Study in Adelaide

Adelaide joins Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and Gold Coast as one of seven Australian entries in the QS Best Student Cities 2023.

Three universities based in Adelaide are featured in the QS World University Rankings® 2023, all within the world’s top 450: the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia and Flinders University. 

Australia’s fifth-largest city, Adelaide is located on the south coast, and is known for its attractive wide boulevards, open spaces, parklands and easily navigable city centre. As well as being close to beautiful beaches and islands, the city is also within easy reach of the Adelaide Hills, great for hiking, cycling, wildlife-watching, or sampling some of Australia’s best wines close to the vineyards where they’re produced.

Back in town, there’s also plenty to explore, from watching a cricket match at the Adelaide Oval, to partying at one of the festivals hosted here each year (many during ‘Mad March’) – or simply enjoying the atmosphere at a café in one of the central squares.

Are you studying in Adelaide? Rate your experience, and find out why one student said Adelaide was actually ‘radelaide’.

Best universities in Adelaide: QS Best Student Cities ranking: =31^st

More about Adelaide

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.

Why study in Adelaide?

With over 500 occupations available for international graduates, Adelaide is the best place in Australia to gain valuable post-study work experience.

Quality of life

Every year, Adelaide welcomes international students from more than 150 countries. The city offers high-quality educational opportunities and an amazing lifestyle compared with some other cities in Australia.

According to a New York magazine, Adelaide is one of the most well-planned and happy metropolis's on the planet.

Food and wine

Also known as the food and wine capital of Australia, Adelaide has more restaurants than any other major city in the country. It produces 50 percent of the country's wine and is also renowned for its food & wine events as well as National Wine Centre.

Home to the largest fresh produced market (The Central Market) in the Southern Hemisphere, the city is popular for its Gouget Street Precinct and Chinatown.

Fun things to do

Whether you want to enjoy Adelaide's gorgeous hills and beautiful beaches, or perhaps you'd like to see a little more (and try of course) of Adelaide's wine districts - the city has so much to offer domestic and international students alike. There's something for everyone in Adelaide.

Also known as the festival state, Adelaide hosts a number of national and international events year-round. Some of the popular events are Adelaide Fringe, Test Cricket, Clipsal 500, Santos Tour Down Under and Adelaide Festival.

Cost of studying in Adelaide

The average cost of tuition for international students at ranked universities in Adelaide is US$25,500. Meaning it's not the most expensive university in the world, but it's certainly more expensive than other Australian cities including Brisbane (US$21,200) and Melbourne (US$25,000).

Numbeo estimates that a single person's monthly costs without rent will be are A$1,233.15 (US$903) without rent, but a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre could likely set you back US$1,063.43.

Careers in Adelaide

Adelaide is a great place to work, and although salaries are often lower than other major cities in Australia, the cost of living in Adelaide is also lower.

The pace of worklife is also another perk with Adelaide taking a more laid back approach to work that isn't always replicated in other cities in Australia.

Several large business sectors have a significant presence in the city, most notably Australia's defence industry. Other major industries in the city include healthcare, manufacturing, and production sectors.