As one of Australia’s fastest-growing cities, Perth is poised to provide international students with the support, resources and opportunities they need to start and nurture flourishing academic and professional careers. It’s one of the world’s most liveable cities, with its commuter-friendly layout, affordable cost of living and welcoming local community. Students setting their sights on Perth can choose from several universities on its shores, including the top-ranked University of Western Australia (UWA).
Why study in Perth, Australia
Perth boasts a booming economy, high living standards and a culturally diverse atmosphere, making it an ideal space for learning for international students. Here’s why your students should consider studying in this Australian city:
Economy
Perth is a fantastic starting ground for young professionals. It’s Australia’s fourth-largest city, located in Western Australia – the export powerhouse of the country. It’s home to the corporate headquarters of over 35% of Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) listed companies, including six of the world’s top 10 energy corporations.
As such, Perth’s economy sees consistent growth above the Australian average. The city’s average annual income is 8% above the national average (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2020); Perth even recorded the second-highest weekly income in the country in 2022.
Liveability
Perth offers an unrivalled lifestyle, thanks to its safe and secure environment, affordable cost of living and multicultural society. It ranks 35th in QS’s Best Student Cities and is known to have the best international student diversity (Australia Education International).
The city gets more than eight hours of sunshine a day and great air quality year-round, giving students plenty of opportunities to maximise what the city has to offer. These include top-notch cultural events, natural attractions and fun leisure activities.
Cultural diversity
Perth is Australia’s gateway to Asia, being the closest major city to the continent. This makes it easy for foreigners to connect with the region, along with the global economy as Perth is located within the same time zone as 60% of the world’s population. The city’s growing population – projected to reach 3.5 million by 2050 – is a mix of nationalities, so international students can feel at home even from afar.
Where to study in Perth, Australia
Perth is home to a couple of world-class universities. But at the top of the list is the University of Western Australia, the only institution in the state in the country’s prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) research-intensive universities.
UWA places among the top 150 universities in the world:
- #149 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025
- #77 in the QS World University Rankings 2025
- 101-150 in the 2024 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).
In 2024, it was given five stars for Student Demand, Student to Teacher Ratio and International Student Progression Score by the Good Universities Guide.
UWA has eight subjects in the world’s top 50 (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025), and international students can explore programs in the following areas of study:
- Architecture and Design
- Business and Commerce
- Data and Computer Science
- Education
- Engineering
- Health and Biomedical Sciences
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Law
- Music and Fine Arts
- Natural and Physical Sciences
- Psychology.
The University of Western Australia for international students
The University of Western Australia is home to over 8,000 international students, making up about ¼ of its population. Its main campus is a hub for innovation, connection and progression, with access to various high-quality facilities, urban necessities and more than 100 clubs and societies.
UWA is built to set students up for success. It’s a global leader in research and has produced prominent scholars such as Nobel Laureate Professor Barry Marshall. It has more than 75 research and training centres and receives about 80% of all research funding allocated to WA universities annually.
Students interested in UWA can take advantage of several financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Its Global Excellence Scholarship provides high-achieving undergraduate and postgraduate students with scholarships of up to AU$48,000 over four years on certain courses. Meanwhile, its International Student Award offers a fee reduction of AU$5,000 per year to eligible foreign students to increase the university’s accessibility and diversity. Other financial assistance schemes are available for postgraduate studies and research courses. Many of UWA’s scholarships don’t require applications; students are, instead, automatically assessed when they apply to the institution.
Learn more about the University of Western Australia
upGrad GSP is a proud partner of the University of Western Australia. To learn more about studying in Perth, specifically in UWA, get in touch with our business development experts today.
