About Victoria
Victoria’s diverse and inclusive society, high quality of living and vibrant cultural calendar of events attracts around 200,000 international students each year.
A snapshot of Victoria
Arts and culture hub
Melbourne is a culturally diverse creative hub for the arts, music and fashion.
#4 best student city globally
Melbourne is ranked fourth best student city in the world in the QS best student city rankings 2024.
Research and innovation
Victoria offers world-class research facilities, an innovative technology ecosystem and strong business opportunities.
Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC. Image courtesy of Tourism Australia.
Diverse study options
Melbourne is home to 182,000 international students from over 120 countries who make up one third of its student population. International students in Melbourne enjoy a vibrant inner-city lifestyle with world-class study options.
Melbourne's universities offer world-class curricula and facilities, and have produced some of Australia’s most outstanding alumni, with graduates who are now leaders in:
- science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields
- arts and humanities
- architecture and design
- fine art and fashion
- music and film.
Across Victoria, you can access a world-class education in regional centres such as Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Gippsland, Mildura, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Warnambool and Wodonga.
Studying in one of Victoria’s smaller cities or regional centres offers the opportunity for deeper connections with the local education, business and social community.
Key industries
Victoria is a key contributor to Australia's status as the 13th largest economy in the world.
Melbourne has one of the largest ICT Research and Development clusters in the Southern Hemisphere, producing world-leading, commercially focused research. It is also home to some of Australia's best and most innovative research facilities such as Synchrotron and CSIRO.
When it comes to biomedical research, Melbourne compares only to Boston and London. It is one of only three cities in the world with two or more universities in the global top 30 biomedicine rankings.
Other strong industries include:
- medical technologies
- biotechnology and pharmaceuticals
- health and aged care
- agriculture and food processing
- clean technology
- professional and financial services
- transport and
- construction technology.
Stunning landscapes
Victoria features an enticing array of regions, attractions and study options. Discover the diversity and beauty of regional Victoria, from world-class wineries to natural springs, famous surf beaches like Bells Beach and mountains where you can ski in winter.
You can drive one of the many scenic routes to see sites such as the 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road (pictured below). Pull on your walking boots and follow the tracks and trails or wander shops and produce markets.
Great Ocean Road, Victoria.
About Melbourne
Melbourne is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most livable cities by EIU and it’s easy to see why. The city offers world-leading stability, healthcare, culture, environment, education and infrastructure.
A snapshot of Melbourne
Education providers
Melbourne is home to 10 universities, 12 TAFEs, 1,100+ private providers.
Population
Over 4.9 million
Leading Australia
Melbourne is the only Australian city with universities ranked in the world’s top 50 by Times Higher Education.
“The cultural diversity, inclusion of LGBTQIA+ community, education opportunities, art and culture are what make Melbourne a unique city."
Divyangana Sharma from India
Labelled as Australia’s cultural capital, the city has many internationally recognised festivals and events including the Melbourne Comedy Festival and Melbourne Fashion Week.
Melbourne also has a vibrant music scene and is said to have more live music venues per capita than any other city in the world. With European-style alfresco dining, rooftop bars and late-night venues, Melbourne’s nightlife has something for everyone.
On the streets of the central business district (CBD), you’ll find leading international and Australian fashion brands and restaurants which make for a stylish shopping and vibrant dining experience.
Centre Place, Melbourne, VIC. Image courtesy of Tourism Australia.
How much will it cost?
Use our Cost of Living calculator to find out how much you will need to live and study here.
Melbourne information and support
Study Melbourne provides support and information to international students, helping them to have the best possible time while studying and living in Victoria.
