For international students wishing to go abroad to pursue higher studies, Australia has always been one of the top destinations of choice, mostly because of its high quality of education and promising career prospects. Australia is home to a total of 43 universities, ranked at the top globally, offering a range of courses across diverse areas of study.
Most students make the decision to pursue a course for their degree based on their finances, part-time and future full-time job prospects. Besides, it might also be challenging to choose the best courses to study as Australia has so many universities and streams of education to choose from. According to the Australian Government’s Study Australia website, there are more than 22,000 courses available for international students.
So in this blog, we will make this process of your study abroad journey, one step easier, by listing down the most popular courses for international students in Australia, and also the reason behind their popularity. We have prepared this list through extensive research and years of hands-on experience in collaborating with Australian universities and guiding students toward successful career paths. So let us get started then!
Study in Australia for International Students: General Requirements
Before getting started with the courses as part of your academic pursuit, let us have a quick look at the general requirements required for you, as an international student, to qualify to study in Australia -
Entrance Requirements
Each university in Australia might or might not have some specific requirements for you to attend their institution. So, it is a good idea to check the university website for their entrance requirements. However, there are some basic requirements to study in Australia that all international students must meet -
| Programs |
Entrance Requirements |
|
Bachelor’s Degree
|
-
Good grades in 9-12th grade
-
English Proficiency Requirements:
IELTS: 6.5 or above
TOEFL: 90+
-
Overall flexible admission
|
|
Master’s Degree
|
-
English Proficiency Requirements:
IELTS: 6.5 or above
TOEFL: 90+
-
Full-time work experience (2-3 years)
-
Copy of published work (if any) or portfolio
|
Visa Requirements
To study in Australia, one of the main criteria for international students is to obtain a student visa (Subclass 500). Below, we have made a list of everything that you will need to obtain your student visa successfully -
-
A valid passport throughout your study in Australia.
-
An offer letter from your chosen university or institution.
-
Proof of English proficiency, such as PTE, IELTS, or an accepted equivalent.
-
Proof of adequate funds.
-
Proof of Overseas Student Health Cover.
-
Any other necessary documents from the Department of Home Affairs visa checklist.
Study in Australia for International Students: Popular Courses
In the pursuit of popular courses for international students in Australia, several criteria come into the picture - including the cost of study, career prospects, and the path to permanent residency! A crucial determinant here is the Skilled Occupations List (SOL), which lists the areas of job shortages where migrant skilled workers in the country are most sought after i.e. the in-demand jobs in Australia. Courses aligning with SOL occupations meet all the criteria, making them the most favored choice among international students.
Below we have listed some of those popular courses amongst international students, based on the above criteria, to study in Australia -
Cyber Security
Cyber Security is a course that prepares students with the skills and knowledge necessary to deal with the world of security of information. This is important for the survival of any business or organization in the present world. A student with a degree in Cyber Security in Australia has higher employability after completing the course than most other degrees in related fields - like Software Engineering, Data Science, etc. Graduates further have the possibility to switch their careers to the roles of analysts, cryptographers, consultants, technical advisors, technical project managers, cyber security coordinators, and so on, with a degree in this field.
Since Cyber Security is gaining massive importance in the global technological arena, studying in this course will open up dozens of opportunities like working in renowned companies like Intel, IBM, and Google—both in Australia, and around the world.
Degrees offered in Cyber Security in Australia:
-
Bachelor of Cyber Security
-
Bachelor of Computer Science (Cyber Security)
-
Bachelor of Information Technology (Cyber Security)
-
Bachelor of Networking (Cyber Security)
-
Master of Cyber Security
-
Master of Networking (Cyber Security)
-
Ph.D. in Cyber Security
-
Professional Certifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Information Technology
Along with studying Cloud Computing or Cyber Security, many students also opt to go the more general route and study Information Technology, or IT in short.
One of the major reasons to study information technology for international students is the increase in job opportunities - the largest growth being seen in cities like Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. Melbourne, particularly, is Australia's technology hub and home to more than half of the country’s top 20 tech companies, while the state of Victoria has over 8,000 IT businesses based there, including IBM, Microsoft, Deloitte, PwC, and Intel.
After completing an undergraduate degree in IT, international students can also further specialize in fields like Artificial Intelligence or Cyber Security, if they want.
Degrees offered in Information Technology in Australia:
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Bachelor of Information Technology
-
Bachelor of Business Information Systems
-
Master of Information Technology
-
Master of Information Systems
-
Master of Business Information Systems
-
Ph.D. in Information Technology
Top universities in Australia for Information Technology:
| University |
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023 |
Score |
|
The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
|
57
|
73.7
|
|
The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
|
57
|
73.7
|
|
The University of Sydney
|
57
|
73.7
|
|
Monash University
|
73
|
70.6
|
|
University of Technology Sydney
|
73
|
70.6
|
|
The University of Adelaide
|
113
|
67.4
|
|
Macquarie University
|
151-200
|
-
|
Business Analytics
Most of the competencies currently required in the modern world combine multiple skill sets, and this is where courses on business analytics come into play!
Due to the rapid emergence of IT businesses and the development of ICT, many organizations, particularly those focusing on digital marketing, need to measure growth against investment over a period of time. In the aforementioned scenarios, a degree in business analytics can do wonders for the graduate’s career. Business Analytics refers to the use of technology in order to analyze, present, and support decision-making from collective data held in organizational settings. It looks at the way businesses structure the arrangement of their information and the ways in which people & organizations use technology to improve their processes & to innovate their services. This course is becoming increasingly crucial in the business world as it helps organizations manage vast amounts of data to make critical business decisions.
After graduating with this degree, students can even go for an MBA in order to prepare themselves for future managerial positions.
Degrees offered in Business Analytics in Australia:
-
Bachelor of Business (Analytics)
-
Master of Business Analytics
-
Master of Data Science (Business Analytics)
-
Master of Information Technology (Business Analytics)
-
Ph.D. in Business Analytics
-
Professional Certifications: Certified Business Analytics Professional (CBAP)
Top universities in Australia for Business Analytics:
| University |
QS Business Master’s Rankings 2023 |
Score |
|
Melbourne Business School
|
14
|
75.6
|
|
Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University
|
61-70
|
-
|
|
Sydney Business School,
University of Wollongong
|
71-80
|
-
|
Accounting
Accounting-related occupations have always been an integral part of the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) in Australia. Since Australian industries need more management accountants, taxation accountants, and general accountants, accounting is considered to be one of the most popular courses in Australia among international students. As per the QS Ranking for Accounting and Finance, six Australian universities have secured positions within the top 50 globally in this specialized field of education.
Corporate treasurer and external auditor are just two of the roles that accounting students can choose to pursue after they are done with their graduation. Additionally, accounting courses are often accredited by the Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) as well.
Degrees offered in Accounting in Australia:
-
Bachelor of Accounting
-
Bachelor of Business (Accounting)
-
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)
-
Master of Professional Accounting (MPA)
-
Master of Accounting
-
Ph.D. in Accounting
-
Professional Accounting Qualifications: Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA), Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) certifications
Top universities in Australia for Accounting:
| University |
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023 |
Score |
|
The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
|
21
|
82.4
|
|
The University of Sydney
|
35
|
79.9
|
|
Monash University
|
36
|
79.5
|
|
University of Technology Sydney
|
87
|
71.2
|
|
Macquarie University
|
98
|
70
|
Social Work
Courses in social work are widely pursued by international students due to the huge shortage of workers in Australia in this field. Most occupations under this course are listed within the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). Among them, the courses students often look for are Psychology, Psychiatry, Health and Welfare Services, Community Service, Social Work and Social Studies, and many others. These courses are offered by most Australian universities and are accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
Students choosing social work courses can choose to work in the public or private sector, NGOs, INGOs, government, or autonomous organizations — as they see fit.
Degrees in Social Work offered by top universities in Australia:
| University |
Degree |
|
Charles Darwin University
|
- Bachelor of Humanitarian Aid and Development
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs Practice
- Diploma of Counseling
- Diploma of Social Care
- Undergraduate Certificate Introduction to Social and Mental Health Care
|
|
Curtin University
|
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Bachelor of Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
- Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
- Master of Public Health
- Doctorate of Social Work and Social Policy
- Master of Philosophy (Health Studies)
- Graduate Certificate Human Rights
- Graduate Certificate Employment Relations
|
|
Southern Cross University
|
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Bachelor of Community Welfare
- Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)
- Undergraduate Certificate in Community Welfare
|
Engineering
For international students, especially from Bangladesh, engineering is a top choice in Australia. Among all engineering courses, civil and electrical engineering are mostly preferred because of the high demand for skilled workers from these fields. Moreover, Australian institutions offer more hands-on VET courses compared to Bangladesh, which can lead to roles like engineering associate or technologist and serve as a university pathway. Postgraduate programs are also available for working engineers.
Australia currently faces a shortage of engineers, especially in mining and resource-rich states like Western Australia and Queensland. This high demand means international engineering students have excellent job prospects in those states. Skilled migrant engineers account for over half of newly qualified engineers in Australia. Besides, engineers in Australia also earn high salaries, with recent graduates averaging $60,705.
Engineering courses in Australia, additionally, emphasize work experience ensuring graduates have practical skills. This includes co-op courses with internships and work placements at Australian companies.
Top universities in Australia for Electrical Engineering:
| University |
Best Global Universities Ranking |
Subject Score |
|
University of Technology Sydney
|
8
|
90.9
|
|
The University of Sydney
|
10
|
90.2
|
|
The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
|
18
|
83.3
|
|
The University of Adelaide
|
25
|
80.7
|
|
Swinburne University of Technology
|
43
|
76.5
|
|
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT)
|
66
|
72.4
|
Top universities in Australia for Civil Engineering:
| University |
Best Global Universities Ranking |
Score |
|
The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
|
24
|
71.3
|
|
Monash University
|
25
|
71.1
|
|
University of Technology Sydney
|
29
|
69.0
|
|
Curtin University
|
30
|
67.9
|
|
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT)
|
31
|
67.3
|
|
The University of Sydney
|
40
|
63.9
|
Conclusion
In conclusion, Australia stands as an attractive destination for international students for a successful career and choosing a course for its pathway can be challenging. Whether it is Social Work or Engineering, Australia provides a wide range of options spanning diverse areas of study.
However, as an international student, you should make a well-informed decision based on your skills and goals. And in order to help you accomplish that, PFEC Global is here to provide all the necessary assistance required! At PFEC Global, our expert consultants provide comprehensive support throughout the application process, from choosing a course to ensuring seamless enrollment. Please reach out to us at 096 09 800 300 (Dhanmondi), 096 09 800 700 (Banani), 096 09 800 400 (Chittagong), every Saturday to Thursday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the best courses for international students in Australia?
Answer: The best courses for international students in Australia include Cyber Security, Business Analytics, Accounting, Social Work, and more.
Which courses are best for PR in Australia?
Answer: Registered nurses, software and application programmers, teachers, and chefs are some of the occupations listed in the Skilled Occupations List (SOL).
What degree is famous in Australia?
Answer: The most popular degree in Australia is Accounting & Finance, with six Australian universities ranking among the top 50 in the world in this field.
How long are degree courses in Australia?
Answer: Most Bachelor’s degree courses in Australia typically require a minimum of three years of full-time study.
How long is the semester break in Australia?
Answer: In Australia, the summer semester break is typically two weeks long in April, aligning with the Easter long weekend.
