Comparison
Deakin University vs Monash University
Monash University is a Group of Eight university: higher in the global rankings, more research-intensive, and in the top tuition band. Deakin University is not, which usually means lower fees, a more applied and industry-linked approach, and often easier entry. For many fields the difference in graduate outcomes is smaller than the ranking gap suggests.
On the lowest tuition on record, Deakin University (from A$36,000 a year) is the more affordable, below Monash University (from A$47,000). Tuition varies widely by course, so price your specific program.
Both are in Melbourne, so cost of living is roughly the same. The comparison is really about the universities themselves.
| Deakin University | Monash University | |
|---|---|---|
| City | Melbourne | Melbourne |
| Group of Eight | No | Yes |
| Regional (migration) | No | No |
| International tuition | from A$36,000/yr | from A$47,000/yr |
| First-year budget | A$71,000 to A$82,000 | A$82,000 to A$94,000 |
| English (IELTS) | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Application fee | None | A$125 |
| Intakes | February, July | February, July |
| Selectivity | Competitive | Selective |
Choose Deakin University if
- Lower tuition matters (from A$36,000 vs A$47,000)
- A lower English bar helps (IELTS 6.0)
- You would rather not pay an application fee
Choose Monash University if
- You want the Group of Eight name and research reputation
- Automatic entry scholarships appeal to you
Who Deakin University suits
Deakin suits students who value flexibility. It was an early mover into large-scale online delivery and still runs one of the country's biggest cloud campuses alongside physical sites in Melbourne and Geelong. It is strong in nursing, health, and business. If you want the option to mix on-campus and online study, or to start online and transition, Deakin is built for that. Geelong also offers lower living costs than central Melbourne.
Who Monash University suits
Monash is Australia's largest university and a good fit for students who want breadth, research depth, and global mobility. It runs its own campuses in Malaysia and Indonesia, so a Melbourne-based degree can include an overseas semester without a separate exchange application. It is strong across pharmacy, engineering, medicine, and business. It is selective and large, which suits independent students more than those wanting a small-campus feel.
Deakin University vs Monash University: common questions
Is Deakin University or Monash University cheaper for international students?
Deakin University is generally cheaper, from A$36,000 a year against A$47,000. Add cost of living: both are in the same city, so that part is a wash.
Which is harder to get into, Deakin University or Monash University?
On the institution-wide picture, Monash University is the more selective. Australian universities do not publish official acceptance rates, and specific competitive courses (medicine, law, some design) are hard to enter at both regardless.
Which is better for permanent residence, Deakin University or Monash University?
Neither has a structural advantage. Neither is regional, so neither earns the regional study points. PR depends on your occupation, points, and the invitation rounds, not the university.
Which is more prestigious, Deakin University or Monash University?
Monash University is a Group of Eight university and carries more of a research-reputation halo, especially with employers outside Australia. For many fields the practical difference in outcomes is small.
Can I apply to both Deakin University and Monash University?
Yes. Australian universities assess applications independently and many charge international students no application fee, so applying to both and comparing your offers is normal.
Go deeper
Other comparisons
Tuition figures are approximate and drawn from this site’s database, and selectivity is a band, not an official rate. This is general information, not admissions advice.