Top Universities in Brisbane
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Top Universities in Brisbane

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Aishwarya
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Sep 11, 2024 22:17 IST
Brisbane is one of the best international cities which attract students from across the globe. Home to three top universities, QS has ranked Brisbane 25th for the best student cities in the world in 2025. Brisbane is home to four leading universities featured in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Its mild winters, warm summers i.e. its' sub-tropical climate make it perfect for everyone to stay here comfortably. Check out everything about the top universities in Brisbane. 
Top Universities in Brisbane

If planning to study in Australia, then you can shortlist universities in Brisbane for higher education. Brisbane has everything that a major metropolitan city offers to its citizens. As part of it is located near the Gold Coast, it is also home to some of the world's most famous beaches, making it a popular tourist destination. With friendly locals and excellent career opportunities, it scores high in terms of the desirability factor amongst international students. In this article, we’ll inform you about each and everything you want to know about the top universities in Brisbane.

List of Top Universities in Brisbane

Brisbane, Australia is home to some of the best universities in the world, namely:

  • The University of Queensland (UQ)
  • Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
  • Griffith University
  • Central Queensland University (CQ)

Read: Best Student Cities in Australia

Top Ranking Universities in Brisbane 2025

Some of the top ranking universities in Brisbane for the year 2025 are as follows based on QS - World University Rankings:

Top Universities in Brisbane QS - World University Rankings 2025
University of Queensland #40
Queensland University of Technology #213
Griffith University #255
Central Queensland University #455

These universities are some of the top ranking Australian universities and international students apply for admission in huge numbers annually. 

Best Universities in Brisbane: Detailed Analysis

Get a detailed understanding about the universities in Brisbane in the following sections:

The University of Queensland (UQ)

The University of Queensland has been ranked the #40 best university in the world by QS World University Rankings for 2025. Meanwhile, Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024 ranked the University of Queensland #53 in the world. The faculty at the UQ has received a maximum number of national awards in Australia, which promises impressive guidance to current and probable students.

The University of Queensland offers post-graduate courses in the following disciples:

  • Business, Economics, and Law
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology
  • Health and Behavioral Sciences
  • Medicine
  • Science

Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

The Queensland University of Technology is one of the fastest-growing public research universities located in Brisbane, Australia. QUT has close tie-ups with industry representatives, which helps them in designing the courses as per the requirements of the industry. Queensland University of Technology is ranked #213 by the QS World University Rankings 2025. Meanwhile, Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024 ranked the Queensland University of Technology in the range of 201-250. This also helps students in gaining practical knowledge which will further prove to be fruitful for them in their careers. QUT offers undergraduate and post-graduate courses in the following disciples:

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  • English language and pathway programs
  • Law and Justice
  • Health and Community
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Creative practice, communication and design
  • Science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM)
  • Building and planning
  • Business

Griffith University

Established in 1971, Griffith University is one of the top ten universities in Australia in terms of published research work. Apart from this, the university also provides English language and other academic assistance, so, students can succeed in academics. Griffith University is ranked #255 by the QS World University Rankings 2025. Meanwhile, Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024 ranked Griffiths University in the range of 251-300. Some of the subjects and disciplines offered by the Griffith University features amongst the top global 100 like








  • Nursing (11)
  • Law & Legal Studies (36)
  • Commerce Management, Tourism and Services (29)
  • Marine Sciences (48)
  • International relations (37)
  • Human Movement & Sports Sciences (58)
  • Studies in Human Society (57)
  • Sociology (53)
  • Human Movement & Sports Sciences (58)

Popular study areas offered by the university are:

  • Engineering, IT and aviation
  • Medicine, dentistry and health
  • Business and government
  • Architecture, construction and planning
  • Education
  • Criminology and law

Read: Reasons to Choose Australia as a Study Destination

Central Queensland University

Known for its world-class research, Central Queensland University is the largest university based in regional Australia. CQUniversity received 5 stars in the QS Stars rating system in terms of teaching, employability and internationalisation. Central Queensland University also known as CQUniversity Australia is ranked at #455 by the QS World University Rankings 2025. Meanwhile, Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024 ranked Central Queensland University in the range of 601-800. This also testifies the university’s reputation and its teaching methodologies are widely accepted in the industry. The university offers the Postgraduate courses in the following areas:







  • Business, Accounting and Law
  • Health
  • Education and Humanities
  • Psychology, Social Work and Community Services
  • Information Technology and Digital Media
  • Engineering and Built Environment
  • Education and Humanities
  • Science and Environment

Also Read:

Eligibility Requirements to Study in Australia Cost of Studying in Australia
Cost of Living in Australia Scholarships in Australia for International Students

Other Top Universities in Brisbane

Apart from this, there are other good colleges and universities in Brisbane which international students can look forward to. Some of the known colleges and universities in Brisbane are given below:

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The University of Melbourne

Melbourne, AustraliaPublic

13 courses
21.16 L - 26.43 L
The University of Sydney

Sydney, AustraliaPublic

29 courses
24.72 L - 31.01 L
The University of Queensland

Brisbane, AustraliaPublic

24 courses
22.65 L - 28.89 L
Monash University

Melbourne, AustraliaPublic

32 courses
23 L - 28.59 L
University of New South Wales

Kensington, AustraliaPublic

48 courses
22.05 L - 29.29 L
Australian National University

Canberra, AustraliaPublic

12 courses
24.33 L - 28.68 L
Curtin University - Australia

Perth, AustraliaPublic

30 courses
17.38 L - 21.16 L
The University of Adelaide

Adelaide, AustraliaPublic

48 courses
21.23 L - 26.6 L
University of Technology, Sydney

Ultimo, AustraliaPublic

42 courses
18.5 L - 28.11 L
14 courses
20.74 L - 25.9 L
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  • Queensford College
  • Shafston International College
  • Martin College
  • JSchool Journalism Education & Training
  • College of Law Queensland
  • Australian Institute of High Energetic Materials
  • Australasian College of Legal Medicine
  • Brisbane North Institute of TAFE 

If you are looking for assistance with Australian university admissions, you can get in touch with our Shiksha study abroad counsellors by signing up at Shiksha Counselling Service.

Top Universities in Brisbane FAQs

Q. What is the number one University in Brisbane?

A. The number one University in Brisbane is the The University of Queensland (UQ). The The University of Queensland (UQ) is one of the top rankers based on global rankings, that is, #40 for 2025 and the university is renowned for its academic and research excellence. 

Q. How many universities are in Brisbane?

A. Technically, there are two main universities in Brisbane - The University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology. But there are universities like CQ, Griffith and Australian Catholic University have their campuses in Brisbane. Thus, they are also marked as part of universities in Brisbane. 

Q. Why Brisbane for international students?

A. International students can choose Brisbane as their study destination in Australia for its:

  • Quality and world renowned education
  • Good employability sectors
  • High standard of living
  • Affordable study and living costs
  • Warmer climates

Q. Which is the oldest university in Brisbane?

A. Established in 1909 The University of Queensland was the first and the oldest university officially founded on April 16, 1910 in Brisbane. Teaching at UQ began in 1911. In the first year of UQ's function, there were  Arts, Science and Engineering faculties which enrolled a total of 83 students (where 60 were men and 23 were women).

Q:   Is Torrens University good for international students?

A:

Torrens University Australia is one of the fastest growing universities in Australia. It offers a culturally vibrant and comfortable environment for international students. Each year thousands of international students from all over the world come to study at various courses of the university. currently, there are 3932 total students at Torrens University out of which 986 are international students.

Q:   Is it worth studying at Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia?

A:

Melbourne Institute of Technology Australia (MITA) is largely regarded as one of Australia's top institutions. It has a solid reputation in engineering, business, and science. 

To begin with, Melbourne Institute of Technology Australia provides a world-class education with an emphasis on hands-on learning. You will be able to gain practical knowledge and abilities in a range of disciplines. Furthermore, the institution provides a wide range of courses and programmes that will provide you with the skills and knowledge required for a successful profession.

Second, the university is well-known on a global scale. It has the highest graduate employability rate in Australia. This is due to the great level of education and possibilities provided by the university to its students.

Third, the university boasts a broad and vibrant culture. While learning, you will be able to pursue your hobbies and meet like-minded people. This will aid in the development of your professional chances and the formation of strong relationships that will continue long after you graduate.

Fourth, the institution provides a wide range of facilities and services to make your studies more pleasurable and productive. You will be able to locate

Q:   Is it hard to get into Newcastle University Australia?

A:

The University of Newcastle is amog the universities that does not publish official data on the acceptance rate. However, as per some unofficial sources, the University of Newcastle Australia acceptance rate is 80%. This makes Newcastle University Australia moderately selective in admissions. Please note that the data on acceptance rate given above is taken from an unofficial source, therefore, it is subject to vary. 

Q:   What is the PTE requirement for Stanley College Australia?

A:

The PTE score for international students must be in the range of 50-57 for Stanley College Australia. However, students are expected to fulfill other English language proficiency tests along with PTE. The table below is the English language proficiency score for all the tests required at Stanley College:

Exam

Score Required 

TOEFL IBT 

Overall 60-78

IELTS 

6.0

PTE 

50-57

Cambridge English Advanced

169

Q:   Should I consider Curtin University in Australia?

A:

Curtin is a well-renowned university, popular for its powerful business ties, high-impact research, and dedication to educating students for the occupations of the future. Students can avail top-notch research and teaching at Curtin, which is ranked in the top 1% of universities globally in the prestigious Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2024. The university believes in providing research opportunities, and practical learning through its diverse programs, making it one of the best institutions for international students.

Q:   Is there any application fees for MIT Australia?

A:

The university does not charge any application from its national or international applicants. It means that aspirants for all courses/programs may apply to the university free of cost.

Q:   What are the benefits of studying at the University of South Australia in Adelaide?

A:

University of South Australia is one of the leading public universities in Adelaide, Australia. It is not just one of the top universities in Australia, but also a part of the top 500 universities in the world. Listed below are some of the best reasons to study in UniSA:

  • Vast variety of courses and excellence in teaching;
  • Diversity and rich culture;
  • Beautiful campus;
  • Affordable tuition fees;
  • Small class sizes; and
  • Student-centred approach.

Q:   Why to choose Bond University for MS in Australia rather than University of Queensland?

A:

Bond University and the University of Queensland are both prestigious institutions in Australia, each with its own unique strengths. Bond University is ranked 20th in the Times Higher Education rankings of the Best Small Universities in the World and has been Australia's top university for the educational experience for 17 consecutive years. 

On the other hand, the University of Queensland, located in Brisbane, is one of the leading research and teaching institutions in Australia. The university is ranked in the world's top 100 universities according to several major ranking systems, including QS (50), ARWU (47), and Times Higher Education (53).

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Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert

Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio

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All courses in ANZ

Armed with B.Com from Delhi University, Anuradha Sharma has accumulated rich experience as an education counsellor. She is especially adept at handling Australia and NZ admission procedure. Before becoming a GTE Exp... Read Full Bio

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