UK vs Australia for International Students
International students aiming to study in the UK have a variety of options in terms of courses and renowned UK universities to choose from. While international students thinking of applying to Australia for higher education will have the benefit of post-study work rights and longer stay in comparison to the UK and of course a wide variety of courses offered across 30 Australian universities.
The article focuses on popular courses, admission requirements, fees, student visas, scholarships and all about both countries in detail. Students who are stuck between UK and Australia can clear their doubts by going through each aspect.
UK vs Australia Higher Education Highlights
| Factors | United Kingdom (UK) | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Total International Students | 6,05,130 | 3,70,000 |
| Total Indian Students (2022) | 84,555 | 96,000 |
| Top Courses | Art & Design, Business Studies, Computer Science, Accounting, Finance, Life Sciences, Creative Arts, Geology, Information Technology, Nursing, Law, Data Science, Political Science | Architecture, Psychology, Agricultural Sciences, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Accounting, Actuarial Science, Cybersecurity, Business and Management |
| Currency | Pounds (£) | Australian Dollar (AUD or AU$) |
| Top Universities | ||
| Average Cost of Living | £12,000 | AUD 1,870 per month |
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Popular Courses in UK vs Australia
There are a number of courses that are popularly opted for by international students in the UK and Australia, find more details below:
Popular Courses in the UK
Some of the popular courses in the UK are as follows:
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
- Law
- Business
- Medicine
- Data Science
- Architecture
- Computer Science
- Engineering
Popular Courses in Australia
Check out some of the most popular courses offered in Australia to international students:
- Business
- Engineering & Technology
- Medicine & Healthcare
- Accounting
- Hotel Management
Admission Requirements for UK & Australia
This section discusses the admission requirements for UK and Australia:
UK Admission Requirements
- For UG courses in the UK, premier universities used to require 13 years of pre-university education. This rule was recently changed and now UK universities recognise CBSE plus two certificates for admission to UG courses.
- In PG courses, you can get admission after finishing a three-year UG degree. To get admission to management courses you will have to appear for the GMAT. For science courses, you may not need to give the GRE exam so check with the university first.
- Similar to the US, you might be required to have a few years of work experience in the case of management courses. TOEFL or IELTS may be waivered by the university but are important for the purpose of getting a visa.
Australian Admission Requirements
- For UG courses in Australia, almost all universities require 12 years of pre-university education, which makes it easier for Indian students to get admission directly to the course/degree of their choice.
- In PG courses, you can get admission after finishing a three-year UG degree. In the case of engineering, you will need a four-year UG degree in engineering. To get admission in management courses you will have to appear for GMAT, and for science courses you may need to give the GRE exam.
- You might not be required to have work experience in the case of management courses at some colleges. In case of no work experience, you need to enrol in a graduate certificate or graduate diploma program. TOEFL or IELTS may be waivered by the university but are important for the purpose of getting a visa.
Costs for UG Courses in the UK vs Australia
The following is a cost analysis for various components for Indian students aiming to study in either UK or Australia:
| Particulars |
Undergraduate Courses in the UK |
Undergraduate Courses in Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Average Tuition Fee |
BSc: INR 15.82 Lakhs BTech: INR 15.71 Lakhs BBA: INR 14.19 Lakhs |
BSc: INR 15.05 Lakhs BTech: INR 20.74 Lakhs BBA: INR 16.80 Lakhs |
| Average Living Expense |
INR 5.02 Lakhs |
INR 6.37 Lakhs |
| Duration |
3-4 Years |
3-4 Years |
| Exams Accepted |
IELTS, TOEFL |
IELTS, PTE |
Costs for PG Courses in the UK vs Australia
The costs for PG courses vary based on the type of course opted by Indian students stuck between choosing either the UK or Australia:
| Particulars |
Postgraduate Courses in UK |
Postgraduate Courses in Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Average Tuition Fee |
MA: INR 14.69 Lakhs MS: INR 16.21 Lakhs MBA: INR 17.64 Lakhs |
MA: INR 19.89 Lakhs MS: INR 26.18 Lakhs MBA: INR 90 Lakhs |
| Average Living Expense |
INR 5.02 Lakhs |
INR 6.37 Lakhs |
| Duration |
1.5-2 Years |
1-2 years |
| Exams Accepted |
IELTS, TOEFL |
IELTS, TOEFL |
Check: Student Visas for Study Abroad: Requirement, Fees and Application Process
Student Visa for UK & Australia
International students who qualify for admission to UK or Australia will have to apply for a student visa. Following is a brief on student visa requirements for UK and Australia.
UK Student Visa
The full-time student visa is called a Tier 4 (General) student visa. Due to the tightening of visa rules over the last few years, getting a British student visa is more difficult than before. For this visa, these rules apply -
- It is granted only for a full-time study program
- If you are applying for a diploma course, the length of the visa would be three years (maximum)
- If you are applying for a degree from a university then the length of the visa would be four years (maximum)
- It costs £310 to apply for this visa. You will be required to pay an additional £310 for the dependent visa (per dependant)
- You may or may not be called to the consulate to appear for a personal interview
- You may or may not be allowed to work part-time during your studies, it depends on individual cases. International Students are allowed to do two types of work: 1. Part-time – Up to 20 hours a week in during term, and full-time during vacations (only on-campus) and 2. Full-time work placements which are part of a 'sandwich course'.
Check: UK Student Visa Guide
Australian Student Visa
For this visa, these rules apply -
- The Australian student visa is not granted in the form of a sticker.
- It costs $680 to apply for this visa.
- Spouses get dependent only if the student is pursuing Masters's degree or a PhD. The spouses of Master's and PhD students can work unlimited hours.
- Student visa holders are allowed to work up to 40 hours per fortnight during their study in Australia.
Check: Australia Student Visa Guide: SubClass, Requirements, Fees, Application Process, Rules
Post Study Work Permit for UK & Australia
The post-study work permit is mandatory for international students who wish to stay back while working full time in UK and Australia. Both these countries have separate requirements, read on for more information:
UK Post-Study Work Permit
- In 2012 Tier 1 (Post-study work) was closed to new applicants. So technically you don't get Post Work Visa with Student Visa.If you want to work there after your studies, then you need to apply for a Tier 2 visa which is meant for Highly Skilled Workers.
- In order to be eligible to apply for Tier 2, your annual lowest wage for the new job should be £20,500 or above.
- You can stay and work in the UK with a Tier 2 visa for a maximum of 5 years.
Check: All About Post Study Work Permit in the UK
Australia Post-Study Work Permit
Graduates who have completed a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree may be eligible to apply for a two-year post-study work visa. Other graduates may be eligible to apply for an 18-month subclass 485 visa through the graduate work stream. Read: All about Post Study Work Permit (PSWR) in Australia
Popular Job Sectors in UK & Australia
This section focuses on the popular job sectors in the UK and Australia.
Popular Job Sectors in the UK
Top job sectors in the UK include Business, Technology, Healthcare, and Technology. Some of the popular job roles are as follows:
- Corporate Managers
- Directors
- Mechanical Engineers
- Aircraft pilots
- Nurses
Read: Popular Job Sectors in the UK
Popular Job Sectors in Australia
Top jobs in Australia are offered in the following areas:
- Education
- Medical services,
- Hospitality industry
- Computer system design
- Accounting
Check: Popular Job Sectors in Australia
Note - The Indian concept of campus placements and on-campus recruitment does not apply to foreign universities. Students are expected to look for internships and jobs on their own.
PR in UK & Australia
Since a lot of students apply abroad to study they do have an im to settle down with a good job in the country of study. Following prospects are available for PR in UK and Australia for international students.
PR in the UK
Due to a change in government and legal policies recently, immigrating to the UK is deemed really difficult. The UK govt. has taken a lot of measures to delist "bogus" colleges and limit non-EU migration. If you are staying back in the UK on Student or Work visa, then in most cases you will be required to leave the country.
PR in Australia
Getting a permanent residency permit to Australia is possible but it is a long process. The immigration officials conduct a thorough background check on the candidate to make sure s/he is not fraudulent. Because of the complicated process, the PR permit may take some time to get approved but it is possible to get Australian citizenship.
Check: How to get PR in Australia with Student Visa?
Scholarships for UK & Australia
The following scholarships are offered in UK and Australia for international students:
Climate in UK & Australia
UK Climate
The UK has a variable climate changing from day to day. It is difficult to predict the weather. In general, the summers are warm and winters see snowfall. Summers are cooler than those of India. Also, the rains are unpredictable and it could rain at any time during the year. The average temperature in summers is around 25°C to 15°C; in winters it is around 7°C to 0°C.
Climate in Australia
The country is located in the southern hemisphere. This means Australia's summer starts in December and winter begins in June. Nearly a third of Australia is in the tropics where the average temperatures are in the mid 20°C. The southern areas are in a temperate zone.
This was all about the comparison between the UK and Australia for international students. If you wish to study abroad, then you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.
UK vs Australia FAQs
Q. UK vs Australia - which is better for international students?
A. The choice of a "better" country to study abroad depends on the personal preferences of international students. One must opt to study in the UK if they have a knack for a fast-paced life, and want to experience studying at a prestigious global university and shorter master's courses. However, on the other side, Australia has a more relaxed lifestyle, several outdoor destinations and offers easier-to-stay options after graduation.
Q. UK vs Australia - which is better for Indian students?
A. Both the UK and Australia are great options for Indian students, but here is a breakdown to help you evaluate for getting a better option.
The UK:
- Pros: Offers slightly higher ranked universities and shorter master's programs (1 year).
- Cons: The cost of living in the UK can be higher and the post-study work visa options are shorter than in Australia.
Australia:
- Pros: More relaxed lifestyle, longer post-study work rights, potentially better weather.
- Cons: Universities may be ranked slightly lower and the master's programs are typically longer (1.5-2 years).
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities. Consider factors like your program of study, budget, and desired lifestyle.
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- Universities in UK174 Universities
- Universities in Australia121 Universities
- Universities in USA1028 Universities
- Universities in Canada173 Universities
- Universities in Ireland33 Universities
- Universities in New Zealand70 Universities
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3 years ago
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Reply to Ramsha
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3 years ago
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Hi Ramsha, please refer to the below link and learn more about the post-study work permit in UK: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/post-study-work-permit-in-uk-applycontent5977