Top Universities and Colleges in Australia: Fees, Eligibility, Courses

Australia is among the top study-abroad destinations worldwide and is popular among students for many compelling reasons. The country is home to numerous top-class universities with high ranks in world university ranking systems. Also, these universities accept students from culturally diverse backgrounds the world over. Furthermore, Australia allows international students to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week while studying. All these reasons attract students to the "Land Down Under".

This article covers the top 5 universities in Australia that international students highly prefer.

Help me study in Australia

Top Universities for International Students in Australia

Listed below are the top 5 universities for international students in Australia that are the most popular for admissions to various courses. These universities also rank in the QS World University Rankings 2024.

• The University of Melbourne

• The University of New South Wales

• The University of Sydney

• The Australian National University

• Monash University

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

• The University of Melbourne:

  A very popular university in Australia's vibrant city, Melbourne, this study institution attracts international students in large numbers. The university embraces cultural diversity and accepts students from all parts of the world.

Some of the most notable programs popular among international students are Horticulture and Viticulture, Robotics and Mechatronics, and Genetics.

The standard requirements for admission to the University of Melbourne for international students are:

• Completion of a recognised higher education course from an accredited study institute in India (for Bachelor’s courses)

• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in a related or relevant discipline from a recognised Indian university (for PG courses)

• Proof of English language proficiency test, such as IELTS, with at least 6.5 or higher, and not less than 6.0 in each band of the test

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

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

Campus facilities at the University of Melbourne include sports facilities, a conference centre, seminar rooms, theatres, art galleries, and libraries.

Some popular extracurricular activities at the university that students like to engage in are community service, music and dance, spiritual, cultural, and language clubs, reading, and writing.

Besides these, the University of Melbourne provides decent and comfortable accommodation to international students through university or campus accommodation and residential colleges.

The university also offers many work opportunities to students. The exclusive Students@Work program at the University of Melbourne provides on-campus job prospects to students currently studying at the university. They are employed in various administrative and service roles at the institution. Besides these, Students@Work casual jobs are also offered to students in roles like event planning, customer service, business support, and administration.

• The University of New South Wales (UNSW): Another trendy place to study in Australia for international students , UNSW is a globally renowned research and learning institute. The 2023 Top 100 Future Leaders Awards recognised UNSW as the “Most Employable University”. This is a prestigious credit to the institution and attracts international students to UNSW.

The most popular courses at UNSW include Urban Planning, Business and Commercial Law, Innovation, Food Science, and Welfare Services.

The entry requirements for international students applying to UNSW are listed below:

• Completion of higher education or secondary schooling from a recognised school in India (for UG programs)

• Completion of an Undergraduate degree from a recognised Indian university (for Graduate courses)

• Proof of English language proficiency test, such as IELTS, with an overall of 6.5 in each band of the test

Related Source: https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements#studyabroadexchangestudents

Related Source: https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/postgraduate/master-of-mathematics?studentType=International

Students can avail of various campus facilities like medical centres, cafes, restaurants, childcare, computing centres, recreation, and sports.

Accommodation with necessary amenities and a cooking facility are also provided to UNSW students.

UNSW Sydney also enables students to apply for multiple work opportunities upon course completion. Some of these roles include registered nurses, construction managers, software programmers, and civil engineers.

• The University of Sydney: Consistently ranking among the top 20 world universities, the University of Sydney is a top favourite among international students.

The university offers a variety of courses both on campus and online. Some of the most popular programs include History, Performing Arts and Music, and Environmental Engineering.

In order to enrol in an UG or PG course at the university, international students must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Complete a recognised higher school qualification or Indian equivalent from an accredited high school with the required grades (to apply for Bachelors)

• Complete a recognised Bachelor’s degree from an accredited Indian university with the required scores/grades (to apply for PG programs)

• Proof of English language proficiency test, such as IELTS, with an overall of 6.5 in each band of the test

Related Source: https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/applying/how-to-apply/international-students/english-language-requirements.html

Related Source: https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/fees-and-loans/international-student-tuition-fees.html

The popular campus facilities for students at the University of Sydney include historical museums, libraries, and art galleries. Huge lawns make the entire university space look beautiful and welcoming.

The University of Sydney also offers students residential colleges and university residences on campus. All these facilities are well-equipped with the required amenities and make living comfortable for students.

University graduates are encouraged to find suitable employment opportunities through internships and placements. The University of Sydney offers most of these facilities and equips students with the desired work skills after graduation.

• The Australian National University (ANU): Known worldwide for housing some of the finest Nobel laureates, ANU is among the most popular Australian universities. The institution is home to Nobel faculty and alumni, an attractive feature for international students.

Some of the most notable programs for students at ANU include Marketing, Media and Communication, Mathematics, and Anthropology.

The standard entry requirements for admission to ANU are listed below:

• Undergraduate courses require successful completion of post-secondary or senior secondary qualification from a recognised Indian institution

• Postgraduate programs require a completed Bachelor’s from a recognised university in India

• Proof of English language proficiency test, such as IELTS, with an overall of 6.5 in each band of the test

Related Source: https://policies.anu.edu.au/ppl/document/ANUP_000408?utm_source=IDP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=IDP

Related Source: https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/program/MMHS

Students at ANU can avail of essential amenities on campus, such as a computing centre, a medical centre, recreation and sports facilities, and childcare services. There are a variety of student clubs and societies to join too.

Accommodation options at the ANU include student housing centres and residential colleges with catered or self-catered amenities for student comfort.

ANU students and graduates can apply for several casual jobs and internships in roles like executive support, customer service, IT, administration, etc. This helps students gain sufficient experience until they find suitable employment in the industry world after graduation.

• Monash University: A young university in Australia, Monash has earned worldwide recognition in just about 50 years of its existence. The university is renowned for its academic brilliance and research innovations.

The popular courses among international students at Monash University are Botany, Librarianship, and Paramedical Studies.

To gain admission to one of the notable Monash courses, international students must:

• Have completed an Indian equivalent of Grade 12 in Australia with the required grades (for UG courses)

• Complete an Undergraduate qualification equivalent to a Bachelor's from a recognised university in India

• Prove English language proficiency with an international test, such as IELTS, and secure an overall of 6.5 on the test

Read more insights here

An extensive library, career guidance services, student associations, special interest clubs, and sports facilities are some of the on-campus options that students at Monash University can avail of.

Besides, on-campus residential accommodation options are provided at the university for the comfort of the students. There are self-contained studios, shared houses, and private flats available for rent.

Monash has many career guidance services to help students find the right employment after graduation. Unihub, Career Connect, and Monash Careers Directory are designed to offer students the best career guidance and support for jobs in the relevant industry related to their study area.

FAQs

1. How much does it cost to study in Australia for international students?

The actual fee for international students may vary depending on the course pursued and the university chosen. However, the average cost of a Masters course in a top Australian university is likely to be AUD 99,000 for international students (approx).

Read more insights here.

2. What is the cost of living in Australia for Indians?

This may vary depending on the city you choose to live in. On average, the estimated cost of living in Australia is approximately AUD 20,000 per year for individuals and AUD 50,000 per annum for an Indian family in the country.

Read more insights here.

3. Which are the cheapest universities in Australia for international students?

Every university is likely to have a different fee structure. On average, the cheapest universities for international students in Australia are:

• Southern Cross University

• University of Southern Queensland (USQ)

• La Trobe University

4. Which universities are the best for international students in Australia?

Students worldwide prefer studying at the following top Australian universities:

• The University of Melbourne

• The University of New South Wales

• The University of Sydney

• The Australian National University

• Monash University

5. Can you study in Australia for 1 year?

Yes, many Australian universities offer Masters programs for a minimum of 1 year to students around the world.

Read more insights here.

6. What are the most popular courses in Australia for international students?

Students may choose courses as per their academic preferences and career goals. Some of the most popular programs that international students opt for in Australia are:

• Biomedical Engineering

• Accountancy

• Tourism and Hospitality Management

• Actuarial Science

• Psychology

Read more insightful articles

• Master of Management in Australia

• Dental Hygienist Course in Australia

• Masters in Human Resource Management in Australia

• Master of Civil Engineering in Australia

• Masters in Computer Science in Australia

• Masters of Nursing in Australia

• Psychology Courses in Australia

• Master in Cyber Security in Australia

• Bachelor of Hospitality Management in Australia

• Masters of Interior Design in Australia