Key takeaways
- The University of Melbourne is 22nd, Monash 31st and RMIT equal 119th in QS 2027, and Melbourne is the world’s fourth-best student city.
- Bachelor tuition at RMIT is AUD 36,000–50,000 a year, and the visa requires evidence of AUD 29,710 in living costs.
- Melbourne’s median weekly unit rent is AUD 580 versus 750 in Sydney, per Domain’s December quarter 2025 report.
- July’s mean minimum is 6°C and January’s mean maximum 25.9°C: a cold, snow-free winter and a mild summer.
- Public transport is half price until 1 January 2027 with a daily cap of AUD 5.70.
- The Saudi Students Club in Melbourne is listed by the Cultural Mission, and foundation pathways open Melbourne’s universities to students without direct entry.
In this article
- Which universities are in Melbourne and how are they ranked?
- How much does it cost to study in Melbourne?
- What is rent like in Melbourne and where do students live?
- What is Melbourne’s weather like?
- How much is public transport?
- Is there a Saudi community in Melbourne?
- Can you reach a Melbourne university without direct admission?
- How to apply to Melbourne universities step by step
Melbourne has two universities in the world’s top 35 (Melbourne and Monash) plus six more, and it is the world’s fourth-best student city in the QS 2027 ranking, with lower rent than Sydney, a cold but snow-free winter and an organised Saudi student club. This guide answers the two questions Saudi students ask first: which universities, and how much does it cost?
Which universities are in Melbourne and how are they ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, released on 18 June 2026, the University of Melbourne placed 22nd in the world according to the; Monash University placed 31st, up from equal 36th the previous year, according to Monash University; and RMIT placed equal 119th, its highest position since 2006 and tenth among Australian universities, according to RMIT. The city’s other universities, according to the:
| University | QS 2027 rank | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | 22 | Highest ranked in the city; requires a foundation year for students who do not meet direct entry |
| Monash University | 31 | Its best-ever position; Monash College pathways lead into second year |
| RMIT University | =119 | Technology university known for architecture, design and engineering |
| Deakin University | 227 | Campuses in Melbourne and Geelong, with its own foundation college |
| La Trobe University | 241 | Main campus in Melbourne’s north |
| Swinburne University of Technology | 291 | Technology university in Hawthorn |
| Victoria University | 696 | In the city’s west |
| Australian Catholic University (ACU) | 851–900 | Campus in central Melbourne |
KD wrote in November 2019 that Melbourne has "7 distinguished universities and professional language institutes" in a post on its X account; the exact count depends on what you treat as a Melbourne university, and the table above is what matters for your application.
In the QS Best Student Cities 2027 ranking, Melbourne placed 4th in the world and 1st in Australia, according to the.
Which university fits your scholarship track?
The Saudi Ministry of Education describes the Arruaad (الرواد) track as a scholarship to "the top 30 educational institutions in the world" and the Emdad (إمداد) track as a scholarship to "the top 200 universities and institutes worldwide in specific fields", according to the King Salman Scholarship Program FAQ (last updated 11 January 2024). The reference, however, is the approved university list for each track inside the Safeer platform, not the general ranking, so confirm the university and major are on the list before requesting admission. Details are in the Arruaad track guide and the guide to all scholarship tracks.
How much does it cost to study in Melbourne?
The cost has three parts: tuition, living costs, and the visa and insurance.
| Item | Amount (AUD) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Annual bachelor tuition at RMIT | 36,000–50,000 | RMIT, 2026 |
| Annual master’s tuition at RMIT | 35,000–60,000 | RMIT, 2026 |
| Estimated annual living costs in Melbourne | 30,000–45,000 | RMIT, 2026 |
| Living costs required for the student visa, per year | 29,710 | Department of Home Affairs, as at September 2026 |
| Student visa application charge | from 2,500 | Department of Home Affairs, as at September 2026 |
| OSHC for a single student, per year | 590–750 | RMIT, 2026 |
The University of Melbourne and Monash publish fees per programme on their own websites, and they differ widely between arts, engineering and medicine; check the current figure for your programme on the university’s fees page before building a budget. For scholarship students the Cultural Mission pays tuition, so what really matters is living costs and rent.
What is rent like in Melbourne and where do students live?
According to Domain’s December quarter 2025 report, published by ABC News on 15 January 2026, Melbourne’s median weekly asking rent was AUD 580 for houses and 580 for units, compared with 800 and 750 in Sydney, and 650 for units in Brisbane and Perth. Melbourne was the only capital city where house rents fell over the year, by 1.7 per cent, according to the same report.
In the figures the University of Melbourne publishes for students on its cost of living page (September 2025 medians), a one-bedroom flat rents for about AUD 500 a week and a two-bedroom flat for about 600, with food estimated at 150–250 a week, transport at 30–60, phone and internet at 15–30, and 3,000–5,000 to set up a home the first time (bond, furniture).
Accommodation options
- Managed student accommodation near the universities: the easiest for a new arrival because it is furnished and on a short lease. KD partners with Scape student accommodation and includes housing help among its services.
- A room in a shared flat: the cheapest option, suited to single students.
- An independent flat: for families; it usually needs a rental history or a guarantor, so start with temporary accommodation and move later.
What is Melbourne’s weather like?
Melbourne is the city of "four seasons in one day". According to the Bureau of Meteorology’s Melbourne station statistics (1855–2014), the mean maximum in January is 25.9°C and the mean minimum 14.3°C, while in July the mean maximum is 13.5°C and the mean minimum 6.0°C. Winter is cold and wet with no snow in the city, and summer is mild with occasional hot days. A light rain jacket covers most of the year.
How much is public transport?
The Victorian Government made public transport half price for everyone from 1 June 2026 to 1 January 2027, so the daily cap is AUD 5.70 for a full fare and 2.85 for a concession fare on trains, trams and buses, according to Transport Victoria. After that date, check current fares with the transport authority, and check whether international students are eligible for concession fares with the same authority.
Is there a Saudi community in Melbourne?
Yes, and an organised one. The Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission lists the Saudi Students Club in Melbourne on its Saudi student clubs in Australia page, with its email [email protected] and social accounts, and describes the clubs as "one of the important means of spreading Arab culture and authentic Saudi traditions", organising national celebrations, sport and academic support for new arrivals. KD itself has held graduation ceremonies for scholarship students in Melbourne, as in Sydney and Newcastle.
Can you reach a Melbourne university without direct admission?
Yes, through foundation programmes and diplomas:
- University of Melbourne: Trinity College Foundation Studies is its foundation pathway; the standard programme for 2027 runs over two semesters for AUD 46,770, according to Trinity College’s dates and fees page.
- Monash University: the Monash College diploma runs in two parts of 9 months each, and Part 2 guarantees transition into second year at the university if the required exit score is achieved, according to Monash College.
- Deakin University: the Deakin College foundation programme takes 8 or 12 months for AUD 32,200 or 37,260 for international students in 2026, according to Deakin College.
Remember that the scholarship tracks require a final unconditional offer for the degree itself, so read your track’s conditions before choosing a self-funded pathway.
How to apply to Melbourne universities step by step
- Choose your major and confirm the university and major appear on your track’s list in the Safeer platform.
- Prepare certified translations of your certificates and the English score your programme requires.
- Apply to two or three Melbourne universities at different ranking levels to improve your chances.
- Once admitted, book temporary accommodation near the university before you travel.
- Apply for the student visa with evidence of AUD 29,710 in living costs or the Cultural Mission’s guarantee, plus OSHC.
- Join the Saudi Students Club as soon as you arrive.
KD describes itself as the first intermediary between Saudi students and Australian universities, and its admission service is free for students enrolling in scholarship-programme majors at universities approved by the Ministry of Education. See how we work, then start with the application form so an adviser can compare Melbourne offers for you.
Frequently asked questions
In QS 2027: the University of Melbourne is 22nd in the world, Monash 31st, RMIT equal 119th, then Deakin 227th, La Trobe 241st and Swinburne 291st. The best one for you is the one that admits your major and appears on your scholarship track’s list in the Safeer platform.
Bachelor tuition at RMIT is AUD 36,000–50,000 a year and master’s tuition 35,000–60,000, with living costs estimated at 30,000–45,000. The visa requires evidence of AUD 29,710 for living costs and costs from AUD 2,500. For scholarship students, the Cultural Mission pays tuition.
The median weekly asking rent was AUD 580 for units and houses in the December quarter of 2025 according to Domain, and a one-bedroom flat is about AUD 500 a week according to the University of Melbourne. A room in a shared flat is cheaper, and setting up a home the first time takes AUD 3,000–5,000.
Winter is cold and wet: the mean minimum in July is 6°C and the mean maximum 13.5°C, with no snow in the city. Summer is mild with a mean maximum of 25.9°C in January and occasional hot days.
Yes. The Saudi Students Club in Melbourne is listed on the Cultural Mission’s student clubs page with its email and social accounts, and it organises national celebrations and sport and welcomes new arrivals.
Yes, through foundation pathways: Trinity College for the University of Melbourne, Monash College for Monash, which guarantees transition to second year at the required exit score, and Deakin College for Deakin. Scholarship tracks, however, require a final unconditional offer, so check your track’s conditions first.
KD provides educational consulting and helps you gain admission to universities approved by the Ministry of Education, free of charge for scholarship-programme majors, guides you through the visa and helps with accommodation through its partner Scape. Start with the application form so an adviser can compare offers for you.
Official sources
- Monash achieves highest-ever position in QS World University Rankings 2027 — Monash University
- RMIT achieves its best result in 20 years in QS World University Rankings — RMIT University
- Rental market growth stalls in some capital cities (Domain, December quarter 2025) — ABC News
- Cost of living — University of Melbourne
- Cost of studying in Australia for international students (2026) — RMIT University
- Student visa (subclass 500) — Australian Department of Home Affairs
- Climate statistics for Australian locations: Melbourne Regional Office — Bureau of Meteorology
- Public transport now half price for everyone — Transport Victoria
- الأندية الطلابية السعودية في أستراليا — الملحقية الثقافية السعودية في أستراليا
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.
