According to the Australian Government Department of Education’s January 2026 international student data, 551,717 international students studied in Australia, a 9% decrease compared with January 2025. Although monthly figures can fluctuate, Australia remains a major study destination for students from other countries who seek high-quality education.
Australia has a rich culture and history and numerous globally renowned universities with strong Arts and Humanities programs. In addition, its high living standards and varied career opportunities make it an attractive place where Humanities degree holders can build professional paths.
On the other hand, one downside of studying in Australia is the high education cost. Fortunately, the Australian government, education providers, and many public and private organizations offer scholarships, grants, and bursaries for eligible international students to encourage them to pursue higher education in the country. Let’s take a look at the best universities for humanities in Australia!
Top Schools Offering Humanities Programs in Australia
1. University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is among the top higher education institutions and an excellent humanities school in Australia. It opened in 1853 and is one of Australia’s oldest universities. From its humble beginnings, the university has expanded into a world-class institution with more than 58,000 students, 46% of whom are international students, and nearly 10,000 academic and professional staff.
The University of Melbourne ranks first in Australia and 16th globally for Arts and Humanities in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject. Its Bachelor of Arts program lasts three years for full-time students and six years for part-time students. It provides a flexible and interdisciplinary approach in which students can select a Humanities major and explore a wide range of minor and elective courses.
The university also offers advanced facilities that support a strong educational environment for its students. Upon graduation, students will have gained knowledge and skills that prepare them for career opportunities in various fields, such as research, academia, museums, journalism, politics, and social work.
2. University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is another top humanities institution in Australia. Founded in 1850, it is Australia’s oldest university. Throughout its more than 170 years of history, the university has produced many influential national and global leaders. Today, the university enjoys the prestige of being one of the best academic institutions nationally and globally.
The University of Sydney performs strongly across Arts and Humanities fields. In current rankings, it is first in Australia and 42nd in the world for Arts and Humanities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026, and it also ranks highly in fields such as Classics and Ancient History, History of Art, Music, English, History, Linguistics, Philosophy, Sociology, and Theology.
The university’s Bachelor of Arts program allows students to select a major and either a minor or a second major from a wide range of study areas. Students can also take electives, including units from the shared pool, to broaden their knowledge across disciplines. Students interested in further study can choose from a wide range of postgraduate courses offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
3. Monash University
Monash University is a leading university for humanities in Australia that opened in 1958. It is now a large, research-intensive global university with four campuses in Australia and international locations in Malaysia, Indonesia, China, India, and Prato, Italy.
The university’s Bachelor of Arts degree is available at the Caulfield and Clayton campuses on both a full-time and part-time basis. It lasts three years full time or six years part time. The program offers a flexible course structure in which students can explore different areas in their first year and choose a major from more than 30 study areas starting in their second year. Students may also apply for a double degree by combining a Humanities or Social Science major with another field, such as business, education, or technology.
Interested students may also pursue the Master of Arts, a research master’s degree that normally takes two years full time or four years part time. Part-time study is available to domestic students only. The program requires a substantial independent research thesis or approved alternative research outputs and offers supervision across a range of Arts research areas.
4. University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is a recognized humanities school that officially opened in Sydney, Australia, in 1949. The university specializes in research and innovation and has gained global recognition because of it.
UNSW offers a Bachelor of Arts degree program with more than 30 disciplines across the humanities, social sciences, and creative and performing arts. Students can choose one or two study areas relevant to their future career goals or pair the degree with another UNSW degree. Students may also apply for study exchange through UNSW’s network of more than 300 partner universities to expand their international experience.
UNSW has strong employability recognition and has been named the Australian Financial Review’s Most Employable University for seven years in a row, from 2020 to 2026. Meanwhile, those who want to further specialize in their selected field of study may pursue the two-year Master of Arts and Social Sciences (Combined), a 96-unit program delivered at the Kensington campus through face-to-face and blended learning.
5. Australian National University
Plans to establish a national university began in the 1940s, and the Australian National University (ANU) was officially established in 1946. It is one of Australia’s leading research universities and counts six Nobel laureates among its staff and alumni, along with many globally outstanding alumni who have held reputable positions in politics, business, research, and more.
The Bachelor of Arts program at ANU requires students to complete a 144-unit curriculum, normally over three years of full-time study. Students complete one major and may add a second major or a minor, along with electives offered by the university. The study areas range from Ancient History and Philosophy to Linguistics and Digital Humanities, giving students many options to match their interests.
ANU also offers a two-year Master of Philosophy and a four-year Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities and the Arts. These research programs help graduate students develop advanced research skills for careers in academia, government, cultural organizations, and research sectors.
FAQs: Humanities in Australia
What is the Most Employable Humanities Degree?
There is no single humanities degree that is the most employable for every student. Humanities majors can build transferable skills such as critical thinking, communication, research, writing, cultural literacy, and problem-solving. Degrees in English literature, languages, history, philosophy, communication, and cultural studies can lead to careers in education, government, public policy, media, publishing, marketing, research, museums, libraries, community work, and nonprofit organizations. The best choice depends on a student’s career goals, work experience, internships, and how they combine their major with digital, research, language, or professional skills.
Your path to success is within reach. Invest in your future by making the academic decision to study Humanities in Australia. You will acquire the global perspective needed to thrive in a Humanities career as you gain knowledge and skills from the world-class institutions mentioned above.
We hope this article on the Best Humanities Universities in Australia was helpful. If you are interested in learning more, check out the Study in Australia and Available Programs for International Students pages.
