University of Melbourne vs University of Sydney: Which One is for You?
University of Melbourne vs University of Sydney, which one is for you? Whether you’re a future student or just curious about the two universities, it’s not hard to see why people want to know this.
Old Quadrangle, University of Melbourne. Credit: canva
Both are prestigious institutions with excellent reputations in Australia and worldwide. They offer undergraduate degrees and graduate programs, so you can study whatever interests you at either university.
But which one should you choose? We’ve compared them to three important factors: rankings, cost, subjects, and location to help make your decision easier!
The University of Melbourne is a public institution in Melbourne, Australia. Established in 1853 and the oldest university in Victoria, this Australia’s second-best institute has a main campus at Parkville with additional campuses throughout the state.
Over 21 percent of our undergraduate students participate in an international study experience during their degree, and more than 20,000 foreign students attend the University.
About the University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university in Sydney, Australia. It is the first institution in Australia and has been recognized as one of the best universities worldwide by several ranking organizations. It was established in 1850.
The University of Sydney. Credit: canva
University of Sydney vs University of Melbourne
The City and Cost of Living
Considering a range of factors, such as affordability, desirability, and the opinions of current students, the QS Best Student Cities ranking provides an overview of the best places to live and study around the world.
According to QS Best Student Cities 2022, Melbourne is the best student city in Australia and number 6 globally. And Sydney is following second in Australia, while it is number 8 in the world.
As for the cost of living, it depends on the living style and the choice of accommodation.
With the assumption of students with cheap to moderate living styles and shared house accommodation, the estimation of the cost of living for both cities is 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)
The University of Sydney
#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 2020)
#4 in the world (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020)
Rankings by Subjects
The rankings are based on QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021 (Australia).
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
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
Campus Locations
The University of Melbourne
The main campus is the Parkville campus, which is located a short walk from central Melbourne.
Parkville anchors an additional six specialist campuses throughout Greater Melbourne and regional Victoria and three innovation precincts in the city center.
The University of Sydney
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.
The university is located across two inner-city suburbs – Camperdown and Darlington.
Faculties and Schools
The University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is divided into ten faculties, which encompass all major departments of both research and teaching.
Architecture, Building, and Planning
Melbourne School of Design
Arts
Faculty of Arts
Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Business and Economics
Faculty of Business and Economics
Melbourne Business School
Melbourne School of Professional and Continuing Education
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences
Melbourne Dental School
Melbourne Medical School
Melbourne School of Health Sciences
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences
School of Biomedical Sciences
Science
School of BioSciences
School of Chemistry
School of Earth Sciences
School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences
School of Geography
School of Mathematics and Statistics
School of Physics
Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences
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
Cost (Tuition Fee)
Estimation tuition fees for both universities are:
University of Melbourne: From $AUD 30,000 to 65,000 per year
University of Sydney: From $AUD 36,000 to 57,000 per year
Acceptance Rate
The University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne’s admission requirements is moderately difficult, with an acceptance rate of around 70% to 80%. Each program has different entry standards, and the degree of competitiveness among students varies.
For standard applicants, an undergraduate degree of three years or more is required, with a minimum credit average (GPA equivalent to 65% at the University of Melbourne). It must be from the University of Melbourne, another Australian institution, or a university in another country.
The University of Sydney has an acceptance rate of 30%. This indicates that the university’s admissions process is highly competitive. The University of Sydney remains a popular choice for Australian and overseas students wanting to further their education in Australia.
To be considered, standard applicants must have a minimum GPA of 5, as determined by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Rural applicants must have a minimum UAC GPA of 4.5 to be considered.
Submit your application (select the Apply Now button on your course page)
Usyd vs Unimelb
The University of Melbourne is for You
The University of Melbourne is for you if you are looking for the following:
Cheaper cost of living and a safer city
Comprehensive choice of programs
An average lower tuition fee
Higher ranking university
Higher ranking in most subjects
Easier entry (higher acceptance rate)
The University of Sydney is for You
The University of Sydney is for you if you are looking for the following:
The living experience in a big and more well-known metropolitan city
One of the oldest, most famous, and most beautiful campuses in the world
Degrees in the area of Life Science and Medicine. This includes:
Agriculture & Forestry
Anatomy & Physiology
Biological Sciences
Dentistry
Medicine
Nursing
Pharmacy & Pharmacology
Psychology
Veterinary Sciences
Higher challenge and competitive environment
Higher employability in Australia and worldwide.
FAQs
Is Sydney or Melbourne better for students?
In 2021, the QS Best Student Cities Ranking will be published, including comments from more than 87,000 current and prospective international students. Melbourne was ranked sixth among the world’s best cities to study; Sydney finished eighth.
Is Melbourne University the best in Australia?
According to THE rankings, the University of Melbourne is Australia’s top university, with the highest overall world ranking (31).
Which is best, Melbourne or Sydney?
Without a doubt, Melbourne is the winner! Melbourne is home to a wide range of sports, culture, cuisine, nightlife, and beauty. Sydney is an excellent holiday destination, but living in Melbourne is always the winner!
Is Sydney or Melbourne more expensive?
The cost of living in Sydney is greater than that in Melbourne. While Sydneysiders make more on average than Melbournites, they pay 37% more for their homes, with the typical home price in Sydney costing $843,994 compared to $615,068 in Melbourne.
