Five Reasons to Study in Brisbane as an International Student

Brisbane is a rapidly growing city known to be Australia's third most populous city and the best educational destination for international students. From having a warm climate to a friendly neighbourhood to a 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 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

Universities in Brisbane have ranked at the top for many years and are recognised as one of the popular educational institutions for international students. These universities offer quality education and have renowned academic infrastructure. Here are some of the top universities in Brisbane -

1. The University of Queensland

The University of Queensland (UQ) is a public research university established in 1909 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It ranks 43rd in the QS World University Rankings 2024 and 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

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 in the 189th position globally in the QS 2024 World Rankings and 100th in QS Sustainability Rankings. With two campuses spread across the campus, the university provides excellent facilities to make students feel at home. 

Queensland University of Technology - Highlights

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 243rd in the QS 2024 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

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, which can be helpful for students -

1. James Cook University
2. Malyon College
3. Christian Heritage College
4. University of the Sunshine Coast
5. Kingsley College
6. Brisbane School of Theology
7. Liberty Construction College
8. Queensford College
9. Jschool Journalism Education and Training
10. TAFE Queensland

Student Life in Brisbane

Brisbane is a well-liked city for international students as there are many prestigious colleges and universities. Besides academics and job opportunities, Brisbane serves 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:

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.