Band 6+: The table and pie charts below show the number of research students in Australian universities in 2001 and 2010.Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. You should write at least 150 words.

The table and pie chart illustrate the number and the percentages of research students, divided by local and international students, in Australian universities between 2001 and 2010. Overall, local research students were dominant for decades, however, the number of local research students decreased. On the other hand, the number of international research students increased. Although local and international research students’ numbers and percentages have a significant difference, both are still dominated by male students.

In 2001, the number and percentage of local researchers were higher than those of international researchers. Although local researcher numbers and percentages went down for approximately 4,000 students and 14%, local researcher numbers and percentages are still higher than the international researchers. On the other hand, the international researcher number went up by approximately 9,000 students and 14%. However, the numbers and percentages are still lower than local research students.

Although local and non-local researchers have a significant difference in the numbers and percentages, the percentages of research students are still dominated by male students every decade. Local male student percentages were higher than females about 1% in 2001 and 3% in 2010. While international male student percentages were higher about 5% in 2001 and 3% in 2010.