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Updated On 7th Aug 2025

Top 15 Melbourne Universities In 2025: Admission Tips & Guide

Q: What English scores are required?

IELTS 6.5 (no band <6), TOEFL iBT 79+, PTE 58+; higher for selective programs.

Q: How much does it cost to study & live in Melbourne?

International tuition: AUD 30k–50k; living: AUD 18k–30k annually, depending on your lifestyle.

Being the cultural and intellectual heart of Australia, Melbourne is regularly ranked as one of the most comfortable and student-friendly cities to live in. It is a cauldron of different ideas, innovativeness, and inventiveness. This blog covers -

Top 15 Melbourne universities
Precise admission requirements for international students
Tuition fees and living costs, detailed breakdown
Student visa cost & part-time work rules
Job prospects & post-study opportunities
Scholarships & FAQs

Top 15 Universities in Melbourne

Here's a comprehensive overview of Melbourne's top 15 universities, their global rankings, and standout features -

University	QS World Rank ‘25	Highlights
University of Melbourne	19	The oldest and the highest-ranked of Australia. Medical, engineering, arts, and social science strengths. It is one of more than 100 research centers.
Monash University	36	Reputable at the international level in the fields of pharmacy, engineering, business, and IT. More than 40% foreign intake.
RMIT University	77	Industry initiatives in design, media, IT, engineering, inner-city campuses, and good employability.
La Trobe University	193	Top biosciences, teaching, and public health; a contemporary campus that provides excellent global services.
Deakin University	214	Known for Engineering, occupational therapy, environmental science, and a hybrid campus.
Swinburne University	321	Specialising in tech, design, robotics, aerospace, real-life learning, and vocational studies.
Victoria University	501–550	Business, sport, Engineering subjects: mix of vocational and higher education; close TAFE tie.
Australian Catholic University (Melbourne campus)	701–750	Educator, nursing, social work, and humanities, well-oriented towards the community.
Federation University (Melbourne campus)	701–750	Local emphasis and good programs are available in education, health, and engineering.
Holmesglen Institute	Not ranked	Redesigned vocational higher diplomas in construction, business, and IT.
Australian National University (Melbourne branch)	30	Though its principal campus is in Canberra, Melbourne has a heavy presence in policy and the affairs of the general populace.
Box Hill Institute	Not ranked	Melbourne accredited vocational diploma in hospitality, design, nursing, and business.
Burwood Institute (Deakin Alliance)	Not ranked	Deakin degrees are topped up by vocational engineering and IT diplomas.
Melbourne Polytechnic	Not ranked	The leading universities offer trade, hospitality, information technology, and arts vocational programs.
William Angliss Institute	Not ranked	Expertise in culinary arts, tourism, hospitality, events, and vocational excellence.

These institutions represent a broad ecosystem, world-class research, professional training, and community-driven education.

Admission & Eligibility Requirements

Minimum Academic Requirements -

Undergraduate (International Year 12 or Equivalent) -

Minimum GPA of ~85% on Year 12 (Australian ATAR ~75–85+).
Specific UAC subject prerequisites (e.g., Calculus for Engineering).

Master’s/Coursework & Research Degrees:

Recognized bachelor's degree with GPA 2.7–3.3/4.0 (~60–75%).
Some technical or research programs require honours or a GPA of 3.0+.

English Language Proficiency -

IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall, no sub-score below 6.0
TOEFL iBT: 79–90 total, no sub-score below 17–20
PTE Academic: 58+ (50+ each section)
Some programs require a 7.0 IELTS or equivalent.

Standardized Tests (if required) -

GMAT: Typically for MBA programs (600+)
GRE: For research-intensive programs (315+ combined score)

Supplemental Documents -

Statement of Purpose outlining academic and career goals
Letter of Recommendations
Portfolios: Design, architecture, and digital media programs require them to apply
CV: For a postgraduate course and research
Research proposal: PhD and research Master's courses

Specific Requirements by Discipline -

Engineering: Maths and Physics prerequisites; sometimes an interview or Portfolio via VTAC or University Portal
Creative Arts/Design: Portfolio review + interview

Tuition Fees & Living Costs

Academic Fees

Education Level	Institution Type	International Fees (AUD/year)
Undergraduate	Group 1 (Melbourne/Monash)	$35,000–45,000
	Group 2 (RMIT/Swinburne)	$30,000–40,000
Postgraduate Coursework	Group 1	$40,000–50,000
	Group 2	$28,000–40,000
Master's by Research	All	$28,000–38,000
Ph.D.	All (domestic tuition-free with stipend)	~$30,000–38,000 living stipend

Group 1 = Research‑intensive universities; Group 2 = Vocational/tech-focused universities

Non‑Academic & Living Expenses

Cost Category	Estimated Annual Expense (AUD)	Notes
Tuition	$30,000–50,000	Varies by discipline and program
Shared/ On‑campus rent	$7,200–12,000	$600–1,000/month
Food & groceries	$4,800–7,200	$400–600/month
Utilities & Internet	$1,200–2,400	$100–200/month
Transport (Myki)	$1,800–2,400	$150–200/month
Health Insurance (OSHC)	$480–720	$40–60/month
Study Materials	$600–1,200	Includes books/software
Miscellaneous	$2,400–3,600	Entertainment, clothing, sports
TOTAL	$18,480–29,520	Per annum for living expenses

Financial Tips -

Shared housing significantly reduces rent
OSHC is mandatory for student visa holders
Transport concessions may apply to full-time students

Student Visa & Part‑Time Work

Cost for Student Visa (subclass 500)

Application Fee - AUD 650 (~₹40,000)
OSHC - AUD 480–720
Biometrics (if required) - AUD 80–100

Work Conditions -

No more than 48 hours per fortnight during the semester
No time restrictions during university holidays
Permanent residency or a graduation visa could then be optional upon graduation.

Job Prospects & Post‑Study Pathways

Melbourne boasts a diversified job market, with high-tech, engineering, healthcare, and finance sectors. This is how it looks:

Key Roles for CS & IT Graduates (Entry to Senior) -

Software Engineer
Data Analyst / Scientist
Systems Architect
Cybersecurity Specialist
Product Manager
IT Consultant
AI/ML Engineer
UX/UI Designer

Average Salaries (AUD/year) -

Entry-level - $65,000–90,000
Mid-career (3–5 years) - $90,000–130,000
Senior/Lead roles - $130,000–180,000+

Post‑study work visa (#485) -

Stay duration: 2–4 years, depending on the program and qualifications
Full-time work is permitted during this period
Encourages a pathway to permanent residency via skilled migration, especially in STEM fields

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Scholarship	Coverage	Eligibility
Australia Awards	Tuition, stipend, travel, OSHC	Indian & other developing countries
Destination Australia	$15,000/year	Study in regional universities (Deakin, FedUni)
RTP Scholarship	Tuition + stipend (AUD 28k+)	Research Master's & Ph.D.
University Merit Scholarships	25–100% tuition	Based on academic performance
Vice-Chancellor's / Chancellor's Scholarship	Full tuition + living allowance	Top academic achievers
Industry-linked scholarships	Partial funding, internships	Engineering, IT, and healthcare sectors

Conclusion

Melbourne integrates globally highly ranked research-intensive universities and vocational education with a welcoming, multicultural standard. This city continues to be among the best places to study internationally, offering clear pathways, tuition, living, scholarships, work rights, and career options.

FAQs

1. What GPA is needed for top Melbourne universities?

Undergraduate: 85–95% Year 12 or equivalent; Postgraduate: 3.0/4.0 GPA (~B grade).

2. What are Melbourne's top 15 universities (2025)?

University of Melbourne, Monash, RMIT, La Trobe, Deakin, Swinburne, Victoria, ACU-Melb, FedUni-Melb, Holmesglen, ANU branch, Box Hill Institute, Burwood Institute, Melbourne Polytechnic, William Angliss.

3. What English scores are required?

IELTS 6.5 (no band <6), TOEFL iBT 79+, PTE 58+; higher for selective programs.

4. How much does it cost to study & live in Melbourne?

International tuition: AUD 30k–50k; living: AUD 18k–30k annually, depending on your lifestyle.

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