When you're choosing a destination for your study abroad experience, finding somewhere with amazing educational opportunities should be at the top of your list.

Luckily, Victoria is home to world-class universities and educational institutions. Whatever you’re looking to study, you’re sure to find a great option here.

Here is our ultimate guide to the 10 universities in Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Universities in Victoria - Ultimate Guide

Australian Catholic University (ACU)

As one of the world’s top 100 young universities, ACU is known for its academic rigour, global connectivity and extensive professional networks. With a choice of four faculties, seven campuses in Australia and one in Rome, and more than 30,000 work-integrated learning opportunities on offer every year, ACU programs connect students with future career aspirations.

Locations: Melbourne and Ballarat.

Courses: ACU is highly regarded for its nursing (4^th in Australia), education (2^nd in Australia), sport & exercise science (Top 100 worldwide) and psychology (Top 150 worldwide) programs, recognised in both Shanghai Ranking, Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023 and QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.

Global rankings: ACU was named in the top 100 young universities in the world (i.e. universities under the age of 50). It was also among the top 2% of all universities worldwide in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024. 95 per cent of ACU’s undergraduate and 95 per cent of ACU’s postgraduate coursework graduates are employed, recognising ACU’s leadership in graduate employability.

Research: ACU develops innovative solutions to issues impacting human dignity and the common good, delivering real-world social, cultural and economic gain. It ranked #1 in Australia and in the world’s top 20 by proportion of publications in the top citation profiles across all fields of research.

Deakin University

Deakin University offers life-changing learning experiences across 4 faculties and 14 schools. Each of its 60,000+ students enjoy access to state-of-the-art facilities and outstanding support.

Locations: Melbourne, Warrnambool and Geelong.

Courses: Deakin University offers reputable degrees in business and commerce, information technology, engineering, health, sport and design.

Global rankings: In the ShanghaiRanking Global Rankings 2023, Deakin was ranked the #1 sport science school in the world and #16 in the world for nursing.

Research: For over 50 years, Deakin has been driving innovative research that changes the world. Home to 14 research institutes, Deakin has an Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) score of 100%, with researchers listed among the top 1% globally.

Federation University

With multiple campuses across Victoria, Federation University is an ideal choice for those looking to study while experiencing the real community feel of regional Australia. Federation University is also known for its diverse and welcoming student community, sharing in the success of their 125,000 strong network of global alumni.

Locations: Ballarat, Berwick and Churchill.

Courses: Federation University offers courses in an array of fields, from allied health and education to information technology (IT). The institution is known for its co-operative approach to education, enabling students to earn while they learn through meaningful industry placements in their chosen field.

Global rankings: Federation University was classed in the top 200 young universities in the world (universities under the age of 50) according to the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2024. It also ranked in the top 200 universities worldwide in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024, which assesses institutions’ performance against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Research: In the 2018-19 Excellence in Research for Australia, Federation University received the highest score possible for its research outputs in several study areas, including applied mathematics, civil engineering, environmental science and management, and nursing. At Federation University, you’ll find several research facilities, including the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation as well as the Health Innovation and Transformation Centre.

La Trobe University

La Trobe is at the forefront of real impact in health, science and technology. La Trobe believes in preparing students for a lifelong career. That’s why work-integrated learning, work-based learning and industry placements are built into many courses, so students can gain practical skills and experience inside and outside of the classroom. With this focus on student satisfaction and career outcomes, La Trobe is ranked #1 in Victoria for undergraduate employability and postgraduate salaries according to the 2023 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey.

Locations: Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Bundoora, Epping, Melbourne City, Mildura and Shepparton.

Courses: La Trobe is ranked in the top 50 universities in the world for nursing and sports according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024. La Trobe is also listed among the top 100 universities in the world for anthropology and archaeology.

Global rankings: La Trobe has been ranked among the global top 250 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and in the global top 1% of worldwide universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023.

Research: La Trobe researchers work in six priority areas linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): sustainable food and agriculture; resilient environments and communities; healthy people, families and communities; understanding and preventing disease; social change and equity; and digital technology and transformation.

Monash University

Monash University is a leading global research and education institution with a presence spanning the Indo-Pacific and into Europe. A founding member of the Group of Eight, the University’s broad academic expertise, diverse student cohort, and rich on-campus experiences combine to provide a wealth of opportunities to its more than 86,000 students.

Locations: Four campuses in Australia—Clayton, Caulfield, Parkville, and Peninsula—along with campuses in Malaysia and Indonesia, and teaching locations in China, India, and Italy.

Courses: Monash offers 130 single and double degrees that include a wide range of electives, graduate pathways and overseas study options. Rich educational experiences, such as the University’s flagship Global Immersion Guarantee (GIG) program, the Monash Innovation Guarantee (MIG) and Research, Experimentation and Discovery (RED), enable students to stand out in a competitive global market.

Global rankings: Monash is consistently ranked in the top 50 universities globally, placing 37th in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and 35th in the US News and World Report Best Global Universities Rankings 2024-25.

Research: As a top-50 research-intensive university, Monash continues to accelerate major programmatic, multi-partner, mission-based endeavours to address the global challenges of the age – climate change, geopolitical security and thriving communities – for the betterment of local and international communities.

RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology)

RMIT University is an international university of technology, design and enterprise. RMIT’s approach to learning is grounded in real-world skills and hands-on learning, with 19,730 students undertaking work-integrated learning activities in 2023. RMIT’s teaching takes place in state-of-the-art facilities with industry-connected courses. Their work integrated opportunities allow students to put theory into practice with leading organisations, such as Adidas, Adobe, CSIRO, and the National Gallery of Victoria.

Locations: RMIT is an international university with three campuses in Melbourne - Bendigo, Brunswick, Bundoora, Melbourne and Point Cook.

Courses: As the largest dual-sector university in Australia, RMIT has a diverse range of courses to suit to any student. RMIT offers everything from certificates to PhD study.

Global rankings: As of 2024, RMIT has a 5-Star QS ranking for excellence in teaching, employability, facilities and inclusiveness. RMIT 2024 QS World University Rankings: 1st in Australia for Art and Design, 1st in Australia for Architecture and the Built Environment, 4th in Australia for Communications and Media.

Research: RMIT has 50+ research collaborations and centres, such as the Business and Human Rights Centre, and the Centre for Cybersecurity and Innovation. RMIT research is internationally-recognised, with more than one-third of its publications among the top 25% most-cited in the world.

Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne University of Technology is a world-class university creating social and economic impact through science, technology and innovation. With foundations as a technical college in 1908, Swinburne gained university status in 1992 and today is recognised as one of the world's best universities under 50 years' old. Swinburne led the way with one of the first industry-based learning programs in Australia and remains committed to offering every Swinburne learner a work experience to ensure they are career-ready when they graduate

Locations: Croydon, Hawthorn and Wantirna.

Courses: Swinburne offers qualifications that range from pathway to higher education and PhD programs across six different schools. Our broad range of disciplines and close ties with industry provide students with opportunities for valuable work integrated learning experiences during their studies. Swinburne’s top disciplines include Information Technology, Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing, Business and Design.

Global rankings: Our standing in prestigious world academic ranking lists reflects our commitment to high-quality teaching, research and graduate outcomes. Swinburne ranks in the top 25 among young universities under 50 years old in the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings 2024. Additionally, Swinburne has achieved a global ranking in the top one per cent according to the QS World University Rankings 2024.

Research: Swinburne’s future-focused research and innovation combines science, technology and innovation with humanity to deliver genuine, collaborative and sustainable social, environmental and economic impact. Our researchers are producing innovative solutions to real-world problems across a range of disciplines and sectors. Swinburne research degrees provide students access to world-class researchers, first-rate facilities, training and support.

University of Divinity

The University of Divinity strives to create real-world change through critical engagement with Christian theological traditions. The institution works in partnership with more than 30 churches, religious orders and associated organisations to create a unique educational environment.

Locations: Melbourne

Courses: Due to its faith-centred approach to education, The University of Divinity offers unique courses in disciplines such as theology, philosophy, ministry, pastoral care, counselling and spirituality.

Global rankings: Per The Good University Guide, The University of Divinity ranks highly in the areas of student support, teaching quality and skills development. Specifically, 85% of students reported satisfaction with the support received from the institution, 83.8% reported satisfaction with the teaching quality received, and 80.6% reported satisfaction with the level of skills development received.

Research: The University of Divinity produces world-class research in all theological disciplines. It also offers a range of grants to higher degrees by research students, academic staff, honorary researchers and librarians.

The University of Melbourne

Founded in 1853, The University of Melbourne Australia’s leading university and is currently ranked #1 in Australia and #13 in the world. The University of Melbourne’s research contributes to solving social, economic and environmental challenges the world is facing today and into the future, tightly connected with communities, at home and abroad, which only enriches the learning, teaching, and research.

Locations: Parkville, Southbank, Burnley, Dookie, Creswick, Werribee, Shepparton.

Courses: The University of Melbourne has been named the top institution in Australia across a variety of course areas. According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, it is the #1 university in Australia and #18 in the world for medicine; #1 in Australia and #10 in the world for law.

Global rankings: The University of Melbourne is the highest-ranked university in Australia according to 3 of the world’s most respecting ranking bodies: QS, Times Higher Education and University Rankings of the World. It is also ranked #13 in the world – the highest ever result of any Australian university, according to the QS World University Rankings 2024.

Research: The University of Melbourne has the #1 research expenditure among Australian universities, having generated $663.5 million in research income in 2023. It houses many world-class research centres and institutes, where joint ventures between universities, industry and government bodies take place. Its research initiatives have been ranked well above world standard in a range of areas, including physical sciences, medical and health sciences, and pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences.

Victoria University (VU)

Victoria University is a world-class university celebrated for its inclusive environment, industry connections and innovative approach to education. With a history dating back over a century, VU offers internationally recognised qualifications ranging from vocational courses to postgraduate degrees. VU students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, supportive staff and practical, real-world learning, with opportunities for work placements and industry projects. The unique VU Block Model® allows students to achieve their best by focusing on one or two subjects at a time in small, interactive classes. It’s an award-winning teaching method that has significantly improved student engagement and results.

Locations: Footscray, Melbourne City, St Albans and Sunshine.

Courses: VU offers a wide range of internationally recognised, industry-focused qualifications from vocational education to research. Subject areas include arts, business, education, engineering, health, biomedicine, IT, nursing, hospitality, law, social work and sports science – for which VU ranks 7th in the world (ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Sport Science School and Departments 2023).

Global rankings: Victoria University is ranked in the top 2% of all universities worldwide, according to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024. VU also ranks among the top 70 young universities in the world (universities under the age of 50) in the THE Young University Rankings 2024.

Research: In the latest Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) National Report, Victoria University received five-star ratings for its research outputs in 6 areas, including engineering, nursing and medical physiology. On its campuses, you’ll find numerous research institutes, including the Institute for Health and Sport and the Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities.

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