Monash University vs. University of Melbourne: Which is Right for You?

The University of Melbourne and Monash University are two of the top institutions in Australia’s “Group of Eight”. Although both are located in Melbourne, they represent two completely different lifestyles: one is the typical “urban elite” style, situated in a bustling city with a blend of ancient buildings and modern modernity; the other is the “modern community” style, with expansive campuses and a rich, vibrant atmosphere and a relatively slower pace of life. To help you make a decision, today we won’t discuss those cold academic rankings. Instead, we will conduct a deep comparison of these two prestigious universities from the practical dimensions of environment, transportation, accommodation, and daily expenses.

Geographical Location and Surrounding Environment

University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne is located in the Parkville area, slightly to the north of the Melbourne CBD. This area is regarded as one of the most culturally rich academic districts in Melbourne.

• Surrounding Environment: Within walking distance, there are the Royal Park, the Melbourne Museum, various cafes and bookstores. The living facilities are extremely convenient, including supermarkets, banks, restaurants and more. The transportation is also very convenient, with the city centre commercial area being only 10-15 minutes’ walk or by public transportation.
• Atmosphere: The community is safe, the urban life pace is fast, and there are various cultural activities and exhibitions on weekends. However, the accommodation costs are relatively high.

Monash University

In contrast, the largest campus of Monash University, the Clayton campus, is located in the southeastern suburbs of Melbourne, about 20 kilometers away from the CBD.

• Surrounding Environment: The Clayton campus is astonishingly large. It is more like a self-contained miniature city. The surrounding areas are mostly low-density residential zones with an extremely high green coverage rate.
• Atmosphere: The pace of life here is more leisurely, and the academic atmosphere is more pure. Most students are concentrated in the campus and a few surrounding blocks. The social circle is relatively fixed. For those who want to focus on studying or prefer spacious spaces, this place is very attractive.

Accommodation Differences: Monash vs University of Melbourne

Accommodation is the biggest expense item for international students. Rental costs of international student accommodation in Melbourne differ noticeably between University of Melbourne and Monash University due to location and accommodation type.

Accommodation Options at the University of Melbourne

Due to its location at the edge of a highly populated urban area, the prices of University of Melbourne student accommodation are generally quite high.

• Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA): Student housing provided by well-known local suppliers such as Scape, Journal, and UniLodge is mainly located in the areas surrounding Swanston Street and Elizabeth Street. The latest price information indicates that a single studio (with its own bathroom and kitchen) typically costs between AU$480 and AU$650 per week. Although it is expensive, it includes water, electricity and internet fees, and the facilities are extremely luxurious, often featuring a gym, a private cinema and a rooftop terrace. As the official partnered booking platform of these Australian PBSA providers, com connects students to an integrated marketplace that brings together a broad range of UniMelb accommodation options, helping international students compare room types and budget levels more efficiently when planning their housing in Melbourne.
• Residential Colleges: This is a distinctive accommodation system of the University of Melbourne, carrying forward a profound cultural heritage. It provides accommodation, meals, and also offers tutorial classes. Approximately AU$420 – AU$850 per week, with a relatively high threshold.
• Off-campus Sharing: Many students choose to share accommodation in Brunswick or North Melbourne in the northern part. Room rent is between AU$200 – AU$500 per week, depending on the condition of the house.

Accommodation Options at Monash University Clayton Campus

The student accommodation near the Monash Clayton campus presents a completely different look.

• On-Campus Accommodation: Monash on-campus accommodation is highly developed, divided into the traditional “residential villages” and the modern “urban communities”. The latest data shows that the weekly rent for a single room is approximately AU$340 – AU$440, including all bills. This is much more cost-effective compared to similar apartments in the CBD.
• Off-campus Shared Housing: This is the most common choice for Monash students. There are a large number of student accommodation near the Monash Clayton campus in areas such as Clayton, Oakleigh, and Notting Hill. The weekly rent for a regular single room is usually around AU$250 – AU$400. If it’s an older house, the price can be even lower.

Daily Transportation

Traffic Conditions

• University of Melbourne: Driving is almost unnecessary. Trains on Swanston Street are lined up closely, with a new train arriving directly to the CBD every 1-2 minutes. The newly opened Parkville railway station has even achieved “zero-distance rail transit” here.
• Monash University: Transportation is largely dependent on buses. Although there is a Clayton railway station, it usually requires a few minutes of transfer by shuttle bus (Route 601 is a memorable experience for many people) to get to the campus. When studying at Monash, having a personal vehicle for transportation would significantly improve the quality of life, as it would be much more convenient to go to nearby areas such as Glen Waverley or Box Hill for dining and grocery shopping.

Living Facilities

• Shopping: The University of Melbourne is within walking distance of major shopping centers such as Emporium and Melbourne Central. Monash students, however, tend to go to Chadstone (the largest shopping center in the Southern Hemisphere) or the nearby M-City.
• Dining: There are countless trendy coffee shops and exquisite Western restaurants around Monash University; while in the area of Monash Clayton, there are numerous affordable Asian supermarkets and various Asian restaurants, making it easier to seamlessly enjoy diverse lifestyle.
  

Comparison of Living Expenses

Apart from the rent, the main expenses of life consist of food, transportation and entertainment.

Dining Expenses

When studying at Monash University, it’s hard to resist the inviting aroma of the brunch restaurant by the roadside. A full meal of brunch with coffee might cost around AU$30 – AU$35. In Clayton, although there are also good restaurants, students tend to buy ingredients from Asian supermarkets and cook by themselves, or eat in the campus cafeteria, where each meal costs approximately AU$15 – AU$20 and is sufficient to satisfy their hunger.

Transportation Expenses

If you study at the University of Melbourne and choose to live near the Free Tram Zone, you can basically save on transportation costs. For Monash students who do not live on campus, the Myki fare for commuting to and from school every day (with a 50% student discount) is also a fixed expense, approximately around AU$100 per month.

Entertainment Expenses

As the University of Melbourne is within walking distance of the CBD, you might go to watch a movie, visit an art exhibition or have a social dinner at Lygon St every week. The price of a movie ticket is approximately AU$15 – AU$25 per ticket; many exhibitions at NGV (Victoria State Gallery) are free, but special exhibitions have student tickets priced at around AU$20 – AU$30 per ticket; in terms of nightlife and social activities, a cocktail at a CBD bar costs approximately AU$18 – AU$25. For students of the University of Melbourne, the estimated monthly expenditure on entertainment is estimated to be AU$300 – AU$500.

Students at the Clayton campus of Monash University tend to go on group outings on weekends, or engage in activities in the surrounding shopping malls (such as M-City or Chadstone). A movie ticket costs around AU$12 – AU$20; the entertainment facilities on campus are complete and reasonably priced. The gym and swimming pool at Monash are of excellent quality, and the student monthly pass costs approximately AU$50 – AU$80. Nearby social venues such as Strike Bowling or Holey Moley offer individual activities at around AU$15 – AU$25. The estimated monthly expenditure on entertainment is approximately AU$200 – AU$400.

Which University Should You Choose: Monash or UniMelb?

• If you value academic reputation, urban living experience and the richness of cultural resources more, and your budget is relatively ample, the University of Melbourne might be a better choice.
• If you wish to control your expenses, desire a convenient lifestyle, have spacious accommodation, enjoy a peaceful study environment, and aim for the integration of vocational skills training with the industry, then Monash University is a highly recommended excellent option.

No matter which university you choose, Melbourne is an extremely friendly city for international students. The multiculturalism and inclusiveness here will enable you to gain a valuable life experience beyond your studies.