How to apply for agriculture studies in Australia?

There are many Universities in Australia which are recognized for better agriculture studies. Many of Nepalese students always seek better universities and institutes every year for higher studies in Australia. Some of the students make the way to Australia and many of other undulate between this and that and here and there because of not having proper and right information. So, I am here giving you information about how Nepalese students can apply in Australian Universities for agriculture studies

Education system in Australia

Australia has two different options for international students to pursue either undergraduate (bachelor) and postgraduate (masters) degree. Is you do not want to do thesis and research you can choose 'By course' option and if you are interested for research and thesis then you can choose 'By research option' for same degree in Australia. 

How to apply for 'By course' option?

'By course' option is for core theoretical study in the specific field. You will have to study some subjects, have to do some assessments and to take exams. However, for some specific technical area such as biotechnology and for higher degree such as masters degree, you can have a year of research as well. 

To apply for 'by course' option for both undergraduate and postgraduate level, you first have to find the suitable university for your area of interest. You can simply google it to find the list of agriculture universities in Australia. After you have find the University, you have to find the course you want to study. Australia is easy for application because all universities have online application system. After you find course, you can just click 'apply now' icon and proceed application.

In most of the cases, degree with 'by course' do not have scholarship to international student in Australia. In some cases, you can find 'provider scholarship'. Provider scholarship stands for different type of scholarships available for international students from that specific university. You can apply these scholarship. 

How to apply for 'By research program' ?

In Australia there are two major degrees are considered for 'by research' option which is 'Undergraduate' and postgraduate (PhD). Masters degree is considered bridging course, however in agriculture there are some masters degrees  available 'by research option';  mostly masters degree is available for 'by course option'. 

You can apply at three different level

1. Honors level

2. Masters level

3. PhD level

Honours level 

In Australia, after undergraduate, you can have one year of honours which is one year of research after 3 years of undergraduate of course study. You have to do one year research, have to write thesis in honours, then it will make you eligible for direct PhD, this is an exciting opportunity in Australia. Honours count as your undergraduate degree, but if you have honours then you do not need to have masters degree to do PhD. 

Honours in one year research program after you finish your 3 years course. You have to apply for honours because all students do not get honours year because of heavy competition and limited fund available. You can take break after your undergraduate and can do honours later as well. 

Master level

Masters is two years program where you have to do independent research for two years. Only the difference between honours and masters is you will have two years of research instead and you have to run your research bit independant than honours. Masters degree involve the two years of research, poster presentation, symposium presentation and finally thesis writing. Masters by research does not include any theoretical study, however, you can have few subjects to improve your skill. 

PhD level

PhD is designed for 3 - 4 years independent research. Mostly PhD is for 3.5 years in Australia. During PhD, there is no any theoretical subjects to study, it is all practical. PhD student have to involve in real industry level research and should carry research more independently. Similarly like in honours and masters degree Phd students have to do poster presentation, symposium presentation, pre-confirmation presentation, confirmation presentation, take part in seminars and write thesis. In some cases PhD students can have opportunity to take part in international seminars as well. Similarly like in honours and masters, theoretical subjects, however, you can enroll into few subjects to improve your skill in your research. 

The exciting part of Australian 'by research' program is, you do not need to defense thesis. There is no thesis defense culture in Australia. 

How to apply then?

For all level of studies in Australia from Honours to PhD, same rule applies. To apply either of these program the same functional rule applies which is described as follows

1. First you have to find University

2. Then you have to go with 'undergraduate research' for honours and 'graduate research' for masters and PhD 

3. Find your discipline

4. Within your discipline, find the available projects

5. Which projects you find most interesting for you, go with the supervisor profile given with the same project

6. Then you have to send email to the given contact email. You have to write to supervisor that you are interested to work in that project with specific reasons/justification

7. Supervisors can ask to send your CV and transcripts. After all assessment, you will hear back from supervisor. If he/she is happy to take you in that project he/she will give you recommendation form. 

8. After the recommendation, now you have to go with University website and have to apply online for specific PhD program such PhD in agriculture.

Scholarships for research degree in Australia

For all Honours, Masters by research  and Phd program have scholarship options. For honours and masters may not have enough scholarships quotas for international students, therefore, you should have patience and keep applying until you got scholarship.  In some cases, you may have to apply separately for scholarship for honours and masters degree. However, PhD application directly considered as scholarship application. You do not need to apply separately for PhD in Australia. Once you get scholarship for PhD, you will get stipend fortnightly. 

Agriculture Universities in Australia