Where is the best university town in Australia?

Australian cities boast some of the best living standards and university options in the world but there are two in particular that stand head and shoulders above the rest for our soon to be grads.

We all remember the grueling process of choosing which university to attend when we first stepped out of high school. For the cultural city-lover we we’re drawn to the bright lights of Melbourne and for the purely academic or political mind there was only one option – the prestige of Australia’s top-ranked university in Canberra.

Indeed, Australia’s National University in Canberra offers students world-class facilities including the most powerful computer systems and most modern laboratories, lecture theatres and libraries that are home to more than two million traditional volumes. The facilities at ANU are simply superb, placing it in the top 25 universities in the world.

But it’s Australia’s cultural capital, Melbourne, which ranks as the 2nd best student city in the world showing there’s more to consider for students than pure academia. Melbourne leapfrogged Sydney this year to become the leading student city in Australia with only Paris ahead of it globally.

Top student cities 2015:

  1. Paris
  2. Melbourne
  3. London
  4. Sydney
  5. Hong Kong

      21. Canberra
      23. Brisbane
      29. Adelaide
      38. Perth

In terms of university rankings the University of Melbourne comes in at 33rd in the world – second only to ANU for Australian universities. Interestingly though the University of Melbourne scores higher for employer reputation than ANU meaning a more prestigious degree in the job market.

Of course subject matter is the most important consideration when selecting a university with ANU boasting one of the best faculties in the world for arts and humanities while the University of Melbourne scores highly in life sciences, medicine, engineering and technology.

In terms of location, Canberra is far smaller than Melbourne, with fewer students and geographically more confined, which makes this city a more laidback place to live. Surrounded by mountains, hills and bush land, more than half of Canberra is protected as reserve natural parkland. So for lovers of the country and daily national politics, Canberra is your obvious choice!

On the other hand, Melbourne has built a global reputation of being the most liveable city in the world, full of attractions, beaches, nightlife and a fair amount of sunshine. If you’re an extroverted cultural sponge, then Melbourne is the place for you!

If you’re moving to start your university career, be it in medicine or philosophy, Conroy is here supporting you.