Top Australian universities for 2022, according to QS

Australia has long cemented its reputation as a bastion for higher education, attracting legions of international students to its shores. While international students are currently not able to return to Australian universities because of COVID-19 border closures, the country’s universities still rank among the world’s best. These are the top 10 Australian universities, according to the latest QS World University Rankings 2022:

The Australian National University

This public university is located in Australia’s capital Canberra. It is part of the Group of Eight (Go8), which comprises Australia’s leading research-intensive universities. It has more Nobel Laureates among staff and alumni than any other Australian university.

The University of Melbourne

Located in Victoria, this university boasts of over 8,000 academic and professional staff who support a vibrant student body of around 65,000, including 30,000 international students from over 130 countries around the world. Four Australian prime ministers and five governors-general have graduated from the University of Melbourne, located in the city dubbed Australia’s “cultural capital.” 

Australian Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge previously said he is “increasingly hopeful” that most international students could return to Australian universities by Semester 1 of 2022. Source: Patrick Hamilton/AFP

The University of Sydney

The University of Sydney offers Australia’s broadest range of disciplines — there over 400 areas of study to choose from. Outside the classroom, there are more than 200 student-run clubs and societies enlivening campus. Famous graduates include names such as former Australian prime minister Gough Whitlam and pioneer heart transplant surgeon Victor Chang.

The University of New South Wales 

Located in Sydney, Australia’s largest city, UNSW Sydney has over 59,000 students and a 7,000-strong research community. It was established in 1949 with a unique focus on the scientific, technological and professional disciplines. The main UNSW campus is located on a 38-hectare site at Kensington, seven kilometres from the centre of Sydney. Other major campuses are Art & Design in Paddington and UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

The University of Queensland 

UQ is one of only three Australian members of the global Universitas 21, a founding member of the Group of Eight (Go8) universities, and a member of Universities Australia. The university has won more Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) than any other in the country. Their 280,000-plus alumni include a Nobel laureate, an Academy Award winner, and leaders in government, law, science, public service and the arts. 

Monash University 

Monash is Australia’s largest university. They have four local campuses throughout Victoria, an international campus in Malaysia, and centres in China, Italy and India. All Monash programmes have an international focus, and they have over 140 double degree options, bachelor, master and PhD degrees.

The University of Western Australia

UWA has a strong reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research, which makes the university competitive in a wide range of subjects. Its main campus is in the suburb of Crawley, just 10 minutes from the Perth central business district, with two smaller campuses at Claremont and Albany. Some of their famous alumni include former prime minister Bob Hawke, and Nobel Prize winners Professor Barry Marshall and Emeritus Professor Robin Warren.

International students could return to Australian universities soon through pilot plans. Source: Frederick J. Brown/AFP

The University of Adelaide

A member of Australia’s prestigious Go8 universities, the University of Adelaide has many distinguished alumni, including five Nobel Laureates; over 100 Rhodes Scholars, including Australia’s first Indigenous recipient; and Australia’s first female prime minister and Supreme Court judge. Many of their staff and teachers are internationally recognised leaders in their fields. They attract a diverse student body of over 27,000 from more than 90 countries.

The University of Technology Sydney 

UTS has vibrant international exchange, study and research programmes that prepare graduates for the workplaces of today and the future. Its campus is in the heart of Sydney’s creative and digital precinct and alongside Sydney’s central business district. UQ was ranked as the highest performing university in Australia under 50 years of age, according to the QS Top 50 Under 50 2016–2021.

University of Wollongong 

Located in New South Wales, UOW has over 35,000 students enrolled. The university has expanded its teaching locations to a network of 10 UOW campuses and a number of global partners. According to the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) 2021, 72% of UOW graduates secured full-time employment within four months of completing their course.