The University of Melbourne emblem

The University of Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia • Founded 1853 • QS 2027 #22 =

Updated May 2026

Overview

English Name: University of Melbourne
Acronyms: UNIMELB
Founded: 1853
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Rankings:
QS World University Rankings 2027 #22 = Times Higher Education 2026 #37 ARWU (Shanghai) 2026 #37 CWTS Leiden 2025 #174 SCImago 2026 #30
Motto: Postera Crescam Laude
The University of Melbourne emblem

Established in 1853, The University of Melbourne is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Melbourne (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Victoria.

Officially recognized by the Department of Education and Training of Australia, The University of Melbourne (UNIMELB) is a very large-sized coeducational Australian higher education institution. The University of Melbourne (UNIMELB) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 171-year-old Australian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 70-79% making this Australian higher education organization a moderately selective institution.

International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.

UNIMELB also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

The University of Melbourne's coordinates, postal address, and the contact channels admissions teams respond on. Campus tour bookings often have their own page distinct from general contact channels.

Address: Swanston Street, Parkville
Postal Code: 3010
Other Sites: Also Burnley, Creswick, Dookie, Parkville, Shepparton, Southbank, and Werribee Campuses
Phone: +61 (0)3 8344 4000
Fax: +61 (0)3 8344 5104

Academic Details

Enrolment scale, staff balance, and accreditation context for The University of Melbourne are below. Female student percentage signals admissions reach and shapes the student-life environment.

Academic Year: March to December (March-June; July-December)
Recognition: Department of Education and Training of Australia
Admission Requirements: Satisfactory completion of an approved final year of high school equivalent to the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or, in countries without a recognised high school qualification, completion of a foundation programme in Australia or first year standing from a recognised overseas tertiary institution, and satisfactory completion of any special course requirements; admission quotas apply and completion of entrance qualifications does not guarantee right of entry.
Student Enrollment: 45,000-49,999
Academic Staff Range: 2,000-2,499
Campus Setting: Urban
Memberships & Networks
Group of Eight (go8) Universities Australia Universitas 21 (U21) Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU)

Academic Structures

The University of Melbourne's academic structure — the schools, colleges, and divisions inside the institution — is laid out below. Use this map when figuring out which faculty owns the programme you want.

Unit 18 items
  • Conservatorium of Music
  • Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning
  • Faculty of Arts
  • Faculty of Business and Economics
  • Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
  • Faculty of Science
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science
  • Graduate School of Business and Economics
  • Graduate School of Education
  • Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Graduate School of Science
  • Law School
  • Melbourne Business School
  • School of Design
  • School of Engineering
  • School of Graduate Research
  • School of Land and Environment
  • Victorian College of the Arts

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Department of Education and Training of Australia.

Arts (College) 5 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Cinema and Television
  • Dance
  • Fine Arts
  • Performing Arts
  • Theatre
Music (Conservatory) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Music
  • Music Theory and Composition
  • Musicology
Architecture, Building and Planning (Faculty) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Architecture
  • Civil Engineering
  • Environmental Management
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Rural Planning
  • Town Planning

Common Career Paths

  • Architect
  • Urban Planner
  • Interior Designer

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Arts (Faculty) 38 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Anthropology
  • Applied Linguistics
  • Arabic
  • Art History
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Asian Studies
  • Chinese
  • Criminology
  • Development Studies
  • Economics
  • English
  • Environmental Studies
  • European Studies
  • French
  • Gender Studies
  • Geography
  • German
  • Hebrew
  • Indigenous Studies
  • Indonesian
  • International Studies
  • Islamic Studies
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Jewish Studies
  • Latin American Studies
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Media Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Political Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Russian
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Theatre
  • Writing
Business and Economics (Faculty) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Accountancy
  • Business Administration
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Management
  • Marketing

Common Career Paths

  • Economist
  • Policy Analyst
  • Financial Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (Faculty) 11 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Biomedicine
  • Community Health
  • Dental Hygiene
  • Dental Technology
  • Dentistry
  • Epidemiology
  • Medicine
  • Nursing
  • Physical Therapy
  • Public Health
  • Social Work

Common Career Paths

  • Dentist
  • Oral Surgeon
  • Dental Researcher

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Science (Faculty) 8 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Biochemistry
  • Chemistry
  • Earth Sciences
  • Environmental Studies
  • Mathematics
  • Natural Sciences
  • Physics
  • Statistics

Common Career Paths

  • Research Scientist
  • Lab Technician
  • Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Veterinary Science (Faculty) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Veterinary Science

Common Career Paths

  • Veterinarian
  • Animal Health Specialist
  • Wildlife Researcher

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Education (Graduate School) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Education
  • Educational Administration
  • Educational Testing and Evaluation
  • Preschool Education
  • Primary Education
  • Secondary Education

Common Career Paths

  • Teacher
  • Educational Administrator
  • Curriculum Specialist

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Engineering (School) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Information Technology
  • Mechanical Engineering

Common Career Paths

  • Engineer
  • Project Manager
  • Technical Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Land and Environment (School) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Agriculture
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Environmental Management
  • Food Science
  • Forestry
  • Horticulture
Law (School) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Law

Common Career Paths

  • Lawyer
  • Legal Consultant
  • Compliance Officer

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Programs Offered

Find a programme at The University of Melbourne by filter, or browse by degree level. Online and on-campus delivery modes differ in tuition, time commitment, and credential recognition — confirm which mode each programme runs in.

392 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Australia

Bachelor's Degree 21 programmes

Showing 10 of 21.

Honours Degree 16 programmes

Showing 10 of 16.

Master's Degree 234 programmes

Showing 10 of 234.

Doctorate 22 programmes

Showing 10 of 22.

Postgraduate Certificate 31 programmes

Showing 10 of 31.

Postgraduate Diploma 68 programmes

Showing 10 of 68.

How to apply to The University of Melbourne

Practical steps to apply to The University of Melbourne, suitable as a starting checklist before contacting the admissions team directly.

  1. 1
    Find a programme that fits your goals

    Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. The University of Melbourne offers 392 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.

  2. 2
    Confirm you meet the requirements

    Each programme at The University of Melbourne has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.

  3. 3
    Assemble your application package

    Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.

  4. 4
    Submit your application

    Apply directly via The University of Melbourne's online portal at www.unimelb.edu.au. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.

  5. 5
    Contact admissions and follow up

    After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +61 (0)3 8344 4000. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about The University of Melbourne

Quick answers to the most common questions about The University of Melbourne — covering location, founding, ranking, programmes, and admissions context.

When was The University of Melbourne founded?

The University of Melbourne was established in 1853 (approximately 173 years ago).

Where is The University of Melbourne located?

The University of Melbourne is located in Melbourne, Australia.

What is The University of Melbourne's control type?

The University of Melbourne operates as a public institution.

What is the student enrolment at The University of Melbourne?

Student enrolment at The University of Melbourne is around 45,000-49,999.

Where does The University of Melbourne stand in university rankings?

It ranks QS 2027 #22 =.

What qualification levels does The University of Melbourne offer?

The University of Melbourne offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

What is The University of Melbourne's academic structure?

The University of Melbourne has 18 academic units.

Is The University of Melbourne accredited?

The University of Melbourne is accredited by Department of Education and Training of Australia.

Where can I learn more about The University of Melbourne?

The University of Melbourne's official website is www.unimelb.edu.au.

Members of Universities Australia

Below: other Universities Australia member institutions, alongside The University of Melbourne.

Faculties at nearby universities

These universities are located near The University of Melbourne, listed below for students comparing options by location.

Where Else to Study Performing Arts

Other institutions in Australia teaching Performing Arts are listed below for comparison with The University of Melbourne.

Universities Compared with The University of Melbourne

Universities of a similar scale and standing to The University of Melbourne are listed below.

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