Top Universities in Perth for International Students

Perth holds the 34th spot in the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2023 and is home to several prestigious universities and colleges, including Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, and the University of Notre Dame.

There’s so much to see and do in the area, with a great climate, plenty of parks, treks and beaches making the lifestyle a huge attraction. The café and bar scene are thriving, with a cruisy feel in Fremantle that lends itself to laid back evenings in the sun on the nights you’re not studying. It’s an easy city for students to live in. Most people live in private shared accommodation, although universities do have residences available. Commuting is easy if you do live off-site, with good bus links throughout the city and plenty of bike paths for those on bicycles.

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The 86th ranked university in the world, it’s not far from the heart of the city, set on the banks of the scenic Swan River. UWA has under 30,000 students, with about 5000 of them international students. The nearby Kings Park offers wide open green spaces, while there are the residential suburbs of Crawley and Claremont nearby for easy accommodation options. You can also stay at one of five accommodation options on campus, St Catherine’s College, St George’s College, St Thomas More College, Trinity College and University Hall. These are serviced living options on the university campus.

The university's top five subjects are heavily focused on science, including Medicine, Science, Nutrition, Psychology, and Communications. However, it also offers a wide range of study areas, such as Arts, Business, Law, Education, Science, Engineering, Mathematical Sciences, Health and Medical Sciences, and Indigenous Studies.

It has more than 75 research and training centres, with a focus on student experience. This means you get hands-on learning that enriches your education. UWA wants to change the world through research, and you can be a part of that. It has a vibrant student community, with more than 100 clubs and societies. You’ll find a group of likeminded people who are interested in the same things you are, from archaeology to the DESI Student Society.

For entry in UWA, you need a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, and each intended course has different entrance requirements, which you must check to ensure you’ve met. For more information on entry requirements, popular courses, scholarship options and more, take a look at The University of Western Australia page.

Based about 8km from the city centre, Curtin University has about 50,000 students with approximately 15,000 of them being international. The top five subjects offered here are occupational therapy, social work, engineering, nutrition and health, and architecture. Additionally, the institution provides a wide range of programs in areas such as business and law, health sciences, humanities, science and engineering, and Aboriginal studies.

The university has a focus on global learning, with campuses in Dubai, Malaysia, Singapore and Mauritius, as well as strong partnerships with other campuses across the world. Their areas of research are prominent on the world stage, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. There is also an emphasis on attracting overseas students, with great English language courses, agents in a range of countries, and overseas scholarships.

There are on-site living options, with 24-hr security, servicing and catering that are on the campus. Vickery House, Guild House, Erica Underwood House, Rotary International House, Don Watts House, Japan House, George James House, and two more to be built soon. If you wish to study here, there are minimum English requirements and a range of qualifications depending on your intended course of study. For more information on entry requirements, popular courses, scholarship options and more, take a look at Curtin University page.

A mid-sized university with almost 27,000 students of which 4,000 are international, Edith Cowan University is based in Joondalup, a northern suburb. They offer faculties in arts and humanities, business and law, education, engineering, medical and health services, nursing and midwifery, science, and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). The top five subjects include psychology, nursing, social work, nutrition and health, and communications.

It’s also been ranked in the top 175 universities in the world for engineering, reflecting the excellent teaching, research and international outlook, as well as in the top 1000 universities in the world according to the QS World University Rankings. It offers a range of international scholarships, as well as the area being considered one of the parts of Australia with a skills shortage, making it easier to stay on with a work permit once your studies are complete.

There are student accommodation options on the Joondalup, Mount Lawley and Southwest campuses. All are serviced, with easy access for classes, shops and recreation facilities. There are a range of scholarships available for international students, both undergraduate and postgraduate. You must have an IELTS score of 6.0, and each intended course of study has a different minimum standard. Some need qualifications, while for many, one the job experience counts. For more information on entry requirements, popular courses, scholarship options and more, take a look at Edith Cowan University page.

This large, rural campus is an easy commute from the Perth CBD. Murdoch University has just under 25,000 students, and 10,000 of them are international. The university excels in five key subjects: veterinary science, computer science, law, science, and agriculture and environment. Additionally, it offers a diverse range of courses, including arts, business, education, engineering and IT, health, law, psychology and exercise science, and veterinary and life sciences.

It’s in the top 1000 universities in the world, and for good reason. Their courses combine real-world skills with cutting edge theory, giving their degrees a high level of employability. There are some scholarships available for overseas students. For international students, there are a number of strategies designed to help you settle in and get the best results from your time in Perth. From meeting you at the airport through to the clubs and societies in photography, writing, robotics or even desi student groups, the university wants you to feel at home.

Their on-campus residential facilities are secure apartments that house 800 students. Living on site at the University Village means you can easily access all the recreational facilities available and make friends with those around you.

To study here, you need an IELTS score of at least 6.0, and a range of other minimum standards must be met, but these differ depending on the course you take. There are other pathways to learning, with a range of enabling courses that can help you gain admission. For more information on entry requirements, popular courses, scholarship options and more, take a look at Murdoch University page.

Notre Dame Australia is a private Roman Catholic university. It has three campuses in Sydney, Broome, and Fremantle. It’s small with around 12,000 students, of which about 275 are international students. The highly rated subjects here include Nursing, Physiotherapy, Medicine, Education, and Law, all of which fall within a broader framework of faculties such as Arts & Sciences, Business, Education, Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Nursing & Midwifery, Philosophy & Theology, and Physiotherapy.

It’s smaller, so you get a more personal experience. You’ll know your lecturers and academics, and there is plenty of support and nurturing. There is a maximum of 10% international students, so you’ll be given the best chance to be fully supported while immersing yourself in the Aussie culture. There are scholarships available, and accommodation options.

If you wish to study here, you need an IELTS score of 6.5. There are other requirements, and they differ from course to course. Check with your advisor or the course guidelines, but all entrants require an admissions interview in order to be successful. For more information on entry requirements, popular courses, scholarship options and more, take a look at The University of Notre Dame Australia page.

You’ll find the locals are friendly and welcoming, not as crowded as most other cities, and you’ll have access to an active lifestyle many will envy. With sunny days, easy access to Aboriginal culture, a thriving arts scene and stunning beaches (not to mention quokkas), a decision to study in Perth is an excellent choice.

Contact IDP for assistance on choosing your university of choice in Perth, your intended course of study, and for visa preparation. We have a team of experts that can help you every step of the way.