The best places to study abroad

Make the most of your youth and its discounts by combining travel with university and opting to study overseas.

  • 6 September 2019

    Make the most of your youth (and its discounts) by combining travel with university and opting to study overseas.

    A young woman holding a folder and looking at the camera.

    University opens up a world of possibilities - including the chance to spend a semester abroad studying in another country.

    It's a chance to connect with similar-minded students from across the globe, discover a new city and, perhaps most importantly, learn to live independently - including financing yourself.

    However before you take the leap, you'll have to decide where to go. To help you on your way, we've shortlisted our top five destinations.

    1. New Zealand

    If this is your first time away from home and you're looking to ease yourself into travelling and living abroad, New Zealand is a winner.

    You'll be surrounded by creature comforts such as familiar accents from the Australian expat community and you'll be a short flight from home, so you can visit family over the weekend if required.

    The University of Auckland is ranked one of the top 100 universities in the world by QS University Rankings. It's easily the largest and highest ranked university in the nation and is best for archaeology, education, geography, pharmacy and nursing.

    The cost of living is also similar to Australia, outside of rent prices which are much higher in Australia (generally) than in New Zealand.

    2. China

    China is one of the most popular destinations for Australian university students abroad. In 2017 alone, we clocked up 5,526 experiences in the nation. These included student exchange, dedicated programs, internships and research-related visits.

    With the nation's economic growth booming, understanding this diverse culture and gaining a grasp of its language could be beneficial for your future career.

    Altogether, six Chinese universities rank in the top 100 of the world with Tsinghua University in Beijing soaring above the rest at #16. It's best known for humanities, social sciences and science.

    The cost of living is much lower than in Australia with rent and restaurant meals around half the cost of that in Australia.

    3. USA

    It should come as no surprise that the States is consistently on the top of exchange program shortlists for Australians.

    Not only does it lay claim to the top three universities in the world (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and Harvard University), it also offers the creature comforts of speaking the same language as Australians and its long summer holiday break has all the makings of an unforgettable vacation experience.

    Educationally, the nation boasts over 3,500 institutions to study at across states that are so unique and diverse they feel countries apart.

    The cost of living is around the same as in Australia, however rental costs are generally higher in the US.

    4. UK

    Again, it should come as no surprise that the UK is one of the most popular destinations for Aussie exchange students.

    Halfway across the world, it's the gateway into European exploration. It also houses some of the most highly regarded educational institutions around the world, which could give you the upper hand in your career. This includes the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, UCL and the Imperial College of London.

    Its English-speaking classes offer wide appeal to students of all disciplines however if you're eyeing those top universities, Oxford is famous for philosophy, modern languages, philosophy and literature while Cambridge is better known for math, linguistics and history.

    On average, the cost of living is slightly less than that of Australia.

    5. Japan

    Our interest in Japan as a travel destination has been increasing significantly over the past decade - and why not? With its exotic atmosphere and advanced technology, it's a unique experience whether you're visiting for a short or an extended period of time.

    The University of Tokyo is the nation's most prestigious university, ranked #22 in the world. However, like most other Japanese universities, its courses are primarily run in Japanese. To get around this, select universities and private schools offer flash Japanese language courses to get you up to speed.

    Alternatively, international universities such as the International University of Japan run all its courses in English.

    The cost of living in Japan is marginally higher than in Australia.

    This article was written by Stephanie Yip, the travel editor at Finder, Australia’s most visited comparison site.

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