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Australian universities have been rising in popularity, consistently holding a place in the top five destinations – and it’s not surprising. Find out what’s pulling so many international students to the land Down Under.
Over the past few years, Australian universities have been creeping up global rankings, filling many top spots in terms of prestige and international popularity. These days, Australia sits alongside other popular English-speaking countries – the UK, Canada and the USA – as a refreshing and increasingly compelling alternative.
And it’s not surprising that so many students want to study in Australia.
The country boasts a whole host of attractive features, ranging from lifestyle factors to academic offerings. Plus, for students based in Asia, it’s generally more geographically accessible than its key competitors.
And not only is Australia attracting students, it’s also proving itself worthy to those already there: international students report almost 90% satisfaction!
Here are six of the biggest reasons why students already there love it so much, and why your students are probably already considering this fabulous study destination.
One of the key reasons that Australia attracts so many students is that it really has something for everyone!
The country is home to over 1,100 institutions and 22,000 courses across every discipline and at every level. There’s everything from focused vocational programmes to liberal arts-style degrees that allow students to mix and match between disciplines. If you want to learn more in-depth about Australia’s academic options here, be sure to check out our dedicated blog post!
What’s more, Australian universities rank highly for subjects spanning the arts, humanities and sciences – anything your students could be interested in.
And because each of Australia’s states/territories homes at least one of its 43 universities, students have a lot of choice in their geography and landscape as well as their academic pursuits.
Another great benefit of studying in Australia is that no matter what students choose to study, they’ll be able to find truly excellent instruction which develops and challenges them.
The Australian education system encourages innovative and independent thinking and fosters academic excellence – qualities which many students (and employers!) find very compelling.
You only need to look at some of its legacies to see: Wi-Fi, penicillin, the black box flight recorder, the Earth Hour initiative and the Cochlear implant are just some of the world-shaping inventions of graduates from Australian universities.
What’s more, its academic rigour is unquestionable. Australia as a whole ranked 9th worldwide in the 2020 Universitas 21 Ranking of National Higher Education Systems, beating other popular destinations like New Zealand, the Netherlands, Germany and France.
Seven Australian universities were ranked in the QS top 100 universities for 2022, too (Australian National University, The University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, University of Queensland, Monash University and the University of Western Australia).
For many expats in Australia, the main motivation for the move was the Aussie way of life. After all, the country offers the fourth highest quality of life in the world and Australians are known as warm and welcoming, making it an attractive community for outsiders to join.
Life generally moves at a more relaxed pace in Australia compared to some other countries, and Australians have a reputation for savouring moments and putting a high value on enjoyment and happiness.
Australian cities are also generally very safe, and have some of the lowest crime rates in the world. The country has a robust infrastructure, and facilities like transport and healthcare are excellent, making for a healthy and efficient way of life.
A big draw for many international students is the multiculturalism Australia offers, particularly as it can help avoid the culture shock or alienation that often come with international study.
More than half a million international students from almost 200 countries have already studied in Australia, which not only suggests the country is very welcoming to visitors but also increases its multicultural atmosphere even more!
There are also people from all corners of the world and all walks of life living and working in Australia. Students will likely be able to find groups and societies dedicated to their own nationalities/cultures, which can be a great comfort if homesickness strikes. But they’ll also be able to rub shoulders with an eclectic bunch of people – a great opportunity to learn new languages, explore cultures and even try out new cuisines.
No summary of Australia’s magnetic pull could omit its staggering natural beauty.
Australia – the world’s sixth largest country – has an incredibly diverse landscape containing some of the most recognisable and breathtaking scenes our planet offers.
It’s home to over 500 national parks and nearing on 3,000 conservation areas as well as 20 UNESCO World Heritage sites. You’re doubtless familiar with some of these – do the Great Barrier Reef, the Tasmanian Wilderness, Fraser Island or the Sydney Opera House ring any bells?
All of this doesn’t just make for great trips during downtime from studying. It also means that students have a wealth of resources to study. Whether they’re marine biologists in training, archaeology buffs, budding geologists or intrepid conservation activists, Australia offers a chance to get right in the action for an engaging and hands-on study experience.
A final point that makes Australia so appealing to international students is the opportunity it offers for professional development. After all, employability is one of the key motivators for pursuing higher education, and it’s one of many students’ top priorities as they make their final decisions.
Unlike many countries, Australia allows students to work part-time as they study – up to 20 hours during term-time, and full-time during university breaks. That means students not only earn money, but bulk up their CVs or resumes as they study.
Better still, many degrees and other post-secondary qualifications in Australia have work placements and internships built in, offering students a chance to get in-the-field experience in industries related to their areas of study. They’re also a wonderful opportunity to network, and often result in either graduate employment or fruitful connections further down the line.
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