How do you decide which is the right university for you?
While it can be difficult to choose between universities, you will find that there are some key differences between them that can help you make the big decision. The most important thing is to determine what sort of character and focus the university has and ensure that it aligns with your own personality, interest and goals. Every university has its own persona, advantages/disadvantages and ranking standings in different ranking tables around the world.
Here we provide you some tips on which universities you can consider base on our detailed research & findings.
One of the most reliable source to determine a top-quality University is to use the QS World University Rankings as a reference. You may ask why? The reason is because most top-quality Universities pay very heavy attention to improve their standards (teaching quality, student experience, research output and graduate employability) to perform well in this annual ranking table. Most importantly many huge organisations especially the ones listed in Forbes Global 2000 companies use the QS rankings as a key reference when hiring potential graduates.
The QS Rankings are based on the expert opinion of more than 75,000 academics and 40,000 major employers around the world. It also analysed 12.3 million papers and more than 75 million research citations. It is one of the most famous worldwide university ranking organisations. 37 Universities in Australia is listed in the QS Rankings 2019 table and there are 15 Universities ranked top 250 globally.
Methodology of QS World University Rankings
Indicator | Weighting | Elaboration |
Academic reputation | 40% | Based on internal global academic survey |
Faculty/Student ratio | 20% | A measurement of teaching commitment |
Citations per-faculty | 20% | A measurement of research impact |
Employer reputation | 10% | Based on a survey on graduate employers |
International faculty ratio | 5% | A measure of the diversity of the academic staff |
International student ratio | 5% | A measurement of the diversity of the student community |
So which University should you consider? Based on the 2019 rankings table, we highlight the following 7 Universities which is ranked top 100 in the world:
Top 100 in the world
Australia Ranking | World Ranking | University | City |
1 | 23 | Australian National University | Canberra |
2 | 39 | University oF Melbourne | Melbourne |
3 | 42 | University of Sydney | Sydney |
4 | 45 | University of New South Wales | Sydney |
5 | 48 | University of Queensland | Brisbane |
6 | 49 | Monash University | Melbourne |
7 | 91 | University of Western Australia | Perth |
We also include a short clip to showcase the campus & facilities of the top 10 Universities in Australia
Universities to consider
ANU continues to be ranked number 1 in Australia and 24th in the world in 2019. It is a world-leading university in Australia’s capital city, Canberra. ANU’s location points to their unique history ties to the Australian Government and special standing as a resource for the Australian people.
Why study at ANU?
- Home to 12 national institutions including Australian Parliament House, the high court of Australia, and the national library of Australia.
- Provides student with the Australian National Internship Program (ANIP) which is the only program in Australia that gives you the opportunity to work at the heart of Australian policy and politics.
- Provides international student with the opportunity to obtain residency through the Canberra state nomination.
- ANU is ranked #1 for Natural Sciences, Agriculture & Forestry, Anthropology, Archaeology, Development Studies, Earth & Marine Sciences, Geography, History, Mathematics, Physics & Astronomy, Politics & International Studies, Social Policy & Administration and Sociology in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject.
- Ranked Number 1 in Australia for graduate employability under the Times Higher Education.
The University of Melbourne is a public research university located in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1853, it is Australia’s second oldest sandstone university and the oldest in Victoria. 4 Australian prime ministers and 9 Nobel laureates have graduated from the University of Melbourne which is the most of any Australian University.
Why study at Melbourne University?
- Ranked #1 in Australia for Law, Arts & Humanities, Life Science & Medicine, Social Sciences & Management, Anatomy & Physiology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Business & Management, Communication & Media Studies, Computer Science & Information Systems, Dentistry, Economics & Econometrics, Education, Law, Linguistics, Medicine, Statistics & Operational Research and Psychology in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject. To put it into context, University of Melbourne has the most ranked #1 subjects in Australia compared to all Universities
- The University degrees work a bit differently from those at most other Australian universities. They call it The Melbourne Model where it allows student to create their own study path by choosing a choice of over 100 majors from 9 generalised three-year degrees in the undergraduate level. You can then decide to choose a specialisation at the graduate level. This model is similar to what the American Universities practice.
- Study in Melbourne where it has been declared as the most liveable city in the world for the seventh year running by The Economist. Melbourne is safe, fun and multicultural.
- Melbourne University is famous for its towering old buildings and majestic high ceilings. The ‘Old Quad’ is stunning and could easily be mistaken as something from the Harry Potter’s Hogwarts Campus..
The University of Sydney (USYD) is founded in 1850 and was Australia’s first university and is regarded as one of the world’s leading universities. USYD offers the widest range of academic programs of any university in Australia and have been ranked top 50 universities in the world for the 14th year in a row. Its stunning campus is ranked in the top 10 of the world’s most beautiful universities by the British Daily Telegraph
Why study at Sydney University?
- Ranked #1 for the best MBA course in Australia by the BOSS MBA Schools Rankings which is also endorsed by the Australian Financial Review. The program focuses on developing skills around creativity, critical analysis and a systems approach to problem-solving. It will also help to develop the personal and interpersonal skills needed to lead effectively.
- In the latest QS Subject Rankings 2018, USYD is ranked #1 in Australia in Architecture/Built Environment, English Language & Literature, Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering, Modern Languages, Sports-Related Subjects and Veterinary Science.
- For the second year running, University of Sydney has been ranked #1 in Australia and 4th in the world for graduate employability under the latest QS Graduate Employability Rankings. The QS rankings move past employment rates to give a more in-depth indication of how universities are perceived in the global graduate jobs market, how well-connected to the professional world universities are, and the quality of employment outcomes achieved by graduates.
- Sydney is one of the most powerful financial centres in the world. Ranked #1 in Australia and #8 in the world according to the Global Financial Centres Index. Students will have a massive advantage if they are interested to kick-start their career in the financial, banking and fintech sector. Sydney is fast becoming the Asia-Pacific fintech hub to tap into opportunities such as the blockchain technology.
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is the youngest and the founding member of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) a coalition of ‘Australia’s Leading Universities. UNSW is renowned for the quality of its graduates and its commitment to new and creative approaches to education and research. It is a powerhouse of ideas and innovation.
Why study at UNSW Sydney?
- More of Australia’s top CEO’s who lead ASX100 companies studied at UNSW, more than any other university. It has also topped the list of Australian universities with the most millionaire graduate and its graduates are constantly in high demand from employers and enjoy some of the top starting salaries and employment rates in Australia.
- The faculty of engineering is the largest in Australia and offers the widest choice of specialisation for students. It is consistently ranked as the #1 engineering faculty in Australia and 1 of the top 50 in the world.
- UNSW offers international student to work on-campus through the Professional Development Program. Through this, you will be able to gain knowledge of employers’ expectations in the Australian workplace and gain practical workplace experience to enhance your career opportunities.
- According to the Sydney Morning Herald, UNSW has overtaken the University of Sydney as the number 1 university preference for NSW school leavers. It is the dream destination of the majority of high school leavers.
- UNSW is recognised as the Australian university with the strongest links to industry. Their close relationship with companies enables student to gain relevant practical experience while completing their degrees. Employers are able to hire the best graduates from UNSW through the careers office.
The University of Queensland (UQ) is located in Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland and is known as the sunshine state of Australia. The main campus occupies much of the riverside suburb of St Lucia in Brisbane where students can hop on a free City Hopper ferry to jump between the city and the campus. UQ’s award-winning teachers employ innovative methods to meet the academic and professional needs of students.
Why study at Queensland University?
- Brisbane has one of the lowest costs of living in comparison with other Australian cities from transport to accommodation to meals. That doesn’t mean there’s a compromise in quality though it just means that your dollar will go a lot further living in Brisbane than in our southern counterparts.
- UQ has a strong focus on teaching excellence, the academics/teachers at UQ has won more national teaching awards than any other university in the country.
- In the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject, UQ is ranked #1 in Australia for Environmental Sciences and Chemical Engineering.
- UQ is one of the only 2 Australian universities to be included in the not-for-profit edX Enterprise the world’s leading consortium of Massive Open Online Courses which is jointly founded by Harvard University and MIT.
If you are thinking of studying but unsure of which University is the best?
Below is a quick point of reference for your consideration.
Information is based on the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject
Subject/Discipline | TOP RANK | Rank 2 | Rank 3 |
Arts and Humanities | UMELB | ANU | USYD |
Engineering and Technology | UMELB UNSW | Monash | USYD |
Life Sciences and Medicine | UMELB | USYD | Monash |
Natural Sciences | ANU UMELB | USYD | UQ |
Social Sciences and Management | UMELB | ANU USYD | UNSW |
Accounting and Finance | UMELB UNSW | USYD | Monash |
Agriculture & Forestry | ANU UMELB | UQ | UMELB |
Anatomy & Physiology | UMELB | USYD | UWA |
Anthropology | ANU | UMELB | USYD |
Archaeology | ANU | USYD | La Trobe University |
Architecture/Built Environment | USYD | UMELB | UNSW |
Art & Design | RMIT | UTS | UNSW |
Biological Sciences | UMELB | UQ | ANU |
Business & Management Studies | UMELB | UNSW | Monash |
Chemical Engineering | Monash UQ | UMELB | UNSW |
Chemistry | UMELB | Monash | USYD |
Civil & Structural Engineering | UNSW | USYD | UMELB |
Communication & Media Studies | UMELB | QUT | UQ USYD |
Computer Science & Information Systems | UMELB | USYD | ANU |
Dentistry | UMELB | Adelaide U | USYD |
Development Studies | ANU | UMELB | USYD |
Earth & Marine Sciences | ANU | UMELB | UWA |
Economics & Econometrics | UMELB | ANU | UNSW |
Education | UMELB | USYD | Monash |
English Language & Literature | USYD | UMELB | ANU |
Environmental Sciences | UQ | UNSW | ANU |
Geography | ANU | UMELB | USYD |
History | ANU | USYD | UMELB |
Hospitality & Leisure Management | Griffith | UQ | Monash |
Law | UMELB | ANU | USYD |
Library & Information Management | RMIT | Monash | |
Linguistic | UMELB | ANU | USYD |
Materials Science | UNSW | Monash UQ | ANU |
Mathematics | ANU | UMELB | UNSW |
Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering | USYD | ANU Monash UMELB UNSW | RMIT UQ |
Medicine | UMELB | USYD | Monash |
Mineral & Mining Engineering | Curtin | UWA | UNSW |
Modern Languages | USYD | ANU | UMELB |
Nursing | UTS | USYD | Monash |
Performing Arts | Monash | UMELB | ANU |
Pharmacy & Pharmacology | Monash | USYD | UQ |
Philosophy | ANU | USYD | Macquarie Monash Adelaide U |
Physics & Astronomy | ANU | UMELB | USYD |
Politics & International Studies | ANU | USYD | UMELB |
Psychology | UMELB | UNSW | USYD |
Social Policy & Administration | ANU | UMELB | USYD |
Sociology | ANU | USYD | UMELB |
Sports-Related Subjects | USYD | UQ | UWA |
Statistics & Operational Research | UMELB | ANU | Monash |
Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies | Monash | USYD | Deakin |
Veterinary Science | USYD | UMELB | Murdoch |
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About Post Author
Jimmy
I am a former international student and have completed my studies at UTS, I love sharing my experience while studying in Australia through writing blogs on social media. While it can be challenging to compete with the locals for a job in Australia, I have some tips to help you achieve career successes here!