Khoja students are being encouraged to study in Australia in order to broaden their horizons and gain valuable skills and experience.
Australia offers Khoja students a first-class and globally recognised education in a diverse and multicultural environment, providing an opportunity to meet and learn about people from different faiths and communities.
The message came in a talk given at the World Federation’s Executive Council meeting in Pakistan by the President of the Federation of Australasia Communities Hussein Hussein.
Employable graduates helped to settle
He explained how Australian universities produce highly employable graduates, and the government supports them in finding work and settling permanently after graduation. There are 43 universities in Australia, offering undergraduate (Bachelor) and postgraduate (Graduate certificate, Diploma, masters, PhD) degrees. New students begin in February or July.
Students who plan to study in Australia begin by selecting the course and institution they wish to attend. Some of the biggest universities are in cities such as Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.
Entry requirements and fees
The entry requirements for courses vary, but a standard student visa allows study in any of Australia’s six states. Prospective students can then apply for their course and visa, and plan their arrival once both have been confirmed.
International students are required to pay their tuition fees upfront before beginning their course. These range from AUD $14,000 – 35,000 per year for undergraduate degrees, and $15,000 – $36,000 per year for postgraduate degrees. During the application process the university will communicate with students about when and how to pay these fees. Living expenses (exclusive of costs like the visa application) are estimated at around $20,000 per year for one student.
An easy place to integrate
Students are allowed to work part time on their student visa for a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time. Careers services at universities can help to find full-time work as students look towards the end of their studies. They will automatically be eligible for a temporary post-study work visa, which allows overseas students who have completed an Australian degree to remain for 18 months.
This gives them the opportunity to acquire the skills and experience necessary to pass the points test to become an Australian resident. Australia is therefore an easy place to settle and integrate into the community having completed a degree.