Looking to study in Australia? If you want the hustle and bustle of a major city paired with relaxed beach vibes, Brisbane is a fantastic choice.
The capital city of Queensland is renowned for its eclectic arts scene, year-round beautiful weather and breath-taking scenery, all with a much lower cost of living than cities like Sydney and Melbourne. And with ten college campuses scattered across town, you’re sure to find the right study programme to suit your academic needs.
Why Study in Brisbane?
When you aren’t hitting the books, Brisbane and its environs offer many tempting diversions. The city has experienced an artistic renaissance of late, with film festivals, musical acts and theatre performances of all kinds happening nearly every weekend.
Brisbane’s food scene is growing as well; food trucks have become an especially popular novelty in recent years. Nearly anything you’re craving can be found throughout the city, but Australia is especially known for its barbecues and grilled meats of all kinds.
Wine is also a popular Aussie export and flows freely throughout the country. Brissie, as Brisbane is lovingly called by locals, boasts many fragrant, floral gardens and lovely scenery by the river. Gorgeous coastal beaches of all types are also easily accessible; whether you’re looking to ride monster waves all day or relax with a good book, you’ll find a spot close to Brisbane.
You’ll also be able to enjoy temperate weather all year. Winters in Brisbane are mild, with lows of around 50°F/11°C. Spring and autumn are comparable, with highs of about 77°F/25°C. The summers do not reach uncomfortable heat; temperatures linger at about 85°F/30°C. The sun shines brightly year round in Brisbane.
Choosing Where to Study
Brisbane has a variety of internationally renowned universities to choose from. Deciding which is best for you might seem daunting at first, but with a bit of research about your chosen course of study, as well as what you want from your university experience, chances are you’ll find somewhere to love in Brisbane.
One of the most popular spots for international students is The University of Queensland (UQ), which was ranked as one of the top 50 universities in the world by the QS World University Rankings in 2023. Spanning three campuses and more than 40 research and teaching facilities, UQ has a lot to offer overseas students, from unique study spaces to well-maintained sporting facilities, to the largest research library in Queensland.
Another popular pick is the Queensland University of Technology, which provides over 100 courses of study across a wide variety of disciplines across its two inner-city campuses. Like UQ, the university is very welcoming to international students, whether you are looking to study a full degree abroad, or visit as part of an exchange programme.
Other popular universities/colleges in Brisbane for international students are included in the list below:
- Griffith University
- Central Queensland University
- College of Law Queensland
- JSchool: Journalism Education & Training
- Australasian College of Legal Medicine
Choosing Where to Live
Once you have selected your study abroad programme, finding safe, affordable accommodation should be next on your list.
Australian universities are generally commuter campuses nationwide, with students living with family or on their own, close to school. The concept of a college or university town, with dormitories or on-campus halls of accommodation, simply does not exist as it does in America. So what’s a wannabe Aussie to do?
There are a few companies in Brisbane that offer affordable housing geared specifically toward international students. These sizeable apartment complexes offer a variety of appealing amenities, including sleek, modern design; readily accessible recreation and study rooms; and a built-in community of young people from all over the globe. If you’re looking for a more social, dorm-like experience, combined with the ease of a very central location, you may want to begin your search here. Urbanest, Uniresort and Unilodge are just three of the many student housing services to be found in Brisbane.
Another option is a homestay program, in which you’ll meet and live with an Australian family. Link up with the international student office at your chosen university if this idea intrigues you. They’ll be able to set you up with a thoroughly vetted host family close to school. This is a wonderful way to experience Australian culture firsthand and a sure path to learning local customs and geography quickly. You’ll feel more like a local in no time!
If neither of these sound appealing or like a good fit for you, there is also the option of finding your own rental accommodation via the internet. Using sites like Easy Roommate or Flatmates, you can choose anything from a private studio apartment, to a large house shared with students and professionals. Of course, if you do go via this route, proceed with caution; you don’t want to find yourself in an unsafe or uncomfortable situation halfway across the world.
Cost of Studying Abroad in Brisbane
Currently, the exchange rate of AUD to USD is about 1:0.67. Australia as a whole is rapidly becoming an expensive country to live in. However, the cost of living in Brisbane is considerably lower compared to other major Australian cities, such as Sydney or Perth.
Your biggest expense as a student, apart from tuition, will be rent. Taking UQ as an example, the university claims that on-campus housing with catering and utilities would cost between A$1,716-2,800 per month (In US dollars, this would be between $1,145-1,869), while for off-campus accommodation a single student can pay anywhere between A$720 and A$2,240 ($481-1,495) per month (depending on where you choose to live).
The cost of groceries may be a little more expensive than what you are used to, particularly if you are coming from the US or the UK. As reported in 2022 by CNBC, food prices are growing at one of the fastest rates among consumer goods in Australia as the country (like others) battles inflation.
Though extensive bus and train routes populate the city, Brisbane’s public transportation system is the most expensive in Australia. A single train ticket for an adult travelling across one of the city’s eight zones will cost A$4.90 ($3.27). You’ll save a few dollars by buying a rail or bus pass, known as a GoCard.
Visa Requirements to Study in Australia
If you want to study abroad in Brisbane, you’ll need a student visa to cover the duration of your stay in the city. With the Australian government recently taking steps to simplify the process, this shouldn’t be too much of a hurdle.
To apply for an Australian student visa, you’ll need to be able to prove your enrolment at an Australian university and that you fulfil any academic requirements (including having a certain level of English proficiency). You’ll also likely need health insurance cover for your time abroad, and evidence that you will have the funds to support yourself while you are in Brisbane.
Transferring Money Overseas
Beyond the visa, you’ll also need the ability to quickly and safely transfer money overseas, so that you can pay any tuition, accommodation or living expenses required. Thankfully, currency specialists are there to help you through everything, from getting an Australian bank account to paying your tuition on time.
This is where FXcompared comes in handy. You can use our broker guides to explore the different currency specialists out there and find the right one for you. Thinking about study costs? You can compare your currency to the Australian dollar using our converter tools here. Or to read more about planning your finances to study abroad, check out our wider guide on the topic.
