International Schools to Consider: Australia
Elton Lin
Still fine-tuning your list of colleges to apply to? Over the past few weeks, we’ve introduced you to international schools across the globe, from schools in Canada to those in the United Kingdom and even Hong Kong. Now we bring you to the Southern Hemisphere to tie it all together. If you’re looking for great research opportunities and top-tier higher education, then schools in Australia may be just the thing for you.
Why should you consider Australian schools?
Getting an Australian student visa is a streamlined process, making this aspect of studying internationally a breeze. If you’ve been accepted into an Australian university, and you have put your finances in order (whether that be on your own coin or from scholarships), and you can prove you have health insurance for the duration of your studies in Australia, then you’re already well on your way to fulfilling all the requirements for a student visa.
Australian cities are considered some of the most liveable places across the globe, with their high quality infrastructure, education, healthcare, technology, and transportation, as well as a thriving city life. Add Australia’s natural beauty and its many cultural hotspots (the Sydney Opera House, anyone?), and students in Australia will always have something exciting and new to experience.
Speaking of Australia’s natural beauty, the diverse, unique Australian outdoors is a must-see for nature lovers. From stretches of beach and the Great Barrier Reef to the wide inland plains and mountains and waterfalls, Australia has a wealth of natural resources and activities.
With all of this in mind, here are some top-quality Australian schools to get you started:
The University of Melbourne is a globally-ranked, leading public research university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Unlike any of its Australian university counterparts, the University of Melbourne offers nine types of three-year degrees in lieu of traditional specialized undergraduate degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Agriculture, Biomedicine, Commerce, Design, Fine Arts, Music, Oral Health, and Science. It’s enormous, with three additional campuses, a student body of over 50,000 undergraduates and postgraduates, ten residential colleges, eleven libraries (their massive collection sees 42 million loan transactions annually), and twelve museums. A proponent of high-level, holistic education, the University of Melbourne has a diverse cast of alumni, including high-ranking politicians in Australia and foreign countries, scientists, corporate leaders, authors and artists, and more. The University of Melbourne also boasts eight Nobel Laureates, making it the Australian university with the most Nobel Laureates in history.
The University of Sydney is the oldest university in Australia and, like the University of Melbourne, is considered one of the world’s leading institutions. It is also considered to have one of the world’s most beautiful campuses, and its grand, historical architecture and wide stretches of grassy courtyards are often likened to Hogwarts. The university’s investment in research is clear; its School of Physics, just to name one example of many, has played a crucial role in the development of radio astronomy. The university’s research is not limited to just the sciences, however, as the university’s Chau Chak Wing Museum displays collections including art, natural history, antiques, and ethnography. Students at the university also get to enjoy all that the city of Sydney—considered the third most-livable city in the world—has to offer, with its natural harbor (the largest in the world), beautiful beaches, local food, cultural offerings, and more.
Monash University is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria that prioritizes research, producing over 3,000 research publications annually across 150 academic disciplines and over 120 research centers. Of the university’s wealth of research achievements, some of its most notable include the first IVF pregnancy in the world, the discovery that nerve stem cells could be sourced from embryos, and researching the effectiveness of the world’s first seatbelt legislation. The university also has extensive international relationships—in addition to its four campuses in Victoria, the university has one based in Malaysia, a research and teaching center in Italy, and graduate schools in India and China, not to mention its courses taught in many other areas across the world, including South Africa.
The Australian National University (ANU) is a globally-ranked national research university consisting of seven specialized colleges that handle both teaching and research in a range of academic disciplines, including Arts and Social Sciences, Business and Economics, Medicine and Medical Science, Law, and National Security. ANU provides ample resources and facilities to aid these studies, with its library boasting over 2.5 million volumes available for faculty and student access 24/7, and its dedicated, intensive research centers. The university is based in Canberra, Australia’s capital city, submerging students in the city’s bustling social and cultural lifestyle and offering close proximity to Australia’s parliament and other national facilities, which has benefited its large proportion of alumni in political office.
The University of Queensland (UQ) is a public research university located in Brisbane, Queensland that focuses heavily on research in science and technology, especially medicine. UQ has over 100 research centers and institutes, and it has plenty of results to show for them. For example, UQ researchers have made a particular name for themselves in the field of cancer research, having recently pioneered the invention of the HPV vaccine, crucial in preventing cervical cancer. UQ researchers have been involved in developing a COVID-19 vaccine, as well. Beyond research, UQ has a thriving student life, with extensive sports facilities and many school traditions and events, such as Market Day, during which UQ clubs and societies put up stalls and displays for faculty and students to interact with and enjoy.
All of these Australian schools promise their students a fulfilling, challenging campus experience, and they’re far from the only institutions of higher education Australia has to offer. If these have piqued your interest, then it may be time for you to plan your college applications for Australian universities!