Deakin University or University of Melbourne: Where to study in Australia?

Deakin University vs University of Melbourne

with three campuses in Melbourne, Geelong, and Warrnambool. The university accepts around 65,000 students, of which a high percentage are international students. The admissions are relatively competitive, with an overall acceptance rate of about 75%. Some of the most sought-after majors include Business, Health Sciences, Engineering, Information Technology, and Education. The graduation rate is approximately 72%, and the median salary of Deakin graduates is approximately INR 46,20,000 (approximately AUD 84,000 ten years after graduation).

University of Melbourne is a globally ranked public research university in Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria. It is one of Australia's leading institutions with a student body of approximately 52,000. Admissions are competitive with an acceptance rate of approximately 70%. Among the most taken courses are Medicine, Law, Business, Engineering, and Arts & Humanities. The graduation rate is about 90%, and University of Melbourne graduates earn a median salary of approximately INR 72,00,000 (from AUD 130,800 median income ten years after graduation).

Overview Comparison
Deakin UniversityUniversity of Melbourne
Collegedunia Score4.6 Out of 106.7 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 201 Times Higher Education 2026
# 207 QS World University 2026
# 197 QS World University 2025
# 19 QS World University 2026
# 37 Times Higher Education 2026
# 13 QS World University 2025
Subject Strength# 126 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025
# 301 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 201 for Law by Times Higher Education 2025
# 50 for Engineering by QS World University 2025
# 33 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025
# 25 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
ProgramsUG Programs -117
PG Programs -63
Doctorate Programs -5
UG Programs -42
PG Programs -130
Doctorate Programs -9
Exam ScoreIELTS-6.5
PTE-60
TOEFL-79
IELTS-7
PTE-72
TOEFL-102
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   20286
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  43000
[For PG Program]
Average Tuition Fees   17124
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  30539
[For PG Program]
placement (average package)

Graduate Employability Ranking- #271; Highest paid degrees- MBA (131,000 USD); Masters (93,000 USD); Masters in Finance (88,000 USD); Bachelor (87,000 USD); Bachelor of Science (84,000 USD).


Graduate employability ranking QS- #8. The University of Melbourne is one of the top public universities in Parkville, Australia. It is ranked #33 in QS World University Rankings 2023.

  • LLM: $136,000 
  • MBA: $104,000 
  • Masters in Finance: $100,000 
  • Executive Masters: $73,000 
  • Master (Other): $71,000 
  • Bachelor of Science: $64,000

application requirements

award certificates; academic transcripts; formal identity papers (e.g. your passport); CVs; Personal Statement; Proof of English proficiency.

Overseas Secondary School Qualifications,
Apptitute test results, Interview and Auditions (required for certain programs)

Campuses and B-SchoolsDeakin Business School
Melbourne Business School
CollegeDunia Reviews7.6/10 Read 40 reviews7.2/10 Read 58 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 151 for Business by QS World University 2025
# 201 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 40 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 50 for Business by QS World University 2025
application--
exam scoresIELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 60/90TOEFL - 79/120GMAT - 560/800IELTS - 7/9PTE - 72/90TOEFL - 102/120
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -48600Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application dates-Dec 1, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake)
Feb 2, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake)
Mar 25, 2026 (Clemenger BBDO Scholarship Deadline)
Mar 30, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake)
May 25, 2026 (Round 4 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake(off-shore))
Jul 27, 2026 (Round 5 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake(on-shore))
General Facts Comparison
General FactsDeakin UniversityUniversity of Melbourne
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1974
1853
Student:Faculty Ratio33.3:1
:1
Male:Female42% Male, 0% Female0% Male, 0% Female
Location Facts

Campuses located in Melbourne's Burwood suburb, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Geelong Waterfront and Warrnambool, as well as the online Cloud Campus; the Largest campus is in Burnwood located 45 minutes by tram from the Melbourne CBD


Located in the suburb of Parkville, other campuses spread across Victoria. 
Also occupies suburb of Carlton, 
Melbourne is awarded Economist’s most liveable city award 7 times,
Burney campus is surrounded by heritage-listed garderns


Library

Online Collections of over 970,000 resources: 636,845 e-books; 201,666 e-journals; 577 online databases; 73,693 streaming audio; 116,828 streaming video; 96,424 records in Deakin Research Online; 18,003 Open Access records in Deakin Research Online. Physical Collections of over 815,000 resources: 694,960 books; 2,885 print journals; 97,247 items in special collections; 17,854 DVDs and videos; Extensive microform collection.


Subject Specific libraries- Brownless Biomedical Library and Law Library. 
3.5 million items
32000 ebooks, 63,000 journals


Campus Life

120 clubs and societies; Deakin sports club that include Deakin Burwood Basketball Association, Deakin University Football and Netball Club (Sharks) & Sharks Players United, and Deakin Snow Riders (DSR); Deakin University Student Association (DUSA); gyms, fitness classes, basketball courts & sports ovals


Number of museums and art galleries located across the campus
Numerous water sports
Potter-heads can always play Quidditch at University of Melbourne
Around 4 fitness facilities
40 sporting clubs
200 clubs and 100 grads group


Famous Alumni

Anurag Singh (Indian film director); Leigh Peta Sales (Australian Journalist); Stella Young (Australian Comedian); Benjamin James Graham (Former Australian Rule Footballer); Rodger Corser (Australian Actor); Michael Klinger (Australian Cricketer); James William Kilgore (American Activist)


Julia Gillard (Former Australian Prime Minister), Randeep Hooda (Actor), Germaine Greer (Author), Nicole Kidman (Actor), Rony Chieng (Comedian), Stephanie Alexander (food writer/restaurateur), Tahir Bhasin (Actor)


City Life

Located in Geelong, southwest of Melbourne; 2nd largest city in Victoria; 2nd fastest city in Australia; Major employers: Ford Motor Company, Avalon Airport. Target Australia; Shell oil refinery; etc.; Popular tourist attractions include Buckley Falls; - Curlewis Golf Club; Market Square; Point Lonsdale Lighthouse; Queenscliffe Maritime Museum; Geelong Art Gallery; Ozone shipwreck, etc.


Cheap student shopping,
Graffiti filled Melbourne Hosier Lane and other street artwork,
One of the highest paying city in the country, unemployment rate is 6.2%


Weather
Comparison Notes

Deakin University vs University of Melbourne

Topic Strength & International Rankings (2025/2026)

Deakin University, based in Victoria, Australia, places between 207 worldwide (QS 2026). It is particularly respected for nursing, education, sports science, psychology, business, and health sciences, and is a trailblazer in online and digital teaching.The University of Melbourne, again in Victoria, is a highly ranked university internationally, typically between the 19 range (QS 2026). It ranks highly in law, medicine, business, engineering, arts & humanities, and life sciences, and is routinely listed as one of Australia's leading research institutions.

General Information

Deakin University has approximately 60,000 students, of whom 14,000 are international students, on campuses in Melbourne (Burwood), Geelong, Warrnambool, and its Cloud Campus. It emphasizes flexible learning, practice-oriented skills, and career preparedness.The University of Melbourne has about 52,000 students enrolled, including about 14,000 international students, across several campuses in Melbourne. As Australia's premier research university, it boasts a history of academic excellence and solid international reputation.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Deakin University is moderately selective and admits students on a 75% acceptance rate basis, depending on the course, with competitive courses in nursing, psychology, and law.The University of Melbourne is very competitive, with an acceptance rate of about 70%. Admission is based on academic achievement, required subjects, and occasionally interviews or auditions for professional courses (e.g., medicine, music, architecture).

Research Impact & Facilities

Deakin has health science, materials science, AI, and education research strengths, as well as specialized research centers such as the Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM).The University of Melbourne is a research hub, with world-leading facilities and institutes in medicine, engineering, law, arts, business, and science, such as Parkville biomedical precinct and far-reaching international partnerships.

Cost & Financial Aid

Deakin University: International student tuition varies from AUD $32,000–$42,000 annually, with merit scholarships and bursaries offered.University of Melbourne: Tuition is slightly more expensive, averaging AUD $40,000–$50,000 annually, depending on the program. There are many scholarships for international and high-achieving students, as well as research and professional development grants, from the university.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

Deakin graduates enjoy high employability, especially in nursing, business, IT, engineering, and psychology, underpinned by work-integrated learning and industry collaboration.The University of Melbourne graduates have world recognition, powerful networks, and high employability in law, medicine, business, engineering, research, and academia. Graduates are influential government, business, arts, and science leaders.