The Iglu Guide | Blog
Melbourne or Sydney – which city is best for international students?
Sydney and Melbourne have been rivalling to take the Best Australian City crown since forever, and it’s not hard to see why. With first-class education opportunities and lifestyles to match, both places successfully attract thousands of international students every year. But for international students coming to study in Australia, it can be difficult to read between the competitive hype and decide which place to choose. Here’s what every student hoping to study in Melbourne or Sydney needs to consider.
The weather
Sydney
If you dream of warm sunny days, study-buddy sessions in the park and weekends full of beach picnics, barbeques and ocean swims, then Sydney is probably your best bet. Typically about 10 degrees warmer than Melbourne across the year, Sydney living makes for a very outdoorsy lifestyle that’s hard to beat. The winter is short and sweet, and even the coldest snap can bring the most beautiful sunshine. The warm climate is pretty reliable and makes studying in Sydney a proper treat.
Melbourne
Four seasons in one day probably sums up Melbourne’s unpredictable weather quite well. But the city is well prepared and has adapted accordingly. There’s plenty of inside entertainment to keep you busy while the weather plays out, and many international students are looking for an excuse to pull on the Uggs and rug up for winter.
The lowdown:
Prefer the sun? Head to Sydney. Enjoy the unexpected? Melbourne is for you.
Liveability
Sydney
Sydney is ranked the 9th most liveable student city in the world thanks to a thriving infrastructure, affordable cost of living, comprehensive transport system and graduate opportunities. Known affectionately as the Harbour City, Sydney has a well-deserved reputation for laid-back living that international students will thoroughly enjoy, and that’s enhanced by the beachy lifestyle that permeates the streets. Home to a diverse range of cultures, there are 35,000 international students that already call Sydney home.
Melbourne
Widely acknowledged as the capital of culture, Melbourne proudly ranks as the 5th most liveable student city in the world. This bustling metropolis has an incredibly multicultural population which makes it an appealing choice for international students thinking of studying in Melbourne. Factor in the warm community welcome, sporting passion and vibrant nightlife, and it’s easy to understand why over 180,000 international students already choose to study in Melbourne.
The lowdown:
Choose Sydney for laid-back living and beachy vibes. Head to Melbourne if you want access to culture and riverside buzz.
Transport
Sydney
As an international student studying in Sydney, getting to know your new home can be an overwhelming task so it’s good to check how easy it is to get around the city. But whether you like to cycle, walk or catch public transport, Sydney has you covered with a comprehensive network of buses, trams, trains and ferries. All you need is an Opal card, and you can tap your way around the city for minimum outlay. Fares are capped on weekends.
Melbourne
Getting around in Melbourne is super easy thanks to the versatile Myki card. Load it up with dollars and access cheaper fares on buses, trains and city trams. There is also a free tram zone in the city centre which makes getting around town that bit quicker, not to mention easy on the budget. As a relatively flat city, Melbourne is the perfect place to jump on a bike and take advantage of the many cycle ways that connect the city.
The lowdown:
Both cities are incredibly well connected, and transport costs can be avoided by walking and biking around the city.
Student Accommodation
Sydney
Affordable student accommodation can be hard to find in any city. International students choosing to study in Sydney tend to prefer on-campus accommodation or purpose-built student accommodation options like Iglu Student Accommodation, mostly because they provide a protected built-in student community which helps students settle into their new home. Choosing the right type of student accommodation is a personal decision, and there are many factors which can help you decide which will suit you best. Cheaper independent rentals are also available, but these tend to be less well located and will incur extra travel costs.
Melbourne
Melbourne has equally as many student accommodation options, with international students tending to prefer on-campus or purpose built student accommodation like Iglu Student Accommodation. Centrally located, and close to the heart of the action, this type of student accommodation makes it much easier for international students to settle into their new home and enjoy all the convenience and benefits of city living.
The lowdown:
Cheap student accommodation is hard to find in any city. Both Sydney and Melbourne have a range of options available to suit all student budgets.
Education
Sydney
Sometimes, it’s simply about where you want to go to university. Australia has set the standard when it comes to excellence in learning and so incoming international students are literally spoiled for choice. Sydney has six fantastic universities, with the University of Sydney performing highest in terms of graduate employability and student satisfaction. For research and teaching, UNSW sets out to create an inclusive environment for students to excel from all around the world. And that’s not to mention Macquarie University, UTS and the high-ranking University of Wollongong. International students thinking of studying in Sydney will be positively spoilt for choice.
Melbourne
Melbourne is well known as an academic destination thanks to having some of the best-ranking universities in the world. The University of Melbourne is Australia’s second oldest university. It was established back in 1853 and has a strong tradition of research and teaching that allows students the opportunity to maximise their strengths without being confined to specific courses. It has spawned four Australian PMs, including Julia Gillard, the very first female to hold the post. Monash University is renowned for academic excellence and is among the top 100 in the world. It thrives on a continual thirst for knowledge and provides a supportive environment for all students. International students can also consider Deakin University, La Trobe, RMIT and Swinburne University.
The lowdown:
Australian universities excel in a wide range of fields which means international students have plenty of choice when it comes to tertiary education. For students that are unsure about their study field, the course flexibility at the University of Melbourne is a great option. If you’re looking for an older more traditional campus setting, you can live a slice of history at Sydney University, Australia’s very first university founded in 1850.
