Melbourne and Sydney are two of the most popular cities in Australia, and each attracts thousands of international students every year. But which one should you choose as an international student?
Both cities have plenty to offer for those that want to study abroad. But there are plenty of reasons why Melbourne may be your better choice. Read on to find out about some of the best features of Melbourne that are sure to make it your new home away from home!
More international student population
While both Sydney and Melbourne have large student populations, there are more foreign-born students in Melbourne. In fact, it boasts over 100,000 international students, second only to Paris.
Best student city in Australia
Not only does Melbourne have more international students per capita. It’s also the best student city in Australia, with Sydney coming in at a close second. In the Qs Best Student Cities Ranking 2022, Melbourne stands at the 6th position worldwide, with Sydney coming in at 8th.
And while Sydney has more universities (35 against 12) overall, Melbourne is home to more reputable universities in world university rankings. (leverageedu.com)
It has 7 top universities: the University of Melbourne, Monash University, RMIT University, Deakin University, La Trobe University, Swinburne University of Technology, and Victoria University.
Despite having more universities, Sydney only has 5 universities in world university rankings: the University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, University of Technology Sydney, Macquarie University, and Western Sydney University.
This reflects the prestige of the education on offer for an international student in Melbourne.
Highly adaptable climate
Be prepared to experience four seasons in one day. This may sound like a negative at first. However, such volatile weather patterns make Melbourne more adaptable for students coming from everywhere.
More Affordable rent
While both cities are expensive for students who want to study abroad, you will have an easier time paying your rent in Melbourne if you’re new to Australia. Rent prices in Melbourne are about 32% cheaper than in Sydney.
The median rent in Sydney is $2340 per month, compared to just $1733 per month in Melbourne. (blog.hood.ai)
Below is the expected annual rent in USD for an overseas student, according to leverageedu.com.
| Accommodation Type | Melbourne | Sydney |
| On-Campus (includes food & utilities) | $16919.34-$29505.53 | $17369.78- $34636.92 |
| Off-Campus | $9659.85 – $11627.74 | $6965.87-$17882.92 |
| Sharehouse | $6260.30 – $14303.77 | $8941.46 – $26811.54 |
Better transport system
Melbourne has made great strides in recent years to improve public transit and make it easier for students to move around the city on their own terms. Melbourne’s excellent tram system is a great alternative for getting around the city—it’s cheap, reliable, and easy to use. It also offers a great view of the city as you travel along its tracks!
Diverse culture
Sydney also has some great cultural offerings, but it’s not nearly as diverse as Melbourne. You’ll find all kinds of people in Melbourne, making it a great place to study abroad. In fact, the Victorian capital has people from across 140 nations. Such cultural diversity makes making friends with people from different backgrounds much easier.
Also, the people of Melbourne are more friendly. Sydney is all about business, whereas Melbourne is all about community. So you won’t feel like a tourist walking the streets of Melbourne.
Higher employer activity
Melbourne ranks at number 7 worldwide for employer activity. Sydney comes in at the 9th position. (topuniversities.com)
This ensures highly employability rate for any international student upon completion of studies. Also, according to a recent study, Melbourne has a lower unemployment rate of 5.6% compared to Sydney’s 6.1%.
Vibrant nightlife
While Sydney has its fair share of restaurants, bars, and clubs, it doesn’t have nearly as many options as Melbourne does. Melbourne is known for its vibrant nightlife scene—from wine tasting rooms to craft beer bars to lively pubs.
The atmosphere is much more relaxed and fun. Also, there are more opportunities for part-time jobs that involve going out at night. There is so much going on in town!
Multi-cuisine food with the option of free meals
There are many cuisines to choose from in Melbourne, such as Italian, Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American food. In Sydney, there are only a few cuisines available to international students. This means you’ll have more options for food in general and that your international peers will be able to find something they like more easily than if they lived in Sydney.
Did you know there’s also the option of free meals in Melbourne? That’s right; International students have many options for free meals. You can get it at FoodBank International Students Pop-Up stores that offer free groceries to international students.
Sports capital
Melbourne is Australia’s sports capital, and the city has a reputation as a place where you can get involved in everything from yoga to street hockey to surfing. This Australian city boasts over 345 sports, many of which offer discounted rates for international students. You can find all the best events happening here, from the Australian Open to the Australian Formula One Grand Prix.
Conclusion
Melbourne is a great city for international students. It has a lot to offer: lower cost of living, higher employer activity, and a diverse population that makes it easy to make friends—all of
