Thanks for visiting TopUniversities.com today! So that we can show you the most relevant information, please select the option that most closely relates to you.
Your input will help us improve your experience.You can close this popup to continue using the website or choose an option below to register in or login.
Already have an account? Sign in
Save
Top Universities in Australia by Region 2013/14
By Jane Playdon
Updated March 5, 2016 Updated March 5, 2016To see the latest version of this article based on the QS World University Rankings 2014/15, click here.
If you’re looking at study options in the Land Down Under, you may have noticed that there are 31 top universities in Australia to choose from in the QS World University Rankings® 2013/2014. The majority can be found in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane - Australia’s first, second and third largest cities by population respectively. But the country’s top ranking university, Australian National University (ANU), is found in the capital and eighth largest city: Canberra.
The distribution of the 31 top universities in Australia basically corresponds to the population of each area. So New South Wales, the country’s most populated state (7,381 million), has the highest number of world-class institutions (eight), followed by Victoria (population: 5,713 million) with seven, and Queensland (4,638.1 million) with six.
Another discernible pattern can be seen in the top eight universities in Australia as ranked by QS: they all happen to be members of the Group of Eight (Go8), a coalition of research-intensive, leading Australian universities that aims to enhance the performance of its member universities on a national and international level.
Here’s a quick overview of the top universities in Australia by state and territory, based on the QS World University Rankings® 2013/14.
Top universities in New South Wales
The eastern state of New South Wales is the most heavily industrialized in Australia, the most populous and the fifth largest in terms of area. There are eight top universities in New South Wales, including institutions in and around the cities of Wollongong, Newcastle and Armidale.
However, the lion’s share of top universities in New South Wales is, unsurprisingly, found in the state capital, Sydney. This famous harbor city holds just over 20% of the population of Australia (21,507,717 million), with a truly international mix of inhabitants. It’s well known for its beaches (especially Bondi), its bridge (Sydney Harbor), iconic skyline (Sydney Opera House), and of course, its universities – two of which are members of the Go8: University of Sydney and University of New South Wales.
The top universities in New South Wales are:
Top universities in Victoria
Victoria is Australia’s smallest mainland state, and also happens to be roughly the size of the UK, which is a useful frame of reference for determining how vast the country is overall.
More than 70% of the 5,713 million Victorians live in Melbourne, the state capital. Arguably the country’s sporting capital, Melbourne has several major sporting and entertainment venues, and it hosts the Australian Open and the Grand Prix, among others.
It is also known for its restaurants (foodie paradise), its geological phenomena (you can view the Twelve Apostles from the Great Ocean Road, which starts 50 miles from Melbourne), and its research universities, with another two Go8 members (University of Melbourne and Monash University). The only one of the top universities in Victoria which is not in Melbourne is Deakin University, in Geelong.
The top universities in Victoria are:
Top universities in Queensland
Queensland, in the north east, is the second largest state in Australia and third largest by population. More than half of its 4,638.1 million inhabitants live outside the capital (Brisbane) – a striking contrast to New South Wales and Victoria which are highly urbanized states.
Known as the Sunshine State, Queensland receives an average of between eight and nine hours of sunshine a day, and is also a popular destination for those who want to explore the Great Barrier Reef off the coast in the Coral Sea.
If you want to study close to this world-famous natural wonder, it is worth noting that the highly ranked James Cook University is in the city of Townsville, next to the central section of the reef. Further to the south east is the Gold Coast – a hugely popular tourist destination with a spectacular coastline and abundance of theme parks, and home to the prestigious Bond University.
The other three top universities in Queensland are all in Brisbane, which is inland, but has a manmade beach in the city center. It is the only city in Queensland with a Go8 member: the University of Queensland.
The top universities in Queensland are:
Top universities in Western Australia
Western Australia is the largest Australian state by area, occupying about a third of the country, and the fifth largest in terms of population (2,497.5 million). The majority of Western Australia is outback territory, ideal for four-wheel-drive adventures.
To the north is the sparsely populated area known as The Kimberley, which is not without its charm, including a 13 mile stretch of soft white sand and clear turquoise water known as Cable Beach. To the south is the Golden Outback, so called because of the settlements built by gold rush pioneers.
But the majority of the state’s population lives in the capital Perth, known as the City of Light. Perth provides a perfect balance of bustling entertainment, if that’s what you want, or a more laidback beach lifestyle. It also offers a choice of three world-class universities, including the state’s top performing institution, the University of Western Australia, a Go8 member.
The top universities in Western Australia are:
Top universities in South Australia
South Australia is the fourth largest state by size and fifth by population (1,667.5 million). It is the driest state in the world’s driest continent, so go ahead and make outdoor plans without worrying about the prospect of rain!
Known mainly for its excellent wine, South Australia also has plenty of contrasting scenery to explore, such as the Flinders Ranges and the South Australian Outback, or the many wetlands and peninsulas. The capital, Adelaide, is known as the arts capital of Australia, and is home to a multitude of festivals and galleries, plus a lively music scene. It is also the only city in South Australia with universities in the QS World University Rankings, including the University of Adelaide, a Go8 member.
The top universities in South Australia are:
Top universities in Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
The Australian Capital Territory is actually located within New South Wales, but is (almost) a separate state, as it is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia, subject to legislation by the Commonwealth Parliament. ACT is the smallest region of Australia, but also has the largest inland city: its capital, Canberra. Out of all the top universities in Australia, Canberra hosts the highest ranking: Australian National University, which is also a Go8 member.
The top universities in ACT are:
Other top universities in Australia
The remaining two regions of Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, have one world-class university each. Tasmania is an island off the south east corner of the mainland, known for its abundance of national parks and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, with its rare plants and animals. The Northern Territory is the third largest region of Australia but has the least amount of people (237.8 million). It is mostly tropical, and the capital Darwin, maintains an almost constantly high temperature throughout the year.
Here are the best of the rest:
Image credits: Nick D (main image, Australian National University)
This article was originally published in October 2013 . It was last updated in March 2016
Want more content like this Register for free site membership to get regular updates and your own personal content feed.
Jane Playdon is a TopUniversities.com author and blogger.
Share via
Share this Page
Our expert teams can help start your academic journey by guiding you through the application process.
Related Articles Last year
Top Universities in Mexico: UNAM vs ITESM
Universidade de Sao Paulo vs UNICAMP
Stanford Ranked World’s Top University for Graduate Employability
Subject Rankings 2016-2017 – QS Vs Times Higher Education
Stanford Tops New WSJ/THE US College Rankings
Young Asian Universities Shine in QS Top 50 Under 50
Most Shared Last year
The world's top 100 universities
Ranked: The top 100 universities in the USA
QS World University Rankings methodology: Using rankings to start your university search
Top universities in the UK
Top universities in Australia 2021
Top 10 universities in London
Most Read Last year
The world's top 100 universities
Ranked: The top 100 universities in the USA
Top universities in the UK
Top universities in Canada
Top universities in Australia 2021
Top 10 universities in London