Spotlight on: Postgraduate Study in Australia

With over 450,000 international students, Australia is the second most popular study abroad destination in the world. Famed for its spectacular beaches, vast stretches of untamed outback, rich biodiversity and sunny climate, it’s easy to understand what makes Australia such an attractive choice for PhD study!

But heading Down Under for your doctorate will provide you with more than just an opportunity to see a kangaroo in the wild. You’ll benefit from a choice of globally ranked institutions (six Australian universities are amongst the top 100 worldwide) and the chance to earn an internationally recognised qualification. Not to mention the amazing natural environment you’ll get to do any outdoor research in.

Choosing where to study in Australia

You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to picking where in Australia to complete your PhD...

Sydney is the most populous city in Australia, and home to its oldest university, the University of Sydney, founded in 1850. As well as iconic landmarks and cultural attractions such as the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney is also home to over 100 coastal and harbour beaches.

Voted Australia’s best student city for 2022, Melbourne attracts over 200,000 international students each year. A world-renowned cultural epicentre, Melbourne is home to the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia’s oldest and most visited art museum. It also hosts several high-profile international sporting events, including the Grand Prix.

Clocking up eight hours of sun per day all year round, Perth is officially the world’s sunniest city. Enjoy sunny skies on the coast of the Swan River, which flows through the metropolitan areas of the city and provides an ideal location for swimming, picnicking or, if you’re lucky, spotting wild dolphins.

Canberra is Australia’s capital and largest inland city, surrounded by luscious greenery and mountains that have earned it the nickname ‘Bush Capital’. Despite being smaller than Sydney and Melbourne, Canberra is still a popular study destination, with students making up 25% of its population. It’s also one of the more affordable cities in Australia! View our list of PhD programmes in Australia.

Apply for a PhD in Australia

You'll normally need a Bachelors and Masters degree in a relevant subject to apply for a PhD in Australia. In your application, universities will be looking for:

• Academic transcripts
• A research proposal
• A personal statement
• Academic and / or professional references

Make sure that you have a supervisor on board if you’re submitting your own research proposal. Australian universities will want to see support for the topic in your application.

PhD fees and funding in Australia

As an international student in Australia you'll pay fees at a higher rate. The Australian government estimates that typical international PhD fees are between AUD $18,000 and $42,000 (USD $13,065-$30,485) per year if you’re putting forward your own proposal.

Fortunately, plenty of funding opportunities are available – the Australian government has invested over AUD $300 million in international scholarships. You can learn more about financing your studies in our dedicated funding guide.

Arriving in Australia

You’ll usually need to apply for a student visa to study in Australia. These are only available to full-time students but are valid for the full duration of your course. You can find out more about the visa application process in our guide to PhD study in Australia.

Australia has loosened its coronavirus restrictions but quarantine regulations differ from state to state, so make sure you check specific requirements before departure to see what you need to do on arrival.

Studying in Australia

One of the main benefits of studying a PhD in Australia is that it’s usually shorter. You can do it in 3-4 years, which is less time than in other popular destinations such as the USA or Canada. As Australian PhDs are internationally recognised, you can be confident that the shorter completion time doesn’t mean its any less of a degree (or any less effort!), and you can head into your chosen career path quicker.

Most Australian universities have now returned to in-person teaching, with online and blended learning options continuing to be available for students who are not able to attend campus, or for larger lectures. You can check the website of your chosen university for specific information on COVID-19 guidelines.

Post-PhD opportunities in Australia

It’s worth noting that Australia has a very generous post-study visa. It highly values it’s PhD graduates so you can remain in the country for at least four years following your graduation. If you’re looking to relocate to Australia on a more permanent basis, then completing a PhD there may be a good boost to your eligibility score for permanent residency visa options.

For more information, have a read of our detailed guide to studying a PhD in Australia. Ready to start applying? We have a list of Australian PhD programmes on our website.

You may also like...