For decades, Australia has been a remarkable location for international students pursuing higher education for many reasons. Firstly, almost half of the Australian population consists of citizens with different ethnic backgrounds, creating a multinational environment where international students can feel comfortable during their stay. Secondly, the Australian government encourages thousands of successful overseas learners each year with unique and the best scholarship opportunities.
Lastly, many institutions offer quality education to international students and assist them in shaping their future during and after graduation. This article will introduce you to the top public universities in Australia which provide world-class academic opportunities to students worldwide.
Top Public Universities in Australia
Most of the public universities in Australia are traditional and well-respected, making them unique in academics, history, and culture. Below is a list of the top-ranked public schools in the country, welcoming students worldwide.
| INSTITUTION NAME |
TOP-RATED PROGRAMS |
| University of Melbourne |
Law, Education, Accounting, and Finance |
| University of Queensland |
Engineering and Biodiversity Conservation |
| Monash University |
Education, Pharmacy, and Nursing |
| University of Sydney |
Humanities, Life Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering |
| Murdoch University |
Veterinary Science and Health Science |
| Australian National University |
Geology, Philosophy, Politics |
| University of South Australia |
Nursing, Computer Science, and Business |
1. University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is the second oldest institute in Australia, with more than 55,000 students and 9,000 faculty staff. It has been a top public research university providing innovation, advanced technology, and many outstanding facilities since its establishment in 1853. It’s a prestigious university housing over 53,000 students, 45% of whom are international learners in 10 faculties and its graduate schools. It is also reported to have the most prominent international student profile among other public higher institutions in Australia.
2. University of Queensland
The University of Queensland is highly ranked in Australia and globally. Because of these achievements, this school is among the best Australian public universities. Its decades-long and strong commitment to education and research has stood out, as stated in its motto, “through knowledge and hard work.”
Furthermore, the University of Queensland encourages international student enrollment by promising a diverse campus atmosphere, easy access to various sources, and, most importantly, top-quality education from the most experienced teaching staff.
3. Monash University
Monash University is another prestigious public research university located in Melbourne, Victoria. The school ranked first in Australia and second worldwide in the pharmacy and pharmacology field.
With its international profile, the university envisions excellence in academics, research, collaboration, and innovation by gathering the most unique and talented students from different parts of the world. The 2020 statistics show that 29,912 international student population were enrolled in the institutions, clearly showing how diverse the community is.
4. University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is the oldest in Australia and has been operating since 1850. Ranked as the country’s third and one of the top 20 in the world, the school offers more than 100 programs in different study degrees. Its largest campus in Camperdown/Darlington has state-of-the-art facilities, such as galleries, libraries, museums, and departments and schools dedicated to architecture, design and planning, medicine and health, business, science, engineering, law, and other fields of study.
This Australian institution also offers prominent degree programs with original curriculums designed by experts and scholars worldwide. Likewise, almost half of the students are non-residents, making the campus an outstanding environment for international students.
5. Murdoch University
Located in Western Australia, Murdoch University has operated as a public university since 1973. In addition to the main campus in Australia, Murdoch has other campuses abroad: Singapore, Malaysia, and Dubai. This Australian institution stands out by having a high range of graduate employability and is recognized as one of the most reputable public universities in the country. It is ranked third in terms of student satisfaction.
With a vision of building a brighter together, Murdoch assists international students in pursuing their academics with authentic facilities and brilliant faculty members. Over 25,000 students across 90 nations are enrolled in this university, which mirrors its inclusive learning environment.
6. Australian National University
Located in the capital of Australia, Australian National University is a world-class institution with numerous top rankings and awards. The university is known for its alumni, including six Nobel laureates, two prime ministers, and countless politicians. Since its foundation in 1946, ANU has educated thousands of students worldwide.
As one of the country’s top public universities, ANU has a rich program catalog of various degrees for international students. The main fields include business, health, law, science, art, and culture. Its international student population is reported to be almost half of the overall student population.
7. University of South Australia
The University of South Australia is a respected public university in South Australia and is currently the largest university in the region, with more than 36,000 students and 2,800+ academic staff. UNISA is mainly known for its world-class research facilities in medicine and health sciences.
Every year, it offers plenty of scholarship opportunities for successful international students, who comprise over 5,800 learners in its six campuses.
FAQs: Studying in Australia’s Public Universities
Can International Students Enroll in Public Universities in Australia?
Yes. International students always have a high chance of enrolling at Australian public universities since most schools encourage foreign learners to enroll in various study degrees. The country has excellent public institutions that can compete with the best schools in the USA or UK. Some of these include the University of Melbourne, the University of Queensland, Monash University, and the University of Sydney.
Studying in Australia has many merits for international students since they are given unique opportunities to pursue their academic interests by not only the top-ranked public universities but also the Australian government. However, the students must demonstrate passion and interest in the desired field of study when applying. Once enrolled, international students are surrounded by unique facilities and endless institutional support.
Hopefully, this article on the best public universities in Australia for international students was informative and helpful. Don’t miss out on the countless program opportunities currently available for you by checking out the Open Courses and exploring our Study in Australia sections!
