Top universities in Brisbane

The sunny city of Brisbane is on Australia’s east coast. Home to almost 140,000 university students (.id, 2021), Brisbane is continually named among the top student cities in the world, ranking 22nd globally and third in Australia (QS Top Student Cities,2024).  The city boasts a subtropical climate and plenty of beach and waterside activities for anyone who wants to make the most of the sunshine. With its picturesque streets lined with vibrant purple jacaranda trees, distinct architecture, and world-famous skyline, Brisbane is the study destination of dreams.

As Queensland’s state capital and Australia’s third-largest city, multicultural Brisbane is bursting with activities and things to do, and from its two botanic gardens to its iconic South Bank, the city has the feel of a real urban oasis. A foodie city, there are restaurants, cafés, and gelato bars on every corner, with students able to explore and enjoy Brisbane’s distinct culture and history, and an annual schedule of festivals and events.

Learn more about studying in Australia.

Due to its winning bid for the 2032 Olympic Games, sporting infrastructure in Brisbane is seeing huge investment. As Australia’s number one sporting city (BCW Ranking of Sports Cities, 2023), it has a packed sporting timetable of both national and international competitions to enjoy, including soccer, rugby, and Australian Rules football.

Brisbane also has a strong and rapidly growing economy, meaning graduates who plan to live and work in Australia on a post-study visa can make the most of the exciting career opportunities in the city. Top industries in Brisbane include healthcare, tourism, construction, and infrastructure development (Migration Queensland, 2021). 

Brisbane university list

Due to its popularity with students and young people, the city has made a name for itself in the world of higher education, and Brisbane is home to three of its universities in addition to eleven branch campuses:

Brisbane universities:

• Griffith University
• Queensland University of Technology
• The University of Queensland

Brisbane branch campuses:

• Australian Catholic University, Brisbane
• Bond University, Brisbane
• Charles Darwin University, Brisbane
• Central Queensland (CQ) University, Brisbane
• James Cook University, Brisbane
• Southern Cross University, Brisbane
• University of Canberra, Brisbane
• University of Southern Queensland, Brisbane
• University of the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane
• Torrens University Australia, Brisbane
• Victoria University, Brisbane

Top universities in Brisbane for international students.

1. University of Queensland (UQ), Brisbane

Ranking among the top 50 universities in the world (QS World University Rankings, 2024), UQ offers 150 undergraduate study programmes, and 170 postgraduate degree options. With a strong focus on teaching excellence, the university has won more national teaching awards than any other in the country (QS, 2024). Due to its career-focused curricula, and impressive research and internship opportunities, UQ graduates are highly employable.

Learn more about the University of Queensland, faculties, courses, campus and facilities.

Campus: In addition to its main St Lucia campus located just south of Brisbane’s bustling CBD, UQ has two other Brisbane campuses, and one in nearby Gatton.

Total student population: 55,441

International student population: 21,574

Average tuition fees* (undergraduate): AUD 47,200

Average tuition fees* (postgraduate): AUD 41,770

Student-faculty ratio: 23:1

Top-performing subject areas (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024):

• Sports
• Engineering (mineral and mining)
• Engineering (petroleum)
• Agriculture and forestry
• Environmental sciences

2. Griffith University (GU), Brisbane

In the 49 years since its inception, GU has become a pioneer in modern Asian studies and environmental science courses and has continuously fought for social justice and sustainability. As a result, it ranks 72^nd in the world in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (2023). GU develops its courses with a focus on employability, meaning that students graduate with the skills and professional network to seamlessly enter their chosen career.

Learn more about Griffith University, the courses offered, average tuition fee details and campus facilities!

Campus: GU boasts five campuses located in, and between, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, as well as its very own state-of-the-art digital campus.

Total student population: 46,047

International student population: 7,416

Average tuition fees* (undergraduate): AUD 36,960

Average tuition fees* (postgraduate): AUD 35,030

Student-faculty ratio: 26:1

Top-performing subject areas (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024):

• Hospitality and leisure management
• Nursing
• Sports
• Archaeology
• Law

Explore our article to know the cost of studying abroad.

3. Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane

With an impressive array of over 100 undergraduate and postgraduate degree options, as well as flexible learning and online courses, QUT is a highly desirable university, especially when it comes to STEM study programmes. Its real-world research output places a heavy emphasis on technology and innovation, making it an ideal place to kickstart a career in tech.

Campus: QUT has two Brisbane campuses, its main, historical campus of Kevin Grove, and the modern city-centre campus at Gardens Point.

Total student population: 50,191

International student population: 6,999

Average tuition fees* (undergraduate): AUD 36,527

Average tuition fees* (postgraduate): AUD 29,932

Student-faculty ratio: 22:1

Top-performing subject areas (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024):

• Communication and media
• Nursing
• Library and information management
• Architecture and built environment
• Sports

Read about QUT, the courses offered, tuition fee details, campus facilities and more!

*Average annual tuition fees for international students. Actual course fees may vary, and figures used are for indicative purposes only.

Top-ranking universities in Brisbane

Brisbane boasts three universities in the QS World University Rankings top 250 (2024), placing them in the top two percent globally.

Complementing its older universities, Brisbane has seen a huge boom in its student population in recent years, with most of its universities built within the last 50 years. As such, a great indicator of the success of these institutions is the annual Times Higher Education Young University Rankings, and the city has eight universities in the top 100 of this prestigious ranking.

Affordable Universities in Brisbane

When considering the average tuition fees, some of the universities in Brisbane that are comparatively low-cost are:

• The University of the Sunshine Coast
• Australian Catholic University and
• Victoria University.

(Approximate numbers as of July 2024)

Editor's note: This article was originally published in April 2016 by our content writer, Mahesh Ramani. We have since revised it to include up-to-date information and ensure its comprehensiveness.