Clever schemes, vibrant cities, and stunning landscapes make Australia a great bet for students
Australia has been a preferred study-abroad destination for students from the U.S. and Asia for decades because of the excellent quality of the universities, unique flora and fauna, charming culture, jaw-dropping coastlines, hip cities, and, of course, English language. In recent years, international students have been flocking to the Land Down Under for all of the same reasons. Unlike the Americans, however, many international students see English in Australia as an opportunity to learn the language; some go to Australia just for the English language education, while others transfer into Australian universities for college or graduate school.
Australia offers a sweet deal to international students, and even though some cities can be pricy, it is arguably more affordable than any other English-speaking country, because most international students are permitted to work and earn a living. Australia also offers international students the possibility of settling down there after graduating, with special post-study visas for graduates.
Melbourne, in the southern state of Victoria, was recently ranked the second-best city for study in the world by Quacquarelli Symonds, coming in just after Paris, while Sydney in New South Wales placed fourth. Melbourne and Sydney are cosmopolitan hubs that boast global cuisine, fantastic museums, and awe-inspiring coasts. The best-ranked Australian university, Australian National University, is in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, which is particularly strong in international relations and political science. In Queensland, dubbed the Sunshine State, many students choose to pursue English studies on the Gold Coast or in Brisbane. Adelaide in South Australia attracts students with its picturesque public parks and relaxed atmosphere. Way out in Western Australia, Perth satisfies the outdoorsy types with its perfect climate and vibrant beach culture. The Northern Territory is an ideal destination for those interested in Australia’s natural heritage, with the impressive Red Centre and a tropical region.
Australian Programs
University of Queensland
The University of Queensland’s Institute of Continuing & TESOL Education (ICTE-UQ) offers students the opportunity to improve their English language skills for work, travel, or further study, at an institution that is consistently placed among the world’s top 100 universities and has won more national Australian Learning and Teaching Council awards than any other university.
UQ’s St. Lucia campus is set on 114 hectares of picturesque riverside parklands less than five miles (7km) from Brisbane’s central business district and was recently ranked number one globally for “campus environment” in a survey of over 16,000 English language students at 641 schools in the U.S., Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
More than 45,500 students, including over 11,300 international students, choose to study at UQ, and each year, more than 2,500 students from nearly 60 countries take its English language courses.
Students learn in small classes of 14–15 and are taught by qualified teachers in an award-winning building built for language learning, where they choose from courses including English for general, business, academic, and specific purposes as well as English language pathways to UQ programs. Support services include help with arriving in Brisbane, finding somewhere to live, and finding work.
Queensland’s state capital, Brisbane, is a modern, safe city, which enjoys a warm, subtropical climate and is a short distance from beautiful Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast beaches, making it one of Australia’s favorite destinations for international students.
English Language Company
Right in the heart of Sydney’s central business district, English Language Company (ELC) is an award-winning school that is conveniently located for students to enjoy everything that the city has to offer. The beautiful Darling Harbor, Chinatown, the CBD’s shopping area, the Rocks, Circular Quay, and the Sydney Opera House are all a short walk. Buses or trains make it easy to get to Sydney’s spectacular beaches and other attractions in less time than it takes to cook a shrimp on the barbie.
The school prides itself on a fantastic mix of nationalities with students from over 35 countries, an extensive range of core English courses, complemented by elective and optional classes, and qualified teachers utilizing modern digital technology. Students who are looking to undertake further studies in Australia can benefit from direct-entry agreements with many top Australian universities and colleges. ELC has also developed a range of work programs to cater for all profiles, needs, and budgets. Students can choose from a wide range of quality accommodation options to suit any budget, including homestay, student-only residences, shared houses, and hostels.
BROWNS English Language School
With ocean views from the student lounge, a new, freestanding building with a garden, and a healthy offering of social activities, such as surf lessons, barbecues, and movie showings, BROWNS’s students have a lot to smile about. Much of the school’s charm comes from the personal feel that one expects from a family-owned and operated business. The positive social atmosphere is paired with friendly personnel, high-tech “smart” classrooms, and BROWNS Academic Pathway, which gives successful students access to a selection of Australian institutions of higher learning, some of which have waived their entrance-exam requirements for students with satisfactory completion of coursework. Students can transfer smoothly over to institutions such as Griffith University, Southbank Institute of Technology, and the University of Southern Queensland. The student population is diverse, with a comparatively good ratio of students from the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Students can opt to live with an Australian host family or in luxury student apartments, located a three-minute walk from campus.
Language Advance
Language Advance is a unique learning experience that combines the best of Australian sights and culture with English language learning in a fun and accessible setting. All programs include travel to Australia’s many iconic sights while learning English in a fun and practical environment, including Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock, the Olgas, and the Great Ocean Road. TESOL-certified Australian bilingual staff guide the group for the duration of the trips, which are typically two weeks long, making them ideal for mid-semester breaks or for an immersion experience before or after a dedicated language course.
A typical day on a Language Advance trip would involve morning English classes, followed by climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the afternoon and then a few hours on stunning Bondi Beach, or rising early to hike up magical Ayers Rock, followed by a delicious Australian barbeque for lunch, and informal English language games and conversation in the afternoon. Language Advance trips are all inclusive, so all students have to worry about is enjoying the ride and experiencing beautiful Australia.
