Consider Study in Victoria, Australia

This month, College Counselors had the opportunity to meet with representatives from the Victorian trade, investment, and education office to learn about study in the region and post-study work opportunities in Australia. Counselors heard from government representatives Ms. Michelle Wade and Ms. Anita Kumari while they visited the Universal College Bangladesh campus.

Post-COVID Australian universities have reopened and resumed processing student visa applications. Sectors of focus for the Victorian Government include education technology, healthcare, wellness, nutraceuticals and food. This means the local government is investing in their universities and looking after the welfare of international students it recruits to study in Victoria state. Current ISD students in 2023 and beyond may consider returning to Australia.

The Victorian Government Trade and Investment visit were to promote to students in Bangladeshi the opportunities for research and business partnerships that students can access while studying in Victoria and consider staying in Australia to work. Typically students who receive a bachelor’s degree in Australia can extend their student visa for two additional years to work in Australia. Also, while studying, Wade and Kumari explained that students typically undertake volunteer experience and paid internships to gain career experience.

The benefits of studying in Australia for our students include a wide array of study options, including arts, humanities, sciences and medical programs. Like learning in North America, students may pursue double degrees combining arts and law, sciences, or commerce and engineering. Like the UK, undergraduate degrees typically can be completed in three years.

Australian graduates are known for innovation and academic excellence, with seven universities ranked in the QS top 100 universities for 2022. In Victoria, top-ranked universities are also included in the Group of 8, comprised of leading research universities, similar to the UK’s Russel Group title. In the Group of 8 is the University of Melbourne and Monash University. The University of Melbourne is also a Sandstone university, a title that can be compared to the redbricks in the UK and Ivy League in the US. 6 additional universities in the state of Victoria include Deakin University, Federation University Australia, La Trobe University, RMIT University, Swinburne University of Technology, and Victoria University.

Australia’s lifestyle attracts students and families not interested in cold and snowy winters. Victoria prides itself on being an education state, and by 2030, the city of Melbourne is predicted to see a boom in its population. This growth in numbers includes international students and workers drawn to the country. Affordable healthcare is included in tuition fees, allowing students to see medical doctors and mental health counselors trained to address student-specific concerns.

Part-time work in Australia is permissible for up to 20 hours weekly during the academic term and full-time during holiday breaks. This allows students to earn an income and add work experience to their resumes. Post-work study permits determined by the Australian government and local states vary; however, the Victorian Government officials shared that the current practice allows students who earn a bachelor’s degree to extend visas for a two-year minimum in all subject areas. While studying, students have access to career services that provide academic and career advisors accessible to students and are intended to be used throughout the students’ university careers. These advisors are in place to support students’ understanding of plagiarism, promote tutoring and job placement, and provide additional offices to support student welfare related to student housing and rental questions.

Here are additional links to learn about studying in Australia and Victoria.

https://bridge-u.com/blog/6-reasons-why-your-students-want-to-study-in-australia/
https://bridge-u.com/blog/university-in-australia-your-students-options/
https://www.study.vic.gov.au/en/Pages/default.aspx

Ellen Johnston
College Counselor