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We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the ACT, the Ngunnawal people and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region.

Why study in Canberra

Canberra is a young, vibrant city with a global reputation for excellence in education and research. Study in Australia’s capital city and you’ll feel welcome, included and safe.

Quality of education

Enrol at one of Canberra’s tertiary institutions and you’ll study alongside some of the brightest minds in Australia. Canberra offers hundreds of programs and thousands of courses. Our institutions rank in the world’s top 100, with several in Australia’s top 10.

Rewarding employment opportunities

Canberra’s graduates have strong job opportunities.

  • Our average income is consistently the highest in Australia.
  • We have the lowest unemployment rate.
  • Our tertiary education and training supports more than 20,000 jobs.

Eligible international students can access an extra year of post-study work rights. There are strong opportunities for internships and work experience in public and private organisations. And it’s easy to find part-time employment while you study here.

Find out more about working in Canberra.

Canberra thrives on knowledge

We attract the best and brightest minds through a culture of life-long learning.

Our city values education deeply. More than half of Canberra’s population holds a bachelor’s degree or higher. Students are surrounded by decision-makers, innovative thinkers, leaders and Nobel Prize winners. They learn from award-winning artists, researchers and business entrepreneurs.

You’ll feel welcome here

Canberra is culturally diverse. Over 15,000 international students from over 100 countries choose to study here. We’re home to more than 100 embassies and diplomatic missions. A quarter of Canberra’s population was born overseas.

Make friends and ease into campus life in Orientation Week. There’s ongoing settlement support and we work hard to create a community where everyone can belong.

Canberra is a member of the Welcoming Cities Program.

Enjoy life while you learn

A city for students in balance with nature.

Canberra is more than the nation’s capital. Our events calendar offers a huge selection of concerts, exhibitions, festivals and sporting events. Explore national galleries and museums, our science centre or even the NASA Deep Space Tracking Station just minutes from Canberra’s outskirts.

Dine at award-winning restaurants or casual cafes in the city and in our suburbs. We have an array of Canberra region wine and beer and international food on offer. We’ve even won international awards for our coffee.

It’s an easy day trip to Sydney, or to some of Australia’s best ski-fields and pristine beaches. Or stay home and enjoy Canberra’s parklands, nature reserves, lakes and hills. Even in winter, our skies are clear and sunny.

Canberra is one of the best cities for studying abroad. In fact, we feature consistently as one the QS Best Student Cities.

This is based on a range of indicators, including student mix, desirability, employer activity and affordability, as well as the performance of our universities.

There’s a lot to love about living in Canberra.

Affordable and accessible

Canberra is among the most liveable cities in the world. Everything you need is close by, so it’s easy to get around. We’ve made public transport affordable: students get discounts on our bus and light rail networks. And we’re built for cycling: there’s more than 400km of cycle paths throughout the city.

While right now international flights into Canberra are restricted, there are usually regular flights to and from Canberra, so your family and friends can visit easily. When you want to get home, it’s a quick trip there and back.

Your budget goes further in Canberra: our cost of living is lower than in many other Australian cities.

Find out more about what Canberra has to offer when planning your arrival.

Guaranteed accommodation

Our major universities offer new undergraduates guaranteed accommodation on campus. It’s clean, safe and close to everything you need.

Related Pages

Living in Canberra

Our modern and convenient city offers open spaces, along with vibrant entertainment options. See why we’re considered one of the best student cities in the world.

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Where you can study

With thousands of courses, we’ve got the study options you’re looking for.

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Planning your arrival

Canberra is getting ready to welcome back fully vaccinated international students for the 2023 academic year.

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Interested in studying in Canberra?

Contact the Study Canberra team for information and advice