Many Indian students choose Australia for master’s degrees in IT, engineering, business and health. Course length, credit for prior study and campus location can all affect cost and post-study options.
Why Indian students consider Australia
- Two main intakes each year (February and July)
- Registered courses with consumer protections for international students (ESOS framework)
- Practical, industry-linked programmes at many universities
- A temporary graduate visa pathway for eligible graduates
Popular fields of study
- Information technology
- Engineering
- Business and accounting
- Nursing and public health
- Data science
- Education
Common qualifications
- Bachelor’s (usually 3 years; 4 for some honours and professional degrees)
- Graduate certificates and diplomas
- Master’s by coursework (often 1.5–2 years)
- Master’s by research and PhD
Entry and English language requirements
Academic entry requirements
Universities assess your previous studies against course-specific requirements and may give credit for related prior study. For postgraduate coursework, many programmes look at your bachelor’s discipline and grades; some also consider work experience.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and other tests are accepted by most universities. The score you need is set by the course, and the Department of Home Affairs also lists accepted tests for visa purposes.
Intakes and application timeline
Semester 1 starts in February/March and Semester 2 in July. Some universities run additional trimester intakes, for example in November.
- 110–12 months before: shortlist CRICOS-registered courses
- 26–9 months before: apply with academic documents and English scores
- 3After an offer: accept, pay deposit and arrange Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- 4Receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
- 5Apply for the Student visa (subclass 500)
Tuition fees and living costs
Tuition varies by university and course. Living costs depend on the city, with Sydney and Melbourne typically the most expensive. The Student visa requires evidence of funds, and the required amount is set by Home Affairs.
- Indicative tuition (our database)
- AUD 32,000 – 55,000/year
- Indicative living costs (our database)
- AUD 20,000 – 27,000/year
Indicative ranges only. Check each university’s fee page and the official visa funds requirement.
Scholarships
Most scholarships for international students are offered by universities themselves and are often partial tuition reductions. Government-funded options such as Australia Awards are limited to specific countries and programmes.
- Sydney Vice-Chancellor International ScholarshipsUniversity of Sydney
- UNSW International Scientia ScholarshipUNSW Sydney
- Melbourne International Undergraduate ScholarshipUniversity of Melbourne
- Monash International Leadership ScholarshipMonash University
Student visa overview
Most international students apply for the Student visa (subclass 500) after receiving a Confirmation of Enrolment. You must meet the Genuine Student requirement, show financial capacity, meet English requirements and hold OSHC for your stay.
Working while you study
Student visa holders can usually work a limited number of hours per fortnight while their course is in session and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. Check the current limit on the Home Affairs website.
After graduation
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) allows eligible graduates to live and work in Australia temporarily. Its streams, age limits and duration depend on your qualification and current rules.
Popular student cities
- Melbourne
- Sydney
- Brisbane
- Adelaide
- Perth
- Canberra
Choosing a course and university
- Check the course on CRICOS and confirm the campus you will attend
- Ask whether you are eligible for credit for prior learning — it can shorten your course
- Compare regional and metropolitan campuses on cost and post-study considerations
Studying in Australia: common questions
What is the Genuine Student requirement?
It replaced the earlier Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement in 2024. You must show that you genuinely intend to study in Australia, usually through written answers and supporting documents.
Is OSHC mandatory?
Yes. Student visa holders must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover for the duration of their stay.
Which intake is better — February or July?
February usually has the widest course choice. July works well if you need more time to prepare, and many courses are available in both intakes.