Melbourne is Australia’s largest city and is also home to many of the top universities in Australia. Melbourne boasts a combination of high living standards with relatively low costs of living. With nearly 40% of Melbourne residents being immigrants, the city is very diverse and can be an ideal destination for you to pursue a university degree as an international student. You will have plenty of opportunities to make friends from different backgrounds at one of Melbourne’s many universities and cultural spaces.
Founded in 1974, Deakin University has since merged with two major universities in Australia’s Victoria state to become one of Melbourne’s top universities. Deakin University is primarily located in Burwood, Melbourne.
It also comprises three satellite campuses as well as an extensive online cloud campus, making it convenient for you to pursue your studies either in-person in Melbourne or remotely. Deakin University offers a large number of undergraduate degrees, as well as highly-respected graduate programs in Psychology, Nursing and Urban Policy.
La Trobe University has six campuses across Victoria state, with its primary campus located 15km north of Melbourne city centre. La Trobe University is well-known for its excellent arts & humanities facilities both inside and outside the classroom; the university has two art museums on campus.
La Trobe University comprises nearly 35,000 students. The La Trobe University business programs are among the best in Melbourne, and the La Trobe business school’s location in the heart of Melbourne’s financial district allows for great networking and professional opportunities to assist your academic career.
Monash University is one of Australia’s largest universities with a total student population nearing 75,000. Founded in 1958, Monash has quickly become one of Melbourne’s top universities and is located across four campuses in the Melbourne region.
Monash University also has a strong network of international campuses located in Malaysia, India, China and Italy, among others. With a worldwide presence and large international student population, Monash is a preferred choice for many international applicants seeking universities in Melbourne. Monash University’s Victorian College of Pharmacy is globally reputed and regularly ranks in the top 10 pharmacology programs across the world.
The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in Australia and the world with nearly 40,000 enrolled students. Founded in 1853, the University of Melbourne is also a member of the ‘Group of Eight’, a group of Australia’s top research universities.
The university aims to provide students with a high-quality education through both world-class faculty and research facilities. The University of Melbourne is conveniently located in the Parkville suburb near the Melbourne business district as well as major tourist attractions such as the Melbourne Zoo. Some of the popular courses offered include undergraduate programs such as Bachelor of Fine Arts and Diploma in General Studies.
RMIT is one of Australia’s top universities for design and technology, and has a large overall student body of nearly 75,000 students. It is one of Melbourne’s oldest universities and was founded as the Working Men’s College of Melbourne in 1887.
RMIT is world-renowned for its advanced research facilities and hosts high-end research material including a wind tunnel for automotive design research. RMIT offers programs in three primary areas:
Swinburne University is a public research university with nearly 60,000 enrolled students across six campuses. The primary Swinburne University campus is located close to the Melbourne city centre. The university specialises in technical disciplines such as architecture, aviation, civil engineering and design theory, alongside work-oriented programs in various areas such as plumbing.
Victoria University offers top-quality education in a range of courses and program options, from short apprenticeships to comprehensive programs in fields such as business and law. Victoria University currently enrols nearly 40,000 students every year and supports its teaching faculty in their educational goals with top-ranked practical training facilities in many disciplines such as a full-fledged training hospital on campus and a newly-built sports complex.
Australian Catholic University (ACU) stands out as a good choice for its commitment to academic excellence and social equity. The Melbourne campus, located in the cultural heart of Victoria, offers an educational experience in a city known for its arts and innovation.
Specializing in areas like education, health sciences, and the arts, ACU Melbourne is equipped with excellent facilities and a vibrant academic community. With a focus on ethical leadership and community service, it provides an enriching environment for international students aiming to make a significant societal contribution. ACU’s global perspective and emphasis on practical engagement make it a compelling choice for those seeking to study in Australia.
Below is a list of the top Melbourne universities in 2025, according to QS world rankings and Times Higher Education:
| University | QS World Ranking 2025 | Times Higher Education Ranking 2025 |
| University of Melbourne | 13 | 39 |
| Monash University | 37 | =58 |
| RMIT | =123 | 251-300 |
| La Trobe University | 217 | 251-300 |
| Victoria University | 741-750 | 401-500 |
TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutes, an Australian government initiative, are Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). Studying at a TAFE institute provides you with a vocationally-oriented degree that trains you adequately for semi-skilled as well as skilled occupations and is nationally recognised across Australia. TAFE qualifications range from certificates to diplomas and advanced diplomas. The best benefit of TAFE programs is high-quality on-the-job training with an employer in Melbourne. TAFE programs in Melbourne are offered in a wide variety of industrial areas – trade, business, healthcare and many more.
Melbourne TAFE institutes include Box Hill Institute and Melbourne Polytechnic, as well as TAFE institutes operated by universities such as Victoria University Polytechnic, RMIT, and the Holmesglen Institute.
In addition to the top Melbourne universities, below is a list of specialist universities in Melbourne which offer courses with a focus on a high-quality vocational training-based curriculum.
The main difference between private and public universities in Melbourne is the source of their funding. Private universities are owned and operated by privately-owned companies and organisations, while public colleges receive funding from the Australian government.
Private universities typically have smaller class sizes, whereas public universities in Melbourne benefit from large-scale and diverse student bodies and more affordable tuition costs. Australia has only 5 private universities, and only one of them – Torrens University Australia – has a campus in Melbourne. All of the top ranked universities in Melbourne are public universities.
Melbourne universities have an exciting and accessible lifestyle in store for international students. Of Australia’s 20 million population, nearly a million are international students, showing the level of comfort immigrants and students feel in cities like Melbourne. From natural spaces like the Royal Botanical Gardens to the Melbourne Zoo, as well as historical areas such as Federation Square and popular art museums across Melbourne, the city has a wide variety of attractions which will engage you outside of academic areas. A vibrant nightlife makes the city an even bigger draw for international students.
In order to support your lifestyle as an international student in Melbourne universities, you can always find part-time work in the bustling city. Popular choices for international students’ part-time occupations include tutoring jobs as well as retail jobs such as cafes, hospitality and university venues. Melbourne universities are sure to satisfy your demands for academic and personal growth as an international student.
See our Studying in Australia directory for more information about being an international student in the country, as well as other cities, tuition fees and a full list of courses/subjects available.
See all universities in Australia.
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