Overview

The University of Melbourne was established in 1853 and is the second oldest university in Australia. It is a member university of the Group of Eight (Go8), which includes Australia's top 8 universities. The University of Melbourne consists of ten distinct academic units and is affiliated with several prominent institutes and research centres, such as the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. 

The University of Melbourne has an overall enrollment of 54,000+ across seven campuses, with the main campus in Victoria (Parkville). Its graduation rate is 67.34%, and an impressive employment rate of 97%.  The university comprises ten separate academic units and has fifteen graduate schools, including the Melbourne Business School, the Melbourne Law School, the Melbourne Veterinary School, and the Melbourne Medical School. 

Four Australian prime ministers and five governors-general have graduated from the University of Melbourne. Ten Nobel Laureates have taught, studied and researched at the University of Melbourne, the most of any Australian university.  The university's network includes 470,000 alumni and nine Nobel Laureates. Researchers developed the cochlear implant in the 1970s, a breakthrough that continues to restore hearing to people with severe hearing loss. 

The university's celebrated graduates include Nobel Laureates like Professor Elizabeth Blackburn (Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 2009), Sir James Mirrlees (Nobel Prize in Economic Science, 1996), and Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet (Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 1960). 

Intakes

The University of Melbourne offers two primary intake windows for international students each academic year.

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

• Application deadline (2026 mid-year intake): 31 May 2026
• Application deadline (2027 main intake): 31 August 2026 / 31 October 2026 (program-dependent)

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

• Application deadline: 31 May (for the July start)

Important for Indian Students:

• Indian UG applicants require Class 12 scores of 75%–93% depending on the program
• Indian PG applicants require a WAM (Weighted Average Mark) of 72%–75% or higher in their bachelor's degree
• Application fee is AUD $150 (approximately ₹8,944) for both UG and PG programs 
• A minimum deposit payment of AUD $17,000 is required by the date specified in the offer letter to confirm acceptance 
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is compulsory for the duration of the student visa
• 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 Melbourne faculty.

Top Courses

The university has fifteen graduate schools, including the Melbourne Business School, the Melbourne Law School, the Melbourne Veterinary School, and the Melbourne Medical School.  Key faculties and popular programs include:

Melbourne Business School (MBS)

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Management
• Master of Finance
• Master of Marketing

Melbourne Law School

• Juris Doctor (JD)
• Master of Laws (LLM)
• Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice

Melbourne Medical School

• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Master of Biomedical Science

Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology

• Master of Engineering (various specialisations)
• Master of Information Technology
• Master of Data Science
• Master of Computer Science

Faculty of Science

• Master of Science (various disciplines)
• Master of Environmental Science
• Master of Biotechnology

Faculty of Education

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

Faculty of Arts

• Master of Arts
• Master of International Relations
• Master of Global Media Communication (English-taught)

Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning

• Master of Architecture
• Master of Urban Planning
• Master of Construction Management

Melbourne Conservatorium of Music

• Master of Music (Performance / Composition)

Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Cost of Studying at The University of Melbourne

The first-year tuition fee of UG courses at the University of Melbourne is AUD $37,312–$75,696 (approximately ₹20.22L–₹41.01L) and for graduate courses it is AUD $20,992–$1,12,000 (approximately ₹11.37L–₹60.68L). 

International students are full fee-paying students. Tuition fees are based on the subjects studied, not the overall course. International students must also factor in additional expenses including Overseas Student Health Cover, course materials, accommodation and other living costs. 

Note: Figures are indicative based on 2025 data. Fees are subject to annual increases of approximately 5–7%. The Australian government requires international students to demonstrate financial capacity of at least AUD $29,710/year for living costs when applying for a Student Visa. Please refer to the University of Melbourne's official website (unimelb.edu.au) for the most current fee structure.

Scholarships

The University of Melbourne offers access to over 1,200 scholarships, including fully-funded options for PhD and Master's research students. 

Key funding opportunities include:

• Graduate Research Scholarships — Covers full tuition fees plus a living allowance stipend for eligible PhD and Master's by Research students; no separate application required — automatic consideration upon research program application
• Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship — Merit-based partial tuition scholarship for high-achieving international undergraduate students; no separate application required
• Melbourne Research Scholarship — Full tuition fee remission plus living allowance for doctoral candidates; highly competitive
• University of Melbourne Indigenous Graduate Research Scholarship — For students of Indigenous background
• Australia Awards Scholarships — Funded by the Australian Government; covers full tuition, travel, OSHC, and living allowance; for students from eligible developing countries including India; highly competitive
• Endeavour Leadership Program — For high-achieving international students; covers tuition, travel, and living costs
• Faculty-Specific Scholarships — Melbourne Law School, Melbourne Business School, and Faculty of Engineering each offer merit and need-based awards; amounts and eligibility vary
• Vice-Chancellor's Graduate Research Scholarships — For incoming PhD students with exceptional academic records

Note: Most major scholarships at Melbourne do not require a separate application — students are automatically assessed upon applying for their program. Students are encouraged to apply early for maximum scholarship consideration.

Admissions

The University of Melbourne has an acceptance rate of 70–80%. Every applicant who fulfils the course-specific entry requirements and possesses a valid English proficiency score is considered for admission.  However, competitive programs such as Medicine, Law, and high-demand Engineering streams are significantly more selective.

For Graduate (Master's / Doctoral) Programs:

• Bachelor's degree (Honours or equivalent) with a strong academic record
• Minimum WAM of 72%–75% or equivalent (varies by program; Medicine and Law require higher)
• English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) / TOEFL iBT 79+ / PTE 58+
• Some programs (MBA, Research Masters) require GMAT/GRE
• Statement of Purpose / Personal Statement
• 2–3 Letters of Recommendation (research programs)
• CV / Résumé
• Official transcripts (certified English translation if required)

For Undergraduate Programs:

• Indian UG applicants must submit CBSE AISSC or CISCE Indian School Certificate (ISC) Class 12 scores of 75%–93% depending on the program 
• English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0)
• Application fee: AUD $150

Indian students can check the University of Melbourne's specific admission requirements for their chosen program directly through Polygon Campus.

Placements

The University of Melbourne's Parkville campus — located in one of the world's most liveable cities — places graduates at the intersection of Australia's finance, healthcare, legal, technology, and creative industries. In the 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey, graduates of the university had a full-time employment rate of 67.7% for undergraduates and 88.3% for postgraduates. The initial full-time salary was AUD $65,300 for undergraduates and AUD $88,000 for postgraduates. 

The University of Melbourne's employment rate is 97%. The University is partnered with 300+ international organisations across the seven seas. 

Jobs After Graduating from the University of Melbourne

Note: Salary figures are indicative based on 2023–24 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey and industry data. Actual salaries may vary by role, employer, location, and experience.

The University of Melbourne's career support ecosystem includes:

• Careers and Employability — Melbourne's dedicated careers team offering personalised career coaching, employer events, job fairs, CV workshops, and industry networking for all students and recent alumni
• Melbourne Connect — Australia's largest university-based innovation precinct; connects students with 200+ partner companies, startups, and research institutes in technology, health, and sustainability
• Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) — One of the world's leading medical research institutes; career gateway for biomedical and medical sciences graduates
• Melbourne Law School Industry Links — Partnerships with top-tier law firms, the Victorian Bar, and leading corporates and government departments
• Melbourne Business School (MBS) Career Centre — Dedicated MBA career support with employer connections across finance, consulting, and technology
• University of Melbourne Alumni Network — A community of 470,000+ alumni spanning 170+ countries; active mentorship, networking events, and career referrals
• 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 University of Melbourne admissions, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.