Perth is both the largest city and capital of Western Australia. It is also the fourth city with the most number of people at least two million. Students from around the world choose to study in Perth, although it’s more isolated compared to other cities in Australia. They love the friendly and cosmopolitan vibe, mild climate, and amazing beaches. Let’s discuss the best universities in Perth!
Top Universities in Perth
1. University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia (UWA) is a public university in Perth and a second campus in Albany. Established in 1911, it is the sixth oldest higher education institution in Australia and the only university in Western Australia until 1973 upon the founding of Murdoch University. Many of the structures on the main campus are of Romanesque Revival architecture with thickets of trees and expansive lawns. Students can opt to live in any of the five residential colleges and other student accommodation buildings nearby. Many of these young adults come from different locations within Western Australia. Recently, UWA has experienced an increasing number of international students.
In 2012, UWA changed its degree structure to a simple yet effective system. New students must select a three-year undergraduate degree in science, commerce, arts, design, and biomedical science. The philosophy course is only for high-achieving students because it’s a research-intensive course that will culminate in an honors year. The university reserves a place for high achieving high school graduates in its postgraduate degrees in the fields of engineering, dentistry, law, and medicine. Moreover, it offers Master’s, PhDs, and other further studies to those individuals who excel in their undergraduate degrees. US News ranks UWA in the top seven Best Global Universities in Australia. For 2018, UWA’s overall median Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) was 91.5. Because of this high ranking, UWA is considered one of the best universities in Perth, Australia.
2. Curtin University
Curtin University (CU) is a public research university in Perth and Bentley, Western Australia. Its former names were the Western Australian Institute of Technology and the Curtin University of Technology. Moreover, it got its name from former Australian Prime Minister John Curtin, who served from 1941 to 1945. The Parliament of Western Australia decreed Curtin to be a university in 1986. The higher education institution now has campuses in Mauritius, Dubai, Malaysia, and Singapore and partnerships with 90 universities in 20 nations. It previously had a Sydney campus from 2005 to 2016, but the council decided to close it in early 2017.
Curtin University takes an active part in academic research and other practical fields. Moreover, it collaborates with mainland China in the areas of research, management, and business. Students can live on campus with four distinct accommodation options. They can participate in Curtin AHEAD, which is an outreach program that fosters the potential of the students underrepresented in college education. They engage with communities to raise aspirations and build skills for higher education, coordinate educational programs for prisoners, and conduct activities for communities around Western Australia. The John Curtin Leadership Academy (JCLA) offers learners the opportunity to help solve problems and work on projects with community organizations. The students learn project management, teamwork, communication, and planning skills. US News ranks CU as top nine Best Global Universities in Australia. Curtin University requires a minimum of 70 ATAR for students, but the requirement varies depending on the course.
3. Murdoch University
Murdoch University is another public university in Perth, Australia that also has campuses in Dubai and Singapore. It was the second higher education institution in Western Australia. It got its name from former University of Western Australia Chancellor and Founding English Professor Sir Walter Murdoch. Established in July 1973, Murdoch University began accepting students in 1975. Aside from its campus in South Street, it also has campuses in Rockingham and Peel. South Street Campus has a veterinary school so students can find farms, livestock, and facilities of renewable energy in its southern part. In 2014, the university’s Rockingham Campus no longer offered undergraduate courses due to the lack of students attending there.
Students can participate in various events and activities. Also, they can join social, fitness, and sports groups or volunteer for a cause. The Murdoch Guild offers advocacy, support, education, and employment services. The university has a variety of clubs where students can gain unforgettable experiences, friendships, and events. It promotes a healthy environment; thus, the school encourages not smoking while on campus. US News ranks Murdoch University as top 25 Best Global Universities in Australia Because of this high ranking, Murdoch University is on our list of top universities in Perth. The university, like CU, has a minimum ATAR requirement of 70 although this requirement varies per course.
4. University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame is a Catholic University that extends from Fremantle, Broome, and Sydney. Like other Catholic universities in North America and Europe, it embraces ancient and intellectual traditions. However, it accepts students regardless of their faith and welcomes rigorous and open debate, inquiry, and discussion. The university provides a comprehensive roster of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It empowers its students to build interconnectedness with other individuals, realize their potential, and serve the community through reflection, engagement, and active participation. Also, it commits to honor the individual and recognized his gifts and talents.
Notre Dame offers courses in the fields of arts and letters, engineering, science, global affairs, and business. Students can enjoy Perth’s cultural centers, colorful gardens, gorgeous parks, and historic buildings with unique architecture. Like Fremantle, Perth provides a cosmopolitan lifestyle and serves as a major hub of transportation for Asia and Western Australia. Notre Dame garnered a 90.2% rating for the overall quality of educational experience in Australia. This university in Perth requires varying ATAR scores per course.
5. Edith Cowan University
Edith Cowan University (ECU) is a public university in Perth, Western Australia. It got its name from Edith Cowan, the first elected woman member of the Australian Parliament. It received university status in 1991, but its history dates back to 1902 upon the establishment of the Claremont Teachers College. ECU has campuses in Joondalup, Mount Lawley, and Bunbury. Also, it offers online classes and collaborates with other educational institutions for offshore courses and programs. Joondalup is ECU’s primary campus and has a multimillion-dollar fitness and sports center, an outdoor cinema screening, an award-winning student and library hub, a health and wellness building, and on-campus accommodation.
The Mount Lawley Campus, on the other hand, is near the central business district and offers extensive performing arts and media training facilities, on-campus accommodation, and a sports and fitness center. The school in Bunbury is about a two-hour drive from Perth and is the largest campus outside of the metropolitan area. Students can participate in the ECU Student Guild, sporting and social clubs, and various academic associations and groups in their areas of discipline. US News ranks ECU in the top 26 Best Global Universities in Australia. Like the other universities, it requires a minimum of 70 ATAR scores with some courses requiring a higher score.
Perth Universities are excellent for students who want to commune with Australian nature because the city is famous as the world’s most isolated city. Moreover, they also form part of Australia’s Education City because students receive an excellent education in the whole of Australia. Students who enroll in any of the five universities can enjoy the low cost of living with an efficient system of public transportation. Also, they enjoy inexpensive food and accommodation options. Aside from quality education, they get assurance that they will also receive stellar support services.
We hope that this article on the best universities in Perth, Australia was helpful. To find out more information on studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students.
