Studying in Brisbane
QLD, Australia
Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and Australia’s third-largest city. It sits on the Brisbane River about 90 minutes’ drive from the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. The climate is warm year-round, the cost of living is lower than Sydney or Melbourne, and the city is rapidly investing in infrastructure ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games.
Universities and major institutes
- University of Queensland (Group of Eight)
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
- Griffith University
- Australian Catholic University
Cost of living
Generally 10–25% cheaper than Sydney. A room in a share house typically runs $200–$400 per week.
Neighbourhoods for students
- St Lucia — UQ catchment, leafy, river-adjacent.
- Kelvin Grove / Spring Hill — close to QUT, walkable to the CBD.
- South Bank / West End — café and arts precinct, popular with students.
- Fortitude Valley — entertainment district, strong public transport, growing student population.
Institutes in Brisbane
Billy Blue College of Design
Torrens University Australia
Industry-mentored design school of Torrens University, with campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
Griffith University
A multi-campus public university across Brisbane and the Gold Coast — strong in business, hospitality, criminology, and health.
Queensland University of Technology
Brisbane-based public university with a strong real-world focus across creative industries, business, IT, and health.
University of Queensland
Queensland's flagship Group of Eight research university, with its main campus in St Lucia, Brisbane.