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Statement of Purpose (SOP) is an essential document in the application process for higher education in Australia, which directly affects the decision of the visa officer. Therefore, many students ask the question – How to write a statement of purpose for Australia.An effective SOP should include a clear explanation of your academic background, professional experience, study objectives, and future career plans.In this article, we will show you how to write a strong and impactful SOP step by step, which will help make your application successful.

How many pages or words should a standard SOP be?
The question that may come to your mind is—how many pages or words should a standard SOP actually be?There are no specific international rules on this, but the IDP states on their website that it is generally good to keep an SOP to three pages.It should be written in font size 12 and one space should be left after each paragraph. In terms of word count, 1000 to 1500 words is considered ideal.

According to the experience of experts working with student visas, a standard SOP does not only depend on its length, but what content is highlighted in it is what is most important.They regularly work with student visa applications and can analyze which profiles are more or less likely to receive a visa.Based on their experience, they provide students with strategic advice to avoid mistakes when submitting applications.
Find out below what items should be included in an SOP.
1. Introduction for SOP
Introduce yourself at the beginning.
- Mention what you are currently doing.
- If you are currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the time of applying for the visa, start with that.
- If you are working after completing your studies, write what type of job you are doing and how related it is to your chosen subject.
Give educational information.
- Please indicate where you are studying and what subject you are studying.
- Give a brief summary of your educational progress.
Paragraph structure rules.
- Use short paragraphs of 7-8 lines instead of large paragraphs.
- This makes it easier to read, and the visa officer can quickly understand the content.
Language and word usage guidelines.
- Write in simple and clear language.
- Avoid complex or unnecessarily difficult words.
- There is no need to explain how well you know English; rather, highlight the reasons why you want to study in Australia rather than Bangladesh or any other country.

2. Academic record
Mention your academic background:
1. Clearly state the subject you did your Bachelor’s or Master’s in.
- Why did you choose that subject
- What skills did you acquire during your studies
- What topics attracted you the most
2. Reasons for choosing a subject:
- Matching personal interests or skills
- Relationship to future career plans
- Practical application of the subject or demand in the industry
3. Current job experience:
- If you have worked in a field related to your studies → Mention how your studies have been useful
- If you have worked in another sector → Provide a valid explanation for why you moved to that sector (e.g. skill transfer, career growth, new opportunities)
4. If there are discrepancies (Subject – Job – Future Study):
- Logically explain each discrepancy
- Show that all your educational and professional experiences complement each other
- Explain in a way that is acceptable to the visa officer
3. Courses and University Research
Course related information
- Full name and level of the course (e.g. Master of Data Science, Master of International Business, etc.).
- Duration of the course (e.g. 2 years, 1.5 years, etc.).
- What subjects will be taught in the course (mention any special subjects or unique modules).
- How the course relates to your bachelor’s/previous education and experience.
- What new skills/knowledge will you gain from the course (e.g. Data Analysis, Critical Thinking, Leadership, Global Perspective).
- The future career prospects of the course and its demand in the job market.
University information
- University name and location (e.g. University of Sydney, Australia).
- Global or national ranking of the university (e.g. QS Ranking, Times Higher Education Ranking).
- Reputation of specific faculties/schools/departments of the university (e.g. School of Business, Faculty of Engineering, etc.)
- The university’s international student support services (e.g. Accommodation, Career Support, Language Support).
- The university’s multicultural environment – where you can build a global network by studying with students from different countries.
Why did you choose this university instead of another?
- The same course is available at other universities in Australia, but this university’s course has additional benefits or specialized subjects.
- Industry connections and professional networking opportunities are good.
- City locations (e.g. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) – where job markets and internship opportunities are high.
- Relatively affordable tuition fees or scholarship opportunities.
- Academic resources and faculty expertise are high.
4. Why do you want to go to Australia?
Why do I want to study in Australia instead of Bangladesh?
- Bangladesh is my beloved homeland and the education system here is constantly improving. However, since the [Subject Name] I want to study is relatively new in the country, advanced labs, international standard curriculum, and industry-focused opportunities are limited.
- Australian universities teach this subject with cutting-edge curricula, which include not only theoretical knowledge but also practical projects, internships, and opportunities to work directly with industry.
- The university I chose, [University Name], attracted me with its top global rankings, advanced research facilities, modern labs, and international-class faculty.
Why Australia and not other countries?
- Geographical proximity: Australia is closer to Bangladesh than America, Canada or Europe. This makes it easier to travel to and from the country in a short time if necessary.
- Quality of education: Australian universities are ranked high in the world and are renowned for their research and industry connections.
- Weather: It doesn’t have as severe winters as America or Canada. The weather in Australia is very similar to Bangladesh, so it will be easy to adapt here.
- International Student Support: Australian universities provide scholarships, career counseling, and student support services for international students.
5. What happens if there is a study gap?
If there is a study gap, explain clearly why there was a study gap.That explanation is reasonable.Whatever you write in your SOP, explain it from beginning to end.There is no need to write anything that could create suspicion,Write what is relevant.
6. What additional benefits will you receive at the end of the course?
Future plans and career prospects
- I currently want to study a subject in demand at a world-class university. Two years of academic and practical learning experience in a developed country will take my skills to international standards.
- Bangladesh’s economy is growing rapidly; new businesses and foreign investment are increasing, so the demand for professionals in my field will increase in the future.
- In Bangladesh, local degree holders earn an average salary of around 50,000 taka per month, but after earning a degree from Australia, it is possible to easily earn 150,000 taka or more in the same profession.
- People who study at prestigious universities abroad always receive special attention in the country and are able to quickly achieve good positions and high salaries.
- Therefore, this investment in studying in Australia will help me build a competitive career and play an effective role in the development of Bangladesh.
7. Financial capability
Submit separate bank balance related documents.So there is no need to go into detail about financial matters here.You can talk lightly about your family here and their financial situation is good.They will support you financially if you go to study – they will mention this.
8. Conclusion
You love your family very much, they have properties, you take care of them, and you will return to your country to be with your family,So you can write here.If you have traveled to any country, you can write about it here.
Conclusion
Every student has a dream—to build their future through acquiring knowledge. The opportunity to pursue higher education in Australia can be an important step in making that dream a reality.
And the key to that door is a strong SOP.For more details about SOP, you can contact Meiji Education.