UK vs. Australia: Which is Better For International Students?

UK vs. Australia: Which is Better For International Students?

UK vs. Australia: Which is Better For International Students?
Saru Niraula

Australia and the UK are two of the most popular places for students looking to study abroad. Both countries have first-rate educational systems and excellent living standards.

The fact that both nations welcome international students is a plus for each one. Australia and the UK both have regulations that make studying easier. 

Both also provide visa alternatives that enable students to remain in the country after finishing their studies. 

While the UK is second behind the USA as a study-abroad destination, Australia is presently ranked fifth. 

Do you want to know more about the distinctions between studying in Australia and the UK? That is just what you will discover in this post. Continue reading to learn whether Australia or the UK would be better for your graduate education.

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Benefits of Studying in the UK

The UK has traditionally attracted students worldwide to study there. And there's a good reason behind it. The UK is an excellent place to study abroad because of its top-notch education, diversity, and vibrant student cities. Here are the advantages of studying in the UK.

  • For international students, help is available around-the-clock. Every institution has a department to assist overseas students and provide information on fees, housing, and academic support. With information on services for mental health support, accommodation, employment, and immigration, the UK Council for International Student Affairs, an advisory group for international students, provides a helpful website for them.
  • Your English skills will improve by studying in the UK. What better country than England, the birthplace of the language, to improve your English? You'll hear various English dialects worldwide because the UK is so diverse, offering you a real-world listening experience you might not get at home.
  • The top universities in the UK are among the most prestigious in the world. Eight UK universities are among the top 50 universities in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings 2021. In the UK, there are more than 100 institutions to pick from, and they are renowned for their R&D capabilities, medical programs, and arts and humanities programs.
  • Universities offer a remarkably diverse community. In the UK, there are 9.5 million people who were born abroad or 14% of the total population. This implies that international students who relocate to the UK may have the chance to discover a wide range of cultural traditions and develop friendships with people from different countries.
  • Additionally, numerous employment options exist, mainly if you work in one of the professions on the UK's Shortage Occupation List. The UK government aggressively recruits experts from overseas for these posts since there is a scarcity of nurses, pharmacists, teachers, engineers, and other professionals in the country.
  • It's a good location for students to be. International students can discover many fantastic student cities in the UK, including London, Glasgow, Manchester, and Nottingham. Explore UK pub culture during university student nights, or check out your new location's top-notch museums and art galleries. Most importantly, you'll make friends worldwide and enjoy exploring the UK with them.

Benefits of Studying in Australia

There is almost nothing that Australia lacks. Affordably priced education, a luxurious lifestyle, and spectacular scenery, including golden beaches and breathtaking rainforests, may be found at some of the most outstanding colleges in the world. 

These are a few of the most significant advantages of studying abroad in Australia.

  • Diverse activities for students - If you like to spend time outside, countless unique activities are just waiting for you. Under the Great Barrier Reef, you may go snorkelling and scuba diving and have a fantastic time! Australia also has top-notch art galleries and museums, and the Sydney Opera House presents over 40 weekly performances.
  • There are students from all over the world, so you never have to worry about that! Australia has had at least 200,000 international students attend its universities during the previous few years, placing it third in the number of international students after the United States and the United Kingdom.
  • Great weather is experienced in most of Australia, which is a bonus for students. Sun-drenched beaches draw tens of thousands of visitors. Temperatures in prestigious colleges in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne are typically above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • International Educational Reputation - Australia, while a tiny country, is highly regarded as having some of the world's top research institutes. The fact that the educational degrees earned here are recognized worldwide makes participating in an Australian study abroad program a useful addition to any student's professional portfolio.
  • Working while studying - International students with a student visa are permitted to engage in part-time employment, which will assist them in further reducing the cost of their studies in Australia. Students can work up to 40 hours every two weeks in positions requiring rudimentary abilities. This can potentially lower the price of education and daily living costs significantly.
  • Australians are widely recognized for their relaxed lifestyles, and their student culture is no different. Australian students put in a lot of effort and take their education seriously, but they also maintain a healthy work-life balance and participate in various leisure activities.

UK Vs. Australia: Top Universities

UK: Top Universities

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The UK is home to some of the world's oldest and most renowned universities, and its educational system has an outsized influence on many others. 

Some of its best institutions for international students include King's College London, rated 33rd; the University of Manchester, ranked 27th; the University of Edinburgh, ranked 20th; and University College London, ranked 8th globally.

Australia: Top Universities

Australian National University, with a global rank of 29, is in first place, followed by the University of Melbourne in 38th, the University of Sydney in 42nd, the University of New South Wales in 43rd, and the University of Queensland in 47th. 

The top 5 universities in Australia have all attained top rankings.

UK Vs. Australia: Cost of Study

Cost of Studying in the UK

Generally speaking, UK tuition costs are among the highest in the world for international education. 

The cost of a Master's program ranges widely, from 18000 to 5000 GBP, depending on various elements, including the study topic and the institution. This translates to roughly 17–33,00,000 Indian rupees at the current exchange rate.

According to the Student Visa estimate, one academic year of living in London, one of the most expensive cities in the UK, would cost between 11,000 and 12,500 GBP (i.e., nine months). This corresponds to roughly 10,000–12,000 Indian Rupees.

Cost of Studying in Australia

Even though it typically is less than in the UK, Australian universities' tuition is somewhat pricey. 

Most Master's programs cost between 20 and 37 000 AUD in education each year, depending on the university and field of study. This translates to roughly 10–18,00,000 Indian rupees at the current exchange rate.

The amount of money required to live and study in Australia is established at 20–25,000 AUD annually, with regional and urban areas requiring different amounts depending on location, in line with the visa criteria. 

This is equivalent to 10–12,00,000 INR, roughly equal to the cost of living in the UK.

UK Vs. Australia: Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements to study in the UK

  • Top UK universities used to need 13 years of pre-university study for UG courses. The criteria for admission to UG degrees at UK institutions have recently altered, and they now accept the CBSE plus-two certificate.
  • You can enrol in postgraduate programs after earning a three-year undergraduate degree. You must take the GMAT to be admitted to management programs. Check with the university beforehand, as you might not need to take the GRE for science courses.
  • Regarding management courses, similar to the US, you might need a few years of work experience. The university may waive the TOEFL or IELTS, which are crucial for obtaining a visa.

Admission Requirements to study in Australia

  • The 12 years of pre-university education requirement for UG programs in Australia makes it simpler for International students to gain admission directly to the course or degree they choose.
  • You can enrol in postgraduate programs after earning a three-year undergraduate degree. For engineering, you will require a four-year undergraduate degree. You may need to take the GRE to enrol in science courses and the GMAT to enrol in management courses.
  • Some institutions may not require you to have job experience for their management programs. You must enrol in a graduate certificate or diploma program if you lack Work experience. The university may waive the TOEFL or IELTS, which are crucial for obtaining a visa.

UK Vs. Australia: Post Study Work Permit

Post Study Work Permit: UK

  • New applications were no longer accepted for Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) 2012. Accordingly, a student visa does not correctly qualify for a post-work visa. If you wish to work there after your education, you must apply for a Tier 2 visa, intended for Highly Skilled Workers.
  • Your new work must pay at least £20,500 per year as your lowest annual salary to qualify for Tier 2.
  • A Tier 2 visa allows for a five-year maximum residence and employment in the UK.

Post-Study Work Permit: Australia

  • Bachelor's and Master's degree holders can be eligible to apply for a two-year post-study work visa. Other graduates may be eligible to apply for a subclass 485 visa valid for 18 months under the graduate employment stream.

UK Vs. Australia: PR Opportunities

Learn about UK Universities That Offer Guaranteed Scholarships

PR in the UK

Immigrating to the UK is considered extremely tough due to recent government and legal regulations changes.

The UK government has taken many steps to delist "bogus" colleges and restrict immigration outside the EU. In most circumstances, you will be obliged to leave the country if you reside in the UK on a student or work visa.

PR in Australia

It is feasible to obtain a permanent residency visa for Australia. However, the procedure takes time.

To ensure the applicant is not a fraud, immigration officials thoroughly investigate them. Although it may take some time for the PR permit to be obtained due to the lengthy process, it is feasible to obtain Australian citizenship.

UK Vs. Australia: Scholarships

Scholarships in the UK

Scholarships in Australia 

Cardiff Business School India Scholarships

Endeavor Awards

Sir Ratan Tata Fellowships for South Asian Students at LSE

University of Queensland Postgraduate Coursework Scholarships

Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships

The University of Adelaide Ashok Khurana Scholarship for Indian Students

British Council GREAT scholarships for Indian Students

Australian Leadership Awards (ALA) 

Oxford and Cambridge Society of India (OCSI) Scholarships

University of Queensland India-Australia BEL Excellence Scholarship,

On the one hand, the UK is home to the top-ranked city in the world for higher education, London, which is also the location of many of the UK's best universities. 

In addition, London is a major global centre for business and finance, one of the top cities in the world for art and culture. It is home to one of the largest populations of international students, surpassing 1 lakh in 2019.

On the other hand, Australia is home to not just one but two of the best cities in the world for higher education. 

While Sydney, ranked ninth, is regarded as the country's cultural centre, Melbourne, ranked third, has been named the World's Most Liveable City for seven years. 

Melbourne is also particularly significant in the QS ranking factor of employer activity because several large multinational corporations have established offices here.

So, this was all about Which country is better for International Students to Study, UK or Australia. We hope this article will help students to choose the right one according to their criteria.

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