Band 7+: The graphs below show the enrolments of overseas students and local students in Australian universities over a ten year period. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. You should write at least 150 words.

The line graphs provide information on the local and global individuals pursuing undergraduate majors in Australia from 2001 to 2010. Overall, it is notable that the total number of students in both graphs marginally increased over the years.

Looking at the overseas graph in more detail, we can tell that the number of international students studying in Australian universities has risen steadily throughout the period, initially being 20,000 and peaking 4 times that amount (80,000) in 2010. Correspondingly, commencing international students also grew from a small minority of 10,000 students, reaching 40,000 pupils by the end of the graph.

On the other hand, the total of local students followed the same trajectory as international students just starting their studies- gently rising over the years, then reaching a steady path of 60,000 students by 2010. In comparison to all other minorities, the number of locals just beginning their studies has abruptly changed between rising and declining in the period shown. Commencing locals peaked in 2002 at nearly 25,000, ending the graph with just below 20,000 students.