Recently we sat down with Fazil, a student from India who is studying a Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology at Swinburne University.

Fazil shared his advice and tips for international students considering Melbourne as a study destination.

With Swinburne University in the top 20% of universities worldwide and having been awarded five stars for Undergraduate student: teacher ratio in the 2023 Good Universities Guide, it’s no surprise that its high standard of education and facilities drew Fazil to Melbourne.

Fazil’s student life in Melbourne

What university do you attend and what course are you doing?

“I am doing a Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology at Swinburne University.”

Why did you choose to study in Melbourne?

“Melbourne has got plenty of world-ranked universities with world-class teaching standards and a degree from an Australian uni is globally accredited. Also, Melbourne has very low crime rates, great public transport, and quality of life.”

What do you love about Melbourne?

“People are approachable here. Melbourne has got plenty of restaurants and local food outlets. One never runs out of good food 😂. There are always some events and gigs that keep us entertained after a long week.”

What made you feel warm and welcomed when you first arrived in Melbourne?

"Student support from my uni and my uni's alumni were welcoming. I'm from India, so suburbs such as Clayton and Dandenong remind me of home as they've got many Indian restaurants. The Indian community also organises events during cultural festivals."

What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Melbourne to study?

“Be relaxed and also be prepared to become the better version of you.”

I would recommend studying in Melbourne because…

“Quality of living, standards of education and the university’s infrastructure, diverse community, and plenty of places and activities to do.”

Once you have completed your course, what are your plans? Are you going to stay in Australia?

“I’d love to stay for a while and use my post-graduate work visa to gain Australian work experience and develop my career skills.”

Anything else you'd like to add?

“Be thrilled to explore this beautiful city!”

Considering studying in Melbourne?

Thanks, Fazil, for sharing your great experience studying in Melbourne.

Melbourne is a fantastic city for international students.

In fact, it’s Australia's best student city and one of the best student cities globally in the QS Best Student Cities Ranking for 2023.

The high quality of education is just one reason so many international students choose to study here. Multicultural and inclusive, you will see many diverse people walking around the city.

So if you’re interested in experiencing other cultures—not just Australian but many more—then choose to study in Melbourne.

Melbourne ranks as a very safe place to live and offers free resources and support for international students through the Study Melbourne Hubs:

Find courses for international students in Melbourne

As a top city for international students, Melbourne has a huge range of high quality courses, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Melbourne offers many of the same courses to its domestic and international students.

The easiest way to search for international student courses in Melbourne is online on websites like the Study Melbourne Course Finder.

Our site lets you search for courses by subject, institution or scholarship opportunities available, removing some of the guesswork for you.

How should you choose your university?

With so many prestigious education institutions in Melbourne, you might need help to choose your university.

The best place to start is to choose your university based on whether they offer courses in your area of interest.

If your course is offered at several institutions, you can explore student experiences to see how the student lifestyle differs.

Head to our Student Stories page to read more interviews from students at different universities across Melbourne, like Fazil.

What about student life in Melbourne?

Student life here is what you make of it.

With diverse people, a more affordable cost of living, and many opportunities to learn and grow, Melbourne is a top destination for international students.

Like Fazil, you could get a world-class education while enjoying Melbourne's arts, culture and sporting events.

The city is filled with people from different walks of life, so you can explore new cultures or connect with a familiar community from your home country.

Choose to study at a Melbourne university, and you’ll have a once-in-a-lifetime experience while earning a globally recognised degree.