Amongst the top 5 study abroad destinations, Australia is recognized for its leading universities, excellent qualifications, wide range of programs, high standard of living, and vibrant student life. Many international students choose to study in Australia as the country offers an extremely welcoming and safe environment. With some of the top student cities located in ‘Lands Down Under’, the country has a lot of offer. In this blog, we will discuss about the Australian student cities that are consistently ranked in the top student cities in the world.
Best Student Cities to study in Australia
With eight states and territories, the country is known for offering an incredibly diverse range of experiences. Thus, it remains as one of the favourite study-abroad destinations for international students worldwide. Let us explore the various student cities in Australia:
1. Sydney
The capital city of New South Wales, Sydney, is recognized as one of the best cities in the world to live in. Around 50,000 international students migrate to Sydney annually to study in Australia’s leading Universities located here. The city is also the financial center of Australia, and naturally, it is home to several multinational corporations. However, the cost of living in Sydney can be high, with students typically needing around AUD 1,700 to AUD 2,500 per month to cover expenses like accommodation, food, and transportation. Mentioned below are some of the leading Australian Universities located in Sydney:
- Australian Catholic University
- Macquarie University
- University of Technology Sydney
- Western Sydney University
- University of Sydney
Moving on, we will talk about Melbourne, a vibrant and dynamic Australian city.
2. Melbourne
Popularly known as Australia’s Education State and Sports Capital, Melbourne has consistently ranked as the most liveable city in the World. Home to some of Australia’s prestigious universities, over 200,000 international students from nearly 170 countries choose to migrate to Melbourne each year. It is also ranked as the 5th Best Student City in the world per the QS World Rankings 2025. Here is the list of universities in Australia that are in Melbourne:
- Monash University
- RMIT University
- Swinburne University of Technology
- Melbourne Business School
- University of Melbourne
- La Trobe University
- Victoria University
In the next section, let us discuss about Brisbane, a famous student city in the World.
3. Brisbane
Brisbane is Australia’s third most populous city and is home to many high ranked universities. As the country’s third-largest city, Brisbane is one of Australia’s most distinctive capital cities, renowned for its vibrant energy, pleasant atmosphere, and metropolitan hustle. The vibrant capital of Queensland offers a relaxed charm and a touch of adventure. The city of Brisbane houses several top-ranked universities & renowned colleges whose high-quality education attracts international students. Listed below are some of the leading universities in Brisbane:
- The University of Queensland
- Queensland University of Technology
- Federation University Australia – Brisbane Campus
- Holmes Institute
- James Cook University
4. Canberra
‘Cranberry’ means a meeting place; the city is not so huge but big enough to offer ample attractions like a man-made lake, nature reserves, Captain James, Cook Memorial, the Black Mountain Tower, etc. Nearly 40,000 students enroll yearly to study in the universities in Canberra. One of the top 50 student cities in the World, Canberra also offers diverse work opportunities in sectors like healthcare, education and training, professional services, retail, construction, and more. The leading universities where students can apply in Canberra are:
- University of Canberra
- Australian National University
- Australian Catholic University
- Canberra Institute of Technology
- University of Canberra
5. Adelaide
Regarded as the World’s third most liveable city, Adelaide is home to three state universities, all ranked in the top 2% worldwide. The city covers a maximum student population and is considered one of the best places to study in Australia. Additionally, the city’s low cost of education is another factor that makes it the right choice for students to pursue higher studies here. Some of the leading Australian universities located in Adelaide include:
- University of Adelaide
- Torrens University Australia
- University of South Australia
- Flinders University
6. Gold Coast
As the name suggests, the Gold Coast is the best adventure sports destination for students to explore. The city is a beach metropolis housing nearly 30,000 university students. Apart from all of this, the city is also known for its thriving nightlife. Mentioned below are the popular universities located here:
- Griffith University
- TAFE Queensland East Coast
Now that you know that Australia has some of the best student cities, plan your overseas education accordingly and contact any of your nearest and the best study abroad consultants. They will assist you in the entire process, from shortlisting the Australian University and application process to the visa stage. So, book a free consultation today and take the first step