Tips for Overseas Students Coming to Sydney for Studies

When coming to Australia for studies, you will need a student visa. This can be applied online and requires an invitation from a registered education provider in Australia. Once the visa is approved, students should start thinking of their student accommodation Sydney with regard to housing and transportation. They must also think about what they want from their time abroad.

Universities in Sydney

There are 6 major universities in Sydney and 11 campuses. Every year universities at Sydney teach over 307,000 students along with more than 96,000 international students from overseas. The major universities in Sydney are:

• Australian Catholic University
• Macquarie University
• University of New South Wales
• Macquarie University
• Western Sydney University
• University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
• Charles Darwin University

These universities offer courses to undergraduate, and graduate students in the field of medicine, business, engineering, arts, science, and many more.

Student Accommodation in Sydney:

Most of the universities provide student accommodation Sydney for their students with different facilities at a reasonable price. However, students can also choose to live on their own as there are a lot of affordable places outside the campus.

Sydney also hosts a large number of accommodation choices for overseas students coming for studies. Sydney has luxury hotel options as well as PBSA to meet the requirements of all types of budgets. Students can definitely find a place suited to their needs and requirements.

Students may also want to consider living with an Australian host family. It gives them a chance to experience the real Australian culture and food from their kitchen and learn the language faster.

The most important thing that international students need to keep in mind is that they must be proactive and seek support from friends, peers, and staff members on campus if they need help.

More than 5% of the populace in areas such as Dandenong and Laverton in Melbourne, Joondalup in Perth, and Regency Park in Adelaide are the best spots for international students accommodation in Sydney.

Cost of Living in Sydney:

Undoubtedly, Sydney is more expensive than Melbourne. Let’s take a sneak-peak into the cost of student accommodation Sydney for a single person or a student. The rent for an apartment can be anywhere between $150 to $300 per week depending upon the location.

Basic groceries for a person can be bought at around $100 every week, but there are some supermarkets where it costs less than that. A single meal in a mid-range restaurant can cost around $20 minimum, whereas a high-end restaurant may charge $50 or more.

Transportation in Sydney:

Sydney is home to some of the best transport infrastructure in Australia. The city has an extensive train, bus, and ferry network that connects most parts of the city with ease. There are reliable coach services available which can take you from one place to another in Sydney smoothly. Public transport in Sydney is quite extensive and makes life easy for students and professionals alike. A single bus or train journey would cost approximately $3 or $4. The monthly public transport expenses may vary from $175 to $200 depending upon the places you travel for study, work, leisure, etc. Students can also get ride-sharing facilities providing a convenient way for international students to commute.

Cost of Study:

Students who wish to study at the major universities in Sydney can find out the exact information about fees and costs from the respective universities. The average fees for international students in Australian Universities can be about $30, 000 for tuition fees. Whereas the additional charges for stationery and textbook can vary from $500 to $1000 or more.

Insurance:

If you are coming from a country having social security schemes, then it is advisable to speak with your local embassy and understand how these work in Australia. Some insurance plans and policies may not be applicable for students studying abroad on a student visa. It is also recommended that you take out travel and health insurance before leaving home. In that case, you need to buy Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) wherein the basic cover may cost around $400.

Useful tips for overseas students coming to Sydney:

– Be proactive and ask questions if you do not understand something. The staff members at the university and fellow international friends will always be helpful and cooperative.

– Get out of your comfort zone and explore all that this beautiful city has to offer. Go on a tour of the city and be a part of local events to make your stay in Sydney a memorable one.

– Keep an open mind and adapt yourself to new ways of living. If you are willing to explore then you will never lack anything interesting in this amazing city.

– Do not forget to take advantage of student discounts offered by many retailers in Sydney.

-Places to visit: Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, and Taronga Zoo.

Sydney is a melting pot of cultures and traditions. It has something to offer for everyone, whether it is history or architecture, arts, and culture, or beaches and sports. For international students who wish to study at the major universities in Sydney, one can be sure that their stay would be full of fun and excitement as well as learning experiences.