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Which university should I look at first based on MS popularity rankings in Australia?

04 Oct 2026 · Answered by Syeda Uzma · 2 min read
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The University of Melbourne currently holds the top spot in a popularity ranking for MS programs in Australia, followed by the University of Sydney and Monash University. On global QS Engineering rankings, Melbourne sits at 45, while Sydney and Monash rank 46 and 51 respectively.

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If you are shortlisting universities for your MS in Australia, the University of Melbourne currently ranks first in a recent popularity ranking, with the University of Sydney and Monash University close behind. Here is how the top ten compare against global QS Engineering standings.

Top Universities for MS in Australia

UniversityPopularity Ranking (MS)QS World Ranking (Engineering)
University of Melbourne#1#45
University of Sydney#2#46
Monash University#3#51
University of New South Wales#4#33
Australian National University#5#74
University of Queensland#6#73
University of Technology Sydney#7#77
University of Western Australia#8#188
University of Adelaide#9-
Adelaide University#10#78

Why the Rankings Do Not Always Match

Notice that the University of New South Wales ranks fourth in popularity but has the strongest QS Engineering position among all ten. This tells you that student demand and global academic standing are related but not identical, so it is worth checking both before you decide.

My Advice

Do not choose a university on popularity rank alone. Cross check it against the QS Engineering position for your specific specialization, and weigh both against the course structure, location, and fees that matter most to you.

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