Study in Australia from Latvia

The dynamic, welcoming lifestyle and seasonally temperate weather make Australia a great destination for students from around the world, including those from Latvia. 

Studying in Australia from Latvia leads the way to permanent residency and citizenship in Australia. Australia is one of the most popular destinations worldwide for international students, and Melbourne is considered to be the largest university town in the world — it has around 300,000 students at eight universities, of whom 100,000 are international students. Australia is an amazing place to study.

As a student from Latvia, you will feel right at home, because at any given moment, there are thousands of Latvian students in Australia. 

There are plenty of reasons for travelling to Australia from Latvia, it is a well-known holiday destination, but did you know that Australia is one of the world’s most popular destinations to study. 

Here are some major reasons you should study in Australia.

• Australia is a melting pot of cultures and races, with many ethnicities coming together on its college campuses.

• While Australia does not lack great universities. Educational Institutions such as Melbourne University, the Australian National University, and Sydney University, boast facilities within campuses that show a  commitment to providing students with a high-quality education.  

• Australia’s leading cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra are consistently listed as some of the best places in the world to live, which is definitely a good indicator of the high standards of living Australia has. The quality of education and proximity to other countries are undoubtedly important, however, there are plenty of other benefits of studying in such a diverse nation as Australia. Research has shown diversity increases creativity, innovation, and problem-solving, all of which no doubt enhance the college experience and cultivates a sense of community. 

• Compared with the United Kingdom and the United States, where requirements are far more stringent, Australia is far more welcoming of international students from around the world, and in fact, it is a Latvia where students are most welcomed.

• International students are allowed to stay up to two years in Australia depending on their qualifications. This means that you have an opportunity to add training and experience from abroad to your CV.

• Australia also has one of the largest populations of Latvians outside of Latvia, so you will make friends from home even though you are thousands of miles away.

1 – the Australian lifestyle blends well with Latvian students.

Australians are known for a relaxing lifestyle, with many major universities in Australia located in outback areas, offering plenty of hiking trails, parks, beaches, and other outdoors activities.

Australian students take to their leisure activities with a sense of pride since they are undeniably serious about their studies. The naturally beautiful country of New Zealand is also only a short flight away, a paradise for society. If you can count on it being a safe environment to relocate to, then you can expect good education, great food, and amazing people.

2 – Australia’s exceptional Academic reputation 

Australian universities have built up a stellar reputation for academia over the years, with high global reputations. The Australian educational system is a mix of hands-on, independent study, and a great deal of practical experience. Students are free to improvise and experiment on their projects and are nurtured to become independent learners.  Many universities also offer semester programs abroad as well as university partnerships where you can choose to partake in term study abroad on exchange, field studies or global internships.  Exciting options like exploring the Great Barrier Reef are available at James Cook University in Queensland.

3 – Australia is flexible – it will take Students from Latvia for all or part of their course

If you are going to bask in the Australian sun, there are many ways you can simultaneously fulfil your academic dreams. Australian institutions provide a broad spectrum of educational opportunities, from rudimentary schooling to post-graduate degrees. 

4 – Australia offers Student visas for University as well as College and shorter Technical Courses

If your institution offers technical or vocational training, it is likely that Australia would adopt it. If you wish to enrol in Australia and attend a course of basic education, you may travel to Australia and enrol at one of Australia’s many colleges.

5 – The cost 

The costs for Australian studies are lower compared to UK and USA, and yet they are of excellent quality. 

6 – Offer paths to Permanent Residency and Citizenship of Australia

Studying and working in Australia gives citizens of the Latvia an opportunity to gain additional points toward their application for Permanent Residency in Australia. Australia recognises that individuals who commit to studying in Australia and living in Australia are in the best position to make the decision about whether or not they wish to remain permanently, and are excellent candidates for Permanent Residency — so Australia is awarding additional points towards immigration for those applicants.

7 – Australian Universities have partnerships with universities all over the world including Institutions in Latvia

This means that you can potentially do some of your home studies in Australia, or move on from home studies. Some universities have lists of “partner universities” overseas, making it a lot easier to transfer. It typically requires detailed evaluation, but you might not receive credit for problems that you did investigate. 

Take Australia Made Simples free visa assessment to check if you are eligible to study in Australia.

The Australian academic year starts at the beginning of March and runs through to November. Most universities run two terms a year, but a few run three. Most Australian university courses typically take three years, but you will need one more year if you opt for a PhD.

Undergraduate Degrees

• Bachelor’s Degree – Usually 3 years
• Bachelor’s Degree (with Honors) Usually 4 years
• Double Degree (Usually 4-5 years and you graduate with 2 full Bachelors Degrees)

Postgraduate Degrees

• Masters Degree – Usually 18 mths – 2 years
• PHD – Usually 3-4 years

Australia has a large list of very good universities. There are 8 universities, in particular, that are internationally famous, and are featured every year on The Times Higher Education List (the) that ranks the best universities worldwide, one up on another. These universities refer to themselves as The Group of 8. Here is our top-ranked list of institutions which are part of the elite group of 8.

The Group of 8 – Australia’s Top 8 Universities

A list of all Australian Universities is kept by the Australian Government and you can see the list here.

The academic requirements that you will need to study in Australia will vary depending on what course you have chosen and what university you are applying at. Different admission requirements are taken into consideration at different institutions, so you should carefully review course information.

For prospective students who want to study in Australia, there are several requirements that need to be met. As English is the language of teaching and exam in all areas in Australia, adequate English proficiency is the minimal academic requirement.

These costs are the average costs, fees at every university in Australia do vary. Please contact the university you are interested in to get an accurate fee for your desired course. Also, please be aware that more expensive degrees, like medicine and veterinary science, really do cost more than the below-average listed.

Universities all over Australia provide accommodation for students either on campus or close to it. These university residences, or student colleges, typically provide you with a room, with meals provided. They also provide an excellent array of social activities, as well as the advantage of being located on campus, so that you do not have to travel every day. These types of accommodations cost between $240-$450 per week.

Students can also opt for renting with friends or private rentals in serviced accommodation. The price for a private rental will vary widely depending on the location of the university. Also, these rentals will need you to take into account other expenses like food, electricity, and other home items.

The costs may range from $100 to 250 a week (depending on how many other students you are sharing and where you are located. In addition to the cost of your tuition, you will have to pay for many other expenses throughout your college experience. The Australian government has provided a guideline for how much you can expect to spend each week on accommodation costs.

The Australian Government will ask that you demonstrate that you have funds available that you can afford to sustain yourself. The government has determined that amount is about $19,000 Australian Dollars a year.

You are allowed up to 20 hours per week. One of the nice things about being an international student in Australia is the government allows you to work up to 20 hours a week in term time, and a full-time job during the university semester holidays, if you want. This helps a lot of students support themselves while they are here, and provides invaluable international working experience. Check out jobs available in Australia to see where you could be working and what you could make.

Many students already know what area they want to study. It is important to keep in mind that not every college or university offers every class. You will have to look for a course you want to study and will have to know what level you want to study, such as Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, etc. 

Find out what courses are offered in your universities and make a shortlist of the universities that are a good fit. Not every course will be the same at each university, so it is important to keep in mind that whatever subjects you decide on, you will always keep in mind what universities are best suited to your subjects.

Some universities charge a fee for applying, others are free, but you will have to figure out the application process and research on university websites. 

There is no centralized application process in Australia, each university or college runs its own admissions process.

If your application is successful, you will receive an offer letter from the University. If it is an unconditional offer, this means that you have already met all of the requirements and are free to accept the offer right away. If, however, it is a conditional offer, it means you will be granted your place at the institution, provided that you fulfil all of the conditions listed on the letter. 

Once you accept an offer, you will get a certificate (CofE) confirming that you are accepted. This document is required to apply for your student visa.

You should wait until after you have arrived at the COE to file the visa application. Now, you can book a ticket and work out a plan for arriving in Australia.

There are dates that you will want to be aware of so that you time the applications properly. Australian universities run 2 admissions cycles each year. The exact dates and requirements vary from each University and should serve only as a guide.

Australian Cities offer great lifestyle choices while you study abroad.  With a great many study destinations available it is worth taking the time to investigate each option.

Sydney

Sydney is not Australia’s capital, as is often erroneously claimed, but is home to Australia’s largest number of research universities. Its dynamic economy, great quality of life, and strong educational standards make it a great destination for finding entrepreneurial opportunities post-graduation, wherever that may be in Australia. It offers a vibrant, interesting environment for all the city lovers, with various restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, restaurants and bars, as well as a large selection of recreational activities.

Brisbane

Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, is the second-largest city in Australia by students, with convenient access to numerous housing estates and suburban areas. This subtropical city is an ideal place to live if you are more comfortable with less density than in the major cities such as Melbourne and Sydney.

Gold Coast

Of course, there is always the famous Gold Coast – with Griffith University, Bond University and Southern Cross University having campus programs right on the Gold Coast.

Melbourne

Melbourne is also home to a large number of sports which foster teamwork and interactions which are essential for a healthy student body, including footy, basketball, soccer, rugby, tennis, and rugby league. Considered to be one of the best cities, it has been named the world’s most livable city for seven years running.

Canberra

Canberra is Australia’s capital and is home to both the University of Canberra and the Australian National University, ANU. 

Adelaide

It is also surrounded by a lot of nature reserves and parks and has some of the world’s best beaches. For more than 170 years, Adelaide has provided students of all ages with the education needed to pursue their dreams. A beautiful, highly liveable city, near beaches, surrounded by internationally famous agricultural land that produces some of the best wines and food — the foodie students’ haven.

There are 4 options that you can pursue once you are finished your study course in Australia.  These options are :

1 – Apply for a working holiday Visa

2 – Apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa

3 – Obtain a Skilled Migrant Visa

4 – Head home to Latvia

The Working Holiday

A Work Holiday Visa may just be what is right for you as you complete your Degree. The visa allows you to travel and work anywhere in Australia for as long as you like for a whole year. It is an easy, affordable option for extending time in Australia if you do not wish to be tied down with one specific employer, and you wish to be free to travel and work across the country. 

The Temporary Graduate Visa Option

Your best option for staying in the country without being tied to a specific employer or job type is a temporary graduate visa (subclass 485) allows overseas students studying in Australia for a minimum of 2 academic years to remain in the country for up to 4 years.  Remember to always obtain travel insurance before you travel as not all visas cover medical care.

This visa is designed to encourage students who study in Australia to stay and work. It is a valuable opportunity to get more experience, and also points to apply for permanent residence in Australia, should you so choose. 

Post-graduate employment experience will be valuable when returning to Latvia because it will provide an experience that others on the labour market might not. If you have the correct skills in a particular field which is in demand, you may want to look into applying for a working visa which allows you to live and work in that country.

The skilled worker route

Australia has several working visas that come with varying requirements. Some can require sponsorship from an employer, others are on a points-based system, and some have a maximum length of time for the visa. It is important to look at the details to determine whether or not you are eligible.

Australia runs an extensive skilled migration program, with more than 400 professions identified as being needed in the country. Citizens from the Latvia are encouraged to apply. Having studied and/or worked in Australia gives you more points on the scheme, which increases the chances of getting the visa. Find out whether your profession is in the occupations listed as essential for Australia by checking out our lists here MTSSL and STSOL.

Returning home to Latvia

If you prefer to go back home, or further overseas to further study, this is an option for you too. Australia wishes you the best of luck.

There are many visa options for people from Latvia to Live and Work in Australia.  You can find all the Visa options available for Latvians by looking at our comprehensive guide on how to Immigrate to Australia from Latvia.

If you are from somewhere other than Latvia and would like to Study in Australia, you can find the specific guide relevant to you here at How to Study in Australia from any Country.

And you can find out everything about immigrating to Australia on our homepage.

Pros and Cons of Studying in Australia from Latvia

While studying to Australia from Latvia can seem fun and exciting do remember that it’s a complex legal process and you have no automatic right to study in Australia regardless of your country of origin. Some applicants get very frustrated in the whole process and give up, or look for easier and cheaper options to study abroad. The most popular alternative to making an Australian student visa application is making an application for a Canadian study visa.