In Melbourne you are as likely to go to uni in an office block in the CBD as a mini-city in the suburbs.

Melbourne is known for its sprawling suburbs. The bustling city centre is dwarfed by the residential neighbourhoods which reach up to 40km outside the city in all directions. The city's education providers are equally spread out so there is no one area known for its dense student population. The choice between Melbourne's providers will often depend on students' field of interest (see below). Besides their course offerings, universities in Melbourne differ in their focus: some are steeped in tradition, dating back to the 19th century; others are former 'technology' institutions with course offerings reflecting this history. Interestingly, Melbourne has three dual sector institutions offering both higher education and Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses; the most of any other city or state.

What does Melbourne have to offer?

Where can you study?
Number universities: 9
Other higher education providers: 17
Victoria's total student population stands at around 270,000. Of these, around 4 per cent hail from interstate and a further 35 per cent are international students (DEEWR, 2008).

Your study options
Undergraduate degrees are available across all fields of study. In Melbourne, you can study just about any degree you can think of. While Melbourne is not renowned for specialising in one particular field or another, different institutions will have their own strengths and priorities. Studies in multimedia, communications and computing are strengths of the technology institutions, while other universities offer all manner of interesting niche courses, as well as general arts and science courses. It is worth noting that Melbourne boasts the first institution to have made all of its undergraduate offerings of this 'generalist' type, with professional degrees moved to postgraduate level.

Student life

Melbourne has a reputation for being artsy and slightly alternative, with a more casual ambience than bright and beautiful Sydney. In the CBD trams glide up and down wide streets lined with shops and restaurants, but the real action is often to be found in the confusing network of alleys that run between them. A night out can lead to some surprising discoveries as you stumble into one of the city's many hidden bars.

The inner-northern neighbourhoods of Fitzroy, Brunswick and Northcote are home to students and creative types. A great place to people-watch, this area is full of grungy pubs with live bands and hip cafes offering huge all-day breakfasts. To the south of the Yarra River suburbs such as South Yarra and Prahran set a somewhat classier tone, mixing bohemian flair with luxury stores and trendy nightspots. Summer or the sea air will draw you slightly further south to the beaches of St Kilda, home to Luna Park and the famous cake shops of Acland Street. For those looking to party, Brunswick Street in the north and Chapel Street in the south are popular destinations. Crown Casino, in the city's Southbank precinct, is another place to dance until the early hours, hosting several night clubs and bars as well as numerous gaming rooms and restaurants.

Melbourne has a great deal to offer culturally with countless cinemas, theatres and galleries and an active live music scene. A full calendar of arts and cultural events such as the International Comedy Festival, Fringe Festival, Melbourne Writers Festival, Food and Wine Festival and Melbourne Spring Fashion Week provide plenty of opportunity to rest from the books, while still expanding your horizons.

Cheap and tasty cuisine from around the world is plentiful thanks to Melbourne's diverse population. Try Lygon Street in Carlton for Italian, Lonsdale Street for Greek food, Victoria Street for Vietnamese, Sydney Road for middle-eastern fare or Chinatown for good yum-cha. For grocery shopping, the Queen Victoria, Footscray and Prahran markets offer fresh food at great prices.

Wherever you go, you can't escape sport in Melbourne — AFL dominates the newspapers almost year-round alongside cricket, rugby and soccer. Melbourne hosts a number of major sporting events including the Australian Open Tennis, the Spring Racing Carnival (including the Melbourne Cup) and the Formula One Grand Prix.

Studying and living in regional Victoria

Regional Victoria study centres range from the bustling outer urban city of Geelong to regional centres with a small-town feel such as Ballarat and Warrnambool.

The lure of sea breezes may attract you to Victoria's coastal towns, or the sunshine might see you heading north towards the Murray River. The choice between providers depends a little on your desire to live (or, if you are already a regional resident, to remain) in a certain area. You should also consider that some providers and campuses offer the opportunity to access fields of study not readily available in metropolitan areas, like outdoor education. Read more information about studying and living in metropolitan Melbourne.

What does regional Victoria have to offer?

Where can you study?
Number universities: 7
Other higher education providers: 1

Your study options
Undergraduate degrees: Regional Victoria is traditionally known for its course offerings in Agriculture, Forestry and Education.

Student life

Regional campuses are usually smaller, which offers some advantages — the 'community feel' means you are likely to know many of your fellow students. But remember, these campuses are not always the place to feel anonymous. If you are after a big campus experience, consider your options carefully. If you are not (and many aren't), regional Victoria could be perfect. Some regional campuses are in populous areas, so it won't always be the case that you will know everyone in town as well as on campus.

Geelong, the gateway to the Great Ocean Road, is a substantial city, with a population second only to metropolitan Melbourne. Lovely Ballarat and Bendigo are major regional centres with their own distinctive charm. Whichever campus you consider moving to, there are sure to be great lifestyle and leisure benefits once you are a resident. Major drawcards for students moving to regional universities include the desire for lifestyle change and easy access to some of the most beautiful areas of the state. Your university experience depends on where you live and the feel of the campus you attend. Research each town thoroughly for what it has to offer.

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