If you’re looking for top universities to study in Australia, you should definitely get to know the Group of Eight (Go8). When talking about world-renowned universities, you might think of the Ivy League in the USA or the Russell Group in the UK. Australia also has its own elite group of leading universities known as the Group of Eight. 

The Group of Eight is a coalition of eight premier Australian universities known for their world-class research and teaching excellence. These universities consistently rank within the Top 100 best universities globally, reflecting their high standards and strong international reputation. 

Which Universities Are in the Group of Eight? 

1. Adelaide University 

📍 Location: Adelaide, South Australia 

Adelaide University (formerly known as the University of Adelaide) is a world-class and the third oldest university in Australia. It is located in Adelaide, a city consistently ranked among the Top 10 most livable cities in the world, with a lower cost of living compared to major cities like Sydney and Melbourne. The university has three campuses in South Australia: North Terrace, Roseworthy, and Waite, as well as a newly established campus in Melbourne. 

Adelaide University Rankings: 

• No. 8 in Australia (QS World University Rankings 2026) 
• No. 82 in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026) 
• No. 128 in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025) 

Top 10 Recommended Programs at the University of Adelaide: 

• Petroleum Engineering 
• Chemical Engineering 
• Anatomy & Physiology 
• Earth Science 
• Computer Science 
• Veterinary Sciences 
• Nursing 
• Dentistry 
• Law (recognized by Thailand’s Council of Legal Education) 

2. Australian National University (ANU) 

📍 Location: Canberra, the capital city of Australia 

The Australian National University (ANU) is one of Australia’s most prestigious universities, known globally for its world-class research. It has received 5-star ratings in several categories such as Student Demand, Student Retention, Student-Teacher Ratio, and Staff Qualifications, according to the Good Universities Guide 2019. 

ANU offers programs from undergraduate to PhD level, including flexible Double Degree programs, allowing students to combine two fields of study such as Arts, Social Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Law and graduate with two degrees. 

ANU Rankings: 

• No. 4 in Australia (QS World University Rankings 2026) 
• No. 32 in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026) 
• No. 73 in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025) 

Top 10 Recommended Programs at ANU: 

• Anthropology 
• Politics & International Studies 
• Law (recognized by Thailand’s Council of Legal Education) 
• Computer Science & IT
• Economics 
• Environmental Science 
• Linguistics 
• Mathematics 
• Physics 
• Sociology 

3. Monash University 

📍 Location: Melbourne, Victoria 

Monash University is the largest university in Australia, with a total of six campuses—four in Australia, and two international campuses in Malaysia and Indonesia. It also partners with over 100 universities worldwide. Monash offers a wide range of programs at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. 

The university is especially renowned for its research excellence, having received a rating of “Above World Standard” from the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) since 2010. 

Monash University Rankings: 

• No. 5 in Australia (QS World University Rankings 2026) 
• No. 36 in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026) 
• No. 58 in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025) 

Top 10 Recommended Programs at Monash University: 

• Accounting & Finance 
• Business & Management *(with international Triple Crown Accreditation) 
• Computer Science 
• Civil Engineering 
• Economics 
• Education 
• Law (recognized by Thailand’s Council of Legal Education) 
• Nursing 
• Pharmacy 

• Sociology 

4. University of Melbourne 

📍 Location: Melbourne, Victoria 

The University of Melbourne is ranked No. 1 in Australia and is internationally renowned for its academic excellence. With over 54,000 students, including more than 21,000 international students from over 150 countries, it is a truly global university. 

It is also one of the most popular universities among Thai students in Australia, thanks to its strong reputation and word-of-mouth recommendations. The university has an active Thai Students Association, which brings together current students and alumni through social and academic activities. 

The University of Melbourne offers programs from undergraduate to doctoral levels, as well as a Foundation Studies program through Trinity College, which guarantees progression into undergraduate degrees. 

The university ranks Top 50 in the world in over 12 subjects, and is No. 1 in Australia in several fields. 

University of Melbourne Rankings: 

• No. 1 in Australia (QS World University Rankings 2026) 
• No. 19 in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026) 
• No. 39 in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025) 

Top 10 Recommended Programs at the University of Melbourne: 

• Medicine 
• Data Science & Artificial Intelligence 
• Dentistry
• Psychology 
• Linguistics 
• Law (recognized by Thailand’s Council of Legal Education) 
• Business & Management Studies 
• Biological Sciences 
• Education 
• Marketing 

🟢 Thinking about studying at a Group of Eight university? Contact One Education, the official representative, for free advice and support every step of the way! Add Line: @one-edu or submit an enquiry form

5. University of Queensland (UQ) 

📍 Location: Brisbane, Queensland 

The University of Queensland (UQ) is one of Australia’s leading research universities, ranked “No. 1 in Australia for research” by the Nature Index Table 2019. Its St Lucia campus was also ranked the 11th most beautiful campus in the world by BuzzFeed in 2015. 

UQ is home to globally recognized researchers and has made significant contributions in fields such as Bioscience, Nanotechnology, Engineering, Sustainable Development, and Social Science. Notably, UQ was also one of the universities involved in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. 

University of Queensland Rankings: 

• No. 6 in Australia (QS World University Rankings 2026) 
• No. 42 in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026) 
• No. 77 in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025) 

Top 10 Recommended Programs at the University of Queensland: 

• Sports Science & Management 
• Petroleum Engineering 
• Environmental Sciences 
• Hospitality and Leisure Management 
• Pharmacy 
• Psychology 
• Veterinary Science 
• Dentistry 
• Law (recognized by Thailand’s Council of Legal Education) 
• Development Studies 

6. University of Sydney 

📍 Location: Sydney, New South Wales 

The University of Sydney is the oldest university in Australia, and it consistently ranks among the top universities in the country and the Top 50 worldwide. With over 170 years of academic excellence, the university is known for its outstanding teaching, research, facilities, and student experience. 

The main campus is located in the Camperdown / Darlington area, close to Chinatown, the Central Business District, shopping centers, and iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. 

University of Sydney Rankings: 

• No. 3 in Australia (QS World University Rankings 2026) 
• No. 25 in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026) 
• No. 61 in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025) 

Top 10 Recommended Programs at the University of Sydney: 

• Anatomy and Physiology 
• Business & Management (Triple Crown Accredited) 
• Law (recognized by Thailand’s Council of Legal Education) 
• Clinical Medicine 
• Communication & Media Studies 
• Computer Science 
• Engineering 
• Mathematics 
• Nursing 
• Surgery 

7. University of Western Australia (UWA) 

📍 Location: Perth, Western Australia 

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is a globally recognized institution ranked in the Top 100 universities worldwide. Located in Perth, UWA offers an affordable cost of living compared to cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Perth is also a hub of industry and innovation in Australia. 

The UWA campus is uniquely beautiful, situated along the Swan River, just 10 minutes from Perth’s city center. International students can enjoy free buses within the Perth CBD and a 40% discount on public transport. 

University of Western Australia Rankings: 

• No. 7 in Australia (QS World University Rankings 2026) 
• No. 77 in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026) 
• Top 150 in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025) 

Top 10 Recommended Programs at UWA: 

• Agriculture and Forestry 
• Anatomy and Physiology 
• Engineering 
• Geology 
• Accounting and Finance 
• Earth and Marine Sciences 
• Computer Science and Information Systems 
• Biological Sciences 
• Medicine 
• Psychology 

8. UNSW Sydney (University of New South Wales) 

📍 Location: Sydney, New South Wales

UNSW Sydney is known as one of the most international universities in the world, ranked 22nd globally for international diversity. It has a large and diverse population of students, staff, and researchers from around the world. 

The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs, along with UNSW Global Pathway programs designed to prepare international students for undergraduate study through academic, English language, and cultural transition support. 

For students interested in entrepreneurship, UNSW offers the “Founder Program”, designed for aspiring start-up founders. Over 230 business mentors from various industries are invited to help students turn their business ideas into reality. 

UNSW Sydney Rankings: 

• No. 2 in Australia (QS World University Rankings 2026) 
• No. 20 in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026) 
• No. 83 in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025) 

Top 10 Recommended Programs at UNSW Sydney: 

• Engineering 
• Law (recognized by Thailand’s Council of Legal Education) 
• Marketing 
• Accounting & Finance 
• Business & Management Studies 
• Architecture 
• Psychology 
• Environmental Sciences 
• Mathematics 
• Chemistry 

Group of Eight University Rankings

All of the top-tier Group of Eight (Go8) universities in Australia are ranked among the Top 100 universities in the world. Our team at One Education has created a summary table listing each university, its location, and both national and global rankings for your convenience. 

Note: Rankings are based on the QS World University Rankings 2026 

Interested in studying at one of Australia’s top Group of Eight universities? 

For more information and assistance with the application process, contact One Education — an official representative of all Group of Eight universities. We offer free consultations and support throughout your application journey.
Add our Line official account: @one-edu
Submit an enquiry form. We will get back to you as soon as possible. 
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