To begin studying as an international student in Australia, there are a range of entry requirements you may have to meet.

The academic requirements (including evidence of English language skills) you need to study will vary depending on the level of education you want to study. Universities and schools can have different entry requirements, so read the course information on their websites carefully.

The costs associated with studying at university or school overseas vary greatly. It depends on the nature of the program, the length of your stay, the distance you travel and the kind of lifestyle you want when you get there.

• When deciding what and where to study, start by thinking about your academic interests and your career goals.
• Take some time to research specific courses, subjects and options for internships or work placements.
• Look at the campus location, rankings, the amount of time you would like to spend away from home and the total cost of studying and living overseas.

• Studying overseas is about more than just the course. Think about what kind of lifestyle you prefer – do you want to be in a cosmopolitan city, or a quiet country town? Would you prefer to choose a city where there are other students from your nationality? Do you want to be close to the beach? Do you want to live on campus?
• If you would like to explore the option of staying in the country to work after your studies you will need to find out about the migration policies in place and also be aware that these government policies can change at any time.

Your career prospects will benefit hugely from your experience of studying, living and socialising overseas. It’s your opportunity to develop a wealth of new skills, perspectives and stronger English language skills and seek work experience from the sort of employers you’d like to work for.

The skills and qualifications employers and professional registration bodies require will vary from country to country. If, for example, you are working towards a career with strict entry requirements such as medicine, engineering, accounting or teaching, do some research with the relevant registration bodies in your home country for advice.

There is a limited number of partial scholarships and bursaries available for international students. The amount varies by level of study and by institution. These scholarships are competitive and you need to demonstrate exceptional academic achievements.

Working while you study can help complement your study and living experience. If you pursue a course at degree level or above you may be permitted to work while on an international student visa.

Before you undertake any paid work, you need to make sure that your visa allows it. The opportunity for students to work part-time during their studies varies from country to country.

Many universities have a dedicated job centre on-campus for students that advertise job opportunities to help students develop skills. The university careers service is also a useful source of information.

We recommend you begin your application process at least a year in advance to give enough time for your applications to be processed and to prepare for your time overseas.