Why does an education institution ask for a Statement of Purpose?
That is one good question… The Statement of Purpose is a personal statement required by the universities and education establishments as part of their application for admission. The purpose of the letter is to allow the university to better screen applicants willing to pursue a course in Australia. The education institution wants to make sure that the applicant displays integrity and does not use the student visa programme and course enrolment as a way to maintain ongoing residency in Australia.
The Statement of Purpose provides a useful way to help identify those international students who are using the student visa programme for motives other than gaining quality education.
What does a Statement of Purpose need to address?
A well written Statement of Purpose is critical for both the admission process and the student visa application process. The role of the statement is to show the admission department why you should be accepted into the applied program. A Statement of Purpose needs to address answers to questions such as why you have chosen Australia as a study destination, reasons why you have chosen this particular education provider, information regarding research you have done on similar programs taught in your home country, information regarding any gaps (period of time) between your studies and work employment, demonstrate knowledge about the chosen program, how you believe the chosen program will increase your chances in the labour market in your home country and benefit your career growth, reasons highlighting the incentives to return back to your home country, what your obligations are under a student visa, how relevant is the course to your chosen career, what do you intend to do when returning to your home country, etc….
Why have you chosen Australia as a study destination?
This topic should contain information about why you think Australia is an ideal destination for your studies. Information about Australia, its education system, culture and uniqueness can be found all over the internet. The answer to this questions should address the Australian way of teaching international students, its experience in providing quality education to students compared to other countries education systems and experience, the uniqueness of Australian culture, climate, fauna and flora, achievements of Australians around the world which is a clear reflection of the Australian education system.
Why have you chosen this education provider?
You should include in this paragraph information about your chosen education institution, its achievements and experience in providing education, location and ease of travelling to campus no matter where you are located, teacher to student ratio, support and community involvement and how you think this education provider approach to teaching will affect your future skills and career.
What research have you conducted on similar programs available in your home country?
You will usually find that a particular course you have chosen has a correspondent in your country education offering. The question here is why you have decided to study in Australia despite the fact that, as usually is the case, the cost of a similar course in your own country is more affordable. This is where you have to address reasons such as the difference between the Australian education system and the education system in your own country, the approach to learning in Australia as opposed to the approach In your home country, why a qualification obtained in Australia is more valuable to you then one scored in your home country, what university in your own country offers the similar program and a comparison between the education provider in Australia and the university in your home country.
Periods of time (gaps) between your studies and work employment
In this paragraph you should explain why you have gaps between your studies or employment. Reasons might be, you have taken a gap year and travelled before going to university or taking formal employment, you have volunteered to accumulate work experience before getting a formal job, you went straight into formal employment after graduating from your Bachelor degree and now you are ready to continue your studies at a Master level, etc… There could be many reasons why you have gaps between your studies or work employment and having time gaps, does not necessarily mean your application will be declined, as long as you can explain those gaps and you are truthful about it.
Demonstrate knowledge about your chosen program
This is where you need to make sure you write down why you think particular subjects or units you will study, will increase your skills and benefit your knowledge. Demonstrating that you have read the course description is crucial to successfully write this paragraph. Reading that course description will assist you in the case the university admissions department decide to have a Skype interview with you to see if you have really read about the course you will study. You would be surprised how many students don’t even read the course description when they decide to study that particular course.
How you believe the chosen program will increase your chances in the labour market in your home country and benefit your career growth
This paragraph will need to contain an explanation on how you think this course will benefit your future career. It is a good idea to try to link this part with your intention to return back home after your studies and with your plans after graduation. For example, let’s say for the sake of argument that your plan is to open a business in import-export after you return home and you want to study a Master of Business Administration in Australia. You should link the fact that your MBA in Australia will assist you in successfully running your business upon your return and it is essential for you to get those skills because you will be working with overseas customers and suppliers and getting a qualification in a multicultural country like Australia will assist you in growing that business.
Incentives to return to your home country
This topic needs to address your reasons to return to your home country. Reason might be significant ties to your family, a job that you left back home and intend to pick it up after your return, a business that is running in your absence but will benefit from your return in the long run, statistics showing the growing economy of your country and the opportunities you will have in your home country upon your return, etc…
Your obligations under your student visa
A student visa for Australia gives you great privileges but it comes with obligations as well. While in Australia on a student visa, you will need to comply with those obligations. Some of the obligations you need to be aware of are your obligation to maintain your OSHC for the whole period of your stay in Australia, not to engage in work for more than 40 hours per fortnight during your studies (you can work full-time in holidays), maintain your school dependents enrolment in the school system, etc… For a list of your obligations under a student visa please visit www.border.gov.au
Topics such as how relevant is the course to your chosen career and what do you intend to do when returning to your home country have been addressed above.
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Some of the tips we think will help you write a valuable Statement of Purpose are: be reflective and use precise language, be honest and do not boast, be detailed in your writing and revise, revise, revise.
The flowchart attached to this article will guide you in your project.
Your Hello Aussie education advisor can assist you with your Statement of Purpose but you will have to write it yourself. Two brains always work better than one so don’t hesitate to contact a Hello Aussie education advisor for this project.
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