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This article is from the soc.culture.australian FAQ, by Stephen Wales with numerous contributions by others.

5.1 Overview of Australian Higher Education [CP,April '93]

A few general points: the academic year in Australian universities
usually runs from about March 1 to November 1 with an examination term
in November. Applications for undergraduate programs are usually made
through a centralised organisation in each state. International
students wishing to study in Australia should check with the nearest
Australian embassy on where and when to send their applications.
Offers of places are usually made in late January and early February.
The costs of attending Australian Universities include the Higher
Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) charge (Graduate tax) and a
student services fee. The student services fees vary from university
to university (at major universities its around $300 +/- $75) but the
HECS contribution (about $2300/year) is set by the federal government
and is the same for all universities. Payment of the HECS contribution
can be deferred until after graduation, however if its paid up front
there is a discount of 15%, otherwise it is repaid as a surcharge on
individual income tax. Nominally it should cost you the same (for
tuition/HECS) to get a B.Sc. in Brisbane as in Perth.

Foreign students are not subject to the HECS but instead are subject
to an annual tuition fee (the equivalent of out-of-state tuition in
the US) charged by the university [JB], half of which has to be paid
before a visa is granted (note that students in exchange programs may
be exempt from this fee). The fee varies with the university and the
degree program and is on the order of A$10-15,000 p.a. depending on
degree program (Medical, dental and veterinary programs are more:
A$20-25,000 p.a.) Foreign students are also required to purchase
private health insurance, which currently costs ~$350 p.a. Foreign
students are permitted to take part time employment up to 20 hours per
week during the semester and full time during vacations.

Degree programs in Australian universities show greater similarity to
British degree programs than to American ones. Thus, even before they
start an undergraduate degree, Australian students have to choose what
general field they wish to get their degree in. In addition to science
(B.Sc.), arts and humanities (B.A.), commerce (B.Comm.) and
engineering (B.E.), these fields include professional training which
is usually only available at the graduate level in the US (e.g. Law,
Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science). As a general rule there are
no "breadth" requirements, indeed science students may not be able to
take more than 1 or 2 arts courses (liberal arts and humanities) and
vice versa. In general, ordinary degrees in arts (B.A.), science
(B.Sc.), and commerce (B.Comm.) require 3 years of full time study.
Honours degrees in these areas usually require an extra years study
and the preparation of a small thesis. An honours degree is normally
required for admission to graduate study. Students without an honours
degree may be required to complete a "masters preliminary year" before
being admitted to graduate programs (masters programs in
administration seem to be an exception). In the case of degree
programs which are normally four years (e.g.agriculture, forestry,
engineering) an honours degree is obtained by completing extra work
and receiving high grades in core classes.

While Australian universities do participate in local and intervarsity
sporting competitions such competition is pretty low key and there is
nothing like the big-bucks semi-professional athletic programs one
sees in the US. Athletic scholarships are unheard of.

In general, Australian universities are commuter universities. The
vast majority of undergraduates live at home while doing their
degrees, although many share housing in suburbs close to their
university or live in residence halls or residential colleges.
Students tend not to go interstate for undergraduate study, and even
at the graduate level their is very little incentive to relocate to
another city or even another university: most do their graduate work
at the same institution they did their undergraduate work at.

Continue to:

• prev: 4.6 Australians Returning Home
• Index
• next: 5.2 Postgraduate Study [CP]