Cheapest Courses In Australia For International Students
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Dr Mohammad Shafiq

Cheapest Courses In Australia For International Students 2025

Cheapest Courses In Australia For International Students 2025

Many people know Australia as an island continent. It has many unique lifestyles and cultures. It also has a prestigious background in international higher education. Students from across the world come here to complete their graduation in various courses every year. This article aims to guide you to the cheapest courses in Australia for international students.

The Importance of Cost-Efficiency for International Students

Australia offers a world-class education for students all over the world. Its low-cost courses attract the most international students. However, studying abroad can quickly become a financial burden without proper planning.

Tuition fees are a major expense for the best courses to study in Australia for international students. Thus, cost-efficiency in studying abroad is very important for them.

Being far from home, international students face significant financial challenges, including managing living expenses such as housing, food, and transportation. These situations create substantial financial pressure.

But the good news is some universities offer scholarships and financial aid. Besides these, there are also a lot of cheap courses in Australia for international students.

Factors Determining Course Costs

The number of higher educational courses in Australia is increasing day by day. These courses are different from one another and also have some other factors determining course cost.

Domestic vs International Student Rates

There’s a significant difference between domestic and international student rates. Mainly the Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). In this program, the government pays some portion of the tuition fees of domestic students. On the other hand, International students pay the university’s full tuition fee, which is much higher.

University Reputation And Rankings

More prestigious universities ask for higher tuition fees. Universities with higher world rankings often charge more for their courses. A particular course charges differently from high-ranked universities than the lower-ranked ones.

Location of the Institution: Urban vs Regional

Universities in urban cities have higher tuition fees than regional universities. Several facts determine this cost difference. Urban facilities are the main reason for these extra fees. Also, the cost of living for international students in Australia affects this difference.

Course Duration and Level (Undergraduate vs Postgraduate)

The length of the course also can affect the cost. Postgraduate programs (Master’s, PhD) cost more than undergraduate programs (Bachelor’s degrees). There are also many short-term courses available in Australia.

List of Affordable Australian Universities for International Students

List of Affordable Australian Universities for International Students

Here is a list of some of the best affordable Australian universities and institutes that charge lower course fees:

University of the Sunshine Coast

This university has an Award-winning campus with beautiful natural surroundings. It offers courses in nursing, IT, environmental science, sports and exercise science, and creative industries.

Charles Sturt University

The university has a strong focus on rural and environmental studies. Also, there are huge opportunities for practical learning. Its courses like agriculture, animal science, education, paramedicine, and oenology are very popular.

Western Sydney University

WSU is one of the well-reputed universities in Australia in engineering, business, social sciences, law, and design. The university mainly focused on innovations and industry connections.

Federation University Australia

Business, Information Technology, Nursing, Engineering, and Social Work are popular courses at this institute. It has strong graduate employment rates.

University of Southern Queensland

USQ Offers flexible learning options, including online and external study. It offers notable courses like Nursing, Business, Engineering, and Information Technology.

University of Wollongong

Engineering and Science are the most demanding courses at this university. The beautiful coastal location of this institute attracts students worldwide.

Charles Darwin University

They offer a broad scope of courses in environmental science and marine biology. They focus on tropical environments, especially Asian studies, for international students.

Edith Cowan University

ECU is one of the most prestigious nursing universities. Situated in Western Australia, the institute focuses on health sciences.

Southern Cross University

Marine Science, Tourism, Environmental Science, and Business are the most demanding courses here. Campuses across the East Coast of Australia attract international students most.

University of Canberra

This institute offers an extensive range of courses in law and public policy. They focus on social sciences, policy studies, and government.

University of Queensland

Students passionate about medical studies choose this institute first. They rank as one of the top universities in Australia for strong research facilities.

Victoria University

Engineering, Business, Law, and Science are notable courses at VU. It is the largest university in Victoria.

Griffith University

GU’s Criminology is the most attractive course for international students. They provide a wide contribution to the creative industry.

Cheapest Undergraduate Courses in Australia

Top 10 Cheapest Undergraduate Courses in Australia

Here’s a carefully chosen list of the ten cheap international student courses based on tuition fees and popularity.

1. Bachelor of Laws / Arts

The career outcomes from this course are that of a human resource manager, recruitment consultant, learning and development advisor, etc.

University: University of the Sunshine Coast

Duration: 5 Years

Tuition Fees: $USD 16,592 (approximate)

2. Bachelor of Business

This business course offers a specialization in a particular subject area. Potential career paths for this course include business consultant, business owner, project manager, business strategist, general manager, and so on.

University: Federation University Australia

Duration: 3 Years

Tuition Fees: $USD 18,326 (approximate )

3. International Hotel and Tourism Management

These courses prepare students for active careers in the hospitality industry. This program focuses on theoretical and practical management skills.

University: Southern Cross University

Duration: 3 Years

Tuition Fees: $USD 21,150 (approximate)

4. Bachelor of Architectural Design

The Architectural Design program offers a broad foundation for desiring architects. This course prepares students with advanced standing for most professional architecture graduate programs.

University: Griffith University

Duration: 3 Years

Tuition Fees: $USD 23,231 (approximate)

5. Bachelor of Fashion and Textiles

From this course, students will learn about technology and innovation. They'll learn how technologies are making a positive change in the fashion and textiles industry. They also can build the knowledge to be part of it.

University: RMIT University

Duration: 3 Years

Tuition Fees: $USD 28,037 (approximate)

6. Applied Science (Marine Engineering)

This course is for students who plan to pursue careers in the maritime industry as marine engineer officers on commercial vessels.

University: University of Tasmania

Duration: 3 Years

Tuition Fees: $USD 23,203 (approximate )

7. Medicine - Surgery

This course leads to many careers in the medical specialization. Your studies will focus on clinical sciences, biomedical sciences, as well as on healthcare.

University: Curtin University

Duration: 5 Years

Tuition Fees: $USD 56,136 (approximate)

8. Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Radiation Therapy)

The Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science is Australia’s leading study program in the discipline. Graduates in this course are in high demand worldwide with great medical competence.

University: University of Newcastle

Duration: 4 Years

Tuition Fees: $USD 25,072. (approximate)

9. Nutrition Science

This degree counts as a general business degree without specializing in a particular subject area.

University: Australian Catholic University

Duration: 4 Years

Tuition Fees: $USD 17,327 (approximate)

10. Human Services (with specializations)

If you want to make a positive impact on people’s lives, This course will give you the skills and knowledge for a career in human services.

University: Charles Sturt University

Duration: 3 Years

Tuition Fees: $USD 26,240 (approximate)

Affordable Postgraduate Courses in Australia

Top 10 Affordable Postgraduate Courses in Australia

Here’s a carefully chosen list of the ten cheapest postgraduate courses for international students based on tuition fees and overall popularity.

1. Psychological Science

The Bachelor of Psychological Science is a popular and affordable course in Australia. It helps students prepare for optional further study. Having this degree will lead you to registration as a professional psychologist.

University: Australian Catholic University

Duration: 3 Years

Tuition Fees: $USD 17,449 (approximate)

2. Medical Research

Medical Research aims to give students a solid foundation for postgraduate study. This project will provide an important understanding of the processes of medical research.

University: University of Tasmania

Duration: 3 Years

Tuition Fees: $USD 24,084 (approximate)

3. Mechanical Engineering

This Mechanical Engineering program is a postgraduate qualification that includes master’s level units as part of the program.

University: Engineering Institute of Technology

Duration: 1.5 Years

Tuition Fees: $USD 27,702 (approximate)

4. Natural Environment and Wilderness Studies

Natural Environment and Wilderness Studies is a fascinating course for Postgraduates. It's also one of the most affordable higher education courses in Australia.

University: University of Tasmania

Duration: 1 Year

Tuition Fees: $USD 24,216 (approximate)

5. Communication

Another affordable course in Australia is Communication. Students will have advanced-level communication, social sciences, cultural studies, and creative arts studies. Students graduate for professional and/or higher degree research practice.

University: University of Technology Sydney

Duration: 1 Year

Tuition Fees: $USD 15,792 (approximate)

6. Nursing

The nursing program allows eligible postgraduate graduates to extend their skills. It also helps in research.

University: University of Technology Sydney

Duration: 1 Year

Tuition Fees: $USD 29,849 (approximate)

7. Health Science (Human Movement)

This course focuses on human performance as well as the roles and benefits of physical activity and exercise.

University: University of Canberra

Duration: 3 Years

Tuition Fees: $USD 21,924 (approximate)

8. Criminology and Justice

Criminology and Justice aims to prepare students to become future leaders in the field of criminology. It also builds on the skills and knowledge learned in the particular undergraduate degree.

University: University of the Sunshine Coast

Duration: 3 Years

Tuition Fees: $USD 16,609 (approximate)

9. Business Informatics

Business Informatics course is the perfect course to teach you data science management. In this course, you will also learn about innovative systems that simplify and maximize productivity.

University: University of Canberra

Duration: 3 Years

Tuition Fees: $USD 21,260 (approximate)

10. Border Management

This course can take you places to build a career in customs. It gives you the technical skills and knowledge to thrive in an industry with exciting opportunities.

University: Charles Sturt University

Duration: 3 Years

Tuition Fees: $USD 14,882.35 (approximate)

Vocational Education and Training (VET) Courses

Vocational Education and Training (VET) Courses: A Cost-Effective Alternative

VET courses offer a compelling path for students seeking a swift entry into the workforce. These programs mainly stand out for their affordability compared to traditional university degrees. VET courses also range from a few months to two years, significantly shorter than university degrees.

The table below Highlights the most affordable VET courses and their respective institutions.

Course Title

Institution

Animal Care

TAFE International Western Australia

Veterinary Bioscience

University of Melbourne

Veterinary Biology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

University of Sydney

Veterinary Nursing

Australian Animal Care Institute

Perth Animal Care

Applied Vocational Training (AVT)

Scholarships and Financial Aids: Reducing the Financial Burden

Here are some popular available scholarships for international students in Australia. Generally, the Australian government and universities provide these scholarships to international students:

  • Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships
  • International Excellence Scholarships
  • Health Excellence Scholarships
  • Veterans’ Fund Indigenous Scholarships
  • QUT Excellence Scholarships

Tips on How to Secure Scholarships and Financial Aids

Nowadays, getting a scholarship has become more common. Students need to take wise steps to secure a scholarship in Australia. The following consideration facts could help you with this purpose.

  • Maintain a strong academic record, or at least a moderate one.
  • Identify available scholarships that specifically meet your eligibility.
  • Gather the required documents in advance.
  • Make a compelling personal statement.
  • Try to add strong references.
  • Try to apply as early as possible.

The Impact of Location on Course Costs

The following table compares the tuition fees for popular courses in major cities. Cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are costly for living and studying in regional areas. Here is a quick comparison of how tuition fees vary location-wise:

Course Name

Tuition Fees in Major Cities

(approximate)

Tuition Fees in Regional Areas

(approximate)

BBA (Undergraduate)

$30,000- $80,000

$25,000- $70,000

BA (Undergraduate)

$29,000- $40,000

$20,000- $29,000

BSC

$35,000- $37,000

$30,000- $35,000

Engineering

$40,000-$60,000

$25,000- $60,000

MBBS

$40,000-$50,000

$35,000- $45,000

Benefits of Studying in Regional Australia

Besides the lower tuition fees, international students can also have many other benefits in regional areas. For example, they can access an additional year of post-study work rights. This facility is available under the Temporary Graduate Visa.

Moreover, living costs in regional Australia are lower than in major cities. It’s one of the big advantages for international students to manage their study budgets. Also, studying in a regional area can be helpful sometimes in getting permanent residency in Australia.

Tips for Saving Money as an International Student in Australia

As an international student, saving money is a major object. Especially in Australia, where the study cost is higher. Here are some tips provided that any student could follow to save money.

Choose Affordable Accommodation Options

Share a rental house to split the cost. Also, you can rent houses in suburban areas to lower the rent cost.

Accessing Student Discounts and Offers

Many places offer discounts for students. You can even lower their transport costs by showing the university’s ID card.

Budgeting and Managing Finances Effectively

Track your expenses to create a monthly budget. Cooking at home, using public transport, and avoiding unnecessary debts could also reduce costs. You should focus more on your essential expenses.

The Future of Affordable Education in Australia

At present, Australia navigates the challenges and opportunities of providing affordable education. They are considering several facts to shape this future.

In recent years, potential changes in tuition fees have become a matter of discussion. They are working more and more on the financial sustainability of educational institutes. Also, online courses reduce tuition fees for international students in Australia. These learning methods play a vital role in making education more affordable.

Conclusion

Finding the cheapest courses in Australia for international students can be very helpful. It enables students to access high-quality education without excessive debt. So, keep your research and consider all available options to get the best education in Australia.

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