Why do some Nigerian students travel to Australia to study abroad rather than in the United Kingdom? 

Across the Horizon has highlighted some major differences between these two great countries. Therefore, we will compare the two countries based on important factors that affect international students. 

Top Universities

United Kingdom: You can find some of the world's oldest and most prestigious universities in the UK. Some top universities are University College London, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Manchester, and King’s College London.

Australia:  Australian National University will always stay on the list of some of the best universities. The country also has the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, the University of New South Wales, and the University of Queensland. 

Part-time work options

Australia: Students can work full-time during holidays and up to 40 hours per fortnight while studying. 

In addition, Australia offers skilled migrant programmes aimed at students with abilities, skills, and education certifications.

United Kingdom: Students in the United Kingdom work for 20 hours per week over the length of their studies.

Top subjects

United Kingdom: Popular subjects among international students include Natural Sciences (particularly Biological sciences),Social Sciences (particularly Psychology), Engineering, Business (i.e., MBA), and Medicine (notably dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing).

Australia: Most international students study Business (i.e., MBA), Medicine (including Dentistry), Accounting, Creative Arts and Design, and Education.

Both the UK and Australia require international candidates to submit proof of English language proficiency. The preferred test by both countries is IELTS, with the minimum average score usually set at 6.5, with individual band scores of at least 6.0.

Duration of programme and Semester system

Australia: A Masters by coursework programme is  1.5-2 years duration.

Semester 1 commences in February-March, or as late as April in certain universities, while Semester 2 commences in July-August or as late as September.  

United Kingdom: A Master's programme is a one-year duration.

The United Kingdom universities have two major terms, i.e., Term 1, which commences in September, and Term 2, which begins in January. In addition, certain universities may have an additional Summer term of shorter duration, which starts in April.

Credit and Grading system

United Kingdom: Master's degrees are usually worth 180 credits, split between some modules, which vary between 10 and 30 credits each.

 The grade for an individual module is based upon the weighting of the grades achieved in the module's assessments. 

Australia: For each course of study, you earn a credit value. Credits reflect the number of hours you are expected to study a subject per week. 

Each subject has a value between 6 and 8. 96 credits are required to complete a postgraduate degree, you would need.

Most Australian universities use an alphabet-based grading system. GPA using a 7-point scale is published on the transcript. 

Culture

United Kingdom: The UK comprises four countries (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) which makes the local culture varied.

Australia: The biggest shock in Australia may be the switched seasons! “The Land Down Under” is cold in June and super hot in January. 

How long do undergraduate and postgraduate degrees take?

An undergraduate degree in England or Australia usually takes three years to complete. The exception in the UK is Scotland, where it takes four years. However, a PG degree can take one or two years to complete in Australia and one year in the UK.

Cost of studying

Australia: The average annual tuition charge for overseas undergraduates and postgraduates studying in Australia is AUD 30,840 and $31,596, respectively. A master's degree in Australia costs between AUD 20,000 and $37,000. A doctoral degree costs between AUD$14,000 and $37,000. The cost of a degree varies depending on the course you choose.

United Kingdom: Tuition fees vary based on the institution and the degree. The annual tuition fees for international graduates and postgraduates may range from £10,000 to £38,000 and £11,000 to £32,000, respectively.

Post-study work rights

Australia: International students can stay in the country for 2 to 4 years after graduation to travel, work, or study. The length of stay varies with the level of qualification you obtain — 2 years for a Bachelor's or Master's degree, three years for a research qualification, and four years after completing a doctoral degree. 

United Kingdom: International students who have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in the UK two-year Graduate route visas. If the student has a Ph.D., they can apply for three-year visas.