How to apply for agriculture studies in Australia? Agricultural universities and application procedure in Australia

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

The education system in Australia

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

How to apply for the 'By course' option?

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

To apply for the 'by course' option for both undergraduate and postgraduate level, you first have to find a suitable university for your area of interest. You can simply google it to find the list of agriculture universities in Australia. After you have to 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 a course, you can just click the 'apply now' icon and proceed.

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

How to apply for the 'By research program'?

In Australia, two major degrees are considered for the 'by research' option, which is 'Undergraduate' and postgraduate (PhD). A Masters degree is considered a 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 

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

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 a bit independent than honours. A Masters degree involves 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 of independent research. Mostly PhD is for 3.5 years in Australia. During PhD, there are no theoretical subjects to study. It is all practical. PhD students have to be involved in real industry-level research and carry research more independently. Similarly, like in honours and masters degree PhD students have to do a poster presentation, symposium presentation, pre-confirmation presentation, confirmation presentation, participate in seminars and write a thesis. In some cases, PhD students can have the opportunity to participate in international seminars as well. Similarly like in honours and masters, theoretical subjects, however, you can enrol 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 studies in Australia, from Honours to PhD, the same rule applies. The same functional rule applies to either of these programs, 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 a 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 a scholarship.  You may have to apply separately for a scholarship for honours and masters degree in some cases. However, PhD application directly considered as a scholarship application. You do not need to apply separately for PhD in Australia. Once you get a scholarship for a PhD, you will get a stipend fortnightly. 

Agriculture Universities in Australia