Why study in Australia?

In 1924, British mountaineer George Mallory was asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest.  “Because it’s there”, was his famous reply.  As someone who’s thinking of studying overseas might probably ask, why study in Australia?  We say, why not?

Quality of education

Australia’s world-class education is recognised all over the world as one of the best.  Australian school students consistently perform well in Math, Literacy and Science in OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, a group of nations composed of USA, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, UK, Australia and most of Western Europe) performance ranking. 

In 2018, 23 Australian universities were listed among the top 500 universities in the world, and 37 Australian universities made it in the top 1000 global world ranking. That’s 37 out of 41 Australian universities, or 90% of Australian universities amongst the world’s best—easily affirming the world-class status of Australian universities.  

After study prospects

Australian qualifications are recognised and accepted all over the world.  The Australian Senior Secondary Certificate is a passport for admission to university degree studies in all developed countries.  Countries around the world recognise Australian vocational and technical qualifications as representing proficiency and competency on the part of the holder.  Similarly, developed countries in Europe, North America, and Asia recognise and accept university degrees from Australia as comparable to their local university qualifications.  For example, graduates of medical degree in Flinders University (in Adelaide, South Australia) are allowed to register for medical practice in Singapore. 

To date there are approximately 3 million alumni of Australian educational institutions from all over the world.  Many of them now decision makers in various fields in their respective home countries.  This represents a strong network of fellow alumnus that you can tap after your Australian study. 

In 2018, a record number of international students opted to take advantage of work visa available to recent graduates of Australian educational institutions that can lead to permanent residency in Australia.

Liveability

Australian cities are in fact more cost effective compared to other global cities around the world.  Sydney and Melbourne are the 2 most expensive cities in Australia.  Yet according to the latest Mercer Cost of Living Survey they only rank in 50th and 79th place amongst the most expensive cities in the world.  Far below the cost of living in places like Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, LA, New York, London, etc.  And yes, Australian cities like Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are perennially in the Economic Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) list of most liveable cities in the world year after year.

A conducive place to study and to live.

Obviously you don’t want to study in a place worrying about the probability of becoming a victim of random violence.  You’d rather study in a place where the society and government are stable, where the water is clean, the air is fresh, and things are orderly.  A country that has modern infrastructure and conveniences while also having some of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world.  A place where the people are cosmopolitan (multicultural) and where there’s a general sense of fair go (or fairness) among the population.  A place where adventure is aplenty and the healthcare is among the best in the world.  These are the conditions conducive to learning, living and well-being, this is the general description of Australia.        

So why study in Australia? May be the answer to the question is the same as the answer to the question why you want to study overseas in the first place.  You want to study in Australia because you want a world-class education for you or your child.  You’re after experiences and learnings that’ll enrich you and enable you to grow.  You want to be equipped as best as you can as you prepare to curve your own path in this world.  An Australian education credentials can open doors for you and you don’t mind that.  Or maybe, you simply wish to be a part of this wonderful place under the sun.  Good news is unlike George Mallory, you don’t need to do something like climbing Mount Everest to make that happen. Godspeed!