STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES 2021- AUSTRALIA OR UK?
When it comes to picking your study abroad destination, there are several things you need to bear in mind. We have already given a comprehensive comparison between Canada and the United States(hyperlink with the article) in one of the previous articles. You can go through it to get a fair idea about the factors to consider while choosing your destination. In this piece, we will help international students compare Australia and UK as options for higher education.
RENOWNED UNIVERSITIES
Australia is home to some of the most prestigious universities in the world, with names like Australian National University, University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, and University of Queensland ranking among the top global universities. The UK has some of the oldest universities, such as the famous Oxford and Cambridge universities. Other names in the global top ranking list include University College London, University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester, and King’s College London.
POPULAR PROGRAMMES
Aspiring international students choose Australia as a study abroad destination for programmes in Business (accounting and management), Medicine (including Dentistry), Education, IT, Hotel Management, and Creative Arts and Design. The most popular study abroad streams in the UK include Business, Medicine (including dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing), Engineering, Natural Sciences (particularly Biological sciences), and Social Sciences (particularly Psychology).
ELIGIBILITY
If you plan to apply for a UG course in Australia, you require 12 years of pre-university education. The same rule applies in the UK, though premier universities sought 13 years of pre-university education earlier. PG course criteria may differ according to the programme. Both countries require students to clear the GMAT for management courses. You may need to appear for the GRE for science courses, so check with the university first. Apart from the academic entrance exams, you will also have to validate your language proficiency by clearing TOEFL or IELTS for both countries.
COST OF EDUCATION AND LIVING
If you plan to study abroad, you should be willing to shell out a hefty sum for all the tuition fees and cost of living that vary according to the university, programme, and country. The average tuition fees in Australia range between $15,000 – $33,000 per year for UG courses and $20,000 – $37,000 per year for PG courses. The cost of living in the country is $19,000-$20,000 per year. In the UK, the tuition fee costs £8,000-£15,000 per year for UG courses and £10,000 and £12,000 per year for PG courses. You can expect to bear a cost of living of £12,000-£15,000 per year in the UK. Although the costs run high in both countries, international students can look for financial aid to make education affordable.
FUTURE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) allows international students to work for a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight during the semester, while they can work unlimited hours during holidays. UK international students on a Tier 4 Student Visa can work for a maximum of 20 hours per week during the term and take up full-time work during the holidays. After completing degrees, they have myriad employment opportunities in both countries. Australia is a hub for jobs in the medical services, accounting, education, computer system design, and hospitality sectors. Students in the UK thrive as corporate managers, mechanical engineers, pilots, and nurses.
POST-STUDY WORK PERMIT
If you want to stay back in your study abroad destination after completion of your course, you have to apply for a post-study work permit. Australia provides a Temporary Graduate Visa that allows international graduates to stay back to stay for 2-4 years as long as they have completed two years of prior study in the country. International students in the UK may apply for a postgraduate work visa and stay for another two years to find employment, but they must have studied in the country for at least one year. The recent announcement of the Graduate Route has significantly loosened the regulations for students enrolling from 2020-2021 onwards.
PERMANENT RESIDENCY
While a work visa is only a temporary option, you can also look for a permanent residency permit in both countries as an international student. The Australian permanent residency process is a long one and involves thorough background checks on the candidate. Once you clear them, you can get Australian citizenship and stay for good. Immigrating to the UK is very difficult because the government has recently taken strong measures to curb bogus institutions and limit non-EU migration. But you can still find the opportunity to stay longer by securing a suitable employment option in the country.
Both Australia and UK offer similar benefits as study abroad destinations, with some of the best universities in the world located there. While the UK was earlier known for its stringent regulations, the new Graduate route brings fresh hopes for international students aspiring for an extended stay in the country. You can compare these destinations and choose the one that looks right for you.
If you are considering studying abroad why don’t you discuss your prospects and opportunities with experts at Lurnable’s dedicated study abroad counselling division LurnPathways?
