Study IT in Melbourne in 2025
Melbourne is Australia’s top student city for good reason. Aside from being the second largest city and in the top five best student cities in the world, it is also a major tech industry hub. By choosing to study IT in Melbourne, you can multiply your career opportunities after graduation.
Melbourne often goes by “the tech capital” of Australia and, unsurprisingly, has much to offer in terms of higher education in IT. Alongside the best universities, you can enjoy the vibrant arts scene, food culture, and lush green spaces in this city. Read along to learn the ins and outs of studying IT in Melbourne in 2025.
10 Reasons Why You Should Choose Melbourne to Study IT
Melbourne has a reputation as the tech hub of Australia – it is the country’s biggest tech city and one of the top 15 best tech cities in the world. Multinational companies, innovative start-ups, and industry-leading opportunities thrive and multiply in Melbourne. By choosing to study IT in Melbourne, you get to be a part of this multiplier effect of exciting opportunities.
Here are some of the top reasons to consider studying in Melbourne:
1. World-Class Education Institutions
One of the first and most important considerations when deciding where you want to study is choosing the right university. Melbourne snags the spot as Australia’s best study city for, among other reasons, the presence of several world-ranking universities. The city is home to seven of the world’s top 750 universities, including two top 40 contenders:
| University Name | QS World University Ranking 2025 |
| The University of Melbourne | #13 |
| Monash University | #37 |
| RMIT University | =123 |
| Deakin University | #197 |
| La Trobe University | #217 |
| Swinburne University of Technology | =291 |
| Victoria University | #741-750 |
2. Tech Hub of Australia
Melbourne is the friendliest city for tech start-ups and careers in tech in Australia. It has a booming ecosystem of startups, tech giants, and innovative companies. Almost all major IT companies in Australia have their offices in Melbourne. The large population of Melbourne, as well as the fact that it is the country’s financial hub, creates a huge market for IT products and services in the city. This provides ample opportunities for internships, collaborations, and employment after graduation for students who study IT in Melbourne.
3. Government Support for Tech
The government of Victoria actively supports the tech sector. Government initiatives aim to foster innovation and tech growth in Melbourne. These initiatives can include grants for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access infrastructure, onboard or develop innovative technology, and fund projects.
4. Vibrant Tech Community
One of the most exciting things about life in Melbourne for graduates in tech is its ever-growing community. Being a part of a vibrant tech community helps you establish networks and rise up the corporate ladder. Melbourne hosts numerous events and conferences regarding IT. Events such as Melbourne Tech Week provide students with the opportunity to learn from industry leaders and develop connections, all of which can diversify their career pathways.
5. Innovative Research Opportunities
Research in AI and Machine Learning is all the hype these days. You’ll have no shortage of innovative research projects to explore at universities in Melbourne. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with and learn under industry leaders who live and work in Melbourne. With the right programs, you may be contributing to up-and-coming research, learning the latest in your field, and graduating at the forefront of the in-demand knowledge in the industry. Explore the best options to study IT in Melbourne with GRADSearch – our complete course-finding toolkit.
6. Quality of Life
Melbourne offers a safe, vibrant, and supportive environment for students. Although the living costs are a bit high, there is no shortage of facilities and freedoms to enjoy in the city. Alongside being one of the world’s most livable cities, it is a dynamic metropolis where you will get to be a part of a diverse multicultural community.
7. Focus on Future Technologies
Melbourne ranks 22nd among the top cities for tech companies. This helps establish a large research environment for future technologies in the city. Melbourne has one of the largest R&D clusters in the world. Research institutes in IT include:
| Research Institute | University |
| Centre of Energy Efficient Telecommunications | University of Melbourne |
| Center for Applied Informatics | Victoria University |
| Microsoft Centre of Social Natural User Interfaces | University of Melbourne |
| Centre for Technology Infusion | La Trobe University |
| Internet 4 Things | Swinburne University |
8. Innovative Learning Methods
Universities in Melbourne are pioneers in adopting mixed reality and gamification in IT education. These modern teaching techniques enhance learning by making complex concepts more accessible and engaging. Universities in Melbourne have state-of-the-art facilities for students to gain experiential learning and rank highly in teaching methods.
9. Sustainability in Tech Focus
Sustainability is the future and incorporating it into tech can lead you to be a pioneer of the modern world. Many Melbourne universities incorporate sustainability into their IT curriculum. This prepares students to develop technology solutions that are eco-friendly and promote sustainable practices within the industry.
10. Tech-Startup Ecosystem
Government support and a huge tech market encourage newer startups to pop up every year. Victoria has more than 8,000 IT companies and is showing no signs of slowing down in growth. IT students often have the opportunity to participate in startup incubators and accelerators directly partnering with universities, providing firsthand entrepreneurial experience.
Top 5 Melbourne Universities to Study IT
More than 150,000 students from 160 countries around the world come to study in Melbourne every year. Naturally, with an excellent score for Student Mix, Melbourne has a vibrant student community you can take advantage of. Some of the top universities to study IT in Melbourne are:
Monash University
Monash University is one of the most prestigious universities in Australia and is well known for its focus on technology and research. If you plan to study abroad after 12th grade in Australia, you can study for a Bachelor of Information Technology degree at Monash University to set you up for graduate success. Their faculty of Information Technology has an 83% graduate employment rate and received the #1 spot in Australia according to Times Higher Education.
| Degree Name | Bachelor of Information Technology |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Intakes | February/July |
| Type | Full-time |
| Mode | On-campus |
| Course Fees | AUD 49,500 |
| English Requirements | IELTS total 6.5, 6.0 individually |
Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne University of Technology is well-known for its industry connections with major companies, especially in the tech industry. The university offers a Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology degree that offers you industry placements and six industry-linked projects.
| Degree Name | Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Intakes | February/July |
| Type | Full-time |
| Mode | On-campus |
| Course Fees | AUD 38,840 |
| English Requirements | IELTS total 6.0, 6.0 individually |
RMIT
The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, or RMIT, is one of Melbourne’s IT-focused universities, offering a large selection of courses in IT and computer science. It ranks #10 in Australia for Computer Science and Information Systems. The university offers a list of university courses in tech, including a Bachelor of Information degree program.
| Degree Name | Bachelor of Information Technology |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Intakes | February/July/November |
| Type | Full-time |
| Mode | On-campus |
| Course Fees | AUD 40,320 |
| English Requirements | IELTS total 6.5, 6.0 individually |
Victoria University
Victoria University is among the top 3 in IT in Australia, with its strong industry partnerships including huge names like CISCO and Microsoft. The university offers a remarkable Bachelor of Information Technology degree that includes work placements to help you develop hands-on experience. This program has links with large IT companies like Microsoft, Amazon and Inspur, and has a record of helping graduates land jobs at big companies.
| Degree Name | Bachelor of Information Technology |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Intakes | February/September |
| Type | Full-time |
| Mode | Hybrid |
| Course Fees | AUD 33,400 annually |
| English Requirements | IELTS total 6.5, 6.0 individually |
University of Melbourne
As one of Australia’s best universities, the University of Melbourne represents the top education the city has to offer. It ranks among the best universities globally, both overall and within the field of Computer Sciences and Information Systems. The University of Melbourne offers a Bachelor of Science degree which you can complete with an IT major.
| Degree Name | Bachelor of Science |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Intakes | February/July |
| Type | Full-time |
| Mode | On campus |
| Course Fees | AUD 48,544 annually |
| English Requirements | IELTS total 6.5, 6.0 individually |
Application Process
Applying to study IT in Melbourne follows many of the same beats as anywhere else in Australia. You need to choose the university and program you are applying to and research its eligibility criteria and application process. Australian universities have their own individual application systems. This means you will be applying directly to your universities of choice, following their guidelines.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for studying IT are more or less similar for every university in Melbourne. However, be sure to check the university website before applying so you don’t miss out on any specific requirements. Below are the standard admission requirements you can expect when applying for a bachelor’s program to study IT in Melbourne:
| Minimum Age Requirement | 17 years |
| Academic Qualifications | Australian Year 12 or equivalent education |
| Subject Requirements | English and Mathematics |
| English Proficiency Requirements | IELTS Academic total band score 6.5, with 6.0 in individual bands |
Some universities will accept your transcripts without asking for a minimum score. On the other hand, some institutions, like Monash University, might ask you to meet score requirements for your high school transcripts. You must be well aware of the entry requirements before you start your applications to ensure your success.
Scholarships
Studying in Melbourne is not always the most affordable choice. As one of Australia’s big metropolises and its financial center, living here can get pretty expensive. However, applying for scholarships can help ease that burden greatly. Some of the scholarships you can get in Melbourne to study IT are:
| Scholarship | Provider | Value |
| Swinburne International Scholarship | Swinburne University of Technology | 20% waiver |
| VU Block Model International Scholarship | Victoria University | 30% waiver |
| Foundation Academic Scholarships | RMIT | AUD 5,000 |
| Faculty of IT International Merit Scholarship | Monash University | 20% waiver |
Student Life in Melbourne
Student life in Melbourne is definitely the best Australia has to offer. The city is the 5th best student city in the world, according to QS Top Universities. Factors like student mix, desirability, and students’ outlook of the city all contribute to this position. Key highlights of Melbourne as a student city are as follows:
● #1 in the world for student mix. Melbourne has great cultural diversity in its community of international students.
● #2 in the world for student view. This reflects the convenience of living, transportation and safety in Melbourne, according to students.
● 3rd most livable city in the world, with a perfect 100 score in Education, Infrastructure and Healthcare.
● #1 in Australia for arts and culture. Melbourne acts as a hub of creative minds in Australia and presents a platform for expression.
● Friendliest city in the world with a score of 7.29 out of 10 on quality of life and comfort of interaction in the city.
Career Opportunities for IT Graduates
With more than 8,000 tech companies, Victoria is a paradise for those choosing to study IT in Melbourne. The city is the epicenter, with a large tech industry involving the biggest companies in the market. Melbourne universities consistently have more than 80% graduate hiring success in the IT sector. Average starting salaries in the Melbourne IT industry range near AUD 69,000 annually. Melbourne also has some of the top tech research institutes that innovate the technology of the future.
Challenges and Considerations
With all the good things in mind, you might be wondering what the catch is. One of the only downsides of studying in Melbourne is going to be the cost. Study costs and living expenses in Melbourne are higher than in other parts of Australia. Forbes ranks Melbourne in the top 10 among the least affordable cities in the world. Nonetheless, with the right scholarship, program, and budgeting skills, an excellent IT course may still be an achievable dream come true.
Rounding Up
If you are serious about a career in tech, choosing to study IT in Melbourne can set you up for future success. Melbourne is an excellent choice for a number of reasons, including the industry, universities, and culture. The only downside you have to prepare for is the relatively high cost of living. To counter this problem, you can opt for scholarships available in Melbourne universities. Check out all the IT programs Melbourne has to offer, as well as the scholarships available at these schools, with GRADSearch!
