RMIT vs Monash is an often-asked question among prospective students seeking higher education in Australia. Two prestigious public universities located in Melbourne; they are globally known for their academic programs, research facilities and post graduation opportunities.
So, how does one choose when it comes to the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology vs Monash University? Keep reading this article to get a comprehensive analysis and comparison of the two across various factors such as academics, campus, and research opportunities so that you can make the decision that is best suited to meet your career goals.
Overview of RMIT and Monash University
Brief History and Background
Monash University
Founded in 1958, Monash University is a public research university primarily based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Named after engineer, military leader and public administrator Sir John Monash, the university’s early vision was to create a research-focused tertiary institution with an emphasis on science and technology. In over 6 decades, the university has grown to become one of the top rated, modern, global research intensive universities.
Monash University has 11 campuses, with 6 in Australia and 5 international presences.
- Clayton Campus, the main campus with about 26,000 students, is located 20 km from Melbourne
- Caulfield Campus, located about 9 km from Melbourne
- Peninsula Campus, about 30 km from Melbourne
- Parkville Campus is home to the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical studies and its research centre, the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
- The Law Chambers is located in the heart of Melbourne’s legal precinct.
- 750 Collins Street, home to art and design studios, science labs, music studios, student kitchens and winter gardens
Internationally, Monash has a presence in Malaysia, Indonesia, a joint graduate school with Southeast University in Suzhou, China, a research academy partnered with IITB, Mumbai, India, and the Prato Centre in Italy.
World renowned for its pharmacy and pharmacology, nursing, education, engineering, economics, accounting and finance, chemistry, law, and medicine programs, Monash takes the 37th spot in the world according to QS World University Rankings and 5th in the country.
RMIT
The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, more popularly known as RMIT, is also a public research university in Melbourne, Australia. Although its history can be traced back to 1887 and the Working Men’s College of Melbourne, RMIT gained university status in 1992 after merging with the Phillip Institute of Technology. Since then, the university has grown to be one of the top Australian universities, especially in the areas of research, employability, teaching, and innovation.
RMIT University has 3 campuses in Australia (Melbourne City Campus, Bundoora, and Brinswick), two regional sites for flight training (Bendigo and Point Cook), two international branch campuses in Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, and a research and collaboration centre in Barcelona.
One of the best universities for art and design, architecture, engineering, development, computer science, communication, and media studies, RMIT ranks 123rd globally and 10th in Australia according to QS Rankings 2025. The university is known for its practical approach and industry-based learning.
Key Statistics and Rankings
Here is a table comparing the key stats and ranks when it comes to Monash University vs Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
| Monash | RMIT | |
| Main Campus | Clayton Suburb | Melbourne CBD |
| Number of Campuses | 11 | 8 |
| Slogan in English | “I am still learning” | “A skilled hand, a cultivated mind” |
| Mascot | Dayton the robot | Rupert the Redback Spider |
| THE World Rank 2025 | 58 | 251 – 300 |
| QS World University Rank 2025 | 37 | 123 |
| Undergraduate Student Body | 55,117 | Around 54,500 |
| Graduate Student Body | 30,328 | Around 12,600 |
| % of International Enrollment | 39% | 24% |
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 22:1 | 30:1 |
| Number of Undergraduate Programs | 150+ | 180+ |
| Number of Graduate Programs | 250+ | 350+ |
| Research Income | Over $670 million | Over $110 million |
| Number of Clubs and Student Organizations | 200+ | 100+ |
Monash vs RMIT: Academic Comparison
A key aspect of comparison when looking at two universities is academics. The choice of programs, teaching styles, class sizes, admissions criteria, all become important when choosing RMIT vs Monash.
Undergraduate Programs
Program Options: Both Monash and RMIT are comprehensive universities offering degrees and courses across a range of disciplines. Even though RMIT has the phrase “Institute of Technology” in its name, it has dedicated departments for studying humanities, arts, and social sciences.
As public universities, they have fairly similar syllabi and overall quality of education. When looking at the number of options, Monash has over 150 programs, while RMIT University has over 180 programs to choose from. For a prospective student, this can be a sign of how diverse and interdisciplinary a department can be. Like universities in America, most Australian universities (for most courses) also allow their students to declare their majors at the end of their first year or during their second year. This is the case with RMIT and Monash as well. This allows the students to explore a variety of options before deciding on their career path.
Monash also has the option of a “comprehensive course” that allows you to select from a wide range of subjects within a broad field of study. The university has comprehensive courses available in five subject areas: arts, business, commerce, information technology, and science.
It allows you to include units (related or unrelated to your degree) from another faculty.
Ranking and Reputation: When it comes to ranking, the reputation of individual departments/ courses needs to take precedence over the general university ranking. For a student, what a university contributes to your particular field of study in terms of teaching and research is more important than the “name” of the university as a whole.
That said, based on their overall rankings, Monash is more prestigious and ranks higher than other universities like Deakin or RMIT. According to QS WUR, it ranks 5th in the country and 37th in the world. Monash is a world leader in a wide range of subjects, including business analytics, engineering, medicine, nursing, arts, and social sciences. It is also one of the best universities in the world for the study of pharmacy and pharmacology.
Globally, RMIT ranks 123rd according to QS World University Rankings 2025 and in the 251-300 range according to Times Higher Education 2025. RMIT is at the top when it comes to architecture and the built environment, art and design programs, journalism, computer science and information systems and some of their engineering programs.
That said, when it comes to overall ranking, both Monash and RMIT find a spot among the top 10 ten universities in Australia according to QS WUR 2025.
- University of Melbourne
- University of Sydney
- University of New South Wales
- Australian National University
- Monash University
- University of Queensland
- University of Western Australia
- University of Adelaide and
- University of Technology Sydney
- RMIT
Eligibility Criteria and Standardized Test Scores: Both RMIT and Monash have a set of general university-level admissions and specific requirements for a course. The general requirements are –
- Be at least 16 years of age on the program start date
- Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or equivalent. This includes Australian Year 12, New Zealand level 3, International Baccalaureate, and International high school/ secondary schooling, depending on countries.
- Meet the minimum English language requirements.
- Some programs might also require you to pass a course-specific entrance exam.
Monash has a minimum ATAR requirement of 70. However, the ATAR of admitted students in most courses is higher due to the popularity of the university and high number of applicants. RMIT does not have a minimum ATAR score but the competitive range is between 60 and 96, depending on the program.
ATAR stands for Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank. It is a number between 0 and 99.95 that indicates your position in your year group. Essentially, it is a percentile position for those completing high school in the same year. For example, if you have an ATAR score of 80, it means that you are in the top 20%.
Both RMIT and Monash University also offer pathways for those who do not meet the eligibility criteria. Monash College offers foundation programs, diploma programs, English language courses and Masters qualifying programs while RMIT also has pathways for both local and international students.
Australian students can apply through VTAC while international students typically go through the university’s online application system.
Core Curriculum: Unlike American universities, most Australian universities do not have a core curriculum or a general education mandatory component. The core component varies with the discipline of your choice to ensure the fundamental modules are covered.
Class Sizes: Class sizes at Monash and RMIT vary with the course and nature of the program. Seminars and workshops typically have a larger audience. While the class size at RMIT University varies widely depending on the department, the student to faculty ratio is about 30:1, while it is about 22:1 at Monash
Top Majors:
| RMIT | Monash |
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|
Graduate Programs
Graduate Program Options: If you are looking at the number of options, RMIT has more master’s and doctoral programs when compared to Monash. RMIT has over 350 master’s programs to choose from, whereas Monash offers around 250. Monash is world-renowned for its engineering departments, pharmaceutical studies, medicine, and other healthcare specialisations, as well as its business school and natural sciences and mathematics programs, among others. Despite being an institute of technology, RMIT has a reputation for art design and architecture, in addition to engineering, computer science and information technology.
In terms of the level, both universities offer
- Graduate certificate programs
- Graduate diploma programs
- Masters by coursework
- Masters by research
- Doctoral program
If you are looking at the graduate student body, Monash is bigger than that of RMIT. Monash University has about 30,328 master’s and doctoral students while RMIT has over 12,600 grad students.
Like UK universities, Australian universities also differentiate between MSc and MRes programs. While a master’s degree typically means an MSc or MS (or any taught programs), both Monash and RMIT have a few options should you want to graduate with a research masters and gain an MRes qualification. In most cases, an MRes typically is a precursor to a PhD. Almost all graduate degrees in Australia take about 2 years to complete and have a combination of classroom-taught and research elements.
College Admissions: The minimum admission criteria in both universities include
- A valid baccalaureate degree and transcripts from a recognised university (Minimum GPA varies with departments). Unlike the United States, Australian universities also accept 3-year bachelor’s degrees for most of their programs.
- A strong application form
- A well-written Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Relevant work experience (for some courses),
- Letters of recommendation (LORs)
- English proficiency test scores like IELTS or TOEFL (for international students).
- Standarized tests like GRE are not mandatory in both RMIT and Monash. Both universities also have a GRE waiver. There are some specific programs that might require you to submit a GRE score. That said, GMAT is required for applying to MBA programs.
Top Graduate Programs
| RMIT | Monash |
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Overall and Subject Rankings
| Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology | Monash University |
| Times Higher Education (THE) WUR 2025: 251 – 300 | Times Higher Education (THE) WUR 2025: 58 |
| QS WUR 2025: 123 | QS WUR 2025: 37 |
| Subject and Other Ranking (2023 – 24) | |
|
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Sources include QS Subject Ranking, Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) – ShanghaiRankings, and THE subject rankings.
From the table, it is clear that Monash has a greater academic reputation than RMIT but RMIT is known for a more industrial and practical approach to its programs when compared to Monash’s more conventional academic and research based approach. Each university has its niche areas of study where one is better than the other for specific departments. More importantly, when you are trying to decide between two of the top 10 universities in Australia, it is not as much about their reputation but more about the specific program, department, the faculty and whether it aligns with your career needs. It is important to look at other factors such as location, campus life, student experience, the cost of tuition, and so on. Ultimately, the decision should rest on which university is best suited for you.
Constituent Schools
Monash University is divided into 9 faculties that are further divided into schools and departments.
- Art, Design and Architecture
- Arts
- Business and Economics
- Education
- Engineering
- Information Technology
- Law
- Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Science
In addition, there is also Monash College, which provides pathways to the programs offered at Monash University.
Courses at RMIT are offered across 4 academic colleges and 16 academic schools.
Academic schools
- Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain
- Architecture and Urban Design
- Art
- Business and Law
- Computing Technologies
- Design
- Economics, Finance and Marketing
- Education
- Engineering
- Fashion and textiles
- Health and Biomedical Sciences
- Global, Urban and Social Studies
- Management
- Media and Communication
- Property, Construction and Project Management
- Science
Academic colleges
- College of Business and Law
- College of Design and Social Context
- College of Vocational Education
- STEM College
Research Opportunities
Monash and RMIT are global universities known for their research impact, and are considered Tier 1 universities, especially when it comes to the opportunities they provide for research.
Monash is a member of the prestigious Group of Eight, an alliance of the top Australian universities, known for their excellence when it comes to teaching and research. Monash research has contributed to some of the key 20th and 21st-century breakthroughs, including the world’s first successful IVF, mRNA vaccines, and key developments in clean energy technology. The university is home to over 100 research institutes and centres and is committed to providing state-of-the-art research platforms and infrastructure, research-specific talent enhancement programs, and extensive grants, funding and compliance support.
Similarly, RMIT also offers research programs in a variety of disciplines, including health, engineering, science and technology, along with social justice. The university is home to a cutting-edge manufacturing precinct with digital automation technologies, a research centre dedicated to the Australian film and TV industry, a food research and innovation centre, a micro nano research facility, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, a virtual experiences laboratory, and many more dedicated institutes and centres for those in the pursuit of greater knowledge. The university has a research income of over $110 million per annum and cultivates a research culture from the undergraduate level.
At the end of the day, both universities provide state of the art research environments with creative liberty in search of new knowledge. They help students develop a research mindset from the undergraduate level, helping their alumni become leaders and catalysts of change in the world.
Key Dates for Application
In this section, we will be looking at the application timeline into undergraduate programs. Graduate schools have a different timeline. It is also recommended that you verify with the specific department / school that you are applying to, just to ensure they do not follow a different cycle.
| Important Dates | RMIT | Monash |
| Intakes | March, July and September or October | Major intakes – March and November |
| Application Deadlines depending on your semester of entry | March, June and October | December, May, June and September |
| Regular Decision Posted in | Outcomes are posted typically within weeks of submitting the completed application | |
| Average Acceptance Rate | Around 22% | Around 40% |
Admission Options to be considered in the RMIT – Monash debate:
- Like most Australian universities, Monash and RMIT take in students throughout the year.
- It is important to note that ar RMIT, in the first-trimester beginning in March, all courses are available, in the second beginning in June/July, a majority of the programmes are available, and in the third summer semester beginning in October, only a select number of in-demand courses are available for international students at RMIT. So it is important to schedule your admission cycle around the intake during which the course of your choice is available. Monash follows a semester system.
- Applications are typically open until the seats get filled. The onus is on the international student to apply early to make time for student visa and other immigration processes.
- RMIT charges an application fee of $100 for some international students while it is $125 for those applying to Monash.
Academic Calendar
RMIT follows a trimester system, where the academic year is divided into three main teaching periods. The first term typically begins in March, at the end of summer, the second in June or July, and the third in September or October. Monash has a semester system with two main teaching periods in an academic year.
Monash University vs RMIT: Campus Life and Environment
As a prospective student, there is a lot more to consider beyond academics. Monash and RMIT offer varied experiences and campus life to their students. Here are some of the other factors that can help you choose when it comes to RMIT vs Monash.
Location
While both are located in the larger Melbourne area in the state of Victoria, the main RMIT campus is located in La Salle, in the middle of the central business district. The main Monash campus is located in Clayton, about 20 kms from Melbourne CBD. The universities also have satellite campuses around the city, with Monash also having campuses in China and India, and RMIT having two international campuses in Vietnam.
Monash’s suburban location gives it a more traditional college life experience while RMIT is located within the bustle of the city. However, RMIT’s location makes it easier to access internships and other part-time employment opportunities.
Campus Size and Facilities
Monash University Clayton’s campus size is about 110 hectares in the suburbs of Melbourne, while the Caulfield campus is Monash’s second biggest. RMIT spreads across 6 city blocks in Melbourne, covering about 72 hectares. In addition to state-of-the-art academic and research facilities, both universities are known for the amenities they provide to their students. It includes dedicated study spaces, sports centres, recreation areas, libraries, cafes and other food outlets.
Both universities also offer a wide host of extracurricular activities that include clubs, sports, events and various volunteer opportunities.
Housing and Accommodation
Monash provides extensive residential services to its students across Clayton, Caulfield and Peninsula campuses. Options include residential villages that contain typical residence halls with dorms and shared flats, and urban communities with studio apartments. Over 3,000 students live on campus at the Clayton campus alone.
RMIT, in contrast, has teamed up with external accommodation providers who manage purpose-built student accommodation across its different campuses. They offer a range of housing facilities from shared rooms to studio apartments, and also short-term facilities.
Monash vs RMIT: Financial Aspects
Finance is an important consideration in your decision-making process when choosing between Monash vs Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. As public universities, both RMIT and Monash are generally more affordable when compared to private universities.
When it comes to fees, the rates vary vastly, depending on cost per unit and a student’s citizenship. At RMIT, a bachelor’s degree can cost anywhere between $40,000 and $50,000 per annum. Undergraduate degree tuition fee at Monash typically is between $48,000 and $55,000 for international students.
This range is indicative of tuition, not inclusive of additional fees, books, cost of living and so on. Accommodation at RMIT cost about $300 – $500 per month, depending on the nature of housing, whether it is a shared or a single space. The annual cost of housing at Monash ranges between $13,000 and $16,000.
Both Monash and RMIT have a wide range of scholarship options for both domestic and international students, both on financial need and academic merit. They vary with departments, your nationality, and the programs. Work-study or part-time employment options are also available, provided it is approved by the student visa.
Monash vs Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology: Career Prospects and Alumni Network
After academics, campus life, and the financial aspects, another important factor that can alter your decision is the return on investment. Which university has the higher graduation rate, who has better employment prospects, how big is their alumni network are all important questions to ask.
That said, considering the name and fame of the two universities, and their extensive alumni networks, there is no doubt that a graduate of these schools will have numerous opportunities of
their choosing after graduation. The academic rigour and culture of research in these two universities create a pedigree that recruiters often compete to get for their organisations.
Employment Rates
Monash has a high postgraduate employment rate of about 85.4% and ranked 54th in QS graduate employability rankings in 2022. About 86.9% of 2022 RMIT grads reported being employed a year after graduation.
Notable Alumni
RMIT has over 521,000 living alums across the globe, while Monash’s alumni network is also extensive and spans across a community of 500,000 people who are some of the brightest minds in science, technology and business.
Notable Alums of Monash University
- Daniel Andrews, 48th Premier of Victoria
- Tim Costello, CEO of World Vision
- Ruslan Kogan – founder and CEO of Kogan.com
Notable Alumni from RMIT
- James Wan, Filmmaker
- James Tomkins, rower and Olympic gold medallist
- Alexis Wright, author
Career Services
From internships to employment opportunities, both Monash and RMIT provide support and advice throughout studies and beyond when it comes to career planning and the job search process.
At Monash, the employment services called Career Connect helps students and alumni with career coaching, resume reviews, internships, gaining experience and creating networks with prospective employers for placements.
At RMIT, the career centers for strategy and success assists their students to gain practical experience, build networks and communicate their aptitudes and skill sets to prospective employers. It also plays an instrumental role in building leadership skills and specialised skills that are essential to a workplace.
In both universities, the career centre connects students to internship opportunities and prospective employers through seminars, job fairs, and numerous other on-campus events. Their goal is to clarify career aspirations, identify opportunities, and offer support at every stage of career development.
Monash vs RMIT: Conclusion
Choosing when it comes to Monash and RMIT involves carefully analyzing various aspects including academics, campus life, financial implications, and career prospects. Both universities offer unparalleled opportunities, but your decision should align with your personal and professional goals.
Located about 24 kilometres from each other, they are fairly similar when it comes to their reputation and the opportunities they provide for their students. They are both public universities renowned for their quality education, research opportunities and extracurricular activities. Beyond that, the following list highlights the key similarities and differences.
- When it comes to ranking and reputation, Monash ranks higher, 37th in the world when compared to RMIT’s 123. Both of them are among the list of top universities in Australia, along with Australian National University, University of Sydney, University of Melbourne and others.
- RMIT has a reputation for architecture, art and design, and computer science and related programs while Monash is known for most of its departments and faculties. That said, Monash is a world leader when it comes to pharmaceutical sciences.
- They are both large universities with over 50,000 undergraduate students each. When it comes to grad students, Monash has over 30,000 while RMIT has about 12,000.
- While both are known for their updated curricula and practical approaches, RMIT has the better reputation for industry centred approaches while Monash is more traditional, taking on an academic and research-based approach.
- RMIT is better rooted with industry due its origins as a technological institute and its location.
- The main RMIT campus is located in the central business district of Melbourne while Monash is located in the Clayton suburb.
- Both universities are known for their scholarship options and student support services.
Considering their reputation, the ultimate call rests on whether the course curriculum and the learning outcomes meet your career plans. The most significant part of your research is to compare courses, syllabi, electives, faculty and research facilities of your preferred degree program, speak to current students, and then decide depending on which school better suits your needs.
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FAQs
Which is better, RMIT or Monash?
Overall, Monash ranks significantly higher when compared to RMIT in QS World University rankings but RMIT is a leader when it comes to architecture, design, and some of its technology programs.
Which university is better, RMIT or Deakin?
RMIT and Deakin University have very similar reputation when it comes to metrics. RMIT has a reputation for architecture, design and computer science programs while Deakin is top notch for sports sciences, education and some of its engineering programs.
Does RMIT accept transfer students?
Yes, through various pathways offered by the university, both domestic and international students can transfer to RMIT. If you are an international student, you will need to meet the English requirement.
What is the difference between Monash College and Monash University?
Monash College is a part of Monash University. In Australia, Colleges and Universities are not the same and cannot be used interchangeably. Colleges offer foundation programs, pathways, English language courses, diplomas, and professional experience courses while universities confer degrees.
Is Monash hard to get into?
Overall, the acceptance rate for Monash is around 40%. However, Australian universities do not advertise their acceptance rates like American universities. Monash is a large university and can therefore accommodate more students than a private university like Harvard or MIT. That said, as one of the top ranked universities in Australia, admissions are competitive.
