Perth is the capital of Western Australia and Australia’s fourth-most-populous capital city. Greater Perth had an estimated resident population of 2,452,765. Perth is more geographically isolated than other cities in Australia, but it offers a Mediterranean climate, beaches, parks, and a year-round outdoor lifestyle.
In addition to its universities, international students may be drawn to Perth for its natural beauty and blend of urban and outdoor lifestyles. Whether you are considering undergraduate or postgraduate studies, Perth offers a range of options. Below are five universities with campuses in or near the Perth metropolitan area. The numbering follows the article’s editorial order and is not a ranking.
Top Universities in Perth, Australia for International Students
1. University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia (UWA) has its main campus in Perth and an Albany campus in Western Australia’s South West. The University of Western Australia Act 1911 was passed by the Western Australian Parliament, and teaching began in 1913. Students can choose from five residential colleges on College Row, as well as other accommodation options.
UWA offers courses across areas including engineering, law, health and biomedical sciences, business and commerce, and the humanities. Its Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) is a research-oriented four-year degree for high-achieving students. Its Assured Pathways can provide a guaranteed place in a professional postgraduate degree based on high school performance or an equivalent qualification, subject to satisfactory performance in the bachelor’s degree. UWA describes itself as a world top 100 university in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
2. Curtin University
Curtin University has its largest campus in Bentley, about six kilometers southeast of central Perth. In 1986, legislation enabled the Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT) to become a university, and WAIT began operating as Curtin University of Technology in 1987. The Curtin name was taken from former Australian Prime Minister John Curtin. Curtin also has international campuses or locations in Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, Mauritius, and Colombo.
Curtin offers study areas including engineering, mining and surveying; business, innovation, management and law; health; and information technology. Its international-student page states that Curtin is ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2025. Entry requirements vary by course and pathway, so applicants should review the requirements for their chosen course.
3. Murdoch University
Murdoch University was established as Western Australia’s second university. It was named in honor of author, philosopher, and academic Sir Walter Murdoch, officially opened in 1974, and began teaching its first students in 1975. Its locations include Perth, Mandurah, Rockingham, Singapore, Dubai, and Malaysia.
Students can join clubs and societies, volunteer, and attend events. Murdoch’s Rockingham campus currently hosts an enabling pathway program, while its Mandurah campus offers health courses. For high school leavers using the Selection Rank pathway, Murdoch states that a Selection Rank of 70 or higher is required, depending on the course, along with English-language competency requirements. Murdoch states that it is ranked #1 in Western Australia for social equity and has a five-star rating for student support in the Good Universities Guide 2026.
4. University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame Australia is a Catholic university with campuses in Fremantle and Broome in Western Australia and Sydney in New South Wales. Its Fremantle Campus is south of Perth. The university states that it welcomes students of all faiths and beliefs from around the world.
At the Fremantle Campus, Notre Dame offers undergraduate, postgraduate, research, and double degrees in areas including arts and sciences, business, education, health sciences, law, medicine, nursing and midwifery, philosophy and theology, and physiotherapy. Prospective students should review the entry requirements for their chosen program before applying.
5. Edith Cowan University
Edith Cowan University (ECU) is named in honor of Edith Cowan, the first woman elected to an Australian parliament. ECU has operated as a university since 1991. It currently has three campuses in Western Australia: ECU City and Joondalup in the Perth metropolitan area, and ECU South West in Bunbury. ECU also has a campus in Sri Lanka. Joondalup is the university’s headquarters and includes a Health and Wellness Building, a multimillion-dollar sport and fitness center, an award-winning library and student hub, an outdoor cinema, and on-campus accommodation.
ECU South West is about a two-hour drive south of Perth and is Western Australia’s largest university campus outside the Perth metropolitan area. Students can access the Student Guild, clubs, associations, and sports facilities. ECU states that it has received 19 straight years of five-star ratings for teaching quality in the Good Universities Guide. For school leavers applying with an ATAR, the requirements are indicative and vary by course; some courses may require a higher minimum ATAR due to demand.
Perth is known as the world’s most isolated capital city. Students should compare living costs carefully because accommodation prices vary by location, availability, and type. Perth has an expansive public transportation network, and international students can access a Tertiary SmartRider concession fare through their institution.
We hope that this article on universities in Perth, Australia, was helpful. To find out more information about studying abroad, check out the Study in Australia Guide and more Available Programs for International Students.
