There are lots of options available to you when you decide you want to start higher education study.
Courses may differ depending on which university or higher education provider offers them. This could include differences in the course content, course location or cost of the course.
You need to do your research to make sure you find the course that is right for you.
What's on this page
Course level
Undergraduate
Bachelor degrees are the most common undergraduate qualification and provide students with broad knowledge and skills for performing work or undertaking further learning.
Postgraduate
Postgraduate study builds on a student’s knowledge from their undergraduate degree to develop advanced or specialist knowledge for highly skilled work or further learning. Postgraduate study includes graduate certificates and masters degrees.
Higher degrees by research
Higher degrees by research is a postgraduate qualification which primarily involves a supervised research project on a subject. Higher degrees by research include a doctor of philosophy (also known as a PhD or doctorate).
More information
More information is also available on the higher education overview page.
Course costs
Not all higher education courses cost the same amount. The tuition fees will vary depending on which provider you are studying with and what course you are studying.
Some courses cost more than others due to the complexity and resources required to teach the relevant subjects.
For example, studying a medicine degree is more expensive than a business degree due to the level of supervision and instruction provided to students.
A Commonwealth supported place (CSP) is a place at an Australian university or approved higher education provider where the Australian Government pays part of your fees.
This is a subsidy to reduce the cost of your course and means that you do not pay the full course fees. If you are not offered a CSP you will have to pay the full course fee.
More information is available on the Commonwealth supported places (CSP) page.
Higher education students may be eligible for a study loan from the Australian Government to cover some of their study expenses. These loans are called Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loans. Eligible students are able to access HELP loans to defer the cost of their fees and do not have to repay this loan until their income reaches the compulsory threshold amount.
More information is available on the how student loans work page.
Some providers offer scholarships to subsidise the cost of study or to pay for other expenses while you study.
To find out more about available scholarships you should speak to your provider directly.
Some providers offer scholarships for students undertaking Research Doctorate and Research Masters degrees through the Research Training Program (RTP).
There are also scholarship opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
You also need to consider if there are additional costs to complete your course.
- You may need to buy textbooks, laptops and equipment
- You may need to buy a uniform when doing a work placement
- You may have to pay for travel, accommodation and meals when doing internships.
Course mode
Courses can be offered in different ways including face to face, online or a mix of both.
You should confirm that the way the course is delivered matches your preferred learning style.
You should also consider other issues that may impact the way you study. If you elect to study a course online, do you have a reliable computer and internet access?
Type of institution
There are a number of institutions that provide opportunities for higher education in Australia.
Universities based in Australia that are in receipt of Commonwealth Grant Scheme Funding (CGS) and are funded to offer CSPs.
Universities based in Australia that are not government funded to offer CSPs and receive the majority of their funding from full fee-paying places.
A broad term to describe a university or other type of provider (like an institute or college) that is registered with TEQSA and delivers higher education awards.
Universities based overseas (which may or may not have a campus in Australia).
Organisation offering only online courses from a variety of partner universities.
The institution you elect to study with may impact the financial assistance you will be eligible for and the support you receive.
Student Experience and Graduate Outcomes
Before you decide where to study, you can review the student experience and graduate outcomes for that provider.
ComparED
The ComparED website compares information about students’ experiences and employment outcomes at different higher education providers to allow you to make an informed decision about your future study options.
ComparED compiles information from graduate surveys on the level of student satisfaction with teaching, staff interactions, resources and support, as well as information about employment rates and average graduate salaries.