Many students may find it difficult to decide which city to choose when planning to study in Australia, especially when the programme they are interested in is offered by many universities across the country. For example, some students are interested in studying Business programmes such as a Bachelor of Business, which is very popular among Thai students. In addition to choosing the right course and university, another important factor that helps with the decision is choosing the city where you want to live and study.

Choosing the Right City for Studying in Australia

Choosing the right city for studying abroad is important because you will be living there for at least 2–4 years, depending on whether you are pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree. During this time, many factors will affect both your lifestyle and financial planning, such as accommodation costs, daily expenses, climate, population size, public transportation, economic growth of the city, extracurricular activities, part-time job opportunities, and even post-study visa options. All of these factors make the decision between choosing a big city or a smaller city an important one that students should carefully consider.

Advantages of Studying in Big Cities in Australia

Many students choose to study in major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane for several reasons:

• Home to world-ranked universities such as the University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, UNSW Sydney, Monash University, and University of Queensland
• Vibrant city lifestyle – Students who choose big cities often enjoy the lively, modern environment, with plenty of shopping malls, restaurants, entertainment, and attractions available both day and night. Public transportation is also well-developed and convenient
• Direct international flights – Major cities have direct flight routes, making travel easier without needing connecting flights
• More job opportunities – Big cities offer more employment opportunities, although competition can also be higher
• Variety of accommodation options – Students can choose from on-campus housing or student apartments in the city, with many options available

Advantages of Studying in Smaller Cities in Australia

There are also many students who choose to avoid big cities and instead study in smaller cities such as Canberra, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Perth, or Tasmania. The reasons for choosing smaller cities include:

• Lower cost of living – Expenses such as rent, public transportation, and food are generally more affordable than in major cities, making overall living costs significantly lower
• Home to world-ranked universities as well – For example, Australian National University, University of Western Australia, and University of Adelaide. These universities typically have around 10–15% international students, compared to top universities in big cities where the proportion can be as high as 30–40%
• Longer post-study visa opportunities – Students may be eligible for a longer duration under the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). For example, bachelor’s graduates may stay up to 3 years, and master’s graduates up to 4 years (based on information as of July 2022; subject to change depending on Australian government policies)
• Lower job competition – Compared to big cities, there is generally less competition for part-time jobs
• Smaller Thai community – There are typically fewer Thai students, which can encourage greater use of English and cultural immersion

Choosing whether to study in a big city or a smaller city should start with understanding your own priorities and lifestyle. Consider what kind of environment suits you best, as well as your goals for studying abroad. This will help ensure that your choice of university and city in Australia aligns with both your personal preferences and budget.

📝 Article by P’Orn, Australia Education Consultant at One Education, and an alumna of University of Canberra.

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