Study in Australia - Student cities

Sydney 

The name of Australia’s biggest city tends to evoke images of beaches, surfing and drinking, all in the shadow of the nation’s most recognizable landmark, the Sydney Opera House. And, sure, it is famed for its party lifestyle. But, like many larger cities famous for their nightlife, it is also bohemian, creative, and intellectual.

If this sounds like your kind of environment, then universities in Sydney provide plenty of choice. Two of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight – the University of Sydney (ranked 45th in the world) and the University of New South Wales (ranked joint 46th with a fellow Aussie university, the University of Queensland) – are based in the city, as well as a number of other institutions, including the country’s top-ranked non-Go8 university, Macquarie University (joint 229th), the University of Technology, Sydney (218th) and the University of Western Sydney (651-700). 

Read a student's guide to Sydney >

Melbourne 

Considered to be the cultural and multicultural capital of Australia, Melbourne is a good alternative for those who perhaps find Sydney a bit too brash – think of it as a sort of San Francisco to Sydney’s Los Angeles. However, it’s not a pretentious intellectual bubble either – Melbourne’s locals are known for their love of sport, and you won’t be left wanting in terms of nightlife. It is also notable for being one of Australia’s best-preserved cities architecturally. 

Universities in Melbourne again include two Go8 institutions, the University of Melbourne (ranked 42ndin the world) and Monash University (67th), as well as the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (joint 273rd), Deakin University (joint 324th), La Trobe University (joint 394th), and Swinburne University of Technology (501-550). 

Brisbane 

Australia’s third-largest city Brisbane is known for the friendliness of its locals – often considered to be a major factor in the city’s growth. Of course, friendliness alone isn’t enough to make a city, and it also has a thriving live music scene, a plethora of world-class cultural institutions and – of course – access to plenty of beautiful beaches.

Among universities in Brisbane, the most prominent is the University of Queensland (Brisbane is the capital of the state of Queensland), which ranks at joint 46th in the QS World University Rankings 2015/16. The other ranked institutions in the city are the Queensland University of Technology (263rd), and Griffith University (joint 329th). 

Perth 

If it’s the quiet life you’re after, then maybe Perth should be quite high up your shortlist. The city lies in splendid isolation on Australia’s west coast, and boasts a high volume of relatively unspoiled and quiet beaches. The city itself is uncrowded and peaceful. If you’re more into cafés, parks and peaceful beaches than all-night partying, then you and Perth might be a match made in heaven.

Universities in Perth include the University of Western Australia (98th), Curtin University (joint 284th) and Murdoch University (551-600), and Perth is also the main location for one of Australia’s two private universities, Notre Dame University. 

Adelaide 

Located in the midst of Australia’s chief wine-growing region, Adelaide is the capital of the region of South Australia. Like all of the cities listed here, Adelaide is a coastal city, so can offer the gold and blue shades which characterize Australia’s beaches, as well as the lush greenery which provides the setting for the region’s vineyards.

Unsurprisingly, given its location, Adelaide is noted for being a good city for lovers of food and drink. It is also, as a result of the many nature preserves and conservation areas which lie within spitting distance of the city, a good choice for lovers of nature and wildlife. Among universities in Adelaide, the highest ranked is the University of Adelaide at joint 113th in our world rankings, followed by the University of South Australia (288th) and Flinders University (501-550)..

Resource: www.topuniversities.com