The University of Melbourne vs RMIT: What’s the Difference?
The University of Melbourne is one of Australia’s top universities, but RMIT also offers a great education. So the University of Melbourne vs RMIT; which university should you choose?
State Library Victoria, Melbourne. Credit: unsplash
It all depends on your priorities and what kind of education you are looking for. Keep reading to find out how these two prestigious institutions compare when it comes to the cost, student life, course offerings, and more.
The University of Melbourne is a public research university in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded in 1853 and is the oldest university in Victoria and the second oldest in Australia.
The University of Melbourne is one of Australia’s six sandstone universities and a member of the Group of Eight, Universitas 21, Washington University’s McDonnell International Scholars Academy, Association of Pacific Rim Universities, and the Association for Australian Institutions in Education.
About RMIT University
RMIT is a research university in Melbourne, Australia, with its main campus located next to Docklands and the CBD. The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) is an Australian public research university.
RMIT was founded in 1887 by Francis Ormond, who named it after himself. It began as a night school providing classes in art, science, and technology to meet the needs of Australia’s industrial revolution. For more than a century, it was a private institution before merging with the Phillip Institute of Technology to form a public university in 1992.
It is the largest dual-sector educational institution in Australia, with about 95,000 higher and vocational education students. With a yearly income of around $1.5 billion, it is one of Australia’s wealthiest institutions.
The University of Melbourne vs RMIT University
The City and Cost of Living
Both the University of Melbourne and RMIT University are located in Melbourne.
Melbourne is one of the most liveable cities in the world. But it’s also one of the most expensive cities in Australia.
Melbourne is a great place to live and study: it was voted the world’s most liveable city seven years in a row (2017 Economist Intelligence Unit Global Liveability Ranking).
Both the University of Melbourne and RMIT’s city campuses are also in the heart of Melbourne city, surrounded by public transport, accommodation options, and lots of great places to eat.
The makes both universities are equal in terms of location and cost of living.
With the assumption of students with cheap to a moderate living style and shared house accommodation, the estimation of cost of living for both cities is as below.
#2 in Australia (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
#37 in the world (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
#1 in Australia (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
#33 in the world (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
#2 in Australia (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020)
#7 in the world (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020)
RMIT University
#14 in Australia (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
#206 in the world (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
#1 in Australia (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
#33 in the world (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
#8 in Australia (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020)
#77 in the world (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020)
Rankings by Subjects
The University of Melbourne
Art & Humanities: #1
Life Science & Medicine: #2
Engineering & Technology: #2
Natural Sciences: #2
Social Sciences & Management: #1
Computer Science & Information System: #1
Art & Design: #6
Accounting & Finance: #1
Business & Management Studies: #1
Law & Legal Studies: #1
Architecture & Built Environment: #2
RMIT University
Art & Humanities: #8
Engineering & Technology: #9
Natural Sciences: #13
Social Sciences & Management: #13
Computer Science & Information System: #9
Art & Design: #1
Accounting & Finance: #12
Business & Management Studies: #13
Law & Legal Studies: #18
Architecture & Built Environment: #3
Campus and Locations
The University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne’s main campus is in Parkville, an inner suburb north of Melbourne’s downtown business district, with several other locations throughout Victoria.
The institution has three additional campuses in Melbourne’s metropolitan region, all of which are located at Burnley, Southbank, and Werribee.
RMIT University
Located in the middle of Melbourne, RMIT’s City campus is the foundation campus of the university as well as it’s the largest and most recognizable. The buildings on this campus are from different periods including the Victorian era and post-war periods.
Besides having three campuses in Melbourne, the institution also has two campuses in Vietnam, a center in Spain, a representative office in Indonesia, and programs offered through partners in Asia and Europe.
Faculties/Schools and Programs
The University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is divided into 10 faculties, which encompass all major departments of both research and teaching.
Undergraduate Programs
Engineering & Technology
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Spatial Systems
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Mechanical Systems
Bachelor Of Science Major In Computing And Software Systems
Bachelor Of Science Major In Electrical Systems
Bachelor Of Science Major In Civil Systems
Bachelor Of Science Major In Informatics
Bachelor Of Science Major In Mechatronics Systems
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Computing And Software Systems
Bachelor Of Science Major In Data Science
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Civil Systems
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Data Science
Bachelor Of Science Major In Mechanical Systems
Bachelor Of Science Major In Spatial Systems
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Electrical Systems
Natural Sciences
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Mathematics And Statistics
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Mathematical Physics
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Geology
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Marine Biology
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Physics
Bachelor Of Commerce Major In Actuarial Studies
Bachelor Of Science Major In Physics
Bachelor Of Science Major In Climate And Weather
Bachelor Of Science Major In Environmental Engineering Systems
Bachelor Of Science Major In Marine Biology
Bachelor Of Science Major In Environmental Science
Bachelor Of Science Major In Geology
Bachelor Of Science Major In Mathematical Physics
Bachelor Of Science Major In Chemical Systems
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Environmental Science
Bachelor Of Science Major In Mathematics And Statistics
Bachelor Of Science Major In Chemistry
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Chemical Systems
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Climate And Weather
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Chemistry
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Environmental Engineering Systems
Life Sciences & Medicine
Bachelor Of Biomedicine Major In Psychology
Bachelor Of Arts Major In Anthropology
Bachelor Of Biomedicine Major In Infection And Immunity
Bachelor Of Biomedicine Major In Human Nutrition
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Psychology
Bachelor Of Arts (Extended) Major In Psychology
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Pharmacology
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Plant Science
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Pathology
Bachelor Of Biomedicine Major In Neuroscience
Bachelor Of Biomedicine Major In Cell And Developmental Biology
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Neuroscience
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Zoology
Bachelor Of Biomedicine Major In Microbiology
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Immunology
Bachelor Of Biomedicine Major In Biotechnology
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Genetics
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Physiology
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Microbiology And Immunology
Bachelor Of Biomedicine Major In Immunology
Bachelor Of Biomedicine Major In Pharmacology
Bachelor Of Biomedicine Major In Bioengineering Systems
Bachelor Of Biomedicine Major In Human Structure And Function
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Human Structure And Function
Bachelor Of Biomedicine Major In Pathology
Bachelor Of Agriculture Major In Production Animal Science
Bachelor Of Biomedicine Major In Biochemistry And Molecular Biology
Bachelor Of Biomedicine Major In Genetics
Bachelor Of Arts (Extended) Major In Anthropology
Bachelor Of Agriculture Major In Plant And Soil Science
Bachelor Of Biomedicine
Bachelor Of Biomedicine Major In Physiology
Bachelor Of Arts Major In Psychology
Bachelor Of Science Major In Agricultural Science
Bachelor Of Agriculture
Bachelor Of Science Major In Biotechnology
Bachelor Of Science Major In Genetics
Bachelor Of Science Major In Animal Health And Disease
Bachelor Of Agriculture Major In Agricultural Economics
Bachelor Of Science Major In Cell And Developmental Biology
Bachelor Of Science Major In Animal Science And Management
Bachelor Of Science Major In Microbiology And Immunology
Bachelor Of Science Major In Zoology
Bachelor Of Science
Bachelor Of Science Major In Physiology
Bachelor Of Science (Extended)
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Bioengineering Systems
Bachelor Of Science Major In Computational Biology
Bachelor Of Science Major In Biochemistry And Molecular Biology
Bachelor Of Science Major In Neuroscience
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Agricultural Science
Bachelor Of Science Major In Plant Science
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Biotechnology
Bachelor Of Science Major In Food Science
Bachelor Of Science Major In Human Structure And Function
Bachelor Of Science Major In Pathology
Bachelor Of Science Major In Bioengineering Systems
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Animal Health And Disease
Bachelor Of Science Major In Psychology
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Cell And Developmental Biology
Bachelor Of Science Major In Ecology And Evolutionary Biology
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Food Science
Bachelor Of Science Major In Forest Science
Bachelor Of Science Major In Immunology
Bachelor Of Science Major In Pharmacology
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Ecology And Evolutionary Biology
Bachelor Of Oral Health
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Animal Science And Management
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Biochemistry And Molecular Biology
Bachelor Of Science (Extended) Major In Computational Biology
Master Of Applied Science (Geospatial Information)
Art & Humanities
Master Of Fine Art
Master Of Design Futures
Master Of Translating And Interpreting
Master Of Photography
Master Of Fashion (Entrepreneurship)
Master Of Social Work
Master Of Communication Design
Master Of Communication
Master Of Fashion (Design)
Master Of Animation, Games And Interactivity
Master Of Arts (Art In Public Space)
Master Of Disaster, Design And Development
Master Of Interior Design
Life Sciences & Medicine
Master Of Applied Science (Chinese Herbal Medicine)
Master Of Laboratory Medicine
Master Of Occupational Health And Safety
Engineering & Technology
Master Of Artificial Intelligence
Master Of Applied Science (Acupuncture)
Online Master Of Data Science Strategy And Leadership
Master Of Nanotechnology And Smart Materials
Master Of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering)
Master Of Engineering (Electrical Engineering)
Master Of Engineering (Aerospace)
Master Of Engineering (Robotics And Mechatronics Engineering)
Master Of Analytics
Master Of Engineering (Civil Engineering)
Master Of Biotechnology
Master Of Engineering (Electronic Engineering)
Master Of Engineering (Management)
Master Of Engineering (International Automotive Engineering)
Master Of Engineering (Manufacturing)
Master Of Engineering (Environmental Engineering)
Online Master Of Engineering (Management)
Master Of Computer Science
Master Of Data Science
Master Of Engineering (Airworthiness)
Master Of Engineering (Electrical And Electronic Engineering)
Master Of Engineering (Sustainable Energy)
Master Of Science (Aviation)
Master Of Engineering (Telecommunication And Network Engineering)
Master Of Geospatial Science
Master Of Sustainable Practice
Master Of Food Science And Technology
Social Sciences & Management
Master Of International Development
Master Of Public Policy
Juris Doctor
Master Of Supply Chain And Logistics Management
Master Of Marketing
Master Of Business Information Technology
Master Of International Business
Master Of Finance
Master Of Professional Accounting (CPA Australia Extension)
Master Of Commerce
Master Of Human Resource Management
Master Of Urban Planning And Environment
Master Of Information Management
Master Of Professional Accounting
Online Master Of Marketing
Online Master Of Commerce
Master Of Arts (Arts Management)
Master Of Justice And Criminology
Master Of Urban Design
Master Of Project Management
Master Of Urban Planning And Environment
Master Of Property
Online Master Of Human Resource Management
Master Of Statistics And Operations Research
Online Master Of Supply Chain And Logistics Management
Natural Sciences
Master Of Energy Efficient And Sustainable Building
Master Of Environmental Science And Technology
Master Of Clinical Psychology
Master Of Environmental Science And Technology
Master Of Energy Efficient And Sustainable Building
Master Of Clinical Psychology
Master Of Medical Physics
Master Of Medical Physics
Cost (Tuition Fee)
Estimation tuition fees for both universities are:
University of Melbourne: from $AUD 30,000 to 65,000 per year
RMIT University: from $AUD 28,000 to 47,000 per year ???
Acceptance Rate and Admission
The University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne’s admissions criteria is moderately competitive, with a roughly 70% to 80% acceptance rate. Each program has unique entry requirements, and the level of competitiveness among applicants varies.
Acceptance is based on academic excellence. An undergraduate degree of three years or more is required, with a minimum credit average (GPA equivalent of 65% at the University of Melbourne) and must be from one of the following: The University of Melbourne, another Australian institution, or a university in another country.
RMIT University
RMIT’s acceptance rate is around 85% and increases each academic year as it enrols more students across its various programmes. Even though the university accepts more students each year, the competition is high. For some courses, interviews or auditions be held, and a few design courses may require portfolios.
For standard applicants, the minimum GPA of 2.0 or 60% or equivalent (if you have a lower GPA, it will be assessed on a case-by-case basis), meet RMIT’s English language requirements, and be 18 years of age or over at time of application.
Accept your offer: Have you already received an offer from RMIT? Follow these steps to accept your offer.
Apply for a Visa: All international students studying in Australia need a visa issued by the Australian Government.
Prepare to arrive: Learn what you need to organise before starting life as an international student at RMIT.
Which University is For You?
The University of Melbourne is for you
The University of Melbourne is for you if you are looking for:
Living in a big metropolitan city
Study in one of the oldest and most beautiful universities in Australia
Closer to Melbourne city center
Higher university rankings
Higher rankings on most subjects
RMIT University is for you
RMIT is for you if you are looking for:
An average lower tuition fee
Study in a modern campus
Easier entry
Study in certain areas:
art & design
architecture & built environment
computer science & information technology
The university is the top art and design university in Australia and Oceania, according to the QS World University Rankings, which put it at 15th place in the world.
RMIT is unique in its approach to design education, providing students with hands-on studio learning to develop, visualise, and prototype design solutions. With award-winning graduates recognized as driving industry, pushing creative boundaries, and setting design standards, RMIT is a driving force in the area of design.
FAQs
Is RMIT Melbourne a good university?
RMIT is a good university and ranked higher than the University of Melbourne (rank 200 vs rank 248). RMIT has better rankings in subjects such as architecture, art & design.
Which is better Monash or RMIT?
Both are good universities. To be honest, it is very difficult to compare two different institutions because they have different missions and students will experience a completely different environment depending on the institution where they choose to study.
Is RMIT a prestigious university?
RMIT is a prestigious university and in the top 200 universities of the world. RMIT has better rankings in subjects such as architecture, art & design where it ranks higher than Monash University (rank 100 vs rank 135).
