
As far as educational standards are concerned, both Adelaide and Perth are excellent choices for international students. They are a good choice if you want a world-class university experience without going through the chaos of bigger cities. Now, let’s have a closer look at the universities in both cities and how they rank globally.
Perth
Perth is a city that takes education seriously. The universities are well-known for their global rankings and industry partnerships. Check out the best universities in the city:
The University of Western Australia (UWA)
UWA is Perth’s highest-ranked institution and a member of Australia’s Group of Eight, the country’s top research universities. As per QS University Rankings 2025 and GRAS 2024, 13 subjects of the university are ranked among the world’s top 50. And it’s #1 in Western Australia for graduate employability.
Curtin University
Curtin is a contemporary institution ranked in the top 1% of global universities. As of 2024, the university has the highest number of international students in Western Australia: 15,961.
The best part is that Curtin maintains close connections with Australian and Asian industry partners. Students can develop practical skills through the university’s global mobility programs and work-integrated learning structure.
Murdoch University
Murdoch is a Perth university that is known to be open-minded and inclusive. According to Times Higher Education, 60% of full-time enrollments in the university are from international students.
It provides distinctive study options in veterinary science, environmental science, criminology, and creative arts.
Edith Cowan University (ECU)
ECU is renowned for its high focus on teaching and applied learning. It’s famous for courses in nursing, teaching, cyber security, and performing arts.
In fact, ECU’s cyber security courses are recognised by the Australian Government and top industry bodies.
Adelaide
Here’s what Adelaide brings to the table:
The University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is another Group of Eight member and one of the oldest universities in Australia. The university boasts a legacy spanning more than 150 years, and it has an extensive record of Nobel Prize laureates among its graduates.
But the most appealing factor is that it is associated with a number of international research networks, presenting international students with a strong foundation for future career.
University of South Australia (UniSA)
UniSA is the largest university in Adelaide and is famous for its career-oriented education. Its curriculum is based on practical problem-solving. And many courses involve mandatory internships. The university’s collaborations with firms such as Siemens, Accenture, and PwC could create a competitive advantage for the students.
Flinders University
Flinders is a prestigious university in Adelaide that’s well-known for nursing, medicine, psychology, and humanities. As per official figures, the university has 4,015 international students onshore in 2024.