Overview

RMIT is a global university of technology, design and enterprise located in the heart of Melbourne, Australia — the world's third most liveable city. RMIT University is a QS 5-Star rated institution, ranked as one of the world's leading universities with a strong research record and state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure.

The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University) is a public research university located in the city of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Established in 1887 by Francis Ormond, it is the seventh-oldest institution of higher education in Australia, a founding member of the Australian Technology Network (ATN), and a member of Universities Australia. RMIT began as a night school offering classes in art, science and technology in response to the Industrial Revolution in Australia. RMIT remains the only higher education institution in Australia with the right to use the prefix "Royal" and the Monarchy's coat of arms, having been awarded royal patronage by Queen Elizabeth II for its educational service to the Commonwealth and contribution to the war effort. 

It has an enrolment of around 95,000 higher and vocational education students. With an annual revenue of around AUD $1.5 billion, it is ranked 15th in the world for art and design subjects in the QS World University Rankings. 

With an emphasis on technology, design and enterprise, there are courses in 23 schools across three academic colleges: the College of Design and Social Context, the College of Business, and the College of Science, Engineering and Health. RMIT instructs more than 30,000 students, a quarter of whom are from overseas. 

RMIT has three campuses in Melbourne, two campuses in Vietnam, a research and innovation hub in Spain, and programs offered through over 140 partners across Asia and Europe, including Singapore Institute of Management and the BITS (Pilani) RMIT Higher Education Academy in India.  The main Melbourne City campus — spread across six city blocks in the heart of the historic Hoddle Grid — incorporates iconic buildings including the Old Melbourne Gaol, Capitol Theatre, and a former magistrates' court, blending Melbourne's rich heritage with world-class modern learning facilities.

The latest QS World University Rankings by Subject has seen RMIT secure its position as Australia's leading institution in design and creative fields, with Architecture & Built Environment and Art & Design both ranked number one nationally and in the global top 30. 

Intakes

RMIT University offers two primary intake windows for international students, with some programs also offering additional intakes.

Semester 1 (February) — Primary and largest intake; open to nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs.

• Application deadline: October 31 – November 30 (of previous year; program-dependent)
• Early application strongly recommended for competitive programs (Design, Architecture, Engineering)

Semester 2 (July) — Mid-year intake; available for most programs.

• Application deadline: April 30 – May 31 (program-dependent)

Additional Intakes (May / October) — Available for select programs including some Engineering, IT, and Business postgraduate programs; verify availability with RMIT directly.

Important for Indian Students:

• For admission to UG courses, Indian students should have received a 10+2 certificate from AISSC or ISC with minimum 65%, or State Boards of Education (Higher Secondary Certificate) with minimum 70% 
• Application fee: AUD $100 (approximately ₹5,500)
• International students can apply via the RMIT University application portal or VTAC course application
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for the duration of the student visa
• RMIT has a partnership with BITS Pilani through the BITS-RMIT Higher Education Academy — a unique pathway for Indian students
• Post-Study Work Visa: 2–4 years depending on level and location of study

Note: Polygon Campus primarily assists with graduate-level admissions. Students are encouraged to confirm specific intake dates with their chosen RMIT college.

Top Courses

RMIT University offers 105 undergraduate degrees and 152 postgraduate study programs across 20 study areas. RMIT designs its courses with industry input to give students hands-on experience.  RMIT is a world leader in Art and Design, Architecture, Education, Engineering, Development, Computer Science and Information Systems, Business and Management, and Communication and Media Studies.  Key colleges and popular programs include:

College of Design and Social Context

School of Architecture and Urban Design

• Bachelor of Architecture (Honours)
• Master of Architecture — ranked Top 30 globally / #1 in Australia (QS)
• Master of Urban Design

School of Art

• Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours)
• Master of Fine Art

School of Design

• Bachelor of Design (Communication Design / Industrial Design / Fashion)
• Master of Design (Innovation / Communication Design)
• Master of Graphic Design

School of Fashion and Textiles

• Bachelor of Fashion (Design) (Honours)
• Master of Fashion (Entrepreneurship / Design)

School of Media and Communication

• Bachelor of Communication (Media / Journalism / Public Relations)
• Master of Strategic Communication
• Master of Journalism

School of Education

• Master of Teaching (Primary / Secondary)
• Master of Education Leadership

College of Business

RMIT Business School (AACSB Accredited)

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Business Analytics
• Master of Finance
• Master of Accounting
• Master of Marketing
• Master of Project Management
• Master of Supply Chain and Logistics Management
• Master of International Business

STEM College

School of Engineering

• Bachelor / Master of Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Aerospace)
• Master of Engineering (Advanced Manufacturing)

School of Computing Technologies

• Master of Information Technology
• Master of Artificial Intelligence
• Master of Data Science
• Master of Cybersecurity
• Master of Software Engineering

School of Science

• Master of Applied Sciences (various)
• Master of Environmental Science

School of Health and Biomedical Sciences

• Bachelor of Nursing (Honours)
• Master of Public Health
• Master of Health Innovation

Cost of Studying at RMIT University

Tuition fees for bachelor's degrees range from AUD $13,970 to AUD $50,880 (approximately ₹7.56L to ₹27.56L). Postgraduate programs have annual tuition fees between AUD $32,640 to AUD $55,805 (approximately ₹17.57L to ₹30.05L). 

RMIT University may adjust program tuition fees at the beginning of each calendar year. RMIT may increase the fees by no more than 7.5% each calendar year.  Melbourne is a world-class city for students, and RMIT's city-centre location means unparalleled access to culture, industry, and opportunities.

Note: RMIT is generally more affordable than Go8 universities while offering comparable industry outcomes. Figures are indicative based on 2025–26 data. Australian Student Visa applicants must demonstrate financial capacity of at least AUD $29,710/year for living costs. Please refer to RMIT's official website (rmit.edu.au) for the most current fee structure.

Scholarships

RMIT offers a variety of scholarships for international students, including up to 50% tuition fee reductions for top academic performers. Some scholarships are awarded automatically, while others require a separate application.

Every year, RMIT University awards more than 2,000 scholarships for international students worth millions of dollars. 

Key funding opportunities include:

• RMIT Vice-Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship — Covers 50% of tuition fees for outstanding international students; merit-based; awarded to students with exceptional academic records
• Future Leaders Scholarship — A 20% tuition reduction for eligible programs; for high-achieving students with demonstrated leadership potential 
• RMIT International Merit Scholarship — For academically strong candidates in selected fields; partial tuition coverage; automatically assessed upon admission
• RMIT India and Subcontinent Scholarship — Specifically designed to support outstanding students from India and the subcontinent at RMIT University ; amounts and eligibility vary
• RTP International Fee Offset Scholarship (RIFOS) — Full tuition coverage for PhD and Master's by Research international students; funded by the Australian Government; no separate application required — automatically considered upon research program admission 
• RMIT Research International Tuition Fee Scholarship (RRITFS) — Full tuition coverage for research degree international students; funded by RMIT University; automatically considered upon research program admission
• RTP Stipend Scholarship / RMIT Research Stipend Scholarship (RRSS) — A stipend of AUD $35,886 per annum for full-time PhD or Master's by Research students; plus a relocation allowance of AUD $1,540; automatically considered upon research program application 
• RMIT Foundation Academic Scholarship — A one-time payment of AUD $5,000 toward tuition fees for Foundation Studies programs; for new international students starting in February intake
• Australia Awards Scholarships — Funded by the Australian Government; covers full tuition, travel, OSHC, and living allowance; for students from eligible developing countries including India; applied for separately through the Australian Government

Note: Research scholarships at RMIT require no separate application — candidates applying for admission to RMIT for a PhD or a Master's by research are automatically considered.  For coursework scholarships, Indian students should apply early and demonstrate outstanding academic merit for maximum scholarship consideration.

Admissions

The acceptance rate at RMIT is around 22%, which makes RMIT a selective university. Admission competitiveness varies by program — courses in design, architecture, and engineering tend to have stricter entry criteria due to high demand. International applicants should focus on submitting a strong academic record, demonstrating English proficiency, and providing a compelling personal statement or portfolio where required.

For Graduate (Master's / Doctoral) Programs:

• Bachelor's degree (equivalent to an Australian Bachelor's degree) in a relevant field with a strong academic record
• Minimum WAM of 65%–70% or equivalent (varies by program; Design, Architecture, and MBA may require higher)
• English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) / TOEFL iBT 79+ / PTE 58+ (some programs require higher — Architecture and Design programs require IELTS 7.0)
• Portfolio submission required for Architecture, Design, Art, and Fashion programs — verify program-specific requirements
• Statement of Purpose / Personal Statement
• CV / Résumé (with work experience details for MBA)
• 2 Letters of Recommendation (for research and some professional programs)
• Official transcripts (certified English translation if required)
• Application fee: AUD $100

For Undergraduate Programs:

• CBSE AISSC or ISC with minimum 65%; or State Boards of Education (HSC) with minimum 70% 
• English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0)
• Portfolio required for Design, Architecture, Art, and Fashion programs
• Application fee: AUD $100

Indian students can check RMIT's specific admission requirements for their chosen program directly through Polygon Campus.

Placements

RMIT's city-centre campus in Melbourne — surrounded by Australia's largest concentration of creative industries, engineering firms, tech startups, and major corporations — gives graduates immediate access to one of the world's most liveable and economically dynamic cities. In the 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey, graduates had a full-time employment rate of 71.8% for undergraduates and an outstanding 98% for postgraduates. The initial full-time salary was AUD $66,800 for undergraduates and AUD $98,000 for postgraduates. 

RMIT University graduates can expect an average annual salary of AUD $80,000 (approximately ₹43.34L), depending on the field of study and experience. Although scholarships are limited, RMIT places strong emphasis on hands-on education, with over 24,000 students engaging in industry-linked learning in 2024 alone.

Leading organisations including BMW, the UN, Deloitte, Adidas, and L'Oreal collaborate with RMIT University.  RMIT works alongside some of the biggest brands in the world such as Deloitte, Adidas, and BMW; RMIT offers programs that are designed to ensure students are ready to step into an exciting career upon graduation. Many of the programs include placement opportunities, work experience options, and internships. 

Jobs After Graduating from RMIT University

Note: Salary figures are indicative based on 2023–24 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey and industry data. The postgraduate full-time salary average of AUD $98,000 is among the strongest for non-Go8 Australian universities. Actual salaries may vary by role, employer, location, and experience.

RMIT University's career support ecosystem includes:

• RMIT Careers and Employability — Personalised career coaching, employer events, industry career fairs, CV and interview preparation, and the RMIT CareerHub online jobs portal for all students and recent alumni
• Industry-Linked Learning — Over 24,000 RMIT students engaged in industry-linked learning in 2024 alone ; every program is designed alongside industry partners; students work on live briefs, real client projects, studio work, and embedded internships
• RMIT Industry Connections — Deep partnerships with BMW, Deloitte, Adidas, L'Oréal, the United Nations, Tesla, ANZ, CSIRO, Accenture, and Melbourne-based tech, creative, and engineering firms
• RMIT Activator — RMIT's flagship entrepreneurship hub; helps students and alumni launch startups, access seed funding, mentorship, and co-working space; one of Australia's most active university entrepreneurship ecosystems
• RMIT Vietnam and Spain Campuses — Graduates with RMIT degrees are recognised across South-East Asia and Europe; RMIT Vietnam graduates have direct pathways into Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi's dynamic business markets
• BITS Pilani–RMIT Higher Education Academy — A unique India-Australia academic and research partnership offering career pathways between India's leading engineering institution and RMIT's global industry network
• RMIT Alumni Network — A growing global community of graduates spanning design, technology, business, media, and engineering across 180+ countries; active mentorship and career referral programs
• Post-Study Work Visa (Australia) — International graduates qualify for 2–4 years of post-study work rights in Australia depending on qualification level and study location

For personalised guidance on RMIT University admissions, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.