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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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:   How hard is it to get to Notre Dame?

A:

The acceptance rate of the University of Notre Dame Australia is 19%, So for every 100 applicants, only 19 students get admitted. This means that it is a relatively competitive University. Candidates must fulfill the specific course requirements to secure admission to Notre Dame University. While the acceptance rate is competetive, it is suggested that the student applies early for higher chances of getting selected.

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).

Q:   Which is better? university of notre dame australia vs sydney university?

A:

Sydney University and Notre Dame Australia are renowned institutions offering unique campus cultures and various academic programs. While they share a great reputation, there are subtle differences between the two universities. However, University of Sydney is in the upper hand as the university is amog the top 100 in the world (according to the QS ranking). The below table compares the rankings, fees and acceptance rate of Notre Dame Australia and Sydney University. Overall this information could be useful for students who are considering them.

Here is the comparison highlighting the differences between the Universities:

Name of The University

Ranking

Acceptance Rate

1st Year Tuition Fee

Notre Dame Australia

1401+

19%

UG: INR 17 L

PG: INR 13 L

Sydney University

54

30%

UG: INR 18 L - 33 L

PG: INR 24 L - 29 L

(The comparison of fees was between the B.Sc course for UG and the MBA course for PG)

Q:   What is the ranking of University of the Sunshine Coast Australia?

A:

The University of the Sunshine Coast ranking is 501-600 by Times Higher Education. If we talk about the University of the Sunshine Coast QS Ranking 2024, then UniSC ranks 1001-1200 in the world. The university maintains its current positions since 2022. We have also mentioned Sunshine Coast University ranking below:

·      1st in Queensland

·      1st in Queensland for ‘Climate Action’ impact

·      3rd in the world for our global impact on 'Clean Water and Sanitation'

·      23rd globally for 'Life on Land'

Note: Above ranking is given by Times Higher Education

Q:   Is the University of Notre Dame Australia accredited?

A:

The University of Notre Dame Austrlia was established in 1989 through an Act of the Parliament of Western Australia. The university is governed by a Board of Trustees and a Board of Directors and a Board of Governors. Besides the university has some professional accreditaions such as:

  • New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA)
  • Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia
  • Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority 
  • Australia Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)
  • Australian Health Practioner Regulation Agency (APHRA)
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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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