If you're interested in studying in another country, Australia has a plethora of highly regarded universities to pick from. Each year, thousands of foreign students enrol in Australian programs, which adds to the already large international student population that is a part of the nation. We've highlighted five of the top universities in Australia in light of a variety of criteria, like:
- attaining a position on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2020)
- being ranked among the top universities in the world by QS (2019)
While it's not an exhaustive list (there are many other Aussie institutes that are worthy of your consideration), it is a brief overview of the most prestigious universities in Australia, and each should be on your radar.
University of Melbourne
- Times Higher Education rating 32nd
- QS rank 38th
It is the University of Melbourne is consistently the highest-ranked institution in Australia. With a variety of clubs, activities and athletic facilities on campus, Unimelb isn't just a fantastic place to study, but it's also an excellent base to live in when you're studying abroad. More than 65,000 students are enrolled at Unimelb, the University of Melbourne. About 40% are international, which confirms that Unimelb is one of Australia's top institutions for international students.
One of the most impressive advantages is its position. Melbourne has been named the most liveable city in the world numerous times and is considered to be the cultural capital of Australia. There's always something interesting to do and do when you're in need of some time off from your studies.
The Australian National University
- Times Higher Education rankings 50th
- QS rank 29th
In Canberra's tranquil and cosy city, The Australian National University is one of the top research universities. Although it is smaller than half of the other universities on this list (with about 17,000 full-time undergraduate students), ANU is regularly named among Australia's top-ranked institutions. Its smaller size is an excellent factor, as it has an impressively small staff-to-student ratio (17.8 pupils per faculty member). A majority of the student body comprises international students.
University of Sydney
- Times Higher Education ranking: 60th
- QS rank 42nd
The University of Sydney provides the most diverse range of programs in Australia for the 70,000 students who attend, with 39 per cent of them being international. This university is also home to over 200 clubs and societies, ensuring that you will always have something to do and a place to be a part of the community in between classes. Being a student in Sydney will also mean you'll be surrounded by some of the nation's most iconic landmarks and sites within your reach.
University of Queensland
- Times Higher Education rating at 64th
- QS rank 47th
More than 52,000 students are enrolled at the UQ's three diverse and inclusive campuses. Over 15,000 of those students are from countries other than Australia. UQ is frequently named in the top ten of most prestigious universities, making it one of Australia's top universities. Their alum network of more than 250,000 graduates spans more than 170 countries. UQ has also been awarded many Australian Awards for Teaching Excellence among Australian universities.
University of New South Wales
- Times Higher Education rankings at 71st
- QS rank 43rd
Being one of the world's top research and teaching universities, the University of New South Wales is the home of cutting-edge researchers in areas like quantum computing, HIV treatment and solar power. UNSW is proud of the quality of its graduates; it's ranked 22nd worldwide for the reputation of its employers. Like its sister university, the University of Sydney, UNSW gives students easy access to the beauty and attractions of the capital city of Australia, which makes it one of the top schools in Australia for students who are international and would like to do some exploring around the city.
As previously mentioned, the list above isn't complete. Other Australian institutions that rank high both on The Times Higher Education and QS lists include Monash University, University of Adelaide, University of Western Australia and many more.
If you've had your sights set on pursuing a degree in Australia or perhaps completing a postgraduate course in the future, you truly have a lot of options.