QS Best Student Cities ranking: =41st
With an enviable lifestyle and globally esteemed universities, it’s little surprise that Perth attracts students from all over the world.
Lying way out on the western coast of the country – more than 2,000 miles from the likes of Sydney and Melbourne – Perth has also been described as one of the world’s most isolated cities. It’s a good job, then, that it is also one of the world’s most desirable places to live, getting high scores for desirability as well as student mix, which are both ranked within the top 30.
Offering all the cultural, culinary and recreational attractions that you would expect of a state capital with a population of over two million, Perth also promises an idyllic climate and access to some of the most stunning beaches and parkland you will ever see.
The downside to Perth’s isolation comes in a lower score than other Australian cities for employer activity, perhaps reflecting the sheer distance that separates it from many of the country’s graduate recruiters. However, as a living environment in which to spend your student years, Perth takes some beating.
Three universities in Perth are featured in the QS World University Rankings® 2020, the highest-ranked of which is the University of Western Australia (UWA) at joint 86th in the world.
Perth also achieved a top-50 score for student view, attracting praise from respondents to our student survey. One student summed up: “Perth is a beautiful, active city without being overcrowded or hectic. The people are very friendly”, while another praised the city’s “environment and lifestyle”
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Internationally ranked universities in Perth
University of Western Australia (UWA); Curtin University; Murdoch University |
More about Perth
Number of universities ranked by QS |
3 |
Highest-ranked institution |
University of Western Australia (UWA) (joint 86th) |
Population |
2,043,000 |
Average international fees (at ranked unis) |
US$25,700 |
Desirability rank |
30th |
Employer Activity rank |
59th |
Affordability rank |
109th |
Student View rank |
49th |
To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.