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Like America’s Ivy League, Go8 Universities are Australia’s top-ranking universities. This university group influences the development and delivery of long-term sustainable national higher education and research policy, and in developing elite international alliances and research partnerships.
As part of being in Australia’s top universities, these top schools focus on the connection between teaching and research. This leads to an advanced curriculum with the latest thinking and research-based learning, producing a high standard of education to its students.
Go8 Australia's member schools have their campuses distributed across Australia's six capital cities, most of which are prestigious schools with a deep history, some of which have been established for over 150 years.
In addition, these top 8 national universities always attract special attention from international students when training highly knowledgeable individuals for society. Go8 universities educate more than half of Australia’s doctors, dentists and vets and provide some 50% of Australia’s science graduates and more than 40$ of Australia’s engineering graduates. The Go8 also receives 70% of Australian Competitive Grant funding on all research support.
If you are going to study in Australia, read this article to get more information about top 8 the best universities in Australia!
For international students with excellent academic performance who want to study at the top Australian universities, Go8 always stays on top of the list. If you are thinking about postgraduate study, it is worthwhile considering the benefits of studying with a Go8 university:
Outstanding quality of education: The quality of these universities is clearly shown through the global rankings, the Go8 universities are always ranked highest in Australia and in the TOP 100 in the world. Impressively, every Australian Nobel Prize winner so far has been associated with one of the Go8 universities!
Diverse fields of study: With more than 150 majors available to students, you can study spearheads such as Medicine, Dentistry, Engineering, Veterinary Medicine, or Education. The Go8 group of Australian universities accounts for more than 70% of the PhD students from 4 research institutes in Australia, giving you access to specialized reports and research.
High employability: The graduation rate from these Go8 Australian universities is always 80% higher than the Australian average rate. As your qualification is globally recognized, you can find a job easily in many different countries.
Faster Visa approval time: When you apply to one of the G8 Australian universities, you will get a faster decision on your visa application.
University | QS Rankings | THE Rankings |
Australian National University | 30 | 62 |
University of Melbourne | 33 | 34 |
University of Sydney | 41 | 54 |
University of Queensland | 50 | 53 |
Monash University | 57 | 44 |
University of New South Wales | 45 | 71 |
University of Adelaide | 109 | 88 |
University of Western Australia | 90 | 131 |
University of Melbourne: Founded in 1853, the University of Melbourne is one of Australia's best public universities with the motto "Develop in respect of the younger generation.".
Not only is it a key member of the G8 Australia group, the University of Melbourne also attracts many Australian students with a series of remarkable achievements, such as:
Ranked 8th in graduate employability worldwide
Ranked 17th in the world for Academic Reputation
Ranked 27th in the world according to US News and World Report 2025
Ranked 13th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2025
The University of Melbourne is home to 100 centers and research institutes. If you are wondering how to choose the right major to study in Australia, the University of Melbourne will be the first choice to study Literature, Arts, biology, medicine, commerce, environment, Music and Science.
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) was established in 1949 and is recognized as one of the leading universities in multidisciplinary teaching and research.
Once you graduate from UNSW's Clinical Department, you can work at the Australian Psychology Society or the College of Clinical Psychologists. Meanwhile, students pursuing financial analysis will have the opportunity to become collaborative members of the Australasia Institute of Finance (FINSIA).
UNSW has a comprehensive curriculum with more than 900 undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Outstanding majors of the university include: renewable energy, nanotechnology, quantum computing, HIV/AIDS research, digital communication, IT, and and biomedical sciences. According to LinkedIn statistics, UNSW is always in the top 30 universities with the most sought-after students.
With a history of 166 years of development, the University of Sydney is the oldest, most prestigious, and multicultural university in Australia. The University of Sydney is consistently ranked in the top 1% of universities, welcoming more than 51,000 students from all over the world each year.
For those who choose to study in Australia at the top Go8 schools, you will be able to choose from a wide range of disciplines, including agriculture, architecture, design and planning, society, economics and business, education and social work, engineering and information technology, and art.
In addition to its diverse teaching majors, the university has more than 250 clubs and societies that enable students to learn about diverse cultures, explore new interests, and develop every skill.
The Australian National University (AUN) is currently the largest public university in Canberra, established by the Australian Parliament itself with the goal of "improving the understanding and qualifications of all citizens.".
Not only famous as a bright member of the group of Australian Go8 schools, ANU is also the elite face of many university associations in the Asia-Pacific region. The university gathers up to 85% of lecturers with doctoral degrees, the world's leading professors. Lecturers at the university have always been at the forefront of all scientific innovations and achievements in exploiting the mysteries of history.
Young people who study in Australia when choosing to study at the Australian National University often prioritize outstanding majors such as Law, Politics, Maritime Science, Philosophy, Modern Languages, etc.
AUN is one of the schools that trains the best professionals and managers in Australia. Young people studying in Australia often prioritize outstanding majors such as law, politics, maritime science, philosophy, and modern languages when choosing to enter the school.
Monash University - Monash University is the university that teaches the most students in Australia. With 6 major training institutions spread across 5 continents, the university has built a global research and student exchange network with more than 110 universities from the US, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
In addition to its high teaching quality and dynamic environment, Monash University is always the first choice thanks to achievements such as:
Ranked #37 worldwide by QS World University Rankings 2025
Ranked #35 in Best Global Universities (US News and World Report 2024-2025)
Ranked #58 in the world by Times Higher Education 2025
Monash University is a multi-disciplinary training school with more than 600 courses divided into many specialties, in which the MBA program is ranked third in the world for the criterion of "personal development and educational experience." The Faculty of Economics and Business at Monash is the only faculty in the group of Go8 schools to be accredited by 3 world-renowned quality assessment organizations (AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA).
The University of Queensland is honored to become a core member of the group of 8 global universities - Go8 with the motto "Knowledge comes from hard work".
The University of Queensland currently owns a network of more than 232,000 alumni and students around the globe in which you will easily find Nobel Prize winners, or individuals ranked on the list of CEOs and people currently working in government.
In addition to the intensive curriculum, students feel welcome from the moment they arrive in Queensland. With world-class learning and research facilities, a vibrant city center, and popular beaches just a few hours' drive away, this school is the ideal place to study, work and live.
The University of Queensland offers outstanding academic disciplines such as agriculture, veterinary sciences, arts (humanities), business, economics, tourism, information technology, health, law, languages, and tourism, information technology, health, law, languages, and Behavioural sciences. See more: What major should I study in Australia?
The University of Western Australia is located in Perth, one of the top 7 most livable cities in the world. It is one of two universities in Australia that are members of the World University Network, a network of 18 European and African research universities in the Americas and Asia-Pacific.
According to Times Higher Education 2025, the University of Western Australia is ranked 149th worldwide. The university is also a founding member of the Matariki Network, a network of high-quality research universities with a particular emphasis on student experience.
The University of Western Australia has a business school that is accredited for the quality of both prestigious institutions that evaluate the world's top business schools: EQUIS and AACSB.
The University of Western Australia has a business school that is accredited for the quality of both prestigious institutions that evaluate the world's top business schools: EQUIS and AACSB.
University of Adelaide: The University of Adelaide is one of the 3 oldest universities in Australia (founded in 1874). The University of Adelaide has always been proud to be the cradle of many world-class talents, including more than 100 Rhodes scholars and more than 130 Fulbright scholars, as well as Australia's first astronaut.
In addition, the University of Adelaide is also famous for:
Ranked 92nd in the world by US News and World Report 2025
Ranked 82nd in the world (QS ranking 2025)
Always ensure the top 1% position when focusing on teaching majors including biology, engineering, earth sciences, humanities, arts, mathematics, information technology and computer science, physics and chemistry, and social sciences. Many alumni of the university have won Nobel Prizes, most notably Dr. Robin Warren, who won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2005 for his work on Helicobacter bacteria, and Dr. Howard Eealter Florey, who won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his successful research and development of the antibiotic penicillin.
Go8—a group of leading universities—has always been a reliable destination for Australian international students when maintaining outstanding achievements and intensive curriculum in research groups. Studying at the top Go8 schools always ensures a high graduation rate and opens up job opportunities in the future.
IDP is proud to manage and coordinate a large number of scholarships to study in Australia from the Group of Eight—Go8 Australia Universities with the highest value. IDP consultants will actively introduce all the specific majors, and suitable scholarships range from 30 to 100% of the tuition fee for you to apply at IDP.
If you want to get more information about the cost of studying abroad and the application process, contact IDP, and our experienced counselors will get back to you as soon as possible.
Hotline for free study abroad consultation: 1900 6955
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