Australia most expensive country for international students

Australia – International Students

Australia has been ranked as the most expensive country for international students, but the falling Aussie dollar could spark a boom in new arrivals.

Australia beat the US, Britain, Germany, Canada and Hong Kong as the most expensive destination for international students, costing an average $US38,000 ($41,500) a year in fees and living costs, according to a HSBC Bank study of 13 countries and territories.

But despite its pricey reputation, Australia has remained one of the world’s most popular destinations for international students.

HSBC Australia head of personal financial services Graham Heunis said the falling Australian dollar looked set to give the nation an even bigger boost in the popularity stakes after the high currency saw a 12 per cent drop in international enrolments between 2009 and 2012.

He said changes introduced last year to streamline international student visa processing would also help increase the influx of students.

“While Australia has continued to enjoy higher economic growth than other western markets over the past five years, this has also led to a higher Australian dollar which has placed a strain on the price competitiveness of our export sectors, including education,” he said.

“The falling Aussie dollar and simplified visa process should spark a resurgence in overseas students placing Australia on top of their destination lists.”

Related articles

• Australian universities lower entrance scores despite concerns over graduate standards (craighill.net)
• Australia a pricey pick for education (smh.com.au)
• Australia ‘most costly’ study destination (news.com.au)
• Australia ‘most costly’ study destination (news.theage.com.au)
• Expensive? Yes, say international students (theage.com.au)
• Destination Canada! (dnaindia.com)
• The primary task for international students (kanjiang2.wordpress.com)
• How the UK government NOW want more International students and a stop to people abusing the student visitor visas (marketingworldchoice.wordpress.com)
• Alberta international students not seeing tuition freeze (metronews.ca)
• International students pay premium (bbc.co.uk)