Your 8-Step Guide to Low-Cost Study in Australia

Are you looking to Study in Australia for cheap? If so, you have landed on the right page. In this blog, we will share with you 8 steps that you can follow to study in Australia economically. The accommodation and travel costs, living expenses, visa costs, and tuition fees make it seem impossible to study for cheap. However, there are several ways in which studying here can become affordable. Keep reading to find out more about this. 

1. Ensure You Meet Australia Study Requirements

Apart from completing secondary school qualification, you are required to meet the requirement of English language proficiency if you are not from a country where English is the first language. The following are score requirements:

• TOEFL: Overall score of 67 with a minimum of the following section scores:
• Writing: 21
• Reading: 15
• Speaking: 18
• Listening: 12
• IELTS: Overall score of 6.0 with a minimum of 6.0 band score. 

In order to save money, study well to attain these scores on your first attempt. Else, you will have to pay the full fee for the exam again. 

2. Finalize Course and Search for Universities

After deciding on a course, look for universities. Pay special attention to their tuition fees. Fortunately, there are numerous universities in Australia for international students that provide affordable courses. Some examples are:

• Charles Sturt University: Global students are required to pay as low as AUD 21,280 a year for a bachelor’s degree.
• Federation University Australia: The average yearly fee for a B.A. is AUD 15,750. 

Nonetheless, tuition fees are dependent on the type of course you opt for. Pursuing a degree in medicine and law will be more expensive than opting for a course in nursing, humanities, and arts. 

3. Search for Financial Aid and Scholarships

A number of Australian universities offer financial aid services and scholarships to international students. Some scholarships cover traveling, living, and tuition expenses while others cover tuition fees only. A few examples are listed below:

• Macquarie Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship: Partial tuition fee aid up to a maximum of AUD 10,000
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia’s Australia Awards Scholarship: Full scholarship to students from developing nations looking for bachelor and masters degrees. 

4. Check University Admission Requirements

After shortlisting universities and courses, it is time to check if you meet the university criteria prior to your application. The requirements vary from one university to another and some may ask students for specific documents. Nonetheless, the most common requirements are given below, which you must compile ahead of applying. 

• Work experience, if applicable
• Letter of recommendation 
• Academic transcripts
• English language proficiency test results, such as IELTS or TOEFL

Scan these documents and save them on your computer to ensure a smooth and hassle-free application process.

5. Apply to Shortlisted Universities

You can directly apply to Australian universities through their university websites. Apart from the above-mentioned documents, you may be required to submit a personal statement and fill out past experiences, personal details, and qualifications. 

6. Apply for Financial Aid or Scholarships 

While there is a range of scholarship options, obtaining one is not easy. This is why you should apply for several scholarship programs to augment your chances of getting one. In fact, you should not limit your search to educational institutions. Several government departments, international organizations, and the Australian Government offer a variety of scholarships. 

Further, many faculties have their own scholarship choices as well. So depending on the course and university you opt for, perform thorough research regarding scholarships offered by them. And finally, all financial aid and scholarship programs have their own deadlines. So apply well in advance to avoid missing deadlines. 

7. Apply for a Student Visa

Once you are done applying to universities and receive acceptance, it is time to begin the visa application process. The most common type of Australian student visa is the Subclass 500, which allows international students to study, work, and live in the country for up to 5 years. 

The process for applying costs a minimum of AUD 650 per application. You can either apply through an education agent or directly through the immigration website of Australia. The latter is a cheaper option.

8. Plan Economical Living 

Your lifestyle plays a crucial role in the amount you spend during your stay in Australia. So once your visa is approved and you move to Australia, you must plan your expenses thoroughly. This includes accommodation, food, and travel. We recommend you cook your own food instead of heading out for meals. Further, if you wish to eat outside, you should consider going for breakfast or lunch since dinners are more expensive. 

The Bottom Line 

Studying at the cheapest university in Australia can help you save money based on tuition fees to a great extent. If you are fortunate enough to obtain a scholarship, consider a majority of your expenses covered. Nonetheless, your lifestyle contributes majorly to your overall expenses. So plan the same according to your budget.