Study in Melbourne

Melbourne is home to a number of top universities, making it an excellent city for young people to live in. These universities include the University of Melbourne, Monash University and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, to name just a few. Universities in Melbourne teach a combined 277,000 students annually, including 91,000 international students. It’s considered one of the world’s favorite study destinations and recently ranked third in the QS Best Student Cities 2018 ranking.

The University of Melbourne is a public university that was established in 1853. The main university campus is located in Parkville, with other campuses in Southbank, Burnley, Creswick, Dookie, Werribee, and Shepparton. The university follows a unique learning method, called ‘The Melbourne Model’, which is similar to models used by universities outside of Australia. In this model, you start with a general undergraduate degree, and choose to specialize in your chosen subject at graduate level - this creates a unique study path and gives students the power to choose their degree path.

Monash University was established in 1958, and says its focus is on how to empower students to make a positive impact on the world, from collaborative research opportunities to building community relationships. The university has five local campuses in Victoria, two international locations in Malaysia and South Africa, and centers in the People’s Republic of China, Italy and India.

The school motto is ‘Ancora Imparo’, meaning ‘I am still learning’. The university strives to teach each student how they can impact future communities positively and it’s consistently ranked within the top 100 universities in the world.

Finally, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology is one of Australia's original tertiary institutions. The university focuses on subjects such as art and design, architecture, computer science and information systems, education, and communication and media studies. Home to more than 84,000 students, and over 10,000 teachers and staff, the university has three main campuses located in and around the city: the Melbourne City campus, Brunswick campus, and a campus in Bundoora. There are also two campuses in Vietnam, and a research and industry collaboration center in Spain.

Melbourne is renowned for its amazing culture and is often described as the most livable city in Australia. It’s easy to see why, as the city is home to amazing nightlife, eateries, transport, culture and much, much more.

There is an abundance of culture and arts to get yourself stuck into here. For example, Melbourne is home to Australia’s oldest gallery, the National Gallery of Victoria. Founded in 1861, this gallery is home to many international and local exhibitions, such as the NGV Collection, Floodplain, and Colony exhibitions. In total, it has more than 70,000 different pieces and artworks.

Those interested in the world of film and cinema should visit the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. There is also a vibrant theater scene in Melbourne, with venues including La Mama Theatre, La Mama Courthouse, Kensington Town Hall, and Speakeasy HQ. For live performances, venture over to Bird’s Basement Jazz Club, where both local and international artists perform.

Melbourne is renowned as the world’s sporting capital, and hosts several high-profile events, from the Melbourne Cup to the Australian Grand Prix. This makes it a really exciting city to live in, as international fans from all over the world flock here on a regular basis to watch the sporting events unfold. The Melbourne Cricket Ground plays host to both the Australian Football League in winter, and international cricket matches all summer.

For eateries and bars, Melbourne has plenty to offer. If you fancy eating at one of the most high-end restaurants imaginable, Attica is ranked in the top 50 in the world. For cheaper eats, there are a huge range of options, including the Vietnamese restaurant Hannoi Hannah. If you want to be able to enjoy a scenic sunset while you unwind, try and locate one of Melbourne’s many rooftop bars. They’re popping up all over the city center, as well as in the nearby neighborhoods of Fitzroy and Carlton. In the city center, be sure to visit the ever-popular Rooftop Bar above Curtin House, or Madame Brussels, a unique bar with a fancy garden party vibe.

There are open air markets located in and around Melbourne, including the Queen Victoria Markets, which is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. Alternatively, find food from all over the world at the South Melbourne Market, or discover an emerging Australian designer at the Rose St. Artists Market which is open at weekends. Located in Fitzroy, the latter is a great way to check out new talent and find some unique pieces.

Melbourne is infamous for having four seasons in one day, and both the locals and visitors to the city are well aware of the quickly changing weather. The city is also prone to isolated showers, which are both heavy and cause significant drops in temperature. However, this frequently changing weather is mostly in the spring and summer months. Mostly, Melbourne has a mild climate, with it being cooler in winter and hot in summer. The recorded extremes in Melbourne are hugely varied, with the hottest temperature being 46.4°C/115.52°F, and the coldest temperature being -2.8°C/26.96°F.

As with anywhere in Australia, the sun is extremely strong, and sun protection is always advised. Even on cloudy days, remaining protected and hydrated is crucial. There are water stations located throughout the city, so you can fill up your water bottles for free.

Melbourne has a great public transport system. In fact, the buses, trains, and trams are the easiest way to navigate your way around the city. It’s crucial that you obtain and pre-load a myki card, as this will enable you to use the public transport in Melbourne, even in rush hour. Melbourne also has a night network consisting of buses, trains and trams - this means that public transport is available to use for 24 hours a day at weekends. There is also the city circle tram, which is a free service available for use around central Melbourne. As it takes passengers past some of Melbourne’s major attractions, it’s a great way to familiarize yourself with the city when you first arrive. That said, the city is set out in a grid-like structure so is fairly easy to navigate.

There is a wide range of hospitals available in Melbourne, including the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the St Vincent Hospital Melbourne, both of which are located close to the city center. If you require less urgent care, there are pharmacies and doctor’s surgeries located throughout the city.

Melbourne can be a relatively cheap place to live, especially when compared to cities like Sydney. A popular way to cut living costs is to live in a suburb slightly out of the main city center. St Kilda is a particular popular area with young people and renting a room here costs approximately $180-$200 per week. You could also save money by sharing a room. Other suburbs are more expensive.

Melbourne is a safe city to live in. Crime rates have dropped 10.8 percent per 100,000 of the population between 2016 and 2017. The offence rate per 100,000 of the population has also dropped 9.9 percent between 2016 and 2017. In fact, in 2017 it was reported that there was the biggest decline in Victoria’s crime rate in 12 years.