Best Universities in Brisbane for International Students

Why Choose Universities in Brisbane, Australia?

The reason behind why one should choose universities in Brisbane is that Brisbane is an up and coming city. It not just has highly ranked and academically brilliant universities, but this city has also seen a rapid growth in the last couple of years because of Australia’s “resource boom”.

This and a combination of world-class faculty and high potential for post-study career opportunities, makes studying at a Brisbane university a great option for international students.

Look at Brisbane's QS Best Student Cities performance.

Now, let’s take a look at more reasons that make studying at a university in Brisbane worthwhile. Take a Look:

World-class education

The first reason is its high class education. Both private and public universities in Brisbane are highly ranked and provide great education and research opportunities. Something that might not be possible or easy to get in other colleges.

Affordable living

The next thing that makes studying at a University of Brisbane a great option for international students is its affordable living. There is no doubt that it can be really expensive to study in Australia. But this is especially even more true when it comes to popular student cities like Sydney and Melbourne. While the average cost of living in these cities is around AUD 2,500 - 4,200 (Sydney) and AUD 2,000 - 3,500 (Melbourne), it is only AUD 1,800 - 3,500 in Brisbane. 

Multicultural Environment

Its multicultural and inclusive environment is another reason why Brisbane for international students is a great option. As per studyqueensland.qld.gov, the city has over 99,000 international students from over 140 nationalities which makes it easy for students to build a global connection that can significantly help in their career.

Thriving job market

And lastly, studying at a university in Brisbane also opens doors to a huge job market. The Queensland government has made large investments in various industries in the technology and healthcare sectors. This combined with Australia’s post study work rights, makes it easy for international graduates to get Post Study Work Visa.

Types of Universities in Brisbane

There are mainly two types of universities in Brisbane that international students can choose from. These include:

Public Universities: These universities are run by the government and are larger in size. And since they are funded by the government, they have lower fees and are more affordable.

Private Universities: These universities are run independently and offer specialised programs. Private universities generally have smaller class sizes and provide personalised education.

List of Top Universities in Brisbane for International Students

Here is a list of all the major Universities in Brisbane that international students can choose from:

1. Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
2. University of Queensland (UQ)
3. Griffith University
4. James Cook University
5. Central Queensland University (CQUniversity Australia)
6. Australian Catholic University
7. University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ)

Now let’s take a look at them and their intakes in Australia more in detail below.

Also Read: Level 1 Universities in Australia: Rankings, Courses & eligibility

Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

The Queensland University of Technology is a highly popular institution among international students. Why? Because QUT is a research focused institute and provides students with practical learning to prepare them for real world issues. It has two main campuses in Brisbane. One in Gardens Point and one in Kelvin Grove. The QUT’s business school also has “Triple Crown” from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS, and it comes in the top 1% of business schools in the world.

University of Queensland (UQ)

The next on our Brisbane university list is the University of Queensland. It is a part of the prestigious Group of Eight research intensive universities and has won more teaching awards than any other of the best universities in Australia. It is a great option for international students because it has a diverse and student body and an active student life.

Griffith University

Griffith is one of the best universities in Brisbane for international students because it not only ranks highly and comes in the top 2% universities in the world. But it also has strong subject rankings with courses like Nursing ranking at #33 globally. To make student life even better, Griffith also provides a number of activities, clubs, and peer support networks.

James Cook University

James Cook is one of the best universities in Brisbane for masters and international students. This is especially true because it has a strong support system for students and it offers field based learning in areas like the coral reefs and other marine sciences. In addition to this, the university also offers career support, such as counselling, workshops, and events for networking.

Central Queensland University (CQ University Australia)

The Central Queensland University is one of the top universities in Brisbane for students. Especially those who want flexible learning options. The university has high graduate employability and ranks among the top 2% in the world. But this is not all, CQ University is also a great option for international students because it offers great support for students. And in 2025, it received a five star rating from the Good Universities Guide.

Australian Catholic University

The Australian Catholic University is one of the top public universities in Brisbane. It has a strong program in the health sciences and education and also strong graduate outcome. The university has a graduate employability rate of around 82.7% for undergraduates and 93.6% for postgraduates.

University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ)

The last on this list of universities in Brisbane is the University of Southern Queensland. The university is internationally known for its strong teaching, research, and graduate outcomes. UniSQ also provides a wide range of student support and an inclusive environment for international students. This includes a dedicated support team and scholarship opportunities.

Also Read: Australia Education System: Best guide for International Students

How to Apply in Top Universities in Brisbane

To apply to universities in Brisbane, international students need to directly apply to each university or through study abroad consultants. There is no single application portal for applying to Australian universities. The steps include:

1. Choose the course and university you wish to study in.
2. Collect all the required documents like academic transcripts, proof of English proficiency, a copy of your passport, SOP, and LOR.
3. Go to the university website and submit your application and documents on its application portal.
4. Pay a non-refundable application fee.
5. If your application gets selected, you will receive an offer letter from the university. Read the offer letter and then sign and return it to confirm your acceptance.
6. Once you accept the offer letter and pay an initial deposit, you will receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE).
7. Use the Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) for your student visa application.

Conclusion

Summing up, the universities in Brisbane are a great option for international students. It provides high quality education, very supportive environment, and an affordable lifestyle. But this is not all, after studying at top universities in Brisbane, students can also easily get excellent post-study opportunities. Want to know more about them or cheapest university in Australia? Use our University finder tool or connect with our experts from Gradding and get tailored assistance about studying in Australia.

FAQ’s

1. How Many Universities are there in Brisbane?

There are a total of two main universities in Brisbane. These are the University of Queensland (UQ) and Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Apart from these, Brisbane also has 10 campuses of six major Australian universities. These include Griffith University, James Cook University (JCU), Australian Catholic University, and CQUniversity.

2. What is the Difference Between Public and Private Universities in Brisbane?

Public and private universities in Brisbane differ in terms of ownership and funding. The public universities are funded by the government, which makes them extremely affordable. Private universities are funded through fees, private ownerships, and donations, which makes it a little expensive.

3. How Much Does it Cost to Study in Brisbane?

For international students, the cost of studying in Brisbane can be anywhere between AUD $40,000 to $90,000 or more per year. This will cover a wide variety of costs like tuition fees, living expenses (accommodation, food, transport, and utilities), Health insurance (OSHC), and other costs.

4. Is Brisbane Expensive for International Students?

As compared to other Australian cities, Brisbane is relatively more affordable. A student can easily expect to spend around $1,600–$2,400 a month on living expenses like rent, utilities, food, and transport. In popular Australian cities, the average monthly expense is around $2,000–$2,500.

5. What is Life like in Brisbane for International Students?

Brisbane offers a high quality of life at a lower cost to international students. Brisbane is affordable, vibrant, welcoming, and offers a multicultural environment.