The coastal city of Melbourne is the capital city of the state of Victoria in Australia. Greater Melbourne had an estimated resident population of 5,435,590 at June 30, 2025, making it Victoria’s most populous city and Australia’s second-largest capital city after Sydney. Melbourne is home to a diverse population and has a vibrant culture that celebrates art, music, film, and fashion.
As one of Australia’s largest cities, Melbourne offers many highly ranked universities, and students come from all over the world to study there. In this article, we will be looking at the best universities in Melbourne for international students.
Top Universities in Melbourne for International Students
| INSTITUTION NAME | NOTABLE SUBJECT STRENGTHS |
|---|
| University of Melbourne | Life Sciences & Medicine, Social Sciences & Management, Arts & Humanities |
| Monash University | Education, Engineering, Computer Science |
| Deakin University | Sport Science, Education, Computer Science |
| Victoria University | Sport Science, Psychology, Education |
| La Trobe University | Archaeology, Sport, Nursing |
1. University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne was founded in 1853 and is the second-oldest university in Australia. The University of Melbourne is Australia’s top-ranked university in major global rankings, placing 19th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, 37th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, and 38th in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2025. It is also recognized for its extensive research, with more than 70 research centers and institutes across nine faculties.
Aside from its main Parkville campus, the University of Melbourne has six specialist campuses across Greater Melbourne and regional Victoria, as well as three innovation precincts in Melbourne’s central business district. The university has nine faculties and offers undergraduate bachelor’s degrees across nine key disciplines.
2. Monash University
Monash University is a public university founded in 1958. It is the second-oldest university in the state of Victoria after the University of Melbourne and is Australia’s largest university. Monash has four Victorian campuses, international campuses in Malaysia and Indonesia, and additional international locations and partnerships in Italy, India, and China.
Monash University offers a broad selection of courses across 10 faculties and has a large international community, with students and alumni from more than 170 countries. The university is ranked 36th in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and 58th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. It has notable strengths in education, engineering, computer science, and health-related fields.
3. Deakin University
Deakin University was established in 1974 and has grown into one of Australia’s leading modern universities. The university was named after Australia’s second Prime Minister, Alfred Deakin.
The main Melbourne campus of Deakin University is located in the Burwood suburb of Melbourne, and the university also has campuses in Geelong and Warrnambool, as well as international campuses in Indonesia and India. Deakin has more than 50 years of experience in distance education and now offers online study through the CloudDeakin learning environment. It is ranked 207th in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and 201–250 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. Deakin’s School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences and Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition ranked first in the 2025 ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments.
4. Victoria University
Victoria University is a public university in Melbourne that offers higher education and Technical and Further Education courses. It has campuses across Melbourne, as well as in Sydney and Brisbane, and offers TAFE pathways through VU Polytechnic.
Under Victoria’s Free TAFE initiative, eligible students can study selected priority courses without paying tuition fees, although other costs such as materials or student services fees may still apply. Victoria University had 49,106 total student enrollments in 2024. It is ranked in the 501–600 range in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 and in the top 3% of universities worldwide according to Victoria University’s ranking summary. The university is also ranked sixth globally for sport science in ShanghaiRanking’s 2025 Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments and reports more than 4,000 industry connections.
5. La Trobe University
La Trobe University opened in 1967 as the third university in the state of Victoria. Its Melbourne Campus is located in the northeastern suburb of Bundoora, about 14 km from Melbourne’s city center.
La Trobe University is ranked 233rd in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and 251–300 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, La Trobe ranked in the world’s top 50 for archaeology, sport, and nursing, and in the world’s top 200 for linguistics. La Trobe also offers opportunities for students to study abroad through a network of exchange and overseas study options.
If you’re looking for academic excellence, cultural vibrancy, and a welcoming community, Melbourne’s universities provide this enriching environment. Studying in Melbourne is a chance to start your journey toward a world of possibilities.
We hope that this article on the best universities in Melbourne was helpful. To find out more information on studying abroad, check out our comprehensive Study in Australia Guide and Available Programs for International Students.
