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Six destinations, compared honestly.
Tuition, work rights and post-study stay side by side — plus what each country is actually strict about.
Side by side.
Figures are indicative annual ranges across our partner institutions. Reviewed August 2026.
| Destination | Intakes | Annual tuition | Work while studying | Post-study stay | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | February and July | A$30,000 – 45,000 | 48 hours per fortnight | 2–3 years | Detail |
| Canada | January, May and September | A$24,000 – 38,000 | 24 hours per week off campus | Up to 3 years | Detail |
| United Kingdom | September and January | A$28,000 – 45,000 | 20 hours per week in term | 18 months, longer for doctorates | Detail |
| United States | August and January | A$35,000 – 70,000 | 20 hours per week, on campus | 12 months, 36 for STEM fields | Detail |
| New Zealand | February and July | A$26,000 – 36,000 | 20 hours per week | 1–3 years by level | Detail |
| Ireland | September and January | A$24,000 – 40,000 | 20 hours per week, 40 in holidays | 1–2 years by level | Detail |
What a year actually costs.
Move the inputs to get an indicative total. Real figures depend on your institution, your city and the exchange rate on the day.
One to four years, in half-year steps.
Excludes flights, and assumes a single student with no dependants.
Indicative total
A$0
- TuitionA$0
- Living costsA$0
- Visa, health cover and testsA$0
A planning figure, not a quote. Your counsellor will build a real cost sheet against the institutions on your shortlist.
Australia
Canberra 35.28° S
Sydney · Melbourne · Brisbane · Perth · Adelaide
- Main intakesFebruary and July
- Typical annual tuitionA$30,000 – 45,000
- Living cost evidenceA$29,710 per year
- EnglishIELTS 6.0–6.5 typical
- Work while studying48 hours per fortnight
- Post-study stay2–3 years
Australia is where we place the largest share of our students, and where our partner network is deepest. Two clean intakes a year, a well-defined visa pathway and post-study work rights that scale with your qualification level.
It is also the country with the most scrutiny on the genuineness of your application. The Genuine Student requirement asks direct questions about why this course, why this provider and what you plan to do afterwards, and the answers are read against everything else in your file.
Worth knowing. Course-to-career logic matters more here than in any other destination. A postgraduate course unrelated to your bachelor's degree needs a written explanation that holds up.
Canada
Ottawa 45.42° N
Toronto · Vancouver · Montreal · Calgary · Halifax
- Main intakesJanuary, May and September
- Typical annual tuitionA$24,000 – 38,000
- Living cost evidenceA$23,000 per year
- EnglishIELTS 6.0–6.5 typical
- Work while studying24 hours per week off campus
- Post-study stayUp to 3 years
Three intakes a year gives Canada more flexibility than most destinations, and the post-graduation work permit scales with programme length, which rewards longer qualifications.
Provincial attestation requirements and study permit caps have made the process more document-heavy than it was. Timelines are the thing to plan around.
Worth knowing. Attestation letters and provincial allocations add weeks to the front of the process. Start earlier than you think you need to.
United Kingdom
London 51.51° N
London · Manchester · Birmingham · Glasgow · Leeds
- Main intakesSeptember and January
- Typical annual tuitionA$28,000 – 45,000
- Living cost evidenceSet by region, London higher
- EnglishIELTS 6.0–6.5 typical
- Work while studying20 hours per week in term
- Post-study stay18 months, longer for doctorates
A taught master's degree in the UK usually takes twelve months, which makes it the fastest route to a postgraduate qualification and often the cheapest once you count a year of foregone earnings.
The application file is comparatively light, but the financial evidence rules are strict and unusually literal about the 28-day maturity period.
Worth knowing. The 28-day rule on funds is applied to the letter. A deposit that matured 27 days before lodgement will be refused.
United States
Washington 38.91° N
Boston · New York · Chicago · Los Angeles · Austin
- Main intakesAugust and January
- Typical annual tuitionA$35,000 – 70,000
- Living cost evidenceVaries by state
- EnglishTOEFL or IELTS, institution set
- Work while studying20 hours per week, on campus
- Post-study stay12 months, 36 for STEM fields
The widest range of institutions anywhere, and the widest range of funding. Assistantships and fee waivers at postgraduate level can change the economics of a US degree entirely.
It is also the most demanding file to build: standardised tests, recommendation letters, financial affidavits and a visa interview you have to perform well in.
Worth knowing. The visa interview is a real assessment, not a formality. We run practice interviews for every US applicant.
New Zealand
Wellington 41.29° S
Auckland · Wellington · Christchurch · Dunedin
- Main intakesFebruary and July
- Typical annual tuitionA$26,000 – 36,000
- Living cost evidenceA$22,000 per year
- EnglishIELTS 6.0 typical
- Work while studying20 hours per week
- Post-study stay1–3 years by level
Smaller class sizes, lower living costs than Australia and a straightforward path from study into skilled work. Strong in agriculture, environmental science, healthcare and creative technology.
A good fit for students who want an English-speaking destination without the cost profile of Sydney or London.
Worth knowing. Post-study work rights depend on the level and location of your qualification. Check this before you choose the course, not after.
Ireland
Dublin 53.35° N
Dublin · Cork · Galway · Limerick
- Main intakesSeptember and January
- Typical annual tuitionA$24,000 – 40,000
- Living cost evidenceA$21,000 per year
- EnglishIELTS 6.5 typical
- Work while studying20 hours per week, 40 in holidays
- Post-study stay1–2 years by level
An English-speaking route into the European Union, with a concentration of technology, medical device and pharmaceutical employers that is unusual for a country of its size.
The Third Level Graduate Programme gives you time to convert study into employment without a separate sponsor lined up in advance.
Worth knowing. Dublin accommodation is genuinely scarce. Secure housing before you fly, not after you arrive.