There are more than 38 universities in Australia which has student population varying in size from 3000 to 30000 student population. TAFE or Technical and Further Education institutes are vocational education and training institutes and are located in all Australian states. They are private or government funded. The academic year for most Australian institution runs from February to November with an increasing number of institutions offering mid - year (July) intake.
Primary and Secondary schools.
The system is equivalent to 10 +2 education in India. Certification at the end of schooling is by continuous assessment within schools and public examinations .The course forms the basis for entry to universities or other tertiary institutions.
Vocational Educational and Training Institutes.
The Vocational Education and Training gives students practical skills for their careers. The VET sector is divided in to two sections.
TAFE is the largest provider of tertiary education courses in Australia with about 250 institutes and over a million students including about 41,000 are international students. The VET awards certificates, advanced certificates, associate diplomas and diplomas. Studying at TAFE level is also a way of gaining entry termed a pathway to Australia's Universities. Most TAFE institutes have arrangements with specific universities, enabling students to gain credit for a portion of their study undertaken at TAFE. The VET courses include computing, design, pilot training, business management, hospitality and tourism and many other courses.
There are 38 and more public universities and two private universities in Australia which offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The most popular courses of study for international students have been in the field of Business Administration, Economics, followed by Science, then Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. University studies can lead to following awards - Undergraduate - Bachelor Degrees, Bachelor Degrees (with Honours), Undergraduate Diplomas, Associate Diplomas; Postgraduate - Doctoral Degrees, Masters Degrees, Graduate Diplomas, Graduate Certificates.
