it is important to get your health covered through health insurance. This is part of other expenses that is important to plan for.
As an international student, you are required to have Oversea Student Health Cover (OSHC) before going to Australia for your studies. This can be between AUD546($400) – AUD820($600). This is a cost that is not covered by your tuition or living expenses. When you have your health insurance covered, you will be able to take care of your health regardless of how unexpected health issues arise.
Wifi is also another expense that you have to cover while living in Australia. Not all accommodations have wifi covered in the rent. If this is the case, you will have to pay additional fees for wifi to be able to use the internet. You may also have assignments that will require that you use the internet so this is as important as other expenses. You will need to spend as low as AUD27($20) weekly for your phone and internet.
Other expenses can also include the following;
- Books
- Clothing
- Installations
- Health insurance
- Home appliances
- Membership fees
- Social activities
Some books are required for you to buy for certain courses in the university so you must budget for this also. In school, there are also some membership fees such as library fees that you have to pay for.
The fact that you are studying does not mean that you should not make friends. You will make friends even if it is few, who will invite you out for social activities. This can be a good opportunity for you to unwind and do other things apart from studying. It is important for balance so you can budget little for this too.
You can also budget for other expenses that don’t have a name on them just yet. These are expenses that may arise as a result of your interest or necessity. It could also be as a result of new policies or fees that never used to be a part of your study and living expenses.
Comparison to Other Countries
Now that you already have enough knowledge about the costs of your study in Australia, we can take a look at the comparison between studying in Australia and other popular countries.
United Kingdom
As mentioned earlier, the tuition fee in Australia can be as low as $7,600. This may not be the same in the United Kingdom as the lowest tuition you can find starts from about $10,000. The United Kingdom is a country that is well known for being home to the most ancient and
prestigious schools in the world such as Oxford University. This is why such schools in the United Kingdom are expensive.
Some regions in the United Kingdom can be expensive to study and live in such as London. London has high standards of living and can be expensive to live in, unlike Australia. The United Kingdom can also be quite competitive as a lot of international students move to study there as it is a business-oriented country.
United States
Studying in the United States can be very rewarding can also be expensive. It costs about $20,000-$60,000 per year to study in the U.S. While it can be quite difficult to get a post-study visa in the United States, it is quite easy to get one in Australia. Someone suggested that being good at sports is an advantage for an international student in the U.S as it can give you an advantage in studying in the U.S.
The United States does not encourage post-study stay so you will have to return to your home country after your studies in the U.S even if you want to return to the United States.
Students visas also allow international students to study in Australia than in the U.S where you are barely allowed to work. You may be allowed to work under certain conditions and by complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service.
You can work as an international student in Australia with a student visa but it can quite competitive to find work as an international student in Australia.
Germany
Like most European countries, you can study in Germany at no cost as most schools are tuition-free. However, you will be required to take care of your living expenses which are essential to your study in Germany. From my research, I can see that most international students move to study there as it is a business-oriented country.
United States
Studying in the United States can be very rewarding can also be expensive. It costs about $20,000-$60,000 per year to study in the U.S. While it can be quite difficult to get a post-study visa in the United States, it is quite easy to get one in Australia. Someone suggested that being good at sports is an advantage for an international student in the U.S as it can give you an advantage in studying in the U.S.
The United States does not encourage post-study stay so you will have to return to your home country after your studies in the U.S even if you want to return to the United States.
Students visas also allow international students to study in Australia than in the U.S where you are barely allowed to work. You may be allowed to work under certain conditions and by complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service.
You can work as an international student in Australia with a student visa but it can quite competitive to find work as an international student in Australia.
Germany
Like most European countries, you can study in Germany at no cost as most schools are tuition-free. However, you will be required to take care of your living expenses which are essential to your study in Germany. From my research, I can see that most international students spend about 700 to 900 pounds ($939 to $1,207)per month on their living expenses. Most international students don’t try to go below this price range or it may be tight for them if they do.
Compared to studying in Germany, you can spend as low as 600 pounds as living costs in Australia.
Norway
Most schools in Norway are tuition-free and like most European countries, all you need to worry about is the living costs. Even if it is an undergraduate, postgraduate, or Ph.D. program. To study in Norway as an international student, you need to budget monthly expenses of $1300 (NOK 12,000). This is higher compared to average living costs in Australia. Even though these are the only expenses which you have to worry about, it is almost as high as paying for tuition.
Asides from this, there are also other expenses that you need to pay for such as the student union fee and miscellaneous. These also contribute to the study and living expenses in Norway.
Conclusion
Overall, Australia is a relatively affordable country to study in. Students should budget their money carefully and make sure they are aware of all the costs associated with studying in Australia. This will help you prepare as you should. If you have been holding back on studying in Australia as a result of high costs, here is your cue. Make good use of the information in this article and start planning your study in Australia.
