A detailed guide on the top undergraduate courses at Australian universities

In August 2024, around 969,230 international students enrolled in Australian institutions, the highest record since 2019. Of these, nearly 17% of the enrolments were from India. Australia has been witnessing a consistent surge in demand for its undergraduate and postgraduate programs globally. Are you too ready to take the first big leap in formal education in Australia? In this article, we share some of the most popular Bachelor-level courses to pursue in Australia along with their eligibility criteria, course fees, job and salary prospects, and the best colleges to study in.

Why Study Bachelor Courses in Australia?

Australia continues to be one of the popular destinations for students aspiring to study abroad for undergraduate degrees. Some of the top reasons for pursuing Bachelor courses in Australia are:

  • Quality of learning: Australia’s education system is renowned globally for academic excellence. The curriculums are crafted to offer a blend of theoretical and practical learning with skills that are relevant to specific industries.

  • Career prospects: After completing Bachelor's degree programs from Australian institutions, Indian students can apply for high-paying job opportunities in the country. Several Bachelor programs offer prospects for permanent residency in Australia.

  • High-ranked institutions: Australia is home to many colleges that rank high on QS World University Rankings 2025 globally. This adds value to your resume and enhances the credibility of the degree earned.

Popular Bachelor Programs in Australia for Indian Students    

The table below highlights some of the most popular Bachelor degrees in Australia that Indian students should opt for in 2025. IDP experts can help you select the right course based on your career aspirations and also offer other details, such as scholarship, and course duration and cost.

Name of the Course

University Offering the Course 

Course Duration

Course Fee (indicative)

Bachelor of Nursing

Western Sydney University

3 years 

AUD 36,984 

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Australian National University

3 years

AUD 53,700

Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours)

University of Newcastle 

4 years

AUD 44,050

BSc Physiotherapy (Hons)

Curtin University

4 years

AUD 9,300

Bachelor of Nutrition Science

Monash University

3 years

AUD 46,900

Related Sources: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/courses/undergraduate/bachelor-of-nursing
https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/program/bcomp
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/degrees/bachelor-of-civil-engineering-honours
https://www.curtin.edu.au/study/offering/course-ug-bachelor-of-science-physiotherapy-honours--bh-phyth/
https://www.monash.edu/study/courses/find-a-course/nutrition-science-m2001?international=true#application-fees

List of Top Colleges Offering Bachelor Programs in Australia

Australia is home to several high-ranked institutions that offer the best-quality learning to students globally. Some of the top colleges in Australia for Bachelor’s degrees are as follows:

University 

Location

QS World University Ranking 2025

The University of Melbourne

Parkville

13

The University of Sydney

Sydney 

18

The University of New South Wales

Sydney 

19

The Australian National University 

Canberra 

30

Monash University

Melbourne 

37

The University of Queensland

Brisbane City 

=40

The University of Western Australia

Perth 

77

The University of Adelaide

Adelaide

=82

RMIT University

Melbourne

=123

Macquarie University

Sydney

=133

Related Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings?countries=au  

Eligibility Criteria and Admission Requirements to Study Bachelor Programs in Australia

Before applying for a Bachelor’s degree in Australia, make sure you meet the following admission criteria for the university you wish to apply to:

  • Most undergraduate programs generally require the completion of a secondary school qualification. In the case of international students, an overseas equivalent to an Australian Year 12 certificate is sufficient. 

  • All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency by producing the required test scores of an English proficiency test, such as the IELTS Test Report Form. Most Bachelor programs at Australian institutions require an overall score of 6.0 in IELTS, and no band should be less than 6.0.

Note: All Australian colleges have different eligibility requirements for Bachelor programs. It is therefore recommended that you check with the specific university you are applying for. 

Related Source: https://www.vu.edu.au/study-at-vu/how-to-apply/international-applicants/entry-requirements-for-international-students

Cost of Studying Bachelor Programs in Australia for Indian Students

Every Australian university is likely to set a different fee for the same Bachelor's degree offered. This is because the cost of studying the program may vary for both domestic and international students. Additionally, the fee structure may differ due to the rank of the university, its location, curriculum, etc.

The average Australian Bachelor's degree fee for Indian students is estimated in the range of approximately AUD 15,000 - AUD 35,000 per annum. The figures are indicative only and may differ from one course to another. 

Source: https://www.idp.com/india/study-in-australia/cost-of-study/ 

Visa Requirements for Indian Students Studying in Australia  

Indian students travelling to Australia for Bachelor's programs need the relevant permit for study-abroad education. They are required to apply for a student visa for Australia - Subclass 500 - which permits a student to stay in Australia during the specified duration of the course.

You can apply for the Australia study visa online at least 8-12 weeks before the start date of your course. You can also take the guided support and assistance of professional study-abroad consultants such as IDP Education for the application process. These experts would help you at every stage, ensuring that your application is complete, accurate, and in order.

Some of the common documents required for the Australian student visa application are as follows:

  • Valid passport  

  • Letter of Acceptance from the applied university

  • Proof of Genuine Temporary Entrant 

  • Academic certificates and proof of work experience

  • Proof of finances

  • Proof of English language proficiency with IELTS test scores

  • Recent passport-sized photographs

  • OSHC insurance details

  • Application fee

The approximate application fee is AUD 1,600 per application. This is for indicative purposes only and may vary every year. 

Source: https://www.idp.com/india/study-in-australia/student-visa-assistance/ 

Career Opportunities After Completing Bachelor Programs in Australia

Students graduating after Bachelor study in Australia can choose various rewarding career paths as per their interests and professional goals. Some of the popular job roles that are likely to unlock after a Bachelor’s degree in Australia are:

Expected Job Role 

Average Annual Salary (Approx)

Economist 

AUD 108,015 

Accountant 

AUD 77,951

Software Developer

AUD 101,848

Architect 

AUD 104,818

Finance Analyst

AUD 100,337

Related Sources: https://au.indeed.com/career/economist/salaries
https://au.indeed.com/career/accountant/salaries?from=top_sb
https://au.indeed.com/career/software-engineer/salaries?from=top_sb
https://au.indeed.com/career/architect/salaries?from=top_sb
https://au.indeed.com/career/financial-analyst/salaries?from=top_sb

Student Essentials Services (SES) by IDP for Studying Abroad

Travelling to another country for higher education can be quite overwhelming. This is why IDP offers a wide umbrella of Student Essentials Services (SES) to offer the utmost convenience to students upon their arrival in the country. 

Some of the most popular services that we offer to Indian students studying abroad are:

  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) medical insurance 

  • Accommodation arrangements - homestays, apartments, or student accommodation in hostels, etc.

  • Safe and secure money transfer to the applied university (tuition fee) and other services

  • Student banking services before arrival, such as opening a bank account for the student in Australia for faster payment processing

FAQs for Bachelor Programs in Australia

1. Can international students work while studying in Australia?

Yes, international students are permitted to work in Australia for up to 20 hours per week (part-time). During holidays and session breaks, there is no limit though on the number of working hours.

2. What is the duration of a Bachelor's degree in Australia?

It may vary from one program to another in different institutions based on the course curriculum. The average duration of a Bachelor’s course in Australia is likely to be 3-4 years.

Related Source: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/courses/undergraduate/bachelor-of-nursing

3. Are there age limits for Bachelor's programs in Australia?

There is no maximum age limit; however, most Australian colleges accept international students for Bachelor programs at 18 years of age. Students under 18 years of age must have specific welfare arrangements to study in the country.

Related Source: https://www.rmit.edu.au/study-with-us/applying-to-rmit/local-student-applications/entry-requirements/minimum-age-requirement

4. How long can I stay in Australia after completing a Bachelor's degree?

After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree, students are permitted to stay for up to two years to work in the country on a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485).

Related Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485#:~:text=Education%20Work%20stream-,This%20visa%20is%20for%20international%20students%20who%20have%20recently%20graduated,and%20study%20in%20Australia%20temporarily.&text=Usually%20between%202%20and%203,may%20stay%20for%205%20years.

5. How long does it take to get a student visa for Australia?

The average processing time for every application is likely to differ from one student to another, based on several factors.

6. Which university is the cheapest in Australia?

Each Australian university will have a different fee structure based on rank, location, curriculum, and other factors. Some of the cheapest colleges in Australia however are:

7. How much percentage is required for studying in Australia after the 12th?

Each university has different eligibility criteria for admission into its Bachelor programs after the 12th. However, the minimum percentage required by most Australian universities from international students is between 50% and 60%.

Source: https://www.idp.com/india/study-in-australia/top-universities-in-australia/

Updated on 24 January, 2025