Take the first step to a brighter future with universities in the vibrant city of Melbourne

Melbourne is famously called the vibrant city of Australia. However, it has also earned repute as a centre for educational excellence over the years. The city has some of the top universities in Australia, each equipped with the finest facilities for learning and research and housing the top faculty in academia. Graduates from Melbourne universities enjoy a high rate of employability in their respective industries after course completion. 

The universities in Melbourne respect diversity and welcome students from all parts of the world to their top-class courses offered in varied subjects. Most of Melbourne's universities have consistently featured in QS and THE World University Ranking systems. 

If you are contemplating studying in Melbourne, this article will provide you with detailed insight into the top 5 universities in the city that are most preferred by international students. Also, know the QS World University Rankings 2024 of each of these universities in Melbourne, in addition to the course fees, eligibility criteria, and popular study programs at these institutions.

Top Melbourne Universities

Melbourne is home to many high-ranked and top-class universities that offer the best learning in varied fields of study to students in Australia and overseas. Listed below are the top 5 Melbourne universities as per QS World University Rankings 2024 that are in high demand among international students:

The sections below detail each of these top universities in Melbourne.

  • The University of Melbourne:

    One of the top and finest universities in the vibrant Australian city, the University of Melbourne leads its peers in the teaching, education, and research facilities. The university is also the second-oldest university in the country, in operation since 1853.

Some of the most notable programs offered at the university are in Biomedical Engineering, Marketing, Media and Communication, Construction Management, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, and Teaching.

International students seeking admission to any of these top courses at the University of Melbourne are required to adhere to the following requirements:

  • Undergraduate courses require successful completion of high school education or an Indian equivalent qualification from a recognised study institution

  • Graduate programs require a completed Bachelor’s degree or an Indian equivalent qualification from a recognised university

  • Proof of English language proficiency test, such as IELTS, with a minimum score of 6.5 and not less than 6.0 in any test band

Related Source: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements/undergraduate-english-language-requirements

Location

Melbourne, Australia

Type of University

Public

QS Ranking

14

Average Tuition Fee

AUD 84,099 (indicative total fee)

Popular Courses

Biomedical Engineering

Marketing, Media, and Communication Construction Management

Psychiatry and Neurosurgery

Teaching

Related Source: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/graduate/executive-master-of-arts/fees/#fees

The university’s campus offers the finest research facilities for students with access to advanced technological platforms. The libraries at the campus are spacious and provide for group and individual study areas. There is an exclusive study space for graduate course students too.

Additionally, the University of Melbourne is committed to student leisure and recreation and, therefore, provides a host of extracurricular activities. Some of the popular ones include courts for badminton, baseball, basketball, and cricket. There are many student clubs for community service, music and dance, spirituality, and reading and writing.

To offer the maximum comfort to international students at budget rates, the university offers two types of accommodation options - residential colleges and university accommodation.

  • Monash University: Serving students in Australia for more than 50 years, Monash University is a privileged member of the Group of Eight, a collaboration of the prestigious universities of Australia that have earned worldwide recognition for research and teaching.

The university offers a wide variety of programs to students around the world. Some of the most popular among them are Law, IT Security, Genetics, Linguistics, and Graphic and Design Studies.

The standard admission criteria for one of the courses at Monash University are:

  • Successful completion of final year secondary education or Indian equivalent qualification for UG courses

  • A Bachelor’s degree in the same or related field of study for PG courses

  • Proof of English language proficiency test, such as IELTS, with a minimum overall score of 6.5 on the test

Related Source: https://www.monash.edu/admissions/entry-requirements/english-language

Location

Melbourne, Australia

Type of University

Public

QS Ranking

42

Average Tuition Fee

AUD 52,200 (indicative annual fee)

Popular Courses

Law

IT Security

Genetics

Linguistic

Graphic and Design Studies

Related Source: https://www.monash.edu/study/courses/find-a-course/accounting-b2029?international=true#application-fees

Some of the popular campus facilities at Monash University include science labs, a library and learning centre, student kitchens, a student hub, music studios, and art and design studios.

Students can also engage in a variety of co-curricular activities such as badminton club, aikido club, athletics, basketball, and baseball clubs. There is also provision for netball, indoor basketball, and soccer on campus. Besides indoor and outdoor sports activities, students at Monash are encouraged to take an interest in volunteer research internship programs in the fields of Nursing, Medicine, and Health Sciences.

There is also an in-house, on-campus accommodation option at Monash University, with numerous residential halls available for students to choose from per their budget and comfort preferences.

  • RMIT University: In existence since as early as 1887, RMIT University is one of the original tertiary institutions in Australia. The university enjoys recognition for its high graduate employment outcome and top-notch education and research options.

Human Resource Management, Legal Studies, Journalism, and International Business are some of the most demanded courses at RMIT University, Melbourne.

International students interested in pursuing any of the above courses are required to meet the following entry requirements:

  • The admission criteria for different courses may vary. Please check with RMIT University for the eligibility requirements of the course you apply for.

  • Proof of English language proficiency test, such as IELTS, with a minimum overall band of 5.5 on the test. Individual band scores should not be less than 5.0 for admission to the university.

Related Source: https://www.rmit.edu.au/study-with-us/levels-of-study/vocational-study/advanced-diplomas/advanced-diploma-of-accounting-c6181#admissions

Location

Melbourne, Australia

Type of University

Public

QS Ranking

140

Average Tuition Fee

AUD 24,250 (indicative annual fee)

Popular Courses

Human Resource Management

Legal Studies

Journalism

International Business

Related Source: https://www.rmit.edu.au/study-with-us/levels-of-study/vocational-study/advanced-diplomas/advanced-diploma-of-accounting-c6181#fees

RMIT has an equally vibrant campus life, just like the vibe of the city in which it is located. The university follows a "BYOD" policy for students, meaning Bring Your Own Device, wherein students are encouraged to bring their own devices (tablets or laptops) for classes at RMIT. Besides this, the campus provides dedicated learning and research spaces, parenting and childcare rooms, prayer rooms, a sports centre, and more.

There are tons of clubs and societies formed by the students of RMIT for peer students to help them get involved in social and recreational activities on and off campus. Students can join the club they are the most interested in.

The RMIT campus also provides shared apartments, studios, one and two-bedroom partly-furnished apartments, and student hostels as options for accommodation. The residential spaces also have a cinema provision, games room, and BBQ facility.

  • La Trobe University: La Trobe is a perfect example of an old study institution transforming and adapting to match up to contemporary times and student needs. The university has been operating in Melbourne for over 50 years; however, it does not fall short of being called one of the leading global universities in terms of academic excellence, modern infrastructure, or technological research innovations.

The university’s most notable courses preferred by international students include Management and Commerce, Urban Planning, and Visual Arts.

The admission criteria at La Trobe University for students applying from outside Australia are listed below:

  • Students seeking admission for UG courses must have completed an Indian equivalent qualification of Australian Year 12 with the desired grades

  • For Postgraduate programs, the minimum requirement is the completion of a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised Indian university

  • Proof of English language proficiency test, such as IELTS, with a minimum overall band of 6.0 on the test

Location

Melbourne, Australia

Type of University

Public

QS Ranking

242

Average Tuition Fee

AUD 11,500 (indicative full course fee)

Popular Courses

Management and Commerce

Urban Planning

Visual Arts

Related Source: https://www.latrobe.edu.au/courses/graduate-certificate-in-international-development#/overview?location=BU&studentType=dom&year=2024

La Trobe University has a well-equipped medical centre, Podiatry clinic, community children's centre, and Psychology clinic as part of its modern developed campuses.

Students are encouraged to actively participate in cricket clubs, football, hockey, and other outdoor sports societies. There are theatre and film groups too.

International students seek comfort in a variety of easily accessible accommodation facilities at La Trobe, which include on-campus residential options, off-campus accommodation, and homestays.

  • Swinburne University of Technology: Among the top 5 universities in Melbourne is Swinburne University of Technology, founded over 100 years ago to generate socio-economic impact on society through science, innovation, and technology.

Some of the most preferred courses among international students at Swinburne are programs in Food Science, Nutrition, Australian Indigenous Languages, Game Development, and Advertising.

Admission to any of these courses requires completion of certain specific entry requirements, which are listed below:

  • Indian equivalent qualification of Year 12 or higher secondary education from a recognised study institution

  • Completion of a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised Indian university for all graduate programs

  • Proof of English language proficiency test, such as IELTS, with a minimum overall band of 6.5

Related Source: https://www.swinburne.edu.au/study/course/international/bachelor-of-science-bachelor-of-applied-innovation/

Location

Melbourne, Australia

Type of University

Public

QS Ranking

285

Average Tuition Fee

AUD 40,740 (indicative annual fee)

Popular Courses

Food Science

Nutrition

Australian Indigenous Languages

Game Development

Advertising

Related Source: https://www.swinburne.edu.au/study/course/international/bachelor-of-science-bachelor-of-applied-innovation/

Special care is taken at Swinburne to make students feel welcome and comfortable during their time on campus. This is why the university offers career and financial guidance services, counselling, legal advice, employment assistance, and more on campus for the convenience of all students.

Besides the above, there is sufficient scope for student health and well-being as well as the provision of extracurricular activities such as fun runs, university championship games, student volunteer options, outdoor sports clubs, and a modern-equipped, fully functional gym.

In addition, there are comfortable and pocket-friendly accommodation facilities on campus. Students can also choose to rent private one-room apartments.

FAQs

1. How many universities are there in Melbourne?

There are a total of 8 universities in Melbourne.

Related Source: https://www.vic.gov.au/university-governance

2. What are the top-ranked universities in Melbourne?

Some of the top universities in Melbourne that enjoy high ranks in QS World University Rankings 2024 are:

  • The University of Melbourne

  • Monash University

  • RMIT University

  • La Trobe University

  • Swinburne University of Technology

3. What are the minimum fees to study at Melbourne universities?

The average fee structure varies for each course at every university in Melbourne. It is best to check with the university you apply for. The indicative course fees at a university in Melbourne are AUD 11,500 (approx).

Related Source: https://www.latrobe.edu.au/courses/graduate-certificate-in-international-development#/overview?location=BU&studentType=dom&year=2024

4. What are some of the popular courses at Melbourne universities?

Melbourne universities offer a variety of study programs to suit different interests. Some of the most popular ones include:

  • Food Science

  • Nutrition

  • Australian Indigenous Languages

  • Game Development

  • Advertising

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