USA Students' Guide
US students have a long history of studying in Australia.
More US students study in Australia through short-term study abroad or student exchange programs than students of any other nationality, and since 2002 nearly 60,000 students have embarked on the journey 'Down Under'.
Australia offers:
- a high quality education system with a reputation for excellence
- internationally recognised courses and qualifications
- proximity and strong links with the Asia-Pacific region, the fastest growing economic region in the world
- cheaper study and living expenses compared to many other countries
- permission to work part time while studying
- well-regarded skills and qualifications to support a career on your return to the USA
- vibrant, appealing and multicultural cities
- a safe and enjoyable lifestyle with great weather
Considering the costs involved with studying abroad you may be debating whether it is still sensible to do so amidst the current economic environment. The present environment is probably the best time to study abroad — now, more than ever, it is important to gain international experiences and cross-cultural skills to succeed in the global age.
How many US students are in Australia?
What are they studying?
Study Abroad Foundation Act
Student visas
Scholarships
Financial aid
How many US students are studying in Australia?
In 2008 there was a total of 11,532 American students studying in Australia. Nearly 70 per cent of these students were studying through a study abroad or student exchange program. Study abroad and exchange programs usually involve completing one or two semesters overseas which can be credited to your course back home. Another 21 per cent of US students studied in the higher education sector, completing a full degree at either undergraduate or postgraduate level.
Read more about study abroad and student exchange
Read more about higher education
Which states are they studying in?
US students have shown a preference for studying in New South Wales (Sydney) and Queensland (Brisbane). New South Wales alone accounts for 42% of all students; Queensland has 28%; Victoria 15%; Western Australia 9%; South Australia 2.6%; ACT 2%; Tasmania 1%; and the Northern Territory 0.1%.
Which fields are they studying in?
US students are studying a number of wide and varied fields but the favoured top three are:
- Arts, humanities and social sciences
- Business and management
- Visual and performing arts
Australia’s strengths in areas like marine science, environmental science, sustainability, film studies and Asian studies are becoming well-known and these areas are increasing in popularity among US students.
Investment into the global education of American students — Study Abroad Foundation Act
If you need any more encouragement to take the study abroad plunge then consider the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act, introduced in February 2009. This legislation aims to dramatically expand study abroad opportunities for US undergraduates. Its goal is to ensure the next generation of Americans has global knowledge and skills. The legislation has gained strong bipartisan support in Congress and has also been endorsed by more than 40 higher education and educational exchange organisations.
‘The international study abroad program will instil in the next generation of Americans a deeper understanding of the cultures and histories of other nations. It is now time to make international education a national priority,’ says Senator Dick Durbin.
The legislation sets out the goal that in 10 years’ time, one million American undergraduate students will study abroad every year. Read more about the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act
Student visas
You do not need to apply for your student visa until you are accepted by your Australian education provider and have received formal proof of offer or enrolment. Student visas are divided into seven subclasses that depend on the type of study you have enrolled in. US students are currently classified as Assessment Level 1. The processing time for an American citizen to get a student visa to Australia is relatively straight-forward and short as it can be completed online
Contact your closest Australian Embassy for more information on student visas:
|
Washington
Honolulu |
Los Angeles
New York |
Scholarships
There are a range of scholarships available to US students wishing to study in Australia. A scholarship can provide great help with funds for your study, and although there is strong competition for each scholarship, they are definitely worth investigating.
Search the scholarships database by categories such as type of course, field of study and study location, and find a detailed description of each scholarship.
It is also worth looking into other scholarships that may be available from the USA, through your preferred Australian education provider, or through professional associations, prominent industry companies and other interest groups.
There are a number of international and charitable organisations that offer scholarships for international study. Visit funding sources for US students for more information.
Financial Aid
The Stafford Loan is the most common type of federally supported financial aid program and is a low-interest loan. Visit FAFSA to find out more. As a US citizen you may be eligible to apply for a Federal Stafford loan, Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) loan, or an alternative loan such as an International Student Loan Program (ISLP) loan (through IEFC/TERI).
The Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) allows parents to borrow up to the total cost of attendance, minus any other aid for which the student is expected to receive. Graduate students can now also apply for additional funding through the PLUS loan program. Find out more about PLUS
You can also look at alternative loans such as the ISLP (International Student Loan Program).
