Posted By: 09 December 2023
UK vs Australia: Which one is a better Study-Abroad Destination for Indian Students?
The UK and Australia are two of the most sought study-abroad destinations for international students. And to choose between these two English-speaking nations is not easy. The UK has an academic heirloom, while Australia has fostered education with the cosmos of nature. The former wrings the essence of history, regency, and the loveable weather, while the latter is known as the land of kangaroos and coastlines. But when it comes to higher education, how does one make a choice?
The UK and Australia are the best study-abroad destinations, known for their world-class education systems, cutting-edge research infrastructure, and post-study work opportunities. These two countries have welcomed international students from all over the world, especially from India, for decades. Universities and colleges in the UK and Australia are recognised both nationally and internationally as per the QS World University Rankings and THE World University Rankings.
The blog focuses on a comparative study of popular courses, career opportunities, cost of education, cost of living, admission requirements, eligibility, permanent residency and so on between the UK and Australia so that the students can get clarity between the UK and Australia by going through each aspect.
Here is a glance at the UK and Australia as top international study-abroad destinations.
| Parameters | The United Kingdom | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Total International students | 6,79,970 | 7,04,032 |
| Total Indian Students | 1,42,848 | 1,98,000 |
| Currency | Pounds (£) | Australian Dollar (AUD) |
| Average Cost of Living | £12,000 | AUD 22,130 |
| National Minimum Wage | £10.42 | AUD 23.23 |
Popular Courses in UK vs Australia
International students in the UK and Australia find a number of popular courses to study and opt from for better career opportunities.
| Popular courses to study in the UK | Popular courses to study in the Australia |
|---|---|
| Architecture, Business Management | Accounting, Architecture |
| Computer Science, Data Science | Business, Computing Technology |
| Education, Engineering | Design & Creative Technology |
| Medicine & Dentistry | Health Sciences, Hotel Management |
| Veterinary Medicine, Social Sciences | Hospitality Management, Social work,, Medicine & Healthcare, Urban Planning |
| Study Duration | |
| Undergraduate Courses-3 years | Undergraduate courses-3 years |
| Post-graduate Courses-1 year | Post-graduate Courses-2 to 3 years |
| Accelerated program- 2-3 years | Honors-4 years |
Cost of courses in UK vs Australia
The following is a cost analysis for various parameters for Indian students
| Costs for UG Courses in the UK vs Australia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Particulars | Undergraduate Degrees in the UK | Undergraduate Degrees in Australia |
| Average Tuition fee | BSc: INR 15.80 Lakhs B.Tech: INR 15.70 Lakhs BBA: INR 14.60 Lakhs | BSc: INR 15.05 Lakhs B.Tech: INR 20.74 Lakhs BBA: INR 16.80 Lakhs |
| Duration | 3-4 years | 3-4 years |
| Exams Accepted | IELTS, TOEFL | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, |
| Costs for PG Courses in the UK vs Australia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Particulars | Post-graduate Degrees in the UK | Post-graduate Degrees in Australia |
| Average Tuition fee | MA: INR 14.69 Lakhs MS: INR 16.21 Lakhs MBA: INR 17.64 Lakhs | MA: INR 19.89 Lakhs MS: INR 26.18 Lakhs MBA: INR 90 Lakhs |
| Duration | 1.5-2 years | 1-2 years |
| Exams Accepted | IELTS, TOEFL | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, |
Admission Requirements for UK vs Australia
Both countries have similar requirements and are highly competitive. The general admission eligibility criteria are listed below:
| Parameters | Eligibility criteria in UK | Eligibility criteria in Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Requirements for UG Programs | 13 years of pre-university education | 12 years of pre-university education |
| Academic Requirements for PG Programs |
|
|
| Standardized Tests |
|
|
| English Proficiency Tests | IELTS/TOEFL | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, |
Cost of Living in UK vs Australia for Indian students
The cost of living for both countries is quite different, and here is a comparative study of the cost of living in the UK and Australia:
| Parameters | UK | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (on-campus) | £ 4,000 | AUD 10,000 |
| Rent (off-campus) | London-£ 750 Other Cities--£ 560 | Sydney-AUD 10,000 Other Cities-AUD 600 |
| Food | £ 1,800-£ 2,200 | AUD 1,800 |
| Transport | £ 1,000 | AUD 1,300 |
| Health Insurance | £ 470 | AUD 478 |
| Utilities per annum | £ 700 | AUD 2,200 |
| Average Total Living Expenses per annum | £ 14,400-£ 16,800 | AUD 25,000-27,000 |
Student Visa for UK vs Australia
| UK Student Visa | Australia Student Visa |
|---|---|
|
A full-time student visa is called a Tier 4 student visa. Granted for a full-time study program The length of the visa would be 3 years for students applying for a Diploma course The length of the visa would be 4 years for students applying for a university degree Cost of Visa-£310 Part-time allowed-20 hours per week during term and full-time during vacations Full-time work placements allowed for students of sandwich courses |
Student visa subclass 500 Student visa holders are allowed to work up to 40 hours per fortnight during their study in Australia Spouses of Master’s and PhD international students can work unlimited hours Student visa costs AUD 680 |
| Full-time students can work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the term, irrespective of whether the job is paid or unpaid. | Students with valid visas (Subclass 500) can work part-time but at most 48 hours a fortnight. |
Post Study Work Permit for UK vs Australia
The post-study work permit is mandatory for international students who wish to stay back while pursuing working full-time in the UK and Australia. Both countries have separate requirements; let us look at them.
| UK Post-Study Work Permit | Australia Post-Study Work Permit |
|---|---|
|
Graduate Immigration Route, Can stay for 2 years and look for work or work On completion of 2-year period under the Graduate Immigration Route, students are eligible to apply for a Tier 2 Skilled Worker visa. Eligibility for a Tier 2 visa-Annual lowest wage for the new job should be £ 20,500 or above. Stay and work for 5 years with Tier 2 visa. |
Temporary Graduate Visa subclass 485 Can work for 2-4 years depending on your degree( for bachelors and master's degree - 2 year post-study work visa, while for other graduates it is 18 month subclass visa) On completion of 485 visa period, students are eligible to apply for- Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)-2 years extended stay Employer Sponsored Visa Permanent Residency |
PR in UK vs Australia
International students often aim to settle down with a good job after studying abroad. Here are the PR prospects for international students in the UK and Australia.
| PR in the UK | PR in Australia |
|---|---|
|
PR is available, Immigration to the UK seemed really difficult, after changes in government and legal policies |
PR is possible However, the process is lengthy |
Career opportunities in the UK vs Australia
It's important to understand that neither country can guarantee you a job upon completing your degree. It's your responsibility to find the job best suited to your career plan and that meets the terms of your visa. However, there are some important facts that students should consider while making decisions.
| Parameters | UK | Australia |
|---|---|---|
|
Unemployment rate |
4 per cent |
3.5 per cent |
|
Shortage of workers |
11.5 per cent |
25 per cent |
|
Jobs in-demand Sectors |
Accountancy, Cyber Security Specialist, Web designers, Data Analysts, Medical Practitioners, Healthcare workers, Engineering |
Healthcare professionals, Retail Managers, Construction Managers, Civil Engineers, Chefs |
|
Average Annual Salary |
£29,600 |
AUD 90,000. |
Choosing between the UK and Australia as study-abroad destinations can be challenging. Both offer world-class education, research infrastructure, and post-study work opportunities. Universities in both countries welcome international students and are well-recognized globally. The UK provides a rich academic history and pleasant weather, while Australia offers a unique blend of education and natural beauty. Ultimately, the choice depends on individual preferences.
Contact SIEC for any queries on study-abroad destinations
