Australian Education System: A Comprehensive Overview

What are the key characteristics of the Australian education system?

When it comes to education, Australia has a growing global reputation, especially at the tertiary level. Just this year, 12 Australian universities featured in the top 200, and seven in the top 100 globally. So, if you're an aspiring international student, Australia has the high-quality education to match your academic goals!

What are the stages of education in Australia?

At the tertiary level, you can pursue various forms of certifications, such as bachelor’s degrees, graduate certificates and diplomas, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees. 

Bachelor’s degrees are undergraduate degrees in which you study a subject of your choosing. They usually take three to five years to complete. 

Graduate certificates and diplomas allow you to specialise in your study area or pursue a new specialty. In general, you must hold a bachelor’s degree to pursue a graduate certificate or diploma. A graduate certificate usually takes six months to complete, while a graduate diploma typically takes one year to complete.

In Australia, there are two main types of master’s degrees: a master’s by coursework and a master’s by research. A coursework master’s program involves a unit-based framework,  meaning you’ll take a mix of compulsory and elective units, but at a more advanced level than a bachelor’s degree. You can usually complete a coursework master’s in one year to 18 months. 

Research master’s programs allow students to craft their own research project under the supervision of an academic supervisor. In a research-based master’s, you are generally responsible for finding your own supervisor and working with them to secure funding for your project. This type of master’s degree typically takes two years to complete.

Last but not least, there are also two main types of doctoral degrees in Australia: a doctoral degree by research - also known as a PhD - and a professional doctorate.

A PhD has a more academic focus. Students develop in-depth, original research projects that make a significant impact on their field of study. On the other hand, a professional doctorate has a more practical focus. This requires students to make an original contribution to a specific professional practice. Doctoral degrees usually take between three and five years to complete.

When it comes to teaching and instruction styles, Australian universities typically use a mix of lectures and tutorials. Lectures are more formal; you’ll sit and listen to a professor give a lesson and take notes as you learn. Tutorials are more practical; these could involve interactive discussions with your peers and/or hands-on exercises to help you better understand the course material.

Now, let’s talk about what you can expect from your academic calendar in Australia. Most Australian universities offer a semester system, which means you attend two teaching sessions per year. These dates tend to differ between states and education providers, so you’ll need to confirm your dates with your education provider. 

In general, though, Semester 1 will start in February or March. You’ll get a session break in April - usually over the Easter long weekend - and classes will finish in May. If you have exams to write, these will usually fall in June. 

Semester 2 typically starts in July or August. You will then get a session break in October and classes will end in November. Exams for Semester 2 are usually held in late November to early December.