Melbourne is Australia’s second largest city and one of the most liveable cities in the world, according to the annual Mercer quality of living report. It's a truly international place to live, with over 40 percent of its population coming from overseas.
Historically, Melbourne is well established as a hub of cultural innovation, having produced the world’s first feature film in 1906 and played an integral role in the Impressionist movement. This continues today as the city offers myriad museums, galleries and cultural hangouts, including Corner House and Northcote Social Club, known as the best live music venues in the city.
Also of note is the city’s urban art scene and expressive graffiti culture, which can be viewed on solo excursions or as part of a street art tour.
Situated in the western state of Victoria, Melbourne is also known for its changeable weather. It can go from searing heat to tepid downpours in minutes. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the city is a heaven for food lovers and boasts many great restaurants and cafés.
The city’s lively nightlife and packed cultural calendar, along with its beautiful beaches, help make Melbourne a highly attractive destination for international students. Perhaps the only downside would be that the strength of the Australian dollar makes living in the city relatively expensive – but on the other hand, employability prospects after graduation are strong.
Based on the QS World University Rankings®, these are the seven top universities in Melbourne, each with much to offer prospective students.
University of Melbourne
The highest ranked of universities in Melbourne, and Australia’s second oldest university, the University of Melbourne is located in the city’s Parkville suburb and is ranked 33rd in the world. The school is around 170 years old and currently enrols over 54,000 students. The area of Parkville is known for its leafy streets and heritage buildings along with one of Melbourne’s main tourist attractions, Melbourne Zoo.
On the doorstep of the city’s central business district, the university boasts many cafés, shops and sports venues as well as good transport links. Parkville was also the site of the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games Village and continues to act as an inclusive community environment and the social legacy of the games. The university is a member of the prestigious Group of Eight, an alliance of Australia’s leading research universities.
Monash University
Just 55 years old, Monash University is a relatively young research institution with a large student community of over 86,000. The university in ranked 57th in the world and has six campuses throughout the state of Victoria and two more internationally. The school’s motto ‘Ancora imparo’, translated as ‘I am still learning’, reflects its dedication to innovation and ongoing development.
Its main campus neighbours the University of Melbourne in Parkville and is home to the Victorian College of Pharmacy which merged with Monash University in the 1990s, and has led to the school being ranked first in the world in the fields of pharmacy and pharmacology. Monash is also a part of the Group of Eight.
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