Australian universities have been amongst the most successful of all in attracting high quality international students to their graduate programs. Attracted by a combination of the unique Australian lifestyle, the international atmosphere of many of the campuses and the global recognition of Australian graduate qualifications, could the country be your perfect destination?
More Australians are studying at the graduate level than ever before. The availability of specialist courses relevant to today's changing workplace is one of the main reasons for this rapidly increasing interest in graduate learning. Australian students are not the only ones benefiting � more than a third of all graduate students at Australian universities are from other countries, with a large number originating from the Pacific Rim countries.
For many years Australia has been a popular destination for students from around the world.
The country offers innovative courses with highly trained academic staff and world-class facilities producing well regarded graduate students sought after in the international labour market.
Universities receive generous government funding and the cost of an Australian degree is significantly lower than in the UK and USA. Moreover, the quality of Australian higher education and degrees is recognised around the world. The Australian Government regulates universities and all courses offered to international students must be approved on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
Australia has 39 universities spread across the country; 37 of these are government-funded and two are privately funded. The universities range in size from 3,000 students to 50,000. Australian graduate studies are offered across a complete range of fields. Qualifications include graduate certificates and diplomas, master, master of philosophy, doctorate and doctor of philosophy (PhD). Studies can be undertaken as coursework or research, or a combination of both.
The quality of Australian universities is further enhanced by international links, industry collaboration and a commitment to research.
Australia has more than 100 major scientific specialist research centres and is ranked third among OECD countries for public investment in research and development as a proportion of the GDP. The country is recognised as a world leader in a number of research fields.
Anne Reynolds from IDP explains that Australia has a history of breakthrough research: "Australian innovation has changed our everyday lives � from penicillin and ultrasounds to black box flight recorders and the bionic ear. Today, there are advances being made in all fields. Australia particularly excels in the areas of genetics, biotechnology, nanotechnology and sports."
Australian universities have designed a whole range of graduate courses to meet the professional needs of students and business. Courses are offered across both traditional and non-traditional areas.
As Australian universities respond to changing global demands, they have become innovators in many areas of education. The following are just some examples of the innovative graduate courses at Australian universities - www.idp.com/excellenceaustralia has more information on other specialist courses. IDP also publishes a digest on biotechnology courses and research at Australian universities.
Australia provides amazing opportunities and locations for environmental studies from the tropical to the Antarctic. For example, the University of Tasmania is a major world centre for Antarctic-related research, which has led to a greater understanding of the atmospheric circulations of the south-polar region and the continental ice sheet in relation to global environmental change and biological productivity.
An Australian university set up the world's first dedicated proteome centre in 1995. The Australian Proteome Analysis Facility at Macquarie University is currently researching using protein analysis in cancer research. Other biotechnology research centres in Australia include: the Australian Genome Research Facility; the Centre for Bio-information Sciences; the Agricultural Biotechnology Centre; and the Special Research Centre for the Molecular Genetics of Development.
Through the University of Southern Queensland, Australia boasts an organisation that focuses on the research and commercialisation of plants and their products. It is the only centre in the world to cover the commercial development of plant products under one roof from genetics and phytochemistry through to field trials and clinical trials of the products.
Development of supercomputers has brought success to researchers in the field of astrophysics at Swinburne University of Technology. Using a dedicated supercomputer to process data, Australian scientists have found more "millisecond" pulsars in the plane of the galaxy than the rest of the world combined.
Researchers at the Victoria University of Technology have been investigating environmental safety and risk engineering, especially in relation to fire. By studying the behaviour of humans in fire, the patterns of fire, and the behaviour of structures in fire, scientists have developed the most advanced risk-cost fire model in the world which will help create fire safety design methods in construction.
Australian business schools consistently appear in the top 100 of world rankings of business programs. Australia offers a wide range of general and specialist MBA programs. The University of South Australia provides a new alternative course designed specifically for engineers and scientists extending their careers into upper management in the information technology industry.
Since 1910, Australia has been using distance education to reach students in remote areas of the country. Now, it is a world leader in distance education, online and e-learning. Australian courses are offered online and in offshore campuses across the globe, giving students anywhere the opportunity to study for an Australian degree in fields such as science and education.
The quality of life in Australia is of an exceptionally high standard with a stable economy and low unemployment. A recent report by the United Nations ranked Australia the fourth best country in the world in which to live, in terms of education levels, along with income and life expectancy.
For graduate students, the freedom of expression and multicultural society add to the study experience.
Independent thought and critical discussion is encouraged at all levels within Australian universities and by studying with people from different nationalities, students gain additional insights and perspectives that make for a fulfilling degree program.
Many international students have found this unique Australian experience invaluable for their careers. Martina Sieger is one such student. Ms Sieger, from Germany, undertook a MBA program at La Trobe University in Melbourne, �My course gave me the chance to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures,� she says. �These are all important aspects of the MBA program, preparing me for the future workplace."
Australia is well known for its spectacular and varied landscape. Its flora and fauna are largely unique - more than 80 per cent of Australia's flowering plants, mammals, reptiles and frogs are not found anywhere else in the world. There are currently 14 Australian parks on the World Heritage list. From the desert plains to the rainforests, the coral reefs to the ancient rock formations, Australia has the perfect environment for both study and pleasure. American Ross Bauer is one who has taken advantage of Australia's unique ecosystem by studying at James Cook University in Queensland: "For marine biology students," he says, "the Great Barrier Reef is beyond belief."
With so much on offer, it is easy to understand why more than 70,000 international graduate students undertook programs in Australia in 2007.
The knowledge gained and merit received from Australian universities helps graduate students further their careers.
Indian manager, George Cherian says that his Masters of Management from Monash University has made him knowledgeable and marketable: "My education in Australia has helped me to think critically, plan strategically and to act practically. International education makes you a good international citizen, and is the seed for a better future for yourself, as well as for a better world."