Benchmark
Use the table below to get a general idea of how much you’ll need to spend on your education.
| Education Type | Average Tuition |
|---|---|
| Secondary school | AUD $7,800 - AUD $30,000 per year |
| English language course | AUD $300 per week |
| Vocational Education and Training | AUD $5,700 - AUD $24,000 per year |
| Foundation courses | AUD $18,000 - AUD $49,000 total |
| Bachelor Degree | AUD $17,000 - AUD $50,000 per year |
| Master's Degree | AUD $17,000 - AUD $53,000 per year |
| Doctoral Degree | AUD $23,000 - AUD $95,000 per year |
| MBA | AUD $21,000 - AUD $126,000 per year |
When it comes to affordable tuition, Australia is one of the top international study destinations.
Studying here means you’ll receive a high-quality educational experience and an internationally recognised degree.
What’s more, unlike some other destinations like the United States, overseas students in Australia are allowed to work part-time during their studies. This can help offset the cost of studying abroad even more.
How do university fees work in Australia?
To fully understand the cost of studying in Australia, there are some important things to know about the way university fees work.
Units
Rather than charging you a flat rate for the cost of your course, universities in Australia charge you for each unit of study you undertake.
In many Australian universities, a standard academic subject is worth three units.
Under this system, an academic year consists of 24 units of study, with students expected to complete 12 units per semester. Students enrolled in at least nine units per semester are considered to be studying full-time.
Some universities use different numbering systems. For example, you may find that the subjects at your university are worth six points instead. Check with your education provider to find out which method they use.
Degree duration
Another benefit to studying in Australia is that degrees can take less time to complete than in some other destinations, such as the United States.
The table below outlines standard degree lengths based on full-time study in Australia.
| Degree | Duration |
|---|---|
| Bachelor degree | 3 years (24 units) |
| Honours degree | 4 years (32 units) |
| Masters degree | 1.5 years (12 units) |
University costs
So, what exactly does a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree cost in Australia?
While the exact fees vary between providers, you will often find that tuition is cheaper in smaller Australian cities like Adelaide than in major capital cities, such as Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.
Your fees may even be lower if you successfully apply for international student scholarships or bursaries.
Bachelor degrees
The price of Bachelor Degrees in Australia ranges from AUD$23,200 to AUD $43,680 per annum.
Here is a summary of prices (per year) of various fields of study at the three main universities in Adelaide.
These prices are before any scholarships in Adelaide are applied.
| Degree | Flinders University | University of South Australia | The University of Adelaide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business | AUD $35,500 per year | AUD $36,100 per year | AUD $47,500 per year |
| Medicine | AUD $40,200 per year | - | AUD $89,500 per year |
| Accounting | AUD $35,500 per year | AUD $36,100 per year | AUD $49,500 per year |
| Law | AUD $37,900 per year | AUD $36,100 per year | AUD $49,500 per year |
| Engineering | AUD $42,900 per year | AUD $39,600 per year | AUD $51,000 per year |
The tuition fees quoted are before any scholarships or bursaries are applied. Click here to learn more about university scholarships available in Adelaide.
Master’s degrees
In regards to Master Degrees, tuition fees range from AUD $26,600 to AUD$76,584 per annum.
The following is a summary of the tuition fees (per year) of various master degrees at the three main universities in Adelaide.
These prices are before any scholarships in Adelaide are applied.
| Degree | Flinders University | University of South Australia | The University of Adelaide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business | AUD $39,400 per year | AUD $43,800 per year | AUD $49,900 per year |
| Medicine | AUD $40,700 per year | - | - |
| Accounting | AUD $39,300 per year | AUD $39,600 per year | AUD $49,900 per year |
| Law | AUD $36,300 per year | - | AUD $49,900 per year |
| Engineering | AUD $43,400 per year | AUD $41,200 per year | AUD $51,000 per year |