We all know that Australian universities are among the best in the world. Students who go to Australia usually have Adelaide in mind, not just because of the education but also the serene environment and availability of jobs after they graduate.
We have brought you the top universities in Adelaide so you will choose the best university for you.
Adelaide is a very popular city to study in. Students usually go there because they have a very relaxed environment that is low-cost living.
According to research, international students make up a huge chunk of the students in Adelaide. As an international student, you will not be lonely.
Come home to meet your brothers and sisters!
In this article, we have a variety of topics we will cover. Firstly, we will write about the top 10 universities in Adelaide, then the best universities for undergraduates and international students, and some specific courses.
We adjourn you to read to the end. It promises to be a very educational journey, and I will try to be as detailed as possible.
Table of contents
- Why Study in Adelaide?
- How many Universities are in Adelaide, Australia?
- How much does it Cost to Study in Adelaide?
- Top 4 Universities in Adelaide
- Universities with Campus in Adelaide
- Which Universities in Adelaide can I study as an Undergraduate?
- Universities in Adelaide for Medicine
- What are the Universities in Adelaide for Master’s?
- Universities in Adelaide for Engineering
- Universities in Adelaide for International Students
- What are the Universities in Adelaide for a PhD?
- Conclusion
- References
- Authors Recommendation
Why Study in Adelaide?
We will talk a little about the reasons you should study in Adelaide.
If you are an international student, you have an advantage because you will probably meet many other international students in the city.
Many international students choose the city because it is the cheapest city among all the major cities in South Australia and even Australia as a whole.
It is also considered highly livable. Very safe and clean. They have a record of a very low crime rate.
Are you willing to work after studying? Adelaide is the best place to be at. They offer very good post-education work.
The architecture and nature trails of the city, like the hills and beach, made it a very good place for tourists to visit. Students who love a very beautiful environment and festivals will love the city.
Asides from the environment, the universities in Adelaide have a track record of excellence. They have over 15 Nobel Prize award winners.
The city has an internationally recognized public university as well as private universities. Anyone you wish to attend, Adelaide has got you covered.
There is one reason to study in Adelaide you should not miss as an international student. And that is the ability to save money on transportation.
Let me explain.
The city gives both local and international students a reduced transport system. Adelaide also offers free tram and bus services in Adelaide’s city center.
You can save up to AUD$700 per year on transport costs as an international student. Finding your way around the city has never been easier!
How many Universities are in Adelaide, Australia?
There are actually four universities in Adelaide.
In addition, there are two other universities that are branches of another located in Adelaide.
So many platforms say there are 23 or more, and those ones include all the colleges and business schools. We all know that those are not universities.
These four are not even only public universities. It is made up of a private university and some public universities.
How much does it Cost to Study in Adelaide?
Typically, the city of Adelaide is a very cost-conservative state.
That is one of the reasons students troop to Australia and specifically to Adelaide to study.
We can confidently say that Adelaide is student-friendly pocket-wise.
When talking about the cost, it also cuts across the cost of living. We have already established the fact that this is very low and affordable.
When it comes to the school fees, according to Studyadelaide, we can give an estimate of AUD $15,000 – $33,000 per year for a Bachelor’s degree.
For a master’s degree, we have an estimate of AUD $14,000 – $37,000 per year.
Then, for a Doctoral degree, we are looking at AUD $14,000 – $37,000 per year.
In addition, an MBA should cost around AUD $11,000 – $121,000 per year.
Here is a breakdown of the fees paid at the main universities in Adelaide for a bachelor’s degree.
| University | Business | Medicine | Accounting | Law | Engineering |
| Flinders University | 31,500 | 74,000 | 31,500 | 33,500 | 37,000 |
| Uni SA | 32,600 | – | 32,600 | 32,600 | 35,900 |
| University of Adelaide | 39,000 | 76,000 | 39,000 | 39,000 | 42,000 |
Also read about: How to get an Australian Scholarship. Step by step means
Top 4 Universities in Adelaide
As earlier mentioned, there are only four universities in Adelaide. Any other source of information saying it is more than four actually includes colleges and pre-varsities.
Whereas all you are looking for is the universities.
The schools are:
- Australian Catholic University [ACU has a campus in Adelaide ]
- University of Adelaide
- University of South Australia
- Carnegie Mellon University Australia
- Central Queensland University (has a campus in Adelaide and in every state)
- Flinders University
- Torrens University Australia (has a campus in Adelaide but is considered the main university)
You might get confused because I said there were only four universities in Adelaide, and I listed seven.
Four of them are the universities with their main campuses in Adelaide. The other three universities just have a campus in the city
The Ranking Criteria
The universities in Adelaide is ranked according to the following criteria
- QS World University Ranking
- Number of programs the schools run
- Employability index
- International recognition
- Accreditation
#1. The University of Adelaide
Qs ranked The University of Adelaide as the number 106 university in the world and South Australia’s leading university in 2024.
Globally recognized as a leading research institution.
The courses in Engineering ranked 26th in the world, dentistry 31st, nursing 42nd, and veterinary science 43rd.
Moving on, the percentage of international students is 29%.
They have over 27 study areas for undergraduates. There are five faculties for undergraduates and postgraduates alike.
Adelaide offers high-quality education experiences across a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
One of the things I love about this university is that they have many pathways to getting a degree in the school.
You can enroll in higher education studies. This is for those who have completed at least six months of a higher education program at a recognized higher institution. In essence, you can use your Grade Point Average (GPA) to gain entry to the University of Adelaide.
The University of Adelaide College is one of the most preferred ways students gain admission into the school. It is a d direct admission path.
Preparatory Program is a free one-year program for anyone who wants to get ready to enter university. Some schools call it pre-degree.
There are other methods that include subject-based admission, vocational education and training, and others.
You can take the international assessment as an international student to see if you can be admitted and also apply.
Do you wish to study in Adelaide on a scholarship? Read about: the University of Adelaide Global Leaders Scholarship
#2. University of South Australia
UniSA is the number one University in South Australia for graduate studies.
They have over 200 study areas for students around the world. It is an internationally recognized school. Courses are available in the English language.
The university has ranked 30th in the world’s top 50 (2024 QS Top 50 Universities Aged Under 50), it has a high international student base.
One of the reasons to study at UniSA is that it has a rating of five stars for excellence in its teaching quality in the 2019 QS Stars Ratings
The average tuition fees at this university are A$31,560 for undergraduates. A$34,340 for postgraduates and A$30,300 for vocational studies. These amounts are for a year.
If you want to live in the accommodation provided by the school, estimate an amount up to A$16,900.
You would agree with me that they are doing perfectly well as a 28-year-old university.
As a student who loves equality, you should probably go to UniSA.
#3. Flinders University
Flinders is a leading international university in Australia with a record of excellence and innovation in teaching.
The courses that many students study are Engineering, Medical sciences, and Arts. But, they have over 20 study areas with departments in each area, which is more than 150 undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Flinders has 6 colleges.
In spite of the high standard, they offer scholarships that can take off up to 25% of your first-year tuition fees. But it is available for selected courses.
With over 5,000 international students, Flinders has a QS World University Ranking of 424.
They have many scholarships, but the very notable ones are in Engineering.
Almost all of their courses are also offered online.
#4. Carnegie Mellon University Australia
They are well known for their proficiency in running master’s programs.
Carnegie Mellon University Australia is a private research institution. They have branches in many other countries. So, do not mistake it for the USA university.
As a result, the international recognition of this university has led to the accreditation of degree programs in public policy and management, information technology management, business intelligence, and data analytics and executive education.
They focus on practical training and skill development. Notwithstanding, the school provides you the student with an internship opportunity just to give you a practical and world-class experience.
Do you love traveling experiences? As an Australian student, you get the opportunity to study for one semester on their USA campus.
Similarly, they have a scholarship program for Asian students worth up to $30,000.
Also, they have a very good employability ratio. Most of their graduates are employed by top companies like Amazon, and KPMG to mention a few.
The full-time master’s are for 21 months, while the part-time is between 2-3 years.
International students usually don’t go for part-time because of the nature of visas.
Universities with Campus in Adelaide
#1. The Torrens University
Torrens University Australia is part of Laureate International Universities, which is the largest education provider in the world.
The Uni offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in business, hospitality, project management, sports management, health, education, technology, law, medicine, and design. There are many other fields. Many of their courses are available online.
So, if you cannot come to Adelaide, you can still study from home.
Torrens operates on a trimester system, so many courses can actually be completed in less time than at many other institutions. Imagine getting your Master’s degree in as little as 12 months and a bachelor’s degree in only 2 years.
As one of the newest universities in Australia, it was established in 2012. With just over 20 years in existence, they have brought a blend of modernization to the education system. It is a private institution.
Torrens class sizes are kept small so that students have more time with their lecturers and have a great chance of success.
In Australia, Torrens university ranks number 39 in the country.
For a breakdown of the school fees. Download this PDF
Read about Australian Awards Scholarships. This may be your ticket to free education.
#2. Central Queensland University
Queensland is a young top research school. Adelaide is just a branch campus.
In addition, you can study online on any of the campuses. A new branch at the Gladstone Marina campus officially opened on February 12, 2024.
CQU ranked #601-800 in the world, according to Higher Times Education in 202.
The best courses students study at the university are Engineering and Technology, Ranked #301-400, and Business and Economics Ranked #401-500.
They have eight faculties for graduate studies and 9 for undergraduate studies.
Do you wish to attend a research school, here is your best choice.
CQU graduates usually get employed faster than many graduates. This is because they have received a five-start for full-time employment and starting salary.
In a quest to maintain its reputation as a leading research institution, it has been rated in conducting world-class research in 14 different research categories.
In addition, they have done well above world standards in Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Sciences, Nursing, Other Medical and Health Services, Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, and Psychology and Cognitive Sciences.
If any of these fields mentioned in the course of study you want to go for, rejoice because you are in safe hands.
#3. Australian Catholic University
This is the cheapest university in South Australia and Australia as a whole.
The beautiful thing about ACU is that its quality of education is not commensurate with the fees students pay.
Some of the top-ranking subject or course is nursing, psychology, arts, and humanities.
According to Research, they are ranked among the top 75 universities in the world for education and fourth in Australia.
Australian Catholic University is the cheapest Adelaide university, with a typical tuition fee of around $23,000 per year.
Read about Central Queensland University Admission Ranking Scholarships, Courses offered, and fees.
Which Universities in Adelaide can I study as an Undergraduate?
Generally, unlike many US schools, schools in Australia are usually shorter.
A bachelor’s degree is for three years of full-time study. The Honours degree is for 4 years.
All the universities in Adelaide offer undergraduate courses.
But the best is the University of Adelaide.
Universities in Adelaide for Medicine
Medicine is a very serious course of study that requires research and a whole lot of attention.
Australia has been at the forefront of ground-breaking medical research for many years.
They offer two categories of studies for medicine.
Firstly, undergraduate entry. For this one, you can apply for an undergraduate medical program directly from Secondary/High School. The program is for five or six years.
Secondly, the graduate entry. If you have already completed a bachelor’s degree, then you are eligible for graduate-entry medicine programs. The programs are for four years, two years are devoted to clinical training.
Moving on, there are basically 2 schools that offer world-class studies in Medicine. They are the University of Adelaide and Flinders University.
The Flinders Medical School started a 4-year MD undergraduate entry instead of the traditional 5-6 year undergraduate program.
What are the Universities in Adelaide for Master’s?
All the universities in Adelaide offer a master’s degree.
Masters in Australia are usually for 1-2 years.
The best universities in Adelaide for a master’s degree program are Flinders and Carnegie Mellon University Australia. Also, the University of Adelaide, University of Torrens, UniSA are good as well.
Universities in Adelaide for Engineering
Engineering works with innovation and research.
Actually, most of the schools are research-oriented and have very good innovations. Because of this, all the schools are good in Engineering as a course.
However, the best universities for Engineering are The University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the University of South Australia.
Universities in Adelaide for International Students
All the universities in Australia are very good for international students.
From the post, we have many international students in most of the universities.
However, the Best Universities in Australia for International students are the University of Adelaide and Torrens.
Why we chose these two is because they are sound academic and also offer varieties of scholarships to international students.
Read about the Best Universities in Australia
What are the Universities in Adelaide for a PhD?
For the doctoral degree, all the schools are actually very good.
To list some, the Universities in Adelaide, Flinders University, have ample experience. Torrens University Australia, CQUniversity, and others also do offer very nice Ph.D. programs.
Australian Catholic University is the cheapest, with a typical tuition fee of around $23,000 per year. Western Sydney University is next, with fees for international students starting from $25,000.
The University of Adelaide. The University of South Australia. Flinders University. Torrens University Australia, Adelaide. Carnegie Mellon University, Australia (CMU).
There are 3 universities that are main campuses in Adelaide.
Because Adelaide is the ideal place to live and study. It’s affordable, friendly, accessible, and is rated as one of the world’s most liveable cities. With more than 500+ occupations available for international graduates, Adelaide is the best place in Australia to gain valuable post-study work experience.
The University of Adelaide has consistently ranked in the top 1% of the world’s universities. Which in real number is 106.
Conclusion
We have said so much about universities in Adelaide.
Starting from the serene, crime-free environment.
We went on to tell you about the low cost of living the city has.
The universities in the city were mentioned, plus the top ones.
Some key departments/courses were mentioned and where you can study them.
We hope that the information provided can guide you in making a very good choice and actually enjoying your studies.
I hope you had a great read-time.
References
- Study at Adelaide
- List of Universities- Wikipedia
- Top Universities
