How to Study in South Australia for International Students

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South Australia, one of the states in Australia, should be among your choices if you’re looking to study abroad. This location offers world-class education and opportunities to jump-start your career and engage in character-building adventures. You’ll also have the chance to immerse yourself in a rich culture and learn about its nuances compared to the rest of the country.

When it comes to the choices that are available, South Australia currently has 4 universities, from which 3 universities are a part of the public sector and 1 universities are private institutions.

In case you are not just searching for a place to study, but you are trying to be a part of the best schools available, you have several choices, such as University of Adelaide and University of South Australia.

Being able to study in South Australia as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in South Australia, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in South Australia

The cost of your studies in South Australia may vary depending on various factors such as your degree, program, and chosen university. In South Australia, the average tuition fee for international students is 29,800 AUD.

Here are some of the universities here with their tuition fees for bachelor's and master's degrees:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
University of Adelaide 36,000 AUD - 40,000 AUD 38,500 AUD - 47,500 AUD
University of South Australia 28,000 AUD - 35,900 AUD 30,300 AUD - 36,900 AUD
Torrens University Australia 25,200 AUD - 30,900 AUD 22,800 AUD - 34,500 AUD
Flinders University 30,000 AUD - 39,000 AUD 31,000 AUD - 45,000 AUD

If you're looking for an affordable school to enter in South Australia, check out our article on cheapest universities in South Australia for international students.

Aside from tuition fees, you also need to consider other costs like your accommodation, travel, and daily expenses. It's a good thing to compute these costs beforehand to make sure that you have enough budget for your studies.

2. Requirements to Study in South Australia for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in South Australia, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In South Australia, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in South Australia may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in South Australia are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in South Australia and their required minimum scores for each program level.

University of Adelaide

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

University of South Australia

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Torrens University Australia

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in South Australia

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in South Australia have online applications available on their websites, like University of Adelaide and University of South Australia. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in South Australia.

University of Adelaide

University of South Australia

Flinders University

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in South Australia differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in South Australia.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in South Australia

If you’re going to study in South Australia, you will need to apply for a student visa in Australia

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Australia. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Subclass 500 .

To start your student visa application in South Australia, you will need to present the following:

  1. Confirmation of enrollment from the school
  2. Proof of English language proficiency
  3. Written statement providing the intent to genuinely study and not overstay
  4. Bank statement
  5. Proof of purchasing Overseas Student Health Cover
  6. Medical certificate

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Australia is 710 AUD.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Search for the nearest Australian consulate in your area.
  2. Gather your documents and apply online
  3. Check for status updates and wait for your visa outcome.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in South Australia. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!