Study in Melbourne Australia — Courses, Universities, Employment

Melbourne was founded in 1835, and was the capital city of Australia for 26 years (from 1901–1927) before losing the honour to Canberra. Today, it is the second most populous city in Australia and is the capital of the state of Victoria.

Melbourne is a rich and vibrant city that has been ranked by the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) as the world’s most liveable city from 2011 to 2017. If we look at its advantages from an international student’s perspective, Melbourne ranks 3 rd in the QS Best Student Cities list for 2019. University campuses in the city are popular for a diverse mix of student communities. Besides, Melbourne is home to a total of 7 universities, all of which are ranked highly in the QS World University Rankings for 2020.

Melbourne is also considered to be Australia’s cultural capital and is an accurate representation of what the Australian lifestyle looks like. Beautiful beaches, roaring nightlife and a cultural landscape that is filled with arts, comedy, music, film and fashion make the city a hotspot of activity for all people.

In this article we’ll take a look at the reasons why Melbourne is considered one of the top study abroad destinations in the world and go in the details of all of its 7 universities

Study in Melbourne — 7 Reasons to Study in Melbourne

If you are still in two-minds about your study abroad destination or are confused between options, here are 7 reasons why Melbourne should be at the top of your list:

1. Ease of Living — Melbourne has persistently ranked as one of world’s most liveable cities, ever since the EIU’s Global Liveability Index began in 2002. These rankings are based on quality of health care, education, infrastructure, stability and culture, with more than 30 factors being taken into consideration when deciding the ranks.

2. Top Universities — All 7 universities in Melbourne are placed in the QS World University Rankings of 2020, with the highest ranked institution, The University of Melbourne, coming in at #39 globally.

3. Employment Opportunities — Melbourne is a hub for international companies to set up their base of operation in Australia. In fact, global giants like BP, ExxonMobil, and Alibaba etc. have their offices in Melbourne. The University of Melbourne also runs an annual mentoring program that brings students in touch with alumni mentors who help them with their career decisions.

GLOBAL GRADUATE EMPLOYABILITY RANKINGS OF UNIVERSITIES IN MELBOURNE

4. Cultural Diversity — More than 140 cultures are represented in the city, ranging from Victoria’s indigenous tribes to migrants from Europe, Asia and Africa. Melbourne is a welcoming and outgoing city, with a spirit that embraces the heritage of all the people that make up the community. There is a wide variety of vibrant cultural festivals and events held throughout the year to celebrate every culture that has contributed to making Melbourne what it is today.

5. Sports — Unofficially, Melbourne is the sporting capital of Australia and holds the distinction of being the only city in the world with 5 international sporting complexes. The MCG or Melbourne Cricket Ground is an iconic field which is instantly recognizable for any cricket fan worth his salt. Even the ever popular Aussie rules football or AFL was invented in the city of Melbourne. Sports fans can attend high-profile international sporting events like the F1 Grand Prix, Australian Open and Cricket series throughout the year.

6. Food — With all the different cultures coexisting together, the food scene in Melbourne has something for everyone! There are numerous cuisines from all around the world that you can sample without ever having to leave the city, from dumplings in Chinatown to borsch soup in the Russian restaurants.

With Melbourne attracting ever increasing numbers of international students, the education industry in the city has created an excellent support system. From help in learning the English language, tutoring services, student housing and financial aid, the universities in the city make sure that students have all the support they need to excel in their academic and professional lives.

7. Student Support — With Melbourne attracting ever increasing numbers of international students, the education industry in the city has created an excellent support system. From help in learning the English language, tutoring services, student housing and financial aid, the universities in the city make sure that students have all the support they need to excel in their academic and professional lives.

Have you wondered if you can pursue higher studies abroad without IELTS? Read here Admission in Australia without IELTS.

Study in Melbourne — Student Enrolment, Academic Culture in Top Colleges

1. The University of Melbourne

QS Global Rank 2020 — #38

Student Enrolment

46,647 students are currently enrolled in various degree programs offered by the University of Melbourne and 22,545 international students from over 130 countries are also a part of the campus.

Academic Culture

The education system in the university is based on the model followed by other top institutions around the world. Students spend their initial year exploring the various avenues of study available to them before settling upon their major. The programs are flexible and interdisciplinary in nature and students graduating from the university gain a breadth of knowledge that puts them in a league of their own. In fact, 4 Australian prime ministers and 5 governor-generals have all graduated from the University of Melbourne.

2. Monash University

QS Global Rank 2020 — #58

Student Enrolment

With a total strength of 56,144 students, out of which 30,841 are international students from over 100 countries, the Monash University prides itself on having a diverse and multicultural environment.

Academic Culture

Currently, it is the largest university in Australia and ranks among the top 100 institutions of higher education in the world according to the QS World University rankings 2020. In their 60 year history, the university has gained a reputation as a research powerhouse and is a member of the G8 coalition. The G8 or group of 8 is a coalition of Australian universities that are research-intensive and are consistently ranked amongst the top institutions in the world.

In a relatively short period of time, Monash University has expanded from a single campus to having an international presence all over the globe. They have 4 campuses in Australia, 1 in Malaysia and over 100 international education partners. This provides students with:

• Access to more research collaborations
• Global partnerships
• Overseas opportunities

Academic Culture

Currently, it is the largest university in Australia and ranks among the top 100 institutions of higher education in the world according to the QS World University rankings 2020. In their 60 year history, the university has gained a reputation as a research powerhouse and is a member of the G8 coalition. The G8 or group of 8 is a coalition of Australian universities that are research-intensive and are consistently ranked amongst the top institutions in the world.

In a relatively short period of time, Monash University has expanded from a single campus to having an international presence all over the globe. They have 4 campuses in Australia, 1 in Malaysia and over 100 international education partners. This provides students with:

• Access to more research collaborations
• Global partnerships
• Overseas opportunities

Courses

All the courses in the university have an international focus, regardless of the subject. Monash University prepares its graduates to become a part of the global workforce by allowing students to start their degrees in Australia and continuing their studies in any of their partner institutions all over the world. They offer a multitude of courses within the 10 faculties that make up the university that include over 140 double degree options at the bachelor, master and PhD levels. The primary faculties of the university are:

Research and innovation is the primary objective of the university with 150 fields of research spread out among the 10 faculties. Ideas developed at Monash include malaria vaccines and 3D printed engines which have now been commercialized and impacting the world we live in.

3. RMIT University

QS Global Rank 2020 — #238

Student Enrolment

Apart from its Melbourne campus, RMIT has 2 other campuses in Vietnam, a research center in Spain, an office in Indonesia along with offering programs with partners in Europe and Asia. They currently have a total of 36,130 students enrolled, out of which 12,011 are international students from over 120 different countries.

Academic Culture

RMIT has managed to stay relevant in the global education landscape throughout the years with an emphasis on quality education by creating ideal learning environments for their students. They utilize skilled curriculum design teams that ensure that all the subject material being taught in the various degree programs are adhering to student and industry standards. Teachers and lectures in the university are chosen based on their expertise and are given free rein to apply their research discoveries and experiences in the industry to make classes more relevant for the students. RMIT was awarded a total of 5 QS stars for 2018–2021 in the following categories:

• Teaching
• Employability
• Research
• Internationalization
• Innovation
• Inclusiveness
• Facilities
• Art & Design

Courses

With over 120 years of educational excellence, RMIT is ranked among the top 100 universities globally according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject in the following areas:

• Business and Management
• Communications and Media Studies
• Computer Science and Information Systems
• Development Studies
• Education
• Civil and Structural Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Student Support

RMIT’s main campus is located in the heart of Melbourne, and students have a chance to immerse themselves in the multicultural and diverse environment of the city. Within the campus, you will have access to over 100 student clubs, societies and groups where you can start building an academic, personal or professional network.

Fun Fact

RMIT takes pride in producing ‘work-ready’ graduates who are imbued with career skills and are highly employable in the global job market. More than 50% of the degree programs at RMIT offer internships, direct placement and industry work experience for the students. You may get the chance to work for organizations like L’oreal or the United Nations.

4. Deakin University

QS Global Rank 2020 — #271

Student Enrolment

A total of 40,657 students are enrolled in Deakin University with 10,476 international students also forming a part of the student body.

Academic Culture

The curriculum at Deakin is designed to put maximum emphasis on practical experience and best-industry practices. Real-world expertise is integrated with practical skills to give students a competitive edge in the international job market. From the very first day of class, students at Deakin are taught employability skills like:

• Communication
• Digital literacy
• Teamwork
• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Self-management, teamwork
• Being part of a global work environment

Courses

The university is ranked amongst the top 1 percent of universities worldwide in 24 subject areas which include:

• Computer Science
• Business
• Law
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Education
• Public Health

Student Support

At Deakin, students can also be a part of more than 150 clubs and societies to develop their interests beyond the classroom and make new friends or develop contacts for their professional careers after the completion of their degree. They have constantly maintained a reputation for being at the forefront of innovation and all across their campuses in Melbourne, Geelong and Warrnambool, students have access to world-class facilities and a warm and welcoming learning environment.

According to the Graduate Outcomes Survey, QILT for 2016–18, Deakin University ranked at the top of the list for institutions in Victoria that provide the best student satisfaction.

Fun Fact

Deakin University has created an app called Deakin Genie, a voice-controlled smartphone app that provides assistance in managing assignment due dates to accessing learning resources directly through your phone!

5. La Trobe University

QS Global Rank 2020 — #400

Student Enrolment

They currently have 25,796 students enrolled in their programs, out of which 9,064 are international students.

Academic Culture

In the rapidly changing digital economy and job landscapes that are constantly in a state of flux, La Trobe ensures that all their programs are designed keeping the current industry standards in mind, so that students can attain the maximum amount of practical knowledge before starting their jobs. The curriculum is constantly being updated to keep up with changing workplace practices, and a collaborative approach to curriculum design and development ensures that students are getting the best of academic research and practical industry oriented knowledge. La Trobe also holds a 5-star QS rating for:

• World-standard facilities
• Excellent teachers
• Classroom instruction
• Inclusiveness
• Innovation
• Internationalization of the students.

Courses

The university prides itself on being accessible to all while still maintaining its commitment to excellence in all aspects of academia. They currently have 7 campuses spread across the states of Victoria and New South Wales, which are renowned globally for producing cutting-edge research in fields like:

• A.I
• Economics
• Business Analysis
• Medicine
• Agriculture

Student Support

La Trobe is also focused on providing a robust support system to its students in the form of targeted programs aimed at ensuring their emotional and physical well-being. Students can utilize the free counselling programs to seek guidance when they need emotional support. Other than that, the university also has a number of extra-curricular clubs and activities that students can be a part of to diversify their time spent on campus.

Fun Fact

Indira Gandhi, India’s first female Prime Minister and leading 20th century statesperson, visited La Trobe in 1968 — a year after the University opened.

6. Swinburne University of Technology

QS Global Rank 2020 — #383

Student Enrolment

A total of 13,908 students are enrolled in the university with 4,385 international students forming a part of the diverse and multicultural environment at Swinburne.

Academic Culture

The university was built on the founding principles of:

• equal opportunity,
• a learning environment focused entirely on the students
• a high-degree of industry engagement.

Today, Swinburne leads the way in STEM fields, business, design and innovation. In fact, the School of Design at Swinburne was ranked number 40 in the world according to the QS World Rankings for subjects in the year 2018.

Courses

Courses in the university are designed keeping the needs of the students in mind and are taught in a way that allows for maximum engagement in the classroom. Swinburne also has close ties with course-related industries and as such, all the degrees are highly-relevant and recognized globally. The following are some of the fields available at the university which offer degree programs at all levels of education from undergraduate to doctorate:

• Arts and Humanities
• Aviation
• Design
• Games and Animation
• Engineering
• Law
• Information Technology
• Psychology
• Science

Student Support

Swinburne also has state-of-the-art laboratories and teaching facilities which can be accessed by any student. The university also provides on-campus accommodation for students who wish to reside on campus. Along with an excellent academic structure, the university also provides support for:

• Professional placements,
• Career and employment services
• Internship programs with industrial partners.

Fun Fact

Swinburne operates a national supercomputing facility with a cutting edge hybrid CPU-GPU system which is used to conduct simulations on cosmological events and for other research.

7. Victoria University

QS Global Rank — #601

Student Enrolment

A total of 15,725 students are enrolled in all the degree programs combined, with 4,516 international students being a part of the diverse environment at VU. Over 90 different cultures are represented at the university and 200 different languages form the basis of multiculturalism.

Academic Culture

VU is unique in its approach towards education as it is the first Australian university to adopt a block-model of learning where students are given one unit at a time to maintain focus rather than juggling several at once. This model is designed to make transition to university easier for fresh graduate students and allows for more chances to succeed academically. Another key facet of this model is that it provides a high-degree of career-focused activities and programs which ensure that students are highly-employable after their courses end. In fact, there are so many courses at VU that are now relevant to the workplace, that they have been recognized by the following accrediting organizations:

• Australian Marketing Institute
• Australian Nursing Accreditation Council
• Australian Psychology Accreditation Council
• CPA Australia
• Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia

Courses

The university offers a number of courses from the undergraduate to the postgraduate level. The courses are supported by world-class resources like the sport and science precinct, nursing, media and engineering labs and IT/design facilities. Some of the fields of study at VU are:

• Arts
• Business
• Sports and Exercise
• Health and Biomedicine
• Computers and IT
• Engineering and Science
• Trade school subjects like carpentry, construction etc.

Student Support

VU is also one of only 6 universities in Australia that offer TAFE (Technical and Further Education) and university courses. This means that students have the benefit of being able to move between courses at all levels, progressing from TAFE to undergraduate to postgraduate degrees. Many of the pathways between courses offer students credit for prior learning and work experiences, so you can finish your courses early.

The university also offers flexible hours to students and courses can be completed on a full-time or a part-time basis. You get to decide your own timetable based on when you feel most comfortable attending classes. A large number of courses are also taught online through VU’s own platforms. If you are so inclined, you can also study a semester abroad at one of the 120 exchange partners that the university has in over 30 different countries.

Fun Fact

VU has produced 11 Olympians since 2000 and holds the distinction of having the highest graduate employment outcomes in Australia in the sporting industry.

Study in Melbourne — FAQs

Q. Why should I choose Melbourne as a study abroad destination?

A. Melbourne holds the distinction of being the cultural capital of Australia along with being home to 7 of the best universities in the country. It was also ranked 3rd on the list of most livable cities for students according to the QS Rankings 2019. All these reasons make it one of the top destinations for international students looking to study abroad.

Q. How do I apply to universities in Melbourne?

A. Each university has its own criteria for admission, so it’s best to contact the institute of your choice directly before applying. You could even get in touch with Buddy4Study to book a counselling session free of cost with our expert counsellors who can advise you on available intakes, course and university selection, application submission, and visa procedure.

Q. Is Melbourne an expensive city to live in?

A. In Melbourne, rent for a shared apartment or house can range anywhere from USD 150 to USD 350 per week. This might seem high at first glance, but generally the rent goes higher the closer you move towards the city center. Students can find housing support through the university they apply to in the form of on-campus accommodation or student hostels operated by the institutes. Even then, Melbourne is still cheaper to live in than Sydney where rents are astronomical in comparison.

Originally published at https://admission.buddy4study.com on February 19, 2020.