Outstanding university performance

Victoria is home to:

  • 10 universities
  • 12 TAFEs
  • 1,100+ private providers
  • 13 internationally recognised medical research institutions
  • 18 government-owned tertiary training institutes
  • 14 agricultural research centres

Outstanding subject performance

In the largest-ever series of QS subject-specific rankings 2023, Australia ranks as the third-best higher education system globally, with the University of Melbourne one of only three universities worldwide to have 48 disciplines each ranked within the top 50 globally.

Monash University follows closely behind with 40 and 46 ranked disciplines in the top 100 and top 200, respectively, making Victoria the only Australian state with two universities with 40 or more subjects ranking in the world's Top 100. For more information visit the Top Universities website.

Notable statistics for 2023
  • University of Melbourne: 24th place overall for Arts & Humanities, 20th place overall for Life Sciences & Medicine, equal 25th place overall for Social Sciences & Management
  • Monash University: 2nd place in the world for Pharmacy & Pharmacology
  • Deakin University: 7th place in the world for Sports-related Subjects

For more information about subject rankings visit the Top Universities website.

Arts & Humanities - 2023

24TH PLACE OVERALL: University of Melbourne

  • Linguistics– University of Melbourne (26th place)
  • Architecture & Built Environment – University of Melbourne (23rd place), RMIT University (25th place)
  • Art & Design – RMIT University (19th place)
  • English Language & Literature – University of Melbourne (28th place)
  • Philosophy– Monash University (26th place)

For more information about subject rankings visit the Top Universities website.

Engineering & Technology - 2023

50th PLACE OVERALL: University of Melbourne

  • Civil & Structural Engineering – University of Melbourne (equal 22nd place)
  • Mineral & Mining Engineering– Monash University (20th place), University of Melbourne (22nd place)

For more information about subject rankings visit the Top Universities website.

Life Sciences & Medicine -2023

20TH PLACE OVERALL: University of Melbourne

  • Anatomy & Physiology – University of Melbourne (14th place), Monash University (24th place)
  • Medicine – University of Melbourne (24th place)
  • Nursing– Monash University (15th place), University of Melbourne (equal 17th place)
  • Pharmacy & Pharmacology – Monash University (2nd place)
  • Psychology– University of Melbourne (19th place)
  • Veterinary Science – University of Melbourne (26th place)

For more information about subject rankings visit the Top Universities website.

Natural Sciences - 2023

Equal 46TH PLACE OVERALL: University of Melbourne

  • Environmental Sciences – University of Melbourne (equal 23rd place)
  • Geography– University of Melbourne (equal 17th place)

For more information about subject rankings visit the Top Universities website.

Social Sciences & Management - 2023

Equal 25TH PLACE OVERALL: University of Melbourne

  • Marketing – University of Melbourne (17th place)
  • Accounting & Finance - University of Melbourne (23rd place)
  • Anthropology- University of Melbourne (22nd place)
  • Development Studies - University of Melbourne (15th place)
  • Education & Training - University of Melbourne (12th place), Monash University (=19th place)
  • Law & Legal Studies- University of Melbourne (11th place)
  • Library & Information Management- RMIT University (equal 29th place)
  • Social Policy & Administration- University of Melbourne (23rd place)
  • Sociology- University of Melbourne (28th place)
  • Sports-related Subjects - Deakin University (equal 7th place), University of Melbourne (12th place)

For more information about subject rankings visit the Top Universities website.

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Outstanding research performance

Victoria’s universities offer research expertise rated ‘above world standard’ across  96 disciplines in the Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) rankings.

Victorian university research performance is at or above world standard in the following areas:

  • Physical Sciences
  • Chemical Sciences
  • Biological Sciences
  • Engineering
  • Technology
  • Information and Computing Sciences
  • Medical and Health Sciences
  • Language, Communication and Culture.

Deakin University, Monash University and University of Melbourne are recognised for outstanding performance well above world standard in Medical and Health Sciences.

Monash University and the University of Melbourne are recognised for outstanding performance well above world standard in Engineering and Technology.