Top Universities in Australia for 2025-26 Intakes: Courses, Costs & More

Australia, or the Land Down Under, is more than just sunny beaches and rich Aboriginal culture – it is among the world’s most desired destinations for higher education. With 36 of the world’s most renowned Universities and 9 among the top 100 (as per QS WUR 2026), state-of-the-art research facilities, and a Post-Study Work Visa of up to 5 years, Australia is the perfect platform for international students to polish their skills. The country is home to some of the world’s most livable cities with a diverse and welcoming population.

When one studies at one of the top Universities in Australia, they gain a practical skill-based education and a professional network beyond compare. Australia remains a constant in the field of higher education, even as students’ preferences shift on the basis of education policies and intake caps. This article will explore the most popular Universities in Australia to help students shortlist their options for upcoming intakes.

5 Top Universities in Australia for International Students

1. The University of Melbourne

Founded in 1853, the University of Melbourne is one of Australia’s oldest Universities and the oldest in Victoria. It has the distinct honor of being a Group of 8 member and one of the country’s 6 sandstone Universities. It is also a member of other groupings like APRU, Universitas 21, and ACU. The University’s campuses in Parkville, Burnley, Fishermans Bend, Southbank, Werribee, Dookie, Shepparton, and Creswick hold around 65,000 students, including over 30,000 international students from 130+ countries. Its most popular courses are detailed below.

The cost to study in Australia at premier Universities ranges from AU$ 11,488 to AU$ 119,700 per year for a Master’s degree and from AU$ 37,312 to AU$ 180,712 per year for a Bachelor’s degree. The cost of living in Melbourne, one of Australia’s most popular student cities, ranges from AU$ 535 to AU$ 1,085 per month, based on where the student lives.

The University of Melbourne offers more than 1,200 scholarships and grants based on Merit, Need, and Course. These include scholarships like the Janet Clarke Hall Scholarship, the Queen's College Scholarship, and the University College Scholarship.

2. The University of New South Wales

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) on the top 20 as per QS World University Rankings 2026. The University has been offering excellent education and research since its inception in 1949, adhering to the standards of being a Group of 8 University. It welcomes 16,000 international students seeking excellent education across its campuses in Sydney, Canberra, Kensington, and Paddington. The courses that students prefer most are listed below.

The cost to study at UNSW ranges from AU$ 42,000 to AU$ 59,000 per year for a Master’s degree, while a Bachelor’s degree costs between AU$ 40,025 and AU$ 84,000 per year. The cost of living in Sydney ranges from AU$ 550 and AU$ 1,335 per week, depending on the student’s chosen accommodation.

To help international students manage these costs, the University of New South Wales also offers scholarships based on Merit, Leadership Skills, Extracurricular Talent, etc. Some well-known UNSW scholarships for international students include the International Scientia Coursework Scholarship, the Australia's Global University Award, and the International Student Award.

3. Australian National University

The Australian National University (ANU) is a research-focused Group of 8 member University, and the only University created by the Australian Parliament. It was formally established in 1949, but its history dates to Canberra University College, established in 1929. It is the only Australian University in the International Alliance of Research Universities grouping. The University’s main campus is in Canberra, with others in Acton and Kioloa. Let us get a look at some sought-after courses at ANU in the table below.

The tuition fees for Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees at ANU range from AU$ 44,670 to AU$ 95,360 per year, depending on the student’s chosen course. Meanwhile, the cost of living in Canberra ranges from AU$ 615 to AU$ 730 per week, based on the student’s standard of living.

The Australian National University offers scholarships to international students based on Merit, Need, Athletic Talent, etc. They include the ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship, the ANU University Research Scholarship, and the Community Impact Research Scholarship.

4. Monash University

Monash University, named after Sir John Monash, is Australia’s largest University, hosting around 86,000 students each year. It was established in 1958, making it the second-oldest University in Victoria. The University is a member of the Group of 8, the M8 Alliance, and APRU. It has campuses in Clayton, Caulfield, Peninsula, Parkville, Alfred, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Prato, Suzhou, and Mumbai. The most popular courses at its Australian campuses are noted below.

The cost to study a Master’s degree at Monash University ranges from AU$ 49,900 to AU$ 56,800 per year, while a Bachelor’s degree costs around AU$ 42,600 to AU$ 56,300 per year. Meanwhile, the cost to live in Melbourne ranges from AU$ 660 to AU$ 1,575 per week for Monash students.

Monash University offers over 200 types of Merit-Based, Need-Based, and Talent-Based scholarships for international students. Awards like the Monash International Leadership Scholarship, the Sir John Monash Scholarship for Excellence, and the Monash Award are particularly well-known.

5. The University of Queensland

The University of Queensland (UQ) is a Group of 8 University located in Brisbane, Australia. It was established in 1909 and is a member of APRU and Universitas 21. It has 4 campuses in St Lucia, Gatton, Dutton Park, and Herston, home to more than 55,000 students. The University has received the most awards for teaching quality in Australia, and attracts the highest number of academically excellent students in the state of Queensland. A few of the University’s most chosen courses can be found on the table below.

The tuition fees for a Master’s degree at the University of Queensland range from AU$ 23,600 to AU$ 91,420 per year, while a Bachelor’s degree can cost between AU$ 43,200 and AU$ 96,400 per year. Meanwhile, the cost of living in Brisbane ranges between AU$ 1,567 and AU$ 3,991 per month.

The University of Queensland offers numerous scholarships based on Merit, Need, Region, and Talent for international students. These include the International Onshore Merit Scholarship, the UQ International Excellence Scholarship, and the UQ International High Achievers Award.

To bring it all together, the top Universities in Australia are the perfect place to develop research skills and practical skills in classrooms that prioritize interdisciplinary and inclusive learning. Students who want to go to Australia for higher studies can consult the best study abroad counselling experts nearby, who can help them navigate the application process for upcoming intakes from start to finish without hassles.