Study In Australia
Table of content
Education System in Australia
The education system in Australia is backed by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Introduced in 1995, AQF is a national policy that covers the qualifications from the school leaving certificate to Senior Secondary Certificate of Education to the Tertiary Education Sector.
Higher education in Australia is organized in two sectors – universities registered by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) and vocational education and training (VET), which is regulated and registered by the Australian Skills Quality Agency (ASQA).
VET
These courses are offered by the Technical And Further Education (TAFE) institutions that are government-funded, as well as private Registered Training Organizations (RTO) and adult and community education centers. VET courses incorporate on-job training in addition to online or classroom training.
Undergraduate
The bachelor’s courses take 3 years to complete, however, some institutions are offering fast-track bachelor’s programs, which can be completed in 2 years . These courses are typically 3 - 4 years long and lead to a bachelor's degree. They offer a broad range of subject areas and often include practical work experience or research opportunities. Some universities also offer a fast-track bachelor’s program that can be completed in 2 years .
Graduate
Australian universities offer a broad range of graduate options, including a graduate certificate, graduate diploma, and master’s degree. The graduate certificate duration is six months, whereas a graduate diploma can be earned in eighteen months, and a master’s degree in a year or two, depending on the university and type of course.
PhD Programs
This is the highest degree awarded by Australian universities and generally takes three years to complete. Australian universities award the highest degree, a PhD, which typically takes 3- 4 years to complete and involves extensive research in a specific field. Students work closely with a supervisor to develop and carry out a research project, culminating in a thesis. Graduates are prepared for careers in academia, research, or industry.
Higher Education AQF Levels
Qualification | Degree Level | AQF LEVEL |
Higher Doctoral Degree | Graduate | 10 |
Doctoral Degree | Graduate | 10 |
Masters Degree (Research) | Graduate | 9 |
Masters Degree (Coursework) | Graduate | 9 |
Masters Degree (Extended) | Graduate | 9 |
Graduate Diploma | Graduate | 9 |
Types of Educational Institutes in Australia
- Group of 8 Universities: They are the group of the eight best research universities in Australia. These universities are chosen by people who want to perform an extensive graduate study.
The following are Group of 8 universities in Australia:
- The University of Melbourne
- University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney
- The University of Queensland Monash University
- The University of Western Australia
- The University of Adelaide
- The University of Sydney Australian National University
- Public Universities: These universities are government-funded and comprise a wide range of institutions from a network of regional universities to research-intensive universities.
- Private Universities: These universities are higher education institutions not funded by the government and operate on a self-sustaining business model. They can be more expensive than public universities and may not offer the same range of facilities and resources.
- Institute of Technology/Australian Technology Network: These are universities, which offer practical and technological education such as sports science, nursing, and design.
- Technical and Further Education (TAFE): These institutes offer vocational courses, apprenticeships and work experience. TAFE institutes are run by territory and state governments.