Australia is one of the highly sought-after study-abroad destinations. And rightly so because of the many incentives it provides for international students.
Each country has a set of prerequisites that serve as entry requirements for international students. Australia is certainly no exception in this case. If you have chosen to go abroad in order to study in Australia, there are a range of basic requirements you will have to meet.
In this blog, we will cover all those requirements and explain them in detail, leaving no gap for any kind of information. So let us dive straight into the discussion!
Basic Requirements to Study in Australia from Bangladesh
Now, in this segment, we have categorized the requirements into three aspects and further discussed them in detail. So that it becomes easier for you to navigate through the blog and get a comprehensive understanding -
English Language Proficiency Requirements:
International students who wish to study in Australia
will have to prove their proficiency in the English language. The reason is because Australia is an English-speaking country and their medium of instruction is also English. As a result, a certain level of proficiency in English is required by academic institutions in Australia to ensure that students who are from other countries would not have difficulties in understanding any concepts.
Below listed are the requirements related to English language proficiency:
Most commonly accepted English language tests across the academic institutions in Australia are - International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Pearson Test of English (PTE), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT), and C1 Advanced Exam (CAE).
Note that the required English language proficiency requirements for your chosen institution might differ from the requirements needed for your student visa application.
Check Australia's Department of Home Affairs website for specific English language requirements for the student visa application.
And with your institution's website for confirming if your English proficiency meets the entry requirements. For some cases, you can be exempted from an English language proficiency test if you have proof e.g. A' levels, undergraduate degree, or Master’s degree with English as the language of instruction.
Academic Entry Requirements:
Academic entry requirements are those you will need to study in Australia. These requirements also include English language proficiency as mentioned earlier and will vary depending on your level of education. To make the whole thing easier to comprehend, we have listed different levels of study and their entrance requirements separately:
Schools – Entry requirements will vary between schools depending on the state or territory you will be studying in. Your academic performance is taken well into account when you apply for admission. This is especially stricter for courses that Australia is renowned for e.g. university degrees in Accounting, Civil/ Electrical Engineering, IT, Business Analytics, etc.
Undergraduate (Higher Education) – To gain entry into an Australian undergraduate course, you will need to have the overseas equivalent of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (Year 12) degree. For most Bangladeshi students, it will be one of the following: 3 A Levels (for English Medium), HSC/Alim pass (For Bengali Medium/ Madrasah) students. May Australian universities conduct interviews of international students for a better understanding of their academic curriculum and themselves! Some undergraduate courses may also have specific prerequisite subjects or foundation courses that need to be completed beforehand.
Additionally, if you are falling a little short of meeting the educational requirements of an Australian high school qualification, consider taking a Foundation course before you get started on your undergraduate degree. Foundation courses, also known as bridging study, are intensive courses that help you meet the entry requirements. They are usually a year long and are offered by most higher education institutions and can easily serve to pave the pathway to help you ease your way to an undergraduate degree.
Postgraduate (Higher Education) – First and foremost requirement is at least one degree at the undergraduate level, then your institution may take into consideration your ability to research and/or relevant work experience. In case you are switching your major, the institution will check your Statement of Purpose (SOP) for a justifiable explanation.
For some courses, international students seeking postgraduate admission are required to take the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test). Most Australian Universities do not require the GRE for admission to postgraduate courses. However, it is advisable to enclose a copy of your score sheet.
Professional courses like MBAs or some Master’s courses might also require relevant work experience. For instance, many courses in IT require at least a couple of years of work experience.
Vocational education and training – In most cases, there are no entrance exams for VET institutions. However, some courses may have prerequisites in the form of specific courses or relevant work experiences.
Student Visa Requirements:
Type of student visa depends on your chosen level and course of study. As a guideline for the Australian student visa, general requirements mandatory for you to meet include:
Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) certificate
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirements
Proof of fund covering airfares, tuition, and living expenses
English language proficiency requirements
Note that IELTS is the only test accepted by the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs for issuing a student visa.
Before entering Australia, it is a prerequisite for international students to be in good health. This means you might have to take a health examination and present a medical certificate to prove that you meet the health requirements.
This special health insurance is specifically for international students. The OSHC helps you to pay for any kind of medical care you might need while studying in Australia. You will need OSHC before you arrive in Australia.
There are also some specific character requirements you need to fulfill in order to be able to study in Australia. As part of the process, you will need to answer some basic questions in your application about your character and past behavior and submit a police background check. These are both just standard procedures and nothing to be afraid of!
Though we have covered most of the visa requirements for students in the points mentioned above, we will advise you to check the Australian government’s Department of Home Affairs website - which contains all updated information on student visas in detail!
To Recap!
If we have to summarize the whole blog in two key points -
Like any other country, Australia has some specific requirements to be met if you want to study in Australia as an international student.
And these specific requirements cover majorly three aspects - English language proficiency, academic entry, and student visa.
Additionally, we will also advise you to start looking at the requirements at your desired level of entry a few years before you will apply. As this will help you be well-prepared to tackle educational, financial, and visa-related issues.
Despite this thorough step-by-step guide, it can still feel like a lot when you are prepping to study in a whole different country. This is why PFEC Global is here to help! Our expert consultants have already helped hundreds of students with document processing include visa for studying in Australia and we can do the same for you.
Please reach out to us at 01730785457 or 096 09 800 300 for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I get an Australian visa from Bangladesh?
Answer: You must apply online on the Department of Home Affairs website and submit the necessary documents in person to the Australia High Commission Dhaka on the specified date.
How long can I extend my student visa in Australia?
Answer: You cannot extend your visa, but you can apply for a new one (Student visa subclass 500) if you need to stay in Australia to finish your studies.
Which health insurance is best for international students in Australia?
Answer: It is mandatory for international students to use the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which covers healthcare while studying in Australia.
Can I bring my family to Australia while I study?
Answer: You can bring your spouse/partner and children under 18 as dependents on your student visa to Australia under certain circumstances.
Can I transfer my course to another university in Australia?
Answer: If you want to change institutions before completing your degree, you must check with your current institution for the transfer process.
