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It is no secret that Australia is one of the top destinations chosen for higher education and living. There is a wide range of educational options for international students – hosting over 1,100 institutions and over 22,000 courses for students to choose from. People can choose any level of education depending on their preference, from primary and secondary school to higher education and English language courses to vocational training. The laws in Australia make it so a good education is provided with protection for international students from all over the world and also a pathway from student visa to permanent residency. Studying away from home is never easy, and it can be a journey.
But, both the towns and cities of Australia make for some of the best places to study and live in – attracting over 300,000 international students per year! The top cities for international students in Australia are Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, and Perth amongst several others. The choice is really yours, depending on what your lifestyle is like. In this article, we (Australian Visa Lawyer) offered some info relating to the best cities for international students to live and study in Australia.
International student and University rankings in Australia
As mentioned before, Australia is home to some of the top universities in the world. When you are selecting your university, as an international student – you must take into consideration several factors. From livability, to cost, to lifestyle, to healthcare and so on. You will face a tough choice trying to pick one but, on the bright side – you can always visit whichever cities you do not choose. Melbourne is actually ranked number 3 on the QS Top Universities list for Best Student Cities and is home to the infamous University of Melbourne and Monash University. Coming in a close number 9 is Sydney – home to the University of Sydney and Macquarie University. Followed by numbers 22 and 23; Brisbane, hosting The University of Queensland, and Canberra which hosts the Australian National University and the University of Canberra. It is important to note that there are several student cities all over the world but Australia beats out the United States, Germany, Canada, France, and so on.
Most popular cities in Australia among international students
Melbourne is one of the best Australian cities for international students
The capital of Victoria, that is also considered to be the biggest student city in Australia. It can be argued that Melbourne is the best city for international students in Australia due to the fact that is the cultural center. Melbourne is known for its strong student community and also amazing diversity. It is home to over 270,000 students, so you know there must be a reason why they are all there. There is somewhere to go and to be every day and every week. From watching live music, to visiting museums or maybe even enjoying a cultural festival. If you are more into the nightlife, the variety of clubs and bars will leave you busy for years! You could never get bored. As said before, it is home to high ranking universities such as the University of Melbourne and Monash University along with six other wonderful institutes.
Sydney
This city is iconic for students and tourists alike, surrounded by several bodies of water and providing the perfect climate. The array of beaches, parks, and scenery has never failed to amaze people and is an international wonder. Sydney is Australia’s largest city and prides itself on the vivacious culture, considering it is home to the famous Sydney Opera House and Museum of Contemporary Art. With that being said, Sydney is arguably one of Australia’s most expensive cities due to the cost of accommodation. However, it is known for its extremely employable graduates! It is actually one of the most livable cities too, despite the cost!
Brisbane
Another extremely popular city for international students hosting over 100,000 students of which 22% are international! The three major universities that lay in Brisbane are led by the University of Queensland which is a research-focused establishment. There are several others such as Griffith University, James Cook University, and Southern Queensland University. A major reason to love Brisbane is due to the sun! Even during winter, students are easily able to explore the brilliant transport system and biking paths. This city is growing fast with lifestyle and opportunities for students! Brisbane has a thriving night scene and has a laid-back, yet city culture to it.
Canberra
To many people’s surprise, Canberra is actually the capital of Australia. It is also much smaller than most cities with a population of only 400,000 people. However, it inhabits the Australian National University which is the second top-ranking university in the country. Canberra offers a wonderful lifestyle for university students but is not the most popular location for them. It provides a super urban lifestyle that most international students do not lean towards. But that does not exclude any entertainment of sorts. Canberra has a plethora of restaurants, parks, and several educational venues for a holistic experience! It can often be described as a master-planned city, with its popular manmade lake at the center of several buildings.
Adelaide is also one of the best Australian cities for international students
The fifth-largest city in Australia and the one you should choose if you are looking for a full and diverse environment. Adelaide boasts beaches, parklands, and more – a super and full green city if you will. Whilst also being a great location to study in – as it is home to four wonderful and well-known educational institutes, it is also a great weekend getaway! It is sometimes referred to as the city of churches or the garden city, as it was founded on religious tolerance. Back in the day, you could have walked everywhere but there is efficient public transport all over the city! The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia actually both rank in the top 2% of universities in the world!
Perth
Located on the west coast, and the most ideal location if you have an active lifestyle! Hosting over 35,000 international students – Perth is one of the best places to be despite its isolated locale. However, coming in second to Sydney – Perth has the second-highest cost of living in Australia. But it does provide you with the best balance of work-life that you can find with competitive employment options! Along with this, Perth does offer sunny weather and you can enjoy the beaches and the parks as well if you ever need a break from all that studying. There are so many options for entertainment in Perth as well, so you do not have to worry about being bored! It is the perfect blend of metropolis and nature.
International student cost of living in Australia
This is one of the most important factors for international students to consider, especially if you are intending to live in Australia after pursuing higher education. The cost of living can vary across different cities, and generally can influence the quality of living. The costs of services and other goods are generally the same however, housing prices can vary depending on what you are looking for as well.
In regards to students – in general, you would have a tight budget and sometimes expenses can reduce in sectors of food and electricity. But increase for social activities like going out to a bar or going for dinner with friends. An ideal budget for a student can go to about $600 a week but students can live on less. This would cover rent, food, transport, spending money, phone, internet and more. Accommodation and housing costs are where the main differences are form city to city.
