Australian University Life

Universities were first established in Australia in the 1850s though most are few newer establishments and may offer better courses than the older 'sandstone' institutions of the large capital cities. The older universities tend to offer a broader range of studies than the newer ones, covering agriculture, architecture, arts, dentistry, education, law, medicine, music, science and veterinary science, often over a number of sprawling campuses. Some universities grew from regional technical colleges. Eventually these technical colleges developed as excellent universities and post-graduate research establishments with a focus on a smaller number of core subjects.

Certainly, universities are no longer a hotbed of extremist politics or ivory towers of learning. The investment and financial sacrifices now required to take a degree or three in Australia are simply too great for most students to consider student activism and experimental lifestyles for the fun of it. These days the skills most relevant to success at university include financial acumen to help make ends meet while studying and the determination to get a great job on graduation.

Union fees of several hundred dollars annually are part of the basic cost of attendance, along with the tuition fees already mentioned. Books are another expense, though most places have good second-hand bookshops on campus or nearby. Scholarships are few and far between and while there may be some means-tested financial assistance available the number of students receiving welfare support and studying full time is scanty - most students, whatever their personal or family financial situation, work part time or over the holidays.

There are over 40 universities around Australia, including a handful of non-government establishments. University courses are at a premium, both cost-wise and in terms of availability. Most degree courses take three years or up to six years for double degrees with honours and are desirable for people seeking careers in white collar professions or as academic experts.