Why should I study in Australia?
Thousands of Indian students are choosing to make Australia their destination for overseas education. Here at Hurray, as a top Overseas Education Consultant, we meet several students every year, who are aspiring for the same!
Based on our experience, we have learned of the various reasons that makes Australia so attractive to our students – and the perfect destination for you!
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Top-notch academics
In Australia, you would be able to study in one of the top universities in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, or several other major cities – several of which are ranked among the best in the world. With the best infrastructure and resources, cutting edge-research, and several of the world’s best academics as teachers, with an Australian education you are guaranteed a wide and varied academic experience!
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Wide options
Australian universities are at the forefront of developing programs newer, non-traditional areas of study. Some of the most cutting-edge and in-demand postgraduate programs include Master in Data Science offered by University of Melbourne, Master of Artificial Intelligence offered by Monash University, and Master of Engineering Science offered by University of New South Wales, with specialisations as varied as Food Science, Environmental and Geothermal.
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Best of 2 Worlds
Australia is geographically, culturally and politically placed in a unique location – at the confluence of the East and the West! Whether your field of study is Business, Economics, Engineering, Journalism, and so on – your education will benefit from the dual exposure, and your career possibilities will open up as well!
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Experiences beyond curricula
Whether you are a major outdoors person looking for adrenalin-raising experiences, or a travel and culture buff looking to explore, Australia offers you all of these and more! Or if you are more inclined to experiencing the work-life in a foreign country, the Australian Student Visa permits international students to undertake up to 40 hours of work per fortnight. Whatever you choose, you will have opportunities to broaden your horizons and enrich your experiences – all part and parcel of the Study in Australia experience!
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Job prospects
Australia’s reputation in academics means that any potential employer would consider you a major value-add. Furthermore, the Australian Post-Study Work stream visa would allow you to stay back gain valuable work experience. With both of these, your employment opportunities would open up, worldwide!
How do I Study in Australia without IELTS? – Duolingo English Test
All aspiring students aiming to study in Australia in 2020 or 2021, have had their plans derailed by the coronavirus pandemic – a global phenomenon that has affected every aspect of life on a global scale!
You may now be facing issues related to the cancelation and suspension of testing for major English proficiency tests, including IELTS and several other – without which, your application cannot be processed.
This is where the Duolingo English Test comes in!
Duolingo, best known for its app that teaches a range of foreign languages, has recently launched an English proficiency test – like all other major language tests, it tests your major language skills or LSRW i.e. Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
How does this help me?
Duolingo is gradually being accepted in an increasing number of universities for admission purposes – in Australia, and elsewhere across the world. Which means that, with the Duolingo test, you can get your overseas education plans in 2020-21 right back on track!
Take the English Test at Home during Lockdown
The biggest advantage of the Duolingo English Test is that it can be taken at home.
Testing centres for IELTS and other exams are now closed – but with the Duolingo English Test, you do not need to attend a testing centre.
How do I take the test at home?
The process is as easy as they come!
Step One: Register
Make a free account on the Duolingo site – https://englishtest.duolingo.com/
You will have access to a 15-minute practice test, which you can take as many times as you like.
When you’re ready, pay the fee and unlock the test.
Step Two: Make sure you have all the requirements
You will need:
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Identity documentation, such as your passport, driver's license or government ID
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A quiet, well-lit room
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A computer with a reliable internet connection, a supported browser, a front facing camera, speakers and a microphone
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To be seated alone – there can be no other person in the room. Your test will be recorded and checked by proctors to ensure that there is no malpractice.
Step Three: Take the test, anytime!
Once you pay the fee, you can then take the test any time that you want – no fixed appointment required!
How do I prepare for the Duolingo English Test?
If you’ve already begun prepping for any other English test, then you’re well on your way to acing the Duolingo Test.
All you need to do is update your strategies to fit the demands of this test.
Here’s what you can do:
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Practice!
You can take the official practice test an unlimited number of times. Each time you do the test you’ll have a different set of questions – which means you will be able to get plenty of useful practice in.
Practising this way is highly recommended. It is the best way to help you get used to the structure of the exam, including the nature of the question types, the time limit given for each question, the shifts between different skill categories (e.g. a listening task may be followed by a reading task), and so on.
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Hone your vocabulary and grammar skills
Vocabulary and grammar skills are the building blocks of effective communication. Vocabulary involves knowing a large repertoire of words, their meaning and appropriate usage. Grammar skills involves the correct usage of the various functional elements of language, including punctuation, sentence construction rules, tense formation and so on. You will require these skills for tasks across the major skill sets you will be tested on.
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Read: We recommend selecting good publications, well-known for their quality and with a wide variety of content – Time, The New Yorker, and National Geographic are a few examples.
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Listen: to audio-based programmes, including television programmes, radio programmes, recorded lectures and podcasts. Ensure that you select good quality programmes, preferably of American/British origin, so that you can get used to the accents and pronunciation as well – CNN and BBC are excellent starting points.
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Get Feedback
For the speaking and writing tests, getting feedback is an extremely valuable tool – something that, unfortunately, you will not get from the practice test.
Here’s what you can do: take a note of some of the topics given for both speaking and writing, and practice on your own. Submit your work to someone you trust, preferably a teacher or a trainer, for feedback regarding the quality of your language use – as well as areas where you require improvement. The more feedback you get, the better – it helps you to remember your problem areas and to watch out for them during the test.
Where will my Duolingo test scores be accepted?
At present, a small number of universities in Australia have started accepting Duolingo, such as:
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Australian National University
One of Australia’s top-ranked universities, ANU is accepting Duolingo for admissions for Intake 2 in 2020 i.e. for programmes starting in August-September.
For entry into most postgraduate degree programmes, you would require a minimum score of 115 (with recorded interview), while for a diploma programme, scores between 105-109 would be acceptable.
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Monash College
Monash College is an institution affiliated with Monash University – another top Australian institution. It offers a range of pathway diploma programmes, preparing students to take on degree programmes at Monash University.
You would require a minimum score of 85-95, and your interview performance would also count.
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JMC Academy
This premier Australian institution specialising in programmes related to Creative Industries has also begun accepting the Duolingo English test – you would require a minimum score of 105-110 in order to have your application go through!
You may not find your institution on this list – however, others may begin to accept Duolingo as well. Keep an eye on your target university’s website, or reach out to admissions officials if your application process has already begun.
Find your Australian University with Hurray
Our Overseas Education Counselling team has all the experience and expertise required to help you find the right university in Australia – based on your interests and strengths, your background and your goals.
Our services cover everything from helping you ace the English proficiency test, helping you write your application and SOP and with the various other admission related procedures. We stay by your side all along – until you settle into your new home abroad.
With Hurray, your dream of studying in Australia can come true!
Reach out to us to book your FREE one-on-one session, at: info@hurrayedutech.com or 8971357938 / 9900426501.
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