Studying abroad is a challenging decision to make, especially when you aren’t accustomed to the location. While the choice of your degree, specialisation and even minors affects your career, selecting the appropriate place is also equally important. Each country has its own culture, traditions, cuisine and social life, all of which affect migrants to a large extent, especially students, since a majority of them move at a young age and usually for the first time. In such instances, making a pros and cons list or comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each place can help figure out the right choice. Our guide below will help you analyse the major differences that arise when you compare studying in the UK vs Australia.
Top Universities: UK Vs Australia
The United Kingdom and Australia are two of the most popular countries today, where the majority of students choose to apply for higher education. Quality education accompanied by a thrilling social life is what attracts the most. The UK has some of the most prestigious and oldest universities in the world, many of which have excellent ranks as top global universities. Right from the traditional architecture conserved over centuries to fully-equipped colleges, schools in the UK have it all. Law, business, medicine, data science, architecture, computer science, social sciences, psychology and engineering are a few of the preferred courses among international students. The grading system in the UK is such that the highest achievable distinction is first class honours, which is 70 per cent or higher, whereas the lowest is third class honours, which is a score that falls between 40 to 49 per cent. To aid the comparison, here’s a list of the top 10 universities in the United Kingdom –
- University of Oxford
- University of St Andrews
- University of Cambridge
- London School of Economics and Political Science
- Imperial College London
- Durham University
- University College London
- University of Bath
- University of Warwick
- University of Edinburgh
On the other hand, Australia has 7 out of the top 100 universities on the globe. They are known for their world-class facilities that aid both teaching and learning. Australian universities are also popular for being student-friendly, especially for international students. Degree qualifications obtained from here are recognised and appreciated worldwide. Some of the most popular course preferences amongst those offered in Australia are business, engineering and technology, medicine and related healthcare courses, accounting, hotel management, and creative arts and design. The grading system in Australia is slightly different. The highest achievable GPA is 7, which is a score of 80 per cent or above, whereas the lowest is 0, which is 49 per cent or below. A list of the top 10 Australian universities is given below –
- Australian National University
- University of Sydney
- University of Melbourne
- University of New South Wales
- University of Queensland
- Monash University
- University of Western Australia
- University of Adelaide
- University of Technology Sydney
What Is The Cost Of Studying In The UK Vs Australia?
The following table contains a comparison between the cost of education in the United Kingdom and Australia for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
| Sr. No. | Particulars | UG Courses In The UK | UG Courses In Australia | PG Courses In The UK | PG Courses In Australia |
| 1. | Average tuition fee | BSc: INR 15.82 Lakhs | BSc: INR 15.05 Lakhs | MA: INR 14.69 Lakhs | MA: INR 19.89 Lakhs |
| BTech: INR 15.71 Lakhs | BTech: INR 20.74 Lakhs | MS: INR 16.21 Lakhs | MS: INR 26.18 Lakhs | ||
| BBA: INR 14.19 Lakhs | BBA: INR 16.80 Lakhs | MBA: INR 17.64 Lakhs | MBA: INR 90 Lakhs | ||
| 2. | Duration | 3-4 years | 3-4 years | 1.5-2 years | 1-2 years |
| 3. | Exams accepted | IELTS, TOEFL | IELTS, PTE | IELTS, TOEFL | IELTS, TOEFL |
What Are The Admission Requirements?
While analysing the differences or similarities between studying in the UK vs Australia, admission requirements form a major attribute. For undergraduate courses, British universities have recently started accepting a 10+2 education system for admission. For postgraduate courses, a UG degree of three-year duration is acceptable. For management courses, students are required to write GMAT, along with a work experience of a few years. However, for science courses, the GRE may or may not be a mandatory requirement depending on the university. While proficiency exams like TOEFL or IELTS may be exempted by the university, they are necessary to get a visa.
On the other hand, almost all Australian universities accept 12 years of pre-university education for undergraduate courses, which makes it significantly easier for Indian students to apply directly. A three-year UG degree is sufficient for most postgraduate courses, although engineering requires a four-year UG degree. Similar to the universities in the UK, students have to write GMAT for management courses and GRE for science courses, according to the particular university’s requirements. Although work experience may not be mandatory, since students can choose to enrol in a graduate certificate or diploma programme instead. Again, TOEFL or IELTS may be waived by the colleges, but they are necessary to obtain a visa.
What Is The Cost Of Living?
The annual cost of living in a particular country or city is something that students should consider before relocating, along with the educational differences between studying in the UK v Australia. Since a majority of students rely on financial aid, scholarships or student loans, factoring in your average cost of living is essential to make sure your expenses are taken care of. You can get a rough idea about the monthly expenditure by analysing the table below, which summarises the cost of living in the UK and Australia.
| Item | Cost of living in the UK (per month) | Cost of living in Australia (per month) |
| Off-Campus Accommodation | £408 | AU＄800 |
| On-Campus Accommodation | £472 | AU＄1,754 |
| Transportation | £65 | AU＄150 |
| Food | £360 | AU＄780 |
| Utilities | £189 | AU＄205 |
| Groceries | £28 | AU＄68 |
| Clothes | £64 | AU＄153 |
| Entertainment | £40 | AU＄80 |
| Total Cost Of Living With Off-Campus Accommodation | £1,154 | AU＄2,236 |
| Total Cost Of Living With On-Campus Accommodation | £1,218 | AU＄3,190 |
| Annual Cost Of Living | £13,848 | AU＄26,832 |
Although these expenses give us an accurate range, it must be noted that the cost of living in each city might be much different depending on the popularity, accessibility, facilities, quality of education and much more.
What Job Opportunities Can Be Considered In The Comparison Of Studying In The UK Vs Australia?
Under the New Graduate Route, a post-study work visa is available for graduates to apply for, for two years after their graduation to find a suitable job. This visa can be further extended once the student finds subsequent employment. British universities offer their students career counselling and appropriate study support, which enables them to work on their careers. Along with this, students can avail of several employment agencies and job search portals to enhance their networks and develop the required skills profile. Top employment sectors in the United Kingdom include business, technology and healthcare. Job profiles like corporate managers, mechanical engineers, pilots, designers, brokers, medical practitioners, and advertising and public relations directors are in increasing demand. The UK has an employment rate of over 75.6 per cent.
Similarly, in Australia, international students can apply for a post-study work visa to work after completing their course. A majority of universities offer incredible career counselling, and several career fairs are also organised to help students find appropriate employment. Depending on the qualification level, students can stay and work in the country on the basis of a post-study work visa for a maximum of 5 years. Education, the hospitality industry, medical services and healthcare, computer system design, and accounting are some of the most popular job sectors in Australia. Some of the job profiles whose demand has recently increased are teachers, guidance counsellors, employees in the hospitality industry, designers, software engineers, and architects. Australia’s employment rate is slightly lesser than the United Kingdom, at 64.4 per cent. It is worth noting for Indian students that the concept of campus placements isn’t applicable in the universities of either country, so students are required to look for jobs on their own.
Studying In The UK Vs Australia: A Comparative Summary
Below is a summary of the major differences between studying in the UK vs Australia.
| Sr. No. | Particulars | UK | Australia |
| 1. | Top 3 Universities | University of Oxford, University of St Andrews, University of Cambridge | Australian National University, University of Sydney, University of Melbourne |
| 2. | Course Structure | A combination of lectures, seminars, individual assignments, and group projects. | Practical assignments, group projects, and exams. |
| 3. | Major Intakes | 1. September to December 2. January to AprilApril to June | 1. February & July 2. September & November |
| 4. | Admission Requirements | GMAT, GRE | GMAT, GRE |
| 5. | English Proficiency Tests | IELTS, TOEFL | IELTS, TOEFL |
| 6. | Annual Cost Of Living | £13,848 | AU＄26,832 |
| 7. | Employment Rate | 75.6 per cent | 64.4 per cent |
| 8. | In-demand job titles | Corporate managers, mechanical engineers, pilots, designers, brokers, medical practitioners, and advertising and public relations directors. | Teachers, guidance counsellors, employees in the hospitality industry, designers, software engineers, and architects. |
FAQs
Q1. Is it better to study in the UK or Australia?
Ans: Both Australia and the United Kingdom are incredible countries to migrate to for pursuing your higher education. However, while making the decision, it is important to compare all aspects like the available courses, tuition fee, cost of living, and job opportunities to determine which country is better suited for you.
Q2. Is it cheaper to study in the UK or Australia?
Ans: For maximum popular courses, studying in the United Kingdom is significantly cheaper than studying in Australia.
Q3. Is the cost of living better in Australia than in the UK?
Ans: The average cost of living is cheaper in the United Kingdom when compared to Australia.
Q4. Are salaries higher in Australia?
Ans: The average salary in Australia is on a steady upward trend, even though it’s still slightly lower than the average earnings in the United Kingdom.
Q5. Can I get a job in Australia after studying in the UK?
Ans: Australia is a popular choice for travel and work for UK graduates, especially those who want to experience life differently than that in the UK. There are skills shortages, and Australia’s visa system can favour graduates with the skills they need.
Thank you for reading our comparative guide to studying in the UK vs Australia! Feel free to leave your queries in the comments section below.
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1 thought on “Top PGDM Courses In Canada: Universities, Specialisations & Eligibility”
I have done Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts from India and completed my graduation in the year 2022 .I am 22 years old. After graduation, I have done 1 year paid internship from USA .Now, I would like to take occupational experience and learn culinary skills and also do masters in Culinary arts.How can I find the college n best course / country where I can persue studying further