A detailed guide on the top regional universities in Australia and their popular courses in 2024

Australia is home to several universities, most of which rank among the top few and offer top-notch education. International students are increasingly favouring regional universities in Australia, drawn to their distinctive approach and nuanced educational offerings. The curriculum has a holistic approach considering factors such as academic acclaim, research excellence, student satisfaction, and post-graduation employability. There are many regional universities in Australia with study programs customised to the area or region they are offered in. Aimed at meeting the industry demand and evolving with emerging trends, the regional universities of Australia give students an unique learning opportunity.

Details of the top 5 regional universities in Australia, along with their QS ranking, popular programs, tuition fees, and job prospects after course completion, are shared here.

Top Regional Universities in Australia

Given below are the top 5 regional universities in Australia that are ranked as per QS World University Rankings 2024:

Related Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings?page=1&countries=au&sort_by=rank&order_by=asc

  • The University of Adelaide: Home to some famous alumni (both students and faculty), the University of Adelaide is one of the best regional universities in Australia.

Some notable programs offered at the university include Mining, Performing Arts and Music, Physical Sciences, and Materials and Mineral Engineering.

Entry requirements to the University of South Australia for international students are:

  • Completion of an equivalent qualification to Year 12 in Australia (for UG courses)

  • Completion of a Bachelor’s degree or the Indian equivalent of a degree from a recognised university in Australia

  • Work experience desired for some courses

  • Proof of English language proficiency test, such as IELTS, with an overall of 6.0 is required for international students

Read more insights here.

Location

Adelaide

Type

Public

QS Ranking

326

Avg Tuition Fee

AUD 39,600 (indicative annual fee for PG courses)

Popular Courses

Language and Literature
Food Science
History
Podiatry

Intakes

Feb, Jul, Aug

Related Source: https://study.unisa.edu.au/degrees/master-of-finance-financial-planning

UNISA campus is equipped with multiple libraries, labs, lecture theatres, workshops, and simulated work environments for practical learning.

Student accommodation on campus includes homestays, student hostels, private rentals, residential colleges, and student apartments.

After graduating from UNISA, employment opportunities include Technical Analyst, Occupational Therapist, and Speech Pathologist.

  • James Cook University (JCU):

    The learning offered at JCU primarily focuses on preparing students to join the global workforce. The courses at the university are a perfect blend of theory with practical, hands-on industry experience.

Some of the most notable programs at JCU are Ecology, Anthropology, Behavioural Science, and Business.

The standard entry requirements for admission to JCU are:

  • Australian Year 12 qualification or Indian equivalent (for UG courses)

  • Bachelor’s degree from a recognised Indian university (for PG programs)

  • Proof of English language proficiency test, such as IELTS, with at least 5.5 and at least 5.0 in each component of the test.

Related Source: https://www.jcu.edu.au/policy/procedures/student-services-procedures/admissions-policy-schedule-ii

Location

Townsville

Type

Public

QS Ranking

415

Avg Tuition Fee

AUD 16,146 (indicative annual fee for a PG course)

Popular Courses

Ecology
Anthropology
Behavioural Science
Business

Intakes

March, Jul, Nov

Related Source: https://www.jcu.edu.au/courses/graduate-certificate-of-rehabilitation?international

JCU campus is well-equipped with a library, IT building, science labs, and cafes. Additionally, there are fitness facilities on the JCU campus, along with numerous student clubs and societies.

Student accommodation is also available on campus, namely John Grey Hall of Residence.

Visa options after graduating from regional universities in Australia: International students can apply for several types of regional visas after graduating from a regional university in Australia. Some of these options are listed below:

Type of Visa

Eligibility

Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417/462)

Anybody between 18 and 30 years permitted to work in Australia for 1 year

Visitor Visa

Permits travel only; not to study or work in Australia during the visit

Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)

Permits international students to stay and work in 2 streams of work - post-study work and graduate work - for up to 4 years total

A second Temporary Graduate Visa may also issued if the first one was issued under the post-study work stream

Student Visa

Permits you to continue your education in Australia and study another degree course or postgraduate program

Disclaimer: IDP only assists students with complete visa information. It does not guarantee visa procurement to any student for any study-abroad destination.

FAQs

1. Are Australian regional universities recognised internationally?

Yes, degrees obtained from a regional university in Australia hold global recognition and validity.

2. Which universities are considered regional in Australia?

Universities that are situated outside of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane in Australia are counted among regional universities in the country.

3. What are the benefits of studying at an Australian regional university?

The biggest advantage is that students from all parts of the world get the chance to study only those specific courses that are available in those regions. Most of these courses are even customised to meet the needs of those areas.

4. Which is the largest regional university in Australia?

Central Queensland University, or CQUni, is considered the largest regional university in Australia.

5. Which regional Australian universities have the most Indian students?

The University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney are generally reported to receive the highest number of Indian students. This is because these two regions attract a large number of students from India and overseas, followed by Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane, and Perth.

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