Brisbane is a rapidly growing city known as Australia's third-most populous and the best educational destination for international students. From its warm climate to friendly neighbourhood to multicultural hub, studying in Brisbane is a fortune for international applicants. The city is home to over 200 nationalities and 220 languages, establishing top universities and colleges worldwide.
Brisbane universities and colleges provide high-quality education with a blend of practical and theoretical approaches that are highly demanding globally. International students can opt for bachelor’s and master’s programs in various specialisations. In addition, there are universities with satellite campuses as well.
Learn more about studying in Brisbane as an international student below. Arrange a free consultation with SI-Australia today to begin your application.
Why Study in Brisbane?
1. Home to Top-Ranked Universities
Located in the South of Queensland, Brisbane is home to some top Australian universities, like the University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, and Griffith University. These universities are listed among the finest educational institutions globally, offering international students various programs at different degree levels.
2. High-Quality Education
Universities in Brisbane are known for their high-quality education and maintain a strong reputation with the academic community. The city also has popular vocational education providers, pathways, foundation studies, and English-language colleges.
3. State-of-Art Facilities
The educational institutions have state-of-the-art architecture and modern facilities, including cutting-edge labs, virtual reality systems, art and design studios, specialised research centres, and more.
4. Affordable Cost of Living
Brisbane is considered to be an affordable city for international students. It has a low cost of living, expenses, and educational costs, providing more value for money.
5. Diverse and Sustainable Culture
Brisbane is a diverse city, with over 21.7% of its population comprising international students, making it an inclusive city. It also promotes green and sustainable living, becoming Australia’s most biodiverse and green capital city. For example, the University of Queensland rolled out an initiative called “UQ Unwrapped”, which aims to reduce the usage of plastic footprint and is steadily working towards becoming energy neutral.
Top Universities in Brisbane 2025
Brisbane universities have ranked at the top for many years and are recognised as popular educational institutions for international students.
1. The University of Queensland
The University of Queensland (UQ) is a public research university established in 1909 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It ranks 40th in the QS World University Rankings 2025. With six faculties, eight globally recognised research institutes, and more than 100 research centres, the university is known for delivering knowledge and leadership for a better world.
UQ's campus life is more than just studying. You can enjoy a perfect blend of big-city lifestyle, warm climate, and pleasing places of attraction, with cafes, exercise facilities, services, clubs, counselling centres, concerts, and festivals throughout the academic year.
University of Queensland - Highlights
|
University type |
Public research university |
|
Established |
1909 |
|
Number of international students |
21,000 |
|
QS World Ranking 2025 |
40 |
|
Acceptance rate |
40% |
|
Student-faculty ratio |
13:1 |
|
Campus facilities |
Food and drinks, shops and services, sporting facilities, learning facilities, libraries, and digital learning facilities |
|
International scholarships |
International Onshore Merit Scholarships, Oei Family Scholarships, UQ International Excellence Scholarship, MBA Student Scholarship, and Destination Australia Scholarship |
2. Queensland University of Technology
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is a public research university established in 1989 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is a young university with a global reputation for excellence. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in architecture and built environment, creative arts, engineering, English language, justice, law, mathematics, and science, preparing you with the skills needed to find a career in Australia and abroad.
QUT ranks 213th globally in the QS 2025 World Rankings and 100th in the QS Sustainability Rankings. With two campuses, the university provides excellent facilities to make students feel at home.
Queensland University of Technology - Highlights
|
University type |
Public research university |
|
Established |
1989 |
|
Number of international students |
6999 |
|
QS World Ranking 2025 |
213 |
|
Acceptance rate |
40% |
|
Student-faculty ratio |
64:9 |
|
Campus facilities |
Health campus, student centres, labs, clinical spaces, food and retail options, and public venues |
|
International scholarships |
International Merit Scholarship, Triple Crown Scholarship, and International Double Master Program Bursary |
3. Griffith University
Established in 1971, Griffith University is a public research university in South East Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. It is the first Australian university to introduce degrees in environmental science and Asian studies. The university ranks 255th in the QS 2025 World University Rankings and has nursing and hospitality courses in the top 5 in Australia in the QS Subject Rankings 2023. Griffith University offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and research courses in business, law, engineering, nursing, and arts and humanities.
The university's campus life is vibrant and diverse, with about 50,000 students from more than 130 countries enrolled. You can enjoy events, club programs, festivals and host trips and tours throughout the year.
Griffith University- Highlights
|
University type |
Public research university |
|
Established |
1971 |
|
Number of international students |
9000 |
|
QS World Ranking 2025 |
255 |
|
Acceptance rate |
50% |
|
Student-faculty ratio |
25:1 |
|
Campus facilities |
Student clubs, cafes and eateries, sporting and fitness amenities, accommodation, and retail shops |
|
International scholarships |
Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarship, International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship, and Griffith Remarkable Scholarship |
Top Colleges in Brisbane
Brisbane has several premier institutions and colleges offering specialised business, healthcare, law, arts and humanities, engineering, and environmental science courses. Many colleges in Brisbane also provide English proficiency while studying.
- James Cook University
- Malyon College
- Christian Heritage College
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Kingsley College
- Brisbane School of Theology
- Liberty Construction College
- Queensford College
- Jschool Journalism Education and Training
- TAFE Queensland
Student Life in Brisbane
Brisbane is a well-liked city for international students as there are many prestigious colleges and universities. In addition to academics and job opportunities, Brisbane offers impressive sightseeing spots, delicious cuisine, culture, and community exploration. The city has a wide variety of restaurants and cafes that serve handcrafted coffee and mouth-watering food.
Brisbane has good public transport facilities, offering trains, buses, and ferries as the primary mode of transportation. You can purchase a Translink card from multiple outlets around Queensland, which costs around $10.
Living Costs in Brisbane for International Students
Brisbane has cheaper living expenses than Australia’s other cities. The average cost of living for a single person living in Brisbane is around $400 to $1000 weekly, which covers necessities such as rent, food, and other utilities. Here is a checklist of monthly expenses in Brisbane for international students:
|
Particulars |
Monthly Expenses |
|
Rent |
$800 |
|
Transport |
$120 |
|
Food |
$600 |
|
Utilities |
$140 |
|
Others |
$100 |
|
Total Monthly Expense |
$1760 |
Study in Brisbane
If you want to study in Australia, you can give yourself the best chance of successfully applying by arranging a free consultation with SI-Australia today.
