Level 5, 123 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia's best student city

Again and again, Melbourne is named among the world's most liveable cities. The title is awarded to the city with the highest score for stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. When you study in Melbourne, you'll be living in a safe and vibrant city that offers world-class study options, services and the widest range of things to do.

Melbourne has once again been recognised as Australia's best student city and one of the best student cities globally in the QS Best Student Cities Ranking for 2022.

Compiled by global higher education analysts Quacquarelli Symonds, better known as QS, the rankings compared 115 cities across the world on indicators including:

  • Desirability by students
  • Affordability
  • Diversity
  • Safety, and
  • Employment opportunities after graduation.

Home to world-class education and research, Melbourne is a safe and vibrant city that offers a wide range of student support services, as well as things to see and do.

Often called Australia's cultural capital, Melbourne hosts major global drawcards such as the Australian Open tennis championship, Spring Racing Carnival, and world-renowned music, arts and literary festivals.

An international and inclusive society, we look forward to welcoming students back to Melbourne when conditions allow.

About the QS Best Student Cities rankings

To be eligible for the rankings, a city must have a population of at least 250,000 and be the home to at least two universities that rank in the QS World University Rankings. The University of Melbourne (#37) and Monash University (#58) are the two Victorian universities ranked in the Top 100.

The list also compiles data from other independent indexes, including Numbeo, The Economist’s safe cities and Mercer’s cost-of-living rankings.

2021 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)

Did you know Victoria's education institutions rank among the best in the world? According to the 2021 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), 6 of our Victorian Universities are listed in the Top 400 in the world, with The University of Melbourne (#33) and Monash University (#80) also making the cut to the Top 100. If you're looking to study with an institution with global recognition and standing our world class universities have got you covered!

Rural tranquility a country drive away

Have you considered studying beyond Melbourne, in one of our regional centres?

Victoria's diverse landscape includes snow capped mountains, vast seashores, striking desert regions and charming historic towns. Across the state, discover world-class education in the regional centres of Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Gippsland, Mildura, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Warrnambool and Wodonga.

These towns and small cities are contemporary, well serviced and are family and student friendly. They offer a relaxed lifestyle and a world-class education that is recognised by international institutions and employers. Regional centres often have lower housing costs, active community and sporting organisations, easy access to natural attractions and multiple transport options for visits to Melbourne or other parts of Victoria and Australia.