Study at Regional Universities in Australia: Advantages, Tuition Fees & Admission Process
Regional universities are higher education institutions located outside the metropolitan cities of Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. These institutes are popular for offering affordable study programs to international students and are located in the cities of Perth, Canberra, Hobert, Gold Coast, etc. They are also at the forefront of promoting research, employment, and cultural development at the regional level.
In this blog, we have discussed the benefits of studying at regional universities in Australia, along with their tuition fees, popular programs, and more.
- Backstory of Regional Universities in Australia
- What is Considered Regional Australia?
- Top Reasons for Choosing to Study at Regional Universities in Australia
- Top Regional Universities in Australia
- Popular Courses in Regional Universities of Australia
- Study Intakes in Regional Universities of Australia
- Eligibility Criteria to Study at Regional Universities in Australia
- Documents Checklist for Regional Universities
- Application Process for Regional Universities
- Key Takeaways by AdmitX
- FAQs
Backstory of Regional Universities in Australia
The regional universities in Australia were established through government initiatives, by merging small colleges and expanding the existing institutions to regional areas. The University of New England, which was established in 1954, has become the first regional university in Australia.
The primary goal behind establishing the regional universities was to deliver quality education, research and employment opportunities at the doorstep of regional Australians. Now, international students also find several reasons to attend these universities.
What is Considered Regional Australia?
- The Australian government has classified any area outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane as regional Australia.Â
- Regional Australia includes the cities of Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong, and Hobart.Â
- Not all universities in these cities are necessarily categorised as regional universities.Â
- The classification of a university as regional depends on government policies and frameworks such as the Modified Monash Model (MMM) and the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Remoteness Structure, which assess factors like population size and remoteness.
Top Reasons for Choosing to Study at Regional Universities in Australia
The top reasons for choosing to study at Regional universities in Australia are discussed below.
Low Tuition Fees
- The tuition fees at regional universities in Australia are considerably lower than those of metropolitan universities.
- Depending on the course and institute, it may vary between AUD 20,000-40,000 or INR 11 Lakhs-22 Lakhs per year.
Low Cost of Living
- The cost of living in regional locations is generally lower than those of metropolitan cities and towns.Â
- Depending on the city, the annual cost of living may vary between AUD 18,000-35,000 or INR 10 Lakhs-20 Lakhs.
Post-Study Work Visa Benefits
International students who graduated from regional universities in Australia are eligible for the extension of post-study work visa for up to 4-5 years instead of the usual 2-3 years in major cities.Â
Opportunities to Work for Local Communities
- The regional universities in Australia were established to uplift the educational, research, cultural, and economic conditions of regional locations by bringing high-quality education, networking, and employment opportunities.
- Through these universities, international students have the opportunity to study and work alongside the local population, contributing to improvements in their quality of life and fulfilling social responsibilities.
Peaceful & Culturally Rich Life
Regional locations in Australia offer a peaceful and culturally rich environment to international students, ideal for focused studies. 621,Â
Top Regional Universities in Australia
Some of the top regional universities in Australia are listed below, along with their average annual tuition fees. The tuition fees might depend on the level of study and academic program.
| University | Average Tuition Fees (Per Year) |
|---|---|
| Charles Darwin University | AUD 25,000-40,000 |
| Edith Cowan University | AUD 30,000-40,000 |
| Griffith University | AUD 23,000-35,000 |
| James Cook University | AUD 19,000-28,000 |
| Murdoch University | AUD 20,000-30,000 |
| Southern Cross University | AUD 24,000-45,000 |
| University of Southern Queensland | AUD 26,000-43,000 |
| University of South Australia | AUD 25,000-40,000 |
| University of Tasmania | AUD 20,000-30,000 |
| University of Adelaide | AUD 28,000-45,000 |
Popular Courses in Regional Universities of Australia
Below, we have listed some of the popular courses in regional universities in Australia.Â
- Agriculture & Veterinary Sciences
- Business Management
- Computer Science & Information Technology
- Creative Writing
- Economics
- Education
- Health Sciences
- Nursing
- Psychology
Study Intakes in Regional Universities of Australia
- The academic calendar for 2025-26 in Regional Australian universities commences in February every year. This intake is known as semester 1.
- This is the primary intake in Australia. Additionally, there is a secondary intake, Semester 2 or Term 2, which begins in July every year.Â
- Some institutions also offer a Semester 3 or Term 3 intake in November, limited to selected programs.
| Intakes | Application Duration | Commencement of Classes | Type of Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (Feb intake) | September-December 2024 | February/Early March 2025 | All courses |
| Semester 2 (July intake) | February-May 2025 | July/Early August 2025 | Majority of Courses |
| Semester 3 (November intake) | June-September 2025 | November/December 2025 | Some selected courses |
Eligibility Criteria to Study at Regional Universities in Australia
The general eligibility criteria to pursue a master’s program at regional universities in Australia are described below.
Academic Requirements
Indian applicants are required to have
- 3-4 years of an undergraduate degree in the subjects relevant to their desired field of study from any government-recognised college or university.
- GPA or average marks (WAS) of 60-80%.
Standardised Exams
- For medical or law-related courses, applicants are required to appear in the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) and LSAT (Law School Admission Test), respectively.
- For business and management courses, applicants are required to appear in the GMAT exam.Â
- However, this depends on the courses and universities.
- Applicants for science, engineering, and technical courses are required to take the GRE. However, this requirement depends on the courses and universities.
Foundation Course
If the applicants have not completed a bachelor’s degree in the relevant field of study, they are required to complete the foundation course, which lasts 1-1.5 years.Â
English Language Proficiency Requirements
The minimum scores of the English language proficiency tests are tabulated below. On a case-to-case basis, regional universities also offer a waiver on English language proficiency tests provided that the medium of instruction of the previous undergraduate degree program is English.
| Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 80-100 |
| IELTS Academic | 6.5-7.5 |
| PTE | 64-80 |
Other Requirements
- Applicants for courses in arts, design, and business management are required to submit a portfolio or appear in an interview.
Documents Checklist for Regional Universities
The following are the documents required to submit when applying for a master’s program at a regional Australian university.
- Original previous academic documentsÂ
- Undergraduate marksheets for all years
- UG degree certificate
- College/university passing certificate
- Transfer certificate
- Migration certificate
- Proof of English Language Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE) or MOI certificate.
- University application form
- University application fee (AUD 50-100 or INR 2,700-5,500)
- GRE/GMAT scorecard (if required)
- 1-2 Statements of Purpose or Personal Statement (if required)
- 1-2 Letters of Recommendation
- 1 CV/Resume
- Portfolio (if required)
- Passport
- Proof of funds to cover the tuition and living expenses (depending on the university)
- Health and medical fitness report
- Work experience letter (if required)
- Certificate for Extracurricular activities (if any)
Application Process for Regional Universities
- Visit the official websites of the regional universities and check the important details about the desired course, including tuition fees, eligibility criteria, class profile, etc.
- Create an account and sign in to start the application process.
- Fill in the relevant details in the university application form.
- Upload the required documents.
- Depending on the university, course level, and program, you may be required to submit the English language proficiency test and GMAT/GRE scorecards later on if you have not appeared in those tests or cannot arrange them by that time.
- Pay the application fee (if required).
- Submit the form and take out the printout of the confirmation receipt.
- Australian universities typically announce the results in 5-7 weeks.Â
- Depending on the course and university, selected candidates will be called for an interview.
- After completing the above processes, you will receive an unconditional offer letter from the university.Â
- You will be required to submit the pending documents, such as language proficiency and GMAT/GRE scorecards (if applicable), and pay the initial installments of your tuition fees.
- After fulfilling the above requirements, you will get a confirmed offer letter or certificate of enrollment.
- Now, you can proceed with your student visa application.
Key Takeaways by AdmitX
The regional universities in Australia are globally recognised institutes of higher education for offering affordable study programs, research, and employment opportunities to the regional communities
Over time, international students have also found these universities to be a viable option, especially if they are unable to enroll in metropolitan universities due to high tuition fees or other reasons. Universities located outside the area of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are classified as regional universities.
FAQs
What is the acceptance rate at regional universities in Australia?
On average, the acceptance rate at regional universities in Australia is around 60-80%. This rate is higher than that of metropolitan universities in Australia, highlighting the accessibility of these institutions for international students.
How much does it cost to study at regional universities in Australia?
The average total cost of study at regional universities in Australia is around AUD 44,000-80,000, depending on the university and course.
Why have regional universities in Australia become popular among international students?
Regional universities in Australia have become popular among international students as they charge relatively lower tuition fees compared to metropolitan universities, offer high-quality education and research opportunities, and facilitate connections between regional Australians and international students.
How to apply for the regional universities in Australia?
You can apply for the regional universities in Australia by visiting their official website.
What are the popular courses at regional universities in Australia?
Some of the popular courses available at regional universities in Australia are Agriculture & Veterinary Sciences, Business Management, Computer Science & Information Technology, Economics, Education, Health Sciences, etc.
