Only
the United States and United Kingdom have more institutions in the top 100 of
the QS World University
Rankings, and they are both have significantly bigger populations, and,
accordingly, far more universities.
Seven
members of the Group of Eight (think of it as an Antipodean Ivy League) make it
into the top 100, and in total, 26 Australian universities make the top 700 of
the rankings. Universities in Australia are
also known to be extremely keen on internationalization, to the extent that
only coal, ore and tourism bring more money into the country.
The combination of a
keen welcome, high-calibre universities, and a quality of life that hold its
own with anywhere in the world has made Australia one of the world’s leading
destinations for international students. In 2010, the last year for which OECD
figures are available, 6.6% of all international students were studying in
Australia, again putting it only behind the US and UK. In terms of the
percentage of students from overseas at Australian universities, only
Luxembourg tops Australia’s figure of 21.2%.
You can be sure,
therefore, to find yourself in a cosmopolitan environment, in which you will
almost certainly be able to seek out your compatriots if you begin to feel
homesick. But, better still, why not immerse yourself in some Australian
culture? There’s a lot more to it than the stereotypes, but at the end of the
day, stereotypes which involve sunny beaches and a solid commitment to having a
good time don’t really sound all that bad, do they?
Study Villages
Sydney
The name of Australia’s biggest city tends to evoke images of beaches,
surfing and drinking, all in the shadow of the nation’s most recognizable
landmark, the Sydney Opera House. And, sure, it is famed for its party
lifestyle. But, like many larger cities famous for their nightlife, it is also
bohemian, creative, and intellectual.
If this sounds like your kind of environment, then universities in Sydney provide plenty of choice. Two of
Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight universities – the University of Sydney (ranked 39th in the world) and the University of New South Wales (52) – are based in the city, as well as a number of other
institutions, including the country’s top ranked non-Go8 university, Macquarie
University (233), the University of Technology, Sydney (284) and the University
of Western Sydney (601+).
Melbourne
Considered to be the cultural and
multicultural capital of Australia, Melbourne is a good alternative for those who perhaps find Sydney a bit too brash –
think of it as a sort of San Francisco to Sydney’s Los Angeles. However, it’s
not a pretentious intellectual bubble either – Melbourne’s locals are known for
their love of sport, and you won’t be left wanting in terms of nightlife.
It is also notable for
being one of Australia’s best preserved cities architecturally. Universities in Melbourne again include two
Go8 institutions, the University of Melbourne (ranked 36th in the world) and Monash University (61), as well as the Royal Melbourne
Institute of Technology (246), La Trobe University (375), Deakin University
(401-450) and Swinburne University of Technology (451-500).
Brisbane
Australia’s third
biggest city, towards the east of the Australian mainland, Brisbane is known for the friendliness of its locals – often considered to be a
major factor in the city’s growth (it is Australia’s fastest growing city). Of
course, friendliness alone isn’t enough to make a city, and it also has a
thriving live music scene, a plethora of world-class cultural institutions and
– of course – access to plenty of beaches.
Among universities in Brisbane, the most prominent is
the University of Queensland (Brisbane is the capital of
Queensland), which is ranks 46th in the 2012/13 QS World University Rankings.
The other ranked institutions in the city are the Queensland University of
Technology (281), and Griffith University (368).
Perth
If it’s the quiet life
you’re after, then maybe Perth should be quite high up your shortlist. The city lies in isolation on
Australia’s west coast, and boasts a high volume of relatively unspoiled and
quiet beaches. The city itself is uncrowded and peaceful. If you’re more into
cafes, parks and peaceful beaches than all-night partying, then you and Perth
might be a match made in heaven.
Universities in Perth include the University of Western Australia (79), Curtin University (258) and Murdoch University (401-450), and
Perth is also the main location for one of Australia’s two private
universities, Notre Dame University.
Adelaide
Located in the midst
of Australia’s chief wine growing region,Adelaide is the capital of the region of South Australia. Like all of the cities
listed here, Adelaide is a coastal city, so can offer the gold and blue shades
which characterize Australia’s beaches as well as the lush greenery that
provides the setting for the region’s vineyards.
Unsurprisingly, given
its setting, it is noted for being a good city for lovers of food and drink. It
is also, as a result of the many nature preserves and conservation areas which
lie within spitting distance of the city, a good choice for lovers of nature
and wildlife. Among universities in Adelaide,
the highest ranked is the University of Adelaide (102), followed by the University of South Australia (293) and
Flinders University (342).
