Comparison
University of Melbourne vs Monash University
University of Melbourne and Monash University are both Group of Eight universities, so both carry the research reputation and both sit near the top of the tuition range. The decision comes down to city, the strength of your specific course, cost, and whether you want the skilled-migration points that come with studying regionally.
Both are in Melbourne, so cost of living is roughly the same. The comparison is really about the universities themselves.
| University of Melbourne | Monash University | |
|---|---|---|
| City | Melbourne | Melbourne |
| Group of Eight | Yes | Yes |
| Regional (migration) | No | No |
| International tuition | from A$47,968/yr | from A$47,000/yr |
| First-year budget | A$83,000 to A$95,000 | A$82,000 to A$94,000 |
| English (IELTS) | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Application fee | A$154 | A$125 |
| Intakes | February, July | February, July |
| Selectivity | Selective | Selective |
Who University of Melbourne suits
Melbourne suits students who value a broad first degree and are comfortable specialising later through a professional graduate qualification. Its Melbourne Model is deliberately different from direct-entry programs elsewhere, so it is a strong fit if you want time to explore before committing, and a weaker one if you want to start a professional degree immediately. It is highly ranked, and entry to the graduate professional degrees is competitive.
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.
University of Melbourne vs Monash University: common questions
Is University of Melbourne or Monash University cheaper for international students?
They are close. The lowest tuition on record is A$47,000 at one and A$47,968 at the other, and course choice moves the number more than the university does.
Which is harder to get into, University of Melbourne or Monash University?
They are broadly similar on selectivity. Entry depends far more on the specific course than on the university, so check the requirements for the program you want.
Which is better for permanent residence, University of Melbourne 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, University of Melbourne or Monash University?
Both sit in a similar tier. Prestige is not a strong tie-breaker here; look at rankings in your specific field and where you want to work afterward.
Can I apply to both University of Melbourne 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.