Australia to provide more postgraduate, sub-bachelor student places in universi

Australian universities will provide more postgraduate and sub-bachelor student places, especially for people undertaking diplomas of language and postgraduate nursing and allied health specialities to support Australia's ageing population, Minister for Education Christopher Pyne announced Friday.

According to a statement from him on Friday, over the next four years, 1,500 more places will be available for people undertaking postgraduate nursing and allied health specialities, part of a 62 million AU dollars (almost 57.53 million U.S. dollars) investment in a total of 4,902 new places.

And almost 2,000 new places will be available for students undertaking diplomas of language, and 1,000 places for students undertaking tertiary preparation programs.

Pyne said more places for nursing and allied health meant more highly trained health professionals to support Australia's ageing population.

"The government has paid particular attention in allocating places to support universities that are serving regions with a high need for trained professionals in skills shortage occupations, " he said.

In addition, Pyne confirmed that the government has allocated places for diploma-level language courses to encourage more people to study a second language.

"The government is especially keen for students to take up opportunities to study an Asian language," he added.