Educational qualifications certify the knowledge and skills a person has achieved through study, training, work and life experience. They are a measure of our “intellectual capital “and increasingly important in a society where continuous upgrading is required in all forms of work and in day- to- day life.
Australia has developed what is called the Australian qualifications frame work (AQF) which links together different level qualifications in highly visible, quality assured national systems of educational recognition, thus promoting a seamless and diverse education and training system.
The AQF is a unified system of thirteen national qualifications in the school, vocational education and training and higher education sectors. As a result, Australia has a comprehensive national system helping learners, employers and education training providers to participate and navigate the qualifications frame work.
This allows students to start at the level that suits them and then enhance their qualifications as per their need and interests which develop and change over time,
The AQF assists learners to plan their career progression at whatever stage they are within their lives and when they are moving either in Australia or Overseas. Work based qualifications and academic qualifications are now part of a single system, allowing minimum flexibility in career planning and continuous learning.
In this way the AQF supports national standards in education and training standards in education and training and encourages life-long learning.
The AQF makes a specific commitment to flexible, transparent and systematic learning pathways and to the removal of boundaries between educational sectors. It therefore encourages cross-sect oral linkage programs such as:
VET: Vocational Education and Training in schools.
Which allows schools to offer industry based units of learning that can contribute to both the senior secondary certificate of education and certificate I – IV qualifications?
Articulation and Credit Transfer Arrangements:
Between the registered Vocational education and training providers and universities involving efficient articulation of programs and maximum credit transfer.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) by which credits are granted of an individual’s knowledge and skills gained through education, training, work and life experience.
Many Australian Universities recognize vocational qualifications such as diplomas and advanced diplomas as a good foundation for a bachelor’s me Degree. Some Vocational education and training institutions have agreements with Australian Universities that give students with diplomas and Advanced diplomas credit in to Bachelor’s degrees.
There are also an increasing number of partnerships between registered vocational education and training providers and Universities, which have been set up to enhance the pathways from an industry qualification to higher education qualifications. This ensures that the maximum amount of credit is given to avoid repetitive and inefficient education and training.
This features of the Australian Qualifications frame work is especially useful for international students because their prior learning can be recognized and accredited to their course to attain any of the thirteen AQF qualifications, herby reducing the amount of time that they need to study.
International Recognition:
Australian Education Institutions offers an exciting range of courses at the diploma, undergraduate and post graduate level. All courses offered to International students have a CRICOS number as a signifier of Australian and Quality control In addition all professional degrees like Engineering, Information Technology, and Accounting are also accredited by the respective professional bodies like Engineers Australia, Australian computer society and CPA Australia.
Global Recognition:
Australian Universities are the most internationalized in the world. They have working agreements for students staff exchange, research collaboration, joint programs with some of the finest institutions in the world like OXFORD, CAMBRIDGE, UCLA, HARVARD, LSE, NUS, IIT, IISC , IIM.
Entry Requirements:
All students who aim to pursue their further education in Australia must demonstrate their English proficiency by obtaining scores in the IELTS test. This is also a mandatory requirement for obtaining a student visa. Enrolling in to bachelor or masters degree student must obtain at least an IELTS score of 6.0 each band. Whereas those enrolling in a diploma level program need an overall band of 5.5. However some courses like law, communications, MBA need a higher level of proficiency, as overall band score of 6.5 or 7 with no band less than 6.0.
Work While Study:
As a student you are legally permitted to work 20 hours a week during semester and full time during vacation. It can be on-campus or off-campus. After enrolling at the institution in Australia you will have to apply for a work permit to DIMIA with a letter from your institute as proof of enrollment. Casual work may not be relevant to your course but will sharpen your soft skills. Working is a great experience but don’t rely on it for additional income. It’s also very important to balance work and study.
Scholarships:
At the undergraduate level, few universities offer bursaries in the form of fee waivers (25.50%) of tuition fee to students with academic background. There are limited full fee scholar ships awarded based on Std XII marks in 4 major subjects ( eligibility – above 90% ) and IELTS score (above 7.0 ) . There are some government funded scholarships like the IPRS (International Post graduate Research Scholarship) to attract high quality researchers.
IRPS covers tuition fees and the annual overseas health cover (OSHC) for the entire period of study.
However, it must be noted ‘getting aid’ is very competitive as it is based on academic requirement and no country specific quotas are applicable.
Supporting Your Education Financially:
Many banks now sanction loans up to Rs.35 lakhs to students who intends pursuing their higher education abroad. Since the rate of interest is reasonably low with repayment normally commencing one year after completion of the program. Most of them find it more convenient option. Please check with your bank for detailed eligibility criteria including collateral security, parent’s income, and guarantor. Personal loans for education purpose can be taken as to up to an existing educational loan.
Placements after Completion of Course:
Every university has a career and employment office to assist you find jobs anywhere in the world. For more information on employment opportunities and career services offered by universities PLEASE VISIT www.gcca.com.au (Graduate careers council of Australia (GCCA).
The Australian immigration system now offers clear pathways for those students who choose to change their visa status to work / live in Australia, after graduation.
Visit www.immi.gov.au for more info.