Dhiraj Kandel
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Quick answer
The essentials at a glance
A master's degree in Australia is open to Nepali graduates, and most coursework masters take one to two years. This guide explains the three types of master's degree, what universities ask for in marks and English, and what first-year tuition looks like at four universities. It also links to our subject guides for IT, data science, business analytics, agriculture and more, plus the research master's guide, so you can move from the level to the course.
Key takeaways
Main points from this page
- A master's degree is a level 9 qualification, and it comes as coursework, research or extended.
- Many coursework masters take two years, and some take one to one and a half years.
- Entry is set by each course, and some universities accept a bachelor degree from any field with a minimum average.
- IELTS 6.5 overall with 6 in each band is common, while the student visa has its own English rule.
- A master's degree can lead to a graduate visa, but it does not give permanent residence by itself.
Can You Study a Master’s Degree in Australia from Nepal?
Yes, if you have finished a bachelor degree, you can apply for a master’s degree in Australia.
This guide is part of our study in Australia from Nepal series. It covers the master’s level. For one subject, use the subject guides below. If you want a research degree, read our master’s by research in Australia guide instead.
Environmental work is a common master’s subject, which our guide to environmental science in Australia covers.
You can see every level on our courses in Australia by level page. If you are still finishing +2, start with our bachelor degree in Australia guide.
- Level: master’s degree, level 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
- Types: coursework, research and extended.
- Length: one to two years for most coursework courses.
- Entry: a finished bachelor degree, with the marks and background the course asks for.
What Types of Master’s Degree Are There in Australia?
There are three types: coursework, research and extended.
The AQF qualification types page lists all three under the master’s degree. A coursework master’s has classes and assessments, much like your bachelor degree. A research master’s is mostly a thesis under a supervisor. An extended master’s is a longer professional course, such as some health and law degrees.
Most Nepali students apply for coursework courses such as IT, data science, business and public health. If you want a research career, a research master’s or a PhD may suit you better. See our PhD in Australia page for the doctoral route.
How Long Is a Master’s Degree in Australia?
Many coursework master’s degrees take two years, and some take one to one and a half years.
The University of Queensland lists its Master of Information Technology as two years full-time. The length can be shorter if you already have a related bachelor degree and the university gives you credit. UQ says up to eight units of credit may be given for earlier study.
UNSW offers two entry points to its Master of Information Technology. If your bachelor degree is outside IT, you start with a graduate certificate and move into the master’s after you pass it.
What Do Universities Ask From Nepali Graduates?
Universities ask for a finished bachelor degree and a minimum average, and some courses also ask for related study.
The rule differs by course. UNSW asks for a 65 percent average for its IT master’s, either in a related bachelor degree or in any three-year bachelor degree through the graduate certificate. UQ asks for a GPA of 5.0 on its seven-point scale if your bachelor degree is outside IT. Adelaide University asks for a GPA of 4.5 on a seven-point scale for its Master of Data Science.
Adelaide does not publish a conversion for Nepal’s grading scale on the pages we read. Ask the university to assess your transcript before you pay any fee. Our GPA required to study in Australia guide explains how marks are read, and our study gap guide covers breaks after your bachelor degree.
What English Score Do You Need for a Master’s Degree?
IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6 is a common requirement.
Adelaide University and UQ both publish that level for the courses above. Other universities and courses can ask for more, and some accept PTE or TOEFL. The student visa has a separate English rule, and you need to meet both. See our minimum IELTS and PTE for Australia guide for the scores side by side.
How Much Does a Master’s Degree in Australia Cost?
First-year tuition for the courses below runs from about AUD 57,100 to AUD 63,000, which is about Rs 52 lakh to Rs 57 lakh.
Amounts are in Australian dollars, and the rupee figures are rounded. Use our AUD to Rs forex converter for today’s rate. Living costs, health cover and the visa fee are extra.
| Course | University | First-year tuition (AUD) | In rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Information Technology | UNSW Sydney | 63,000 (2026 indicative) | about Rs 57 lakh |
| Master of Information Technology | The University of Queensland | 60,952 (2027 fee) | about Rs 55 lakh |
| Master of Data Science | Adelaide University | 57,100 | about Rs 52 lakh |
The tuition is shown on each course page linked above. It rises most years. For the full budget read our cost to study in Australia and cost of living in Australia pages.
Which Master’s Subject Should You Choose?
Pick the subject that fits your bachelor degree and your plan, then compare universities.
Each guide below tells you what the course covers and what the job needs after the degree.
Information technology
Software, cyber security and systems. Read our information technology courses in Australia guide.
Business analytics
Data for business decisions. See Master of Business Analytics.
Accounting
Leads to CPA Australia or CA ANZ steps. See accounting courses in Australia.
Business administration
Social work
Needs an accredited degree for registration. See Master of Social Work.
Agriculture
Farm systems, soil, crops and food. See Master of Agriculture.
Environmental science
Are There Scholarships for a Master’s Degree?
Yes, but most are competitive and cover part of the cost.
Some universities give a fixed discount to students from selected countries. The University of Western Australia lists Nepal for its International Student Award, which takes 10 percent off tuition. Other awards depend on marks, the course and the year, so read the current rules.
Our scholarships in Australia page lists government and university options with the steps to apply.
Can You Work and Stay After a Master’s Degree?
You can work part-time during study, and a master’s degree can lead to a graduate visa if you meet its rules.
Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while classes run, as the Home Affairs student visa page explains. Read working hours for students in Australia for the details.
After study, the Temporary Graduate visa (485) usually allows two to three years for a degree, and the age limit is 35. See the Home Affairs 485 page and our Australia 485 visa guide. Permanent residence is not automatic after any course. Our PR courses in Australia page explains what it depends on.
Family rules changed on 2 October 2026. Most new applicants can no longer include a partner or children in the application, as the Home Affairs rule change page explains. Our spouse and dependants guide has the current position.
Which Documents Do You Need for a Master’s Application?
You need your bachelor transcripts, passport, English test result and a statement of purpose, and some courses also ask for a CV or references.
Start early with your results. Our guide on how to get transcripts in Nepal shows the steps. A clear CV for university applications helps when the course asks for one. A recommendation letter for study abroad is needed for some courses, so ask your teachers early.
How Do You Apply for a Master’s Degree in Australia?
Choose a course, check the entry rules, apply to the university, accept your offer, then apply for the student visa.
Most universities take applications through their own portal or through an authorised agent. Adelaide University, for example, says Nepal citizens must use an authorised education agent for coursework degrees. Our counselors can check the course page and your papers with you before you apply.
Plan around the semester dates on the course page. Our Australia intakes for Nepali students guide shows how to plan back from the start. Check your chances with the Australia visa success rate page before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If you have a finished bachelor degree, you can apply to Australian universities. Each course sets its own marks, subject background and English score.
Many coursework courses take two years. Some take one to one and a half years, especially if you get credit for earlier study.
Often yes. UNSW and UQ both list IT master’s routes for graduates from other fields, and some add a graduate certificate or extra units first.
IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6 is common. The visa has its own, lower rule, and you need to meet both.
Yes, up to 48 hours a fortnight while classes run, and without an hourly limit in official breaks.
Most new applicants can no longer include a partner or children, unless they are in an exempt group. Check the Home Affairs page and our spouse guide.
No. It can lead to a graduate visa, and PR depends on separate rules.
How Can Goreto Help You Apply?
Goreto counselors help you choose a course, check your marks and prepare your papers.
Counselors can also help you choose between a coursework and a research master’s. You can meet a counselor at our Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Chitwan, Itahari or Pokhara branch. Visit get in touch to book a time.
Sources
Reference links
Disclaimer
Important guidance note
Fees, entry marks and course rules change every year, so confirm each detail on the official university page before you apply.
