Study at the University of Melbourne
Founded in 1853, the University of Melbourne is Victoria’s oldest university and Australia’s highest-ranked: 19th in the QS World University Rankings 2026. With about 50,000 students of whom 40% are international, Melbourne combines academic excellence, research influence, and remarkable quality of life. The main Parkville campus sits 15 minutes from the CBD in a city consistently ranked among the world’s most liveable.
Why choose the University of Melbourne
Melbourne is the only Australian university applying the Melbourne Model, inspired by the American Liberal Arts approach: a 3-year generalist Bachelor in a broad field (Arts, Commerce, Sciences, Biomedicine, Design, Music), followed by a specialised Master leading to professional careers (medicine, law, teaching, engineering, architecture). This model suits international students who want to explore before committing. The Faculty of Business and Economics, Melbourne Law School (consistently ranked #1 in Australia), and the Doherty Institute place Melbourne in the global top tier.
Programmes
- Bachelor of Arts — humanities, social sciences, languages, philosophy
- Bachelor of Commerce — economics, finance, marketing, management, accounting
- Bachelor of Science — pure sciences, computer science, biotech, environment
- Bachelor of Biomedicine — biology, genetics, neuroscience, pre-medicine pathway
- Bachelor of Design — architecture, urban planning, industrial design
- Bachelor of Music — performance, composition, musicology
- Bachelor of Fine Arts — visual arts, theatre, creative writing
- Bachelor of Agriculture — agronomy, animal sciences, land management
Admission requirements
- International qualifications with strong grades. Distinctions recommended for competitive programs (Biomedicine, Commerce, Design)
- IELTS Academic 6.5 minimum with no sub-band below 6.0. Some programs require 7.0+
- No SAT or ACT required for most international candidates
- Personal Statement of 500–800 words
- Interviews only for some Arts or Music programs
Tuition and cost of living
Melbourne charges per subject, allowing parcourse flexibility. 2026 international fees:
- Arts: AUD 40,000–44,000/year
- Commerce: AUD 54,463–63,316/year
- Sciences: AUD 44,000–50,000/year
- Biomedicine: AUD 48,000–52,000/year
- Overall range: AUD 38,000–58,000/year
Annual increases of 3–5%. Acceptance deposit minimum AUD 17,000. Cost of living in Melbourne: AUD 28,000–35,000/year (student accommodation, transport, food, leisure, mandatory OSHC health cover).
Application calendar
- Semester 1 — starting February, applications 4–6 months ahead (rolling admissions through the prior year)
- Semester 2 — starting July, applications 4–6 months ahead
Spots are awarded on a rolling basis until full. For highly competitive programs (Biomedicine, Commerce, Design), early applications significantly improve chances.
See our complete guide on Subclass 500 visa and the Australian system.
How YourDreamSchool supports you
Since 2018, YDS has supported students applying to the University of Melbourne and the other Group of Eight universities. We help structure your Statement of Purpose, prepare you for IELTS, build your Subclass 500 visa application, and anticipate life on the ground. Book a free orientation call with a YDS coach, or contact us with any questions.
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