Key takeaways
- Deakin is the largest of the three (37,191 students) and sits in the highest THE 2026 band (201–250); Swinburne is the smallest and the most international (41%).
- All three appear on the Saudi Ministry of Education’s approved Australia list (page last updated 14 January 2024).
- Engineering tuition is close: AUD 47,040 a year at RMIT and AUD 47,320 at Swinburne for 2026.
- English requirements differ by program: Swinburne asks IELTS 6.0 for undergraduate and 6.5 for postgraduate coursework; Deakin publishes 6.0 as its undergraduate minimum.
- RMIT states it may raise fees at the start of each calendar year by no more than 7.5%, so budget for every year of the degree.
- The decision rests on field, professional accreditation and total cost — not on rankings alone.
In this article
RMIT, Deakin and Swinburne are three Victorian universities that share a practical, industry-facing character but differ in scale: Deakin is the largest by enrolment, RMIT sits closest to design and engineering in central Melbourne, and Swinburne is the smallest with the highest share of international students. All three appear on the Saudi Ministry of Education’s approved list of Australian universities.
Who is each university?
RMIT University
A public university based in Melbourne’s central business district, CRICOS provider code 00122A RMIT University. RMIT says it has built its reputation on industry-connected learning, embedding industry projects, placements and work-integrated learning into its courses RMIT University. It sits in the 251–300 band of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, with 32,309 students and 38% international Times Higher Education.
Deakin University
The largest of the three by enrolment: 37,191 students, 25% of them international, placed in the 201–250 band in the THE 2026 rankings — the highest band of the three Times Higher Education. Its CRICOS provider code is 00113B Deakin University. Deakin has campuses in Melbourne, Geelong and Warrnambool alongside its cloud (online) campus.
Swinburne University of Technology
The smallest by enrolment and the most international: 15,725 students, 41% from outside Australia, in the 251–300 band of the THE 2026 rankings Times Higher Education. Its CRICOS provider code is 00111D Swinburne University. Swinburne is unusual in housing vocational education (TAFE), foundation programs, undergraduate and postgraduate study under one roof.
Quick comparison
| Item | RMIT | Deakin | Swinburne |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE World University Rankings 2026 | 251–300 | 201–250 | 251–300 |
| Total students | 32,309 | 37,191 | 15,725 |
| International students | 38% | 25% | 41% |
| CRICOS provider code | 00122A | 00113B | 00111D |
| On the Saudi Ministry of Education’s Australia list | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Sources: Times Higher Education for rankings, enrolment and international share; Saudi Ministry of Education for the approved-university list (page last updated 14 January 2024).
Which one suits my field?
Design, arts and media
RMIT is the best known of the three in this space, and from Semester 1 2026 its Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) has been renamed the Bachelor of Graphic Design RMIT University. Swinburne runs close behind in design, film and television and games; its Bachelor of Design fees are AUD 41,110–45,010 a year for 2026 Swinburne University.
Engineering and technology
All three offer engineering; the difference is price and sub-discipline. At Swinburne, a Bachelor of Engineering is AUD 47,320 a year, an Associate Degree in Engineering AUD 40,310, and a Bachelor of Information Technology AUD 42,600–44,510 Swinburne University. At RMIT, the Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) (Honours) is AUD 47,040 for 2026 RMIT University.
Business and management
At RMIT, the MBA is AUD 50,880 a year, the Master of Finance AUD 48,960, and the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration AUD 25,440 in total (2026) RMIT University. At Swinburne, a Bachelor of Business is AUD 41,600–43,430 and a Master of Business AUD 48,420 a year Swinburne University.
Health and education
These courses usually carry professional accreditation and placement requirements, and they are typically the most expensive. RMIT’s Master of Physiotherapy is AUD 53,760 a year and its Bachelor of Education (Primary and Secondary) AUD 36,480 RMIT University. At Swinburne, a Master of Health is AUD 47,960–54,400 a year Swinburne University. If you are heading into a registered profession, ask about accreditation before you ask about price.
What does each one cost?
| Program | RMIT (2026) | Swinburne (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor degree (general range) | 36,000–50,000 per year | varies by field |
| Bachelor of Engineering | 47,040 per year | 47,320 per year |
| Bachelor of Business | within the general range | 41,600–43,430 per year |
| Master’s degree (general range) | 35,000–60,000 per year | varies by field |
| Foundation program | — | 32,200 total |
Sources: RMIT University and Swinburne University. Deakin’s fees vary by degree, study load and commencing year, and are published on each degree page and through its fee estimator Deakin University. Deakin’s English language centre (DUELI) charges AUD 510 per week for 2026 Deakin University.
Some items are easy to forget. RMIT’s Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) is capped at AUD 373 for calendar year 2026; living expenses in Melbourne are estimated at AUD 30,000–45,000 a year; and the Student visa charge is AUD 2,500 RMIT University. RMIT also notes that it may raise tuition at the start of each calendar year by no more than 7.5% RMIT University — so budget for every year of your degree, not just the first.
What are the entry and English requirements?
At Swinburne, undergraduate entry requires IELTS overall 6.0 with no band below 6.0, rising to 6.5 for degrees such as education, law and psychological sciences, 6.5 for postgraduate coursework and 7.0 for postgraduate research Swinburne University.
At Deakin, the published minimum for undergraduate courses is IELTS 6.0, with some courses requiring more Deakin University. RMIT publishes its requirements on its English language proficiency tests page, and they vary by study level and program RMIT University.
The practical rule is the same at all three: the number that matters is the one on your program page, not the university’s general minimum. Also confirm that the test you sat is accepted for Student visa purposes Department of Home Affairs.
Are all three recognised by the Saudi Ministry of Education?
Yes. On the Australia page of the King Salman Scholarship Program (برنامج خادم الحرمين الشريفين للابتعاث الخارجي), Deakin, RMIT and Swinburne all appear in the approved list for Melbourne (page last updated 14 January 2024) Saudi Ministry of Education.
But a university being listed is one thing; your field and study level being accepted under your scholarship track is another. Read our guides to the Saudi scholarship tracks and the Arruaad track (both in Arabic), then check the current list and your track’s conditions before you commit.
How to choose, step by step
- Start from the field, not the name: open the degree page at all three and compare subjects, duration and placement.
- Check professional accreditation if your field is regulated (engineering, nursing, teaching, health), and confirm the course is on the CRICOS register CRICOS.
- Cost the whole degree, not the first year: annual fees multiplied by years, allowing for annual increases, plus health cover and living costs.
- Compare the English requirement for your specific program and decide whether you need an English course or a foundation program first.
- If you are a scholarship student, confirm the university and the field both sit within your track.
- Apply to more than one university where you can, then compare offer letters: first instalment, due dates, refund terms.
- After accepting an offer and paying the first instalment, obtain your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), arrange OSHC, then lodge the visa application.
Your next step
Choosing between RMIT, Deakin and Swinburne is not settled by rankings alone — it is settled by your field, your program’s accreditation and the total cost of all your study years. Open the three degree pages side by side and write the numbers on one sheet, then register your details with us or contact us and we will help you compare and prepare the paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
There is no single answer, because the differences are about field and cost rather than overall quality. Deakin sits in a higher THE 2026 band (201–250), RMIT is strongest in design and engineering in central Melbourne, and Swinburne combines vocational, foundation and degree study in one institution.
RMIT states that bachelor degrees range roughly from AUD 36,000 to AUD 50,000 a year and master’s degrees from AUD 35,000 to AUD 60,000 for 2026. The exact figure appears on the program page or in the university’s tuition fee calculator.
Swinburne appears in the approved list for Melbourne on the Australia page of the King Salman Scholarship Program (last updated 14 January 2024). Check the current list and your track’s field and level conditions before applying.
Deakin publishes a minimum of IELTS 6.0 for undergraduate courses, with some courses requiring more. The score that applies to you is the one shown on your specific course page.
RMIT estimates living expenses in Melbourne at AUD 30,000–45,000 a year for 2026. That is indicative and varies with housing and lifestyle, and it is higher than the minimum you must evidence for the visa.
Yes. Swinburne runs a Foundation Program costing AUD 32,200 in total for 2026, alongside its UniLink diplomas, and RMIT and Deakin also offer preparatory pathways. Check the pathway page on each university’s site.
No. RMIT states that fees are held constant within a calendar year but may rise at the start of each year by no more than 7.5%. Budget on the basis of potential increases, not the first year alone.
Official sources
- RMIT University — World University Rankings 2026 — Times Higher Education
- Deakin University — World University Rankings 2026 — Times Higher Education
- Swinburne University of Technology — World University Rankings 2026 — Times Higher Education
- Cost of studying in Australia for international students in 2026 — RMIT University
- Fees for international students — RMIT University
- Fees for international students — Swinburne University of Technology
- Entry requirements for international students — Swinburne University of Technology
- English language requirements — Deakin University
- DUELI course dates and fees — Deakin University
- قائمة الجامعات المعتمدة — أستراليا — وزارة التعليم السعودية
- Student visa (subclass 500) — Department of Home Affairs, Australia
- CRICOS register — Australian Government
Ready to start?
KD International helps you choose a university, prepare your admission and visa file, and answers your questions about Saudi scholarships and studying in Australia. Apply now or message us on WhatsApp.
Last updated: 14 September 2026. Fees and requirements change; always confirm with the official source before deciding.
