The University of Sydney vs Monash: How to Pick the Right One
If you are looking to go to university in Australia, you have probably heard of both the University of Sydney and Monash. Which is better: the University of Sydney vs Monash?
Opera House, Sydney. Credit: canva
The answer isn’t so simple because they each have advantages and disadvantages. Here’s everything you need to know about these two universities.
The University of Sydney is a public institution in Sydney, Australia. It was established in 1850, making it one of the oldest institutions in Australia and one of the world’s best universities. One of Australia’s six sandstone colleges, it is also one of its most renowned learning institutions.
The University of Sydney is located in Camperdown and Darlington, inner-city areas, and has been ranked the finest 10 in the world’s most beautiful universities by the British Daily Telegraph and the American Huffington Post.
The university offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through eight academic faculties and university schools.
The University of Sydney is a member of the Group of Eight, CEMS, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities, and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
About Monash University
Monash University is a public university in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest educational institution in the state of Victoria.
The University of Melbourne is a member of the Australian Science and Innovation Centre (ASAIHL), as well as the M8 Alliance of Academic Health Centers, Universities, and National Academies. It is also one of Australia’s “The Group of Eight” research universities.
Monash University, located in Melbourne, Australia, has one of the largest portfolios of programs in the country with over 140 distinct double degree choices, including bachelor, master, and Ph.D. degrees.
Monash is among the Australian institutions to be ranked by Mines ParisTech (Mines ParisTech) based on the number of alumni who are CEOs in the 500 largest worldwide businesses.
The University of Sydney vs Monash University
The University of Sydney Campus. Credit: canva
The City and Cost of Living
The QS Best Student Cities ranking provides an overview of the best places to live and study around the world based on a variety of standards, including affordability, attractiveness, and student feedback.
According to QS Best Student Cities 2022, Melbourne is Australia’s and the world’s sixth best student city. In Australia, Sydney comes in second, while it ranks eighth worldwide.
As for the cost of living, it really depends on the living style and the choice of accommodation.
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.
#3 in Australia (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
#38 in the world (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
#5 in Australia (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
#58 in the world (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
#1 in Australia (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)
#4 in the world (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)
Monash University
#6 in Australia (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
#58 in the world (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
#4 in Australia (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
#57 in the world (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
#4 in Australia (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)
#54 in the world (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)
Rankings by Subjects
The rankings are based on QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021 (Australia).
Rankings by Subjects
The University of Sydney
Art & Humanities: #3
Life Science & Medicine: #1
Engineering & Technology: #4
Natural Sciences: #3
Social Sciences & Management: #2
Computer Science & Information System: #3
Art & Design: #8
Accounting & Finance: #3
Business & Management Studies: #3
Law & Legal Studies: #3
Monash University
Art & Humanities: #4
Life Science & Medicine: #3
Engineering & Technology: #3
Natural Sciences: #5
Social Sciences & Management: #5
Computer Science & Information System: #5
Art & Design: #4
Accounting & Finance: #4
Business & Management Studies: #4
Law & Legal Studies: #5
Campus Locations
The University of Sydney
The university is located across two inner-city suburbs – Camperdown and Darlington.
The main campus has been ranked in the top 10 of the world’s most beautiful universities by The British Daily Telegraph and other sources, such as Oxford.
Monash University
The university has four main campuses in Victoria (Clayton, Caulfield, Peninsula, and Parkville), as well as a campus in Malaysia.
Monash has a research and education center in Prato, Italy, a graduate research institution in Mumbai, India, and a graduate school in Suzhou, China. Monash University’s programs are also available at various locations worldwide.
Melbourne City. Credit: canva
Faculties & Schools
The University of Sydney
Undergraduate Programs
Architecture, Design, and Planning
Bachelor of Architecture and Environments
Bachelor of Design Computing
Bachelor of Design in Architecture
Bachelor of Design in Architecture
Arts and Social Sciences
Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) (Honours)
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Advanced Studies
Bachelor of Economics
Bachelor of Education (Health and Physical Education)
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Dentistry
Doctor of Dental Medicine
Engineering, Project Management, and Information Technologies
Bachelor of Advanced Computing
Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Aeronautical)
Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Biomedical)
Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Chemical and Biomolecular)
Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Civil)
Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Electrical)
Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Mechanical)
Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Mechatronic)
Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Software)
Bachelor of Project Management
Health Sciences
Bachelor of Applied Science (Diagnostic Radiography)
Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science)
Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise Physiology)
Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy)
Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy)
Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology)
Bachelor of Oral Health
Pharmacy
Bachelor of Pharmacy
Postgraduate Programs
Architecture, Design, and Planning
Master of Architectural Science (Audio and Acoustics)
Master of Architectural Science (High Performance Buildings)
Master of Architectural Science (Illumination Design)
Master of Architectural Science (Sustainable Design)
Master of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Master of Design (Design Innovation)
Master of Design (Design Innovation)
Master of Design (Strategic Design)
Master of Heritage Conservation
Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts
Master of Urban Design
Science
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Sydney Medical School
Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Medicine
Sydney Nursing School (Nursing and Midwifery)
Bachelor of Arts and Master of Nursing
The University of Sydney Business School
MBA
Monash University
An undergraduate course is normally your first degree. We have many courses in diverse areas of study:
Monash University offers a wide range of research and coursework postgraduate degrees, including:
Professional entry Master’s degree in Medical Ultrasound
Expert Master’s degree in Professional Accounting
Graduate certificate in Information Technology Research
Research Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Science
Expert Master’s degree in Commercial Law
And many other fascinating courses.
Cost (Tuition Fee)
Estimation tuition fees for both universities are:
University of Sydney: From $AUD 36,000 to 57,000 per year
Monash University: from $AUD 36,000 to 79,000 per year
Acceptance Rate & Admission
Acceptance rate of the University of Sydney
The University of Sydney’s acceptance rate is 30%. This indicates that the university’s admissions procedure is extremely competitive. The University of Sydney remains a popular choice for Australian and overseas students wanting to pursue higher education in Australia.
Standard applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 5, as determined by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). To be considered, rural students must earn at least a 4.5 UAC GPA.
Acceptance rate of Monash University
Monash University has an acceptance rate of 40%, which is highly competitive. Entry is competitive because there are likely to be more applicants than places available.
If you meet the minimum entry requirements for your course, you can enroll. However, merely meeting the minimal entry standards does not ensure admittance to a course.
Submit your application (select the ‘Apply now’ button on your course page)
Monash University
Contact us to get help with your application and answers to your questions.
Which University is for You?
The University of Sydney is for You
The University of Sydney is for you if you are looking for:
Living in and experiencing the famous metropolitan city of Sydney
Study in one of the most famous and beautiful campuses in the world
Higher rankings in most subjects
Study areas such as:
Life Science and Medicine
Social Science and Management
Computer Science and System Information
Business
Law and Legal Studies
Monash University is for you
Monash University is for you if you are looking for:
Living in a diverse and multicultural environment in one of the most liveable cities in the world
Experiencing the famous 4 seasons in one day of Melbourne area
Lower cost of living
Easier entry (higher acceptance rate)
Study in certain areas:
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences: the best university in Australia and 18th in the world (Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2021)
Nursing: 3rd best in Australia and 6th in the world (Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2021)
Medicine: Monash medicine graduates perform better in terms of career prospects and their ability to get into ‘competitive’ specialties.
Engineering and Technology
Art and Design
MBA: Monash is famous for its Monash Business School and MBA programs.
Popular Courses at the University of Sydney
Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) USyd
Credit: canva
This course is available to students who have already completed their studies in this study area.
This program provides the opportunity to pursue an independent research project in an area of your interest. Cultivate sophisticated critical thinking skills alongside specialist knowledge as you design and complete a supervised thesis.
Location
Camperdown/ Darlington
Duration
Full time: 1 year full time for Domestic and International students
Part time: Part time study available for eligible applicants (excluding international student visa holders)
For entry requirements, application, and fee, please check here.
Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) USyd
The Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) will enable you to support people experiencing disability, injury or with ongoing conditions or needs to manage barriers that may be preventing them from participating more fully in life.
Location
Camperdown/ Darlington
Duration
Full time: 4 years full time for domestic and international students
Part time: not available
For entry requirements, application, and fee, please check here.
Popular Courses at Monash University
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science Monash
Credit: canva
There is no Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science course at Monash.
However, two undergraduate units that are related to the above title:
Advanced sport and exercise science
This unit expands upon foundational physiological, kinesiological and psychological understandings of human movement science within health and physical education.
This unit applies to specialisation: Secondary health and physical education
Successful completion of this undergraduate specialisation can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the following single degree: Bachelor of Education (Honours)
This unit is focused on students’ developing knowledge, skills, and competencies to critically evaluate current developments in sport and exercise nutrition, targeting both health and sports performance outcomes in a variety of populations.
This unit applies to specialisation: Nutrition – Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences
There is no Bachelor of Dentistry course at Monash. A related course available is:
Forensic Medicine (Expert master degree)
In this course, you will gain advanced expertise and specialised knowledge enabling you to become highly sought after in the forensic medical, dental or science fields.
Building on your qualification in medicine, dentistry, biomedical science or radiography, you will be able to apply your knowledge in the interests of justice.
This course has three specialisations:
Clinical forensic medicine
Forensic medical science
Forensic odontology
For entry requirements, application, and fee, please check here.
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy Monash
A Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) degree prepares you to qualify as an occupational therapist. In this accredited program, you’ll learn how to help people of all ages participate in everyday activities, and the gain knowledge, skills and practical experience needed for a career in occupational therapy.
Location
On-campus at Peninsula: Full time
Duration
4 years (full time)
For entry requirements, application, and fee, please check here.
Bachelor of Applied Science Monash
There is no Bachelor of Applied Science at Monash. However, there 2 other related courses:
Bachelor of Science
This degree aims to provide students with an experience in independent analysis and research in their chosen field of expertise.
Location
On-campus at Clayton: Full time
On-campus at Malaysia: Full time
Duration
3 years (full time)
For entry requirements, application, and fee, please check here.
Bachelor of Applied Data Science
If you’re interested in mastering big data and helping others to understand it, this is the course for you. This program of study will provide you with the skills necessary to solve a wide range of problems.
Location
On-campus at Clayton: Full time
Duration
3 years (full time)
For entry requirements, application, and fee, please check here.
Bachelor of Nursing Monash
Bachelor of Nursing
The Bachelor of Nursing provides students with the knowledge and clinical skills to provide high-quality nursing care.
The course develops through theme studies in human bioscience; the sociocultural context of health and illness; clinical assessment and nursing practice; and professional practice, which come together in nursing practice as demonstrated in the final year clinical placement units.
Location
On-campus at Clayton: Full time
On-campus at Peninsula: Full time
Duration
3 years (full time)
For entry requirements, application, and fee, please check here.
Bachelor of Nursing (Honours)
This is a prestigious program of coursework and research in Nursing for high achieving students who have completed the Bachelor of Nursing or a comparable degree course.
Location
On-campus at Clayton: Full time
On-campus at Peninsula: Full time
Duration
1 year (full time)
For entry requirements, application, and fee, please check here.
Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Midwifery (Honours)
On completion of the Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Midwifery you are eligible to apply for registration as a nurse and midwife – a highly capable individual who is qualified to work in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team in general nursing and midwifery practice settings.
Location
On-campus at Peninsula: Full time
Duration
4 years (full time)
For entry requirements, application, and fee, please check here.
FAQs
Is Monash University prestigious?
Yes, Monash is Australia’s most prestigious university.
What is the hardest university to get into in Australia?
The hardest university to get into in Australia is the University of Sydney, with an acceptance rate is 30% that is extremely competitive.
Is the University of Sydney better than the University of Melbourne?
Both universities are prestigious. It all depends on what area you want to study and which city you want to live in.
Is the University of Sydney a good school?
Yes, the University of Sydney is a good school. It has high rankings and in popular with both local and international students.
