Study in Melbourne 2024: A Guide for International Students

Melbourne is home to some of Australia's best higher educational institutions. Due to its great quality of education, along with other factors like multiculturalism, low crime rates, etc., the city has acquired a top spot on the list of the world's most liveable cities and is a popular choice among study abroad aspirants. 

Let’s explore more about studying in Melbourne.

Overview of Education System in Melbourne

There are three stages in the Australian education system, which are followed in Melbourne too: 

• Kindergarten/Preschool: The preschool is a one/two-year program before primary education begins. Though not compulsory, it’s recommended to help children develop their social, mental, and physical skills. 
• Primary and High School: This is compulsory for children ages 6 and 15. In the last two years, the student must complete a Victorian Certificate of Education to enter a higher education college/university. Some schools also provide alternative programs to it, such as the International Baccalaureate.
• Tertiary Education: The post-secondary system includes ten universities, along with a network of vocational training institutions known as TAFEs, and numerous private colleges.

Why Study in Melbourne

Here are a few reasons you can look forward to studying in Melbourne:

• Melbourne is home to Australia's top university.
• The city is best known for bringing different communities & cultures together. 
• It is ranked as the third most liveable city in the world in 2024.
• Melbourne is considered to be one of the friendliest cities in the world in 2023. 
• Melbourne is famous for its amazing public transport and tram system. 

Best 5 Universities to Study in Melbourne

Melbourne has been named the best student city in Australia, and hence draws students from around the world. There are nine public universities in Melbourne, Victoria. The top universities to study in Melbourne are:

Melbourne Rank	University	World University Rank
1	The University of Melbourne	37
2	Monash University	54
3	Swinburne University of Technology	201-250
4	Deakin University	251-300
4	La Trobe University	251-300

Source: Times Higher Education Rankings, 2024

List of Best Courses to Study in Melbourne

Students can make the most of their studies in Melbourne with the following courses: 

Master of Computer Science

This course gives students high-level knowledge to keep up with the changing technological world. The students can gain specialized skills in programming languages, information systems, spatial information science or linguistics, and mathematics/statistics.

The students must have an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) with a major in Computer Science to pursue this master’s program. The average percentage varies from university to university.

Associate Degree in Engineering

The associate degrees in engineering provide students with the required skills and qualifications for the Bachelor of Engineering (Honors). The program allows the students to pursue a profession as ‘Engineering Officer’ or ‘Associate Engineer’. However, to be eligible for the course, the student must have completed the Australian Year 12 or equivalent.

Bachelor of Cyber Security

The cyber security course allows the students to get the knowledge required to identify, diagnose, analyze, and manage cyber security challenges in the real world. The students, primarily focusing on digital forensics and computer crime, will be prepared for a career in this growing field after graduation. 

Cost of Living in Melbourne 

According to the cost of living index 2024, Melbourne’s cost of living index is 70.2. It demonstrates that Melbourne is much more affordable than other global cities. The breakdown for the cost of living in Melbourne is demonstrated in the table below: 

Parameter	Cost (for a single person)
Rent & Utilities	$1336
Food	$528
Transport	$338
Monthly salary after tax	$3776
Total cost of living total with rent	$2356

Cost of Studying in Melbourne

The cost of studying or tuition fees varies across different programs. Education costs depend primarily on the education provider and the level of study. For example, the tuition fee for the University of Melbourne’s undergraduate programs for the first semester is $15,935, while for the postgraduate programs, the fees range from $17,969 to $25,225. 

Top Scholarships for Students to Study in Melbourne

Some of the top scholarships to help students in their studies are mentioned in the table below: 

Scholarship	Benefits
Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship	This scholarship is awarded to undergraduate international students based on their merit. The students can either get: $10,000 tuition fee in the first year 50 percent fee for an undergraduate degree 100 percent fee
VU International Scholarship	It is awarded to all international students. The students can get up to a 10% tuition fee reduction for the entire course.
Aitchison Scholarship	International students can avail themselves of $6,000 for undergraduate and graduate programs.
Alex Chernov Scholarship	This scholarship is awarded to Indian students for postgraduate programs. The students can get a 100% fee reduction and up to $20,000.
Rao Family Bursary	This scholarship is offered to students in financial need. The preference is given to Indian citizenship.  Students get the benefit of single payment between $1,000 and $3,000

Source: Official university website

Student Life in Melbourne

Till now, it has been established that Melbourne is a top city for international students, offering various high-quality courses. The students enjoy the multicultural and inclusive nature of the city. They can live here without much worry as it is considered to be a safe place. Universities in Melbourne also offer free resources and support for international students. 

Read more : Study in Adelaide

Career Prospects for Students in Melbourne

After you have graduated, you can get several job opportunities in Melbourne, Victoria. You must get a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), a temporary visa that allows international students to take full-time employment after finishing their studies. 

Job Role	Average Annual Salary (in AU$)
Construction manager	$164,410
Civil engineer	$114,729
Early childhood teacher	$79,791
Registered nurse	$77,629
Business and system analyst	$103,484

Source: Indeed, April 2024

Studying in Melbourne offers aspirants the chance to participate in top-notch institutions, take international courses, and have great career growth after college. With its internationally renowned universities, diversified course availability, and scholarship opportunities, Melbourne remains the prime education hub for all students.