RMIT University: Where Industry Meets Education in the Heart of Melbourne

Tarang Patel

study in Australia

25/05/2026

36 Views

Tarang Patel

study in Australia

25/05/2026

36 Views

RMIT University is ranked 125th globally by QS 2026, sits in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, and is Australia’s 1st university for Art and Design. With a dedicated 20% scholarship for Indian students and three intakes per year

What Is RMIT University?

RMIT, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, has been doing one thing exceptionally well since 1887: preparing students for real careers. It is not a traditional research-heavy institution. It is a university built around practical, industry-linked learning, and that is exactly what makes it stand out.

Located right in Melbourne’s CBD, RMIT is one of the few major universities in the world where your campus is the city itself. Over 105,000 students study at RMIT globally, with campuses in Melbourne, Vietnam, and a research collaboration centre in Barcelona. It is also the only university in Australia permitted to use the prefix “Royal”, a distinction granted by Queen Elizabeth II to the Commonwealth.

RMIT’s motto, “A skilled hand, a cultivated mind”, has not changed in 138 years. Neither commits it. RMIT is particularly strong in Art and Design, Architecture, Engineering, Business, IT, and Communication. It is Australia’s 1st university for Art and Design and ranks in the global top 30 for both Architecture and Art and Design (QS Subject Rankings). If these are your target fields, RMIT is a top-tier global choice.

NOTE: Be sure to explore other top universities to study in Australia to broaden your perspective and find the environment that suits you best.

Where Does RMIT Rank?

125th: QS World University Rankings 2026 (top 1% globally)
251–300: Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025
195th: US News Best Global Universities
10th in Australia QS 2026
80th: globally QS Sustainability Rankings
1st in Australia Art and Design, Architecture (QS Subject Rankings)

What Can You Study at RMIT?

RMIT has four colleges and sixteen schools, offering over 300 programs at undergraduate, postgraduate, and research levels. All courses are taught in English, making it a great choice for students who want to study in Australia.

College of Business and Law Bachelor of Business (Accounting, Finance, Marketing, International Business, Management, HR)

Bachelor of Laws; MBA; Master of Accounting, Master of Finance, Master of Marketing, Master of Business Analytics, LLM

College of Design and Social Context Bachelor of Design (Communication, Industrial, Fashion, Textile)

Bachelor of Architecture; Bachelor of Fine Art; Bachelor of Media and Communication; Master of Architecture, Master of Design, Master of Communication, Master of Urban Planning

College of Science, Engineering and Health Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Aerospace, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Software, Computer; Bachelor of Computer Science

Bachelor of Health Sciences; Master of Engineering, Master of Computer Science, Master of Data Science, Master of Cybersecurity, Master of AI, Master of Public Health, Master of Biotechnology

College of Vocational Education Diploma and Certificate programmes

IT, Business, Hospitality, and Engineering are recognised pathways into RMIT’s degree programmes

NOTE: RMIT’s design and architecture programmes are globally recognised. If you are applying for a creative field, such as graphic design, fashion, industrial design, architecture, or fine art, RMIT’s facilities and industry connections are genuinely world-class. The National Gallery of Victoria, Koorie Heritage Trust, and IDEO are among RMIT’s creative industry partners.

What Do You Need to Get In?

Academic Requirements

Undergraduate: Class 12 with 65–80% depending on programme and board. Higher for Engineering and Design.
Postgraduate: Relevant bachelor’s degree with 60–70% overall. Competitive programmes like Computer Science and Data Science may require higher.
PHD/Research: Strong academic records, research proposals and confirmed RMTI supervisor

Language requirements

IELTS (Academic) / IELTS (Academic) One Skill Retake

Foundation Studies and Vocational Education: 5 (no band less than 5.0)
Associate Degrees: 0 (no band less than 5.5)

TOEFL (Internet-Based Test – iBT

Foundation Studies and Vocational Education: Overall score of 50 (with minimum score of 5 in Reading, 5 in Listening, 14 in Speaking and 15 in Writing)
Associate Degrees: Overall score 60 (with minimum score of 10 in Reading, 9 in Listening, 16 in Speaking and 19 in Writing)

Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A))

Foundation Studies and Vocational Education: 42 (no communication band less than 36)
Associate Degrees: 50 (no communication band less than 42)

B2 First (formerly known as Cambridge English: First (FCE))

Foundation Studies and Vocational Education: 162 with no less than 154 in any component
Associate Degrees: Not applicable

C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE))

Foundation Studies and Vocational Education: 162 with no less than 154 in any component
Associate Degrees: 169 with no less than 162 in any component

C2 Proficiency (formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE))

Foundation Studies and Vocational Education: Not applicable
Associate Degrees: 169 with no less than 162 in any component

Documents Required

Certified academic transcripts and certificates
Valid passport copy
English language test results
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
CV / Résumé (postgraduate applicants)
Portfolio (Design, Architecture, Fine Art programmes)
Research proposal and supervisor confirmation (PhD only)

When to Apply?

RMIT offers three intakes per year, one of the few Australian universities that do.

Semester 1
Start: February
Apply By: October–November
Semester 2
Start: July
Apply By: April–May
Semester 3
Start: February
Apply By: August–September

How Much Does It Cost?

Tuition Fees

Bachelor of Business / Commerce / Law: AUD 38,400 – 43,200 (₹20.7L – ₹23.3L)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours): AUD 43,200 – 50,880 (₹23.3L – ₹27.5L)
Bachelor of Design / Architecture / Fine Art: AUD 43,200 – 50,880 (₹23.3L – ₹27.5L)
Bachelor of Computer Science / IT: AUD 40,320 – 46,800 (₹21.8L – ₹25.3L)
Bachelor of Health Sciences: AUD 38,400 – 43,200 (₹20.7L – ₹23.3L)
MBA: AUD 46,800 – 50,880 (₹25.3L – ₹27.5L)
Master of Data Science / AI / Cybersecurity: AUD 40,320 – 50,880 (₹21.8L – ₹27.5L)
Master of Computer Science / IT: AUD 40,320 – 46,800 (₹21.8L – ₹25.3L)
Master of Engineering: AUD 43,200 – 50,880 (₹23.3L – ₹27.5L)
Master of Architecture / Design: AUD 43,200 – 48,000 (₹23.3L – ₹25.9L)
Master of Business / Finance / Marketing: AUD 38,400 – 46,800 (₹20.7L – ₹25.3L)
PhD (with scholarship): Often fully funded

Living Costs in Melbourne

Melbourne is one of the more expensive cities in Australia, but it also offers many rewards for students. The total annual living expenses range from AUD 20,000 to AUD 28,000 (approximately ₹10.8 lakh to ₹15.1 lakh). The Australian government requires applicants for the Student Visa (Subclass 500) to provide proof of financial capacity for living costs, which is set at AUD 29,710 per year (approximately ₹16 lakh), separate from tuition fees.

What Scholarships Can You Get?

Future Leaders Scholarship:

20% off tuition fees for the full degree duration.
Indian, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, Bhutanese, Nepalese, and Pakistani citizens starting a Bachelor’s or Master’s by coursework from 2026. Automatically assessed, no separate application needed.

Academic Merit Scholarship:

20% off tuition fees for a full degree
High-achieving Bachelor’s and Master’s students. Automatically assessed at admission.

Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship (VCPS):

Full tuition + AUD 46,428/year stipend + AUD 5,000 research allowance + OSHC
Outstanding PhD applicants. Automatically considered when you apply for research programmes.

RTP International Fee Offset Scholarship (RIFOS):

Full tuition waiver
PhD and Master’s by Research students. Automatic assessment with a research application.

RMIT Research International Tuition Fee Scholarship (RRITFS):

Full tuition waiver
PhD and Master’s by Research students. Automatic with the research application.

Foundation Studies Scholarship:

AUD 5,000 one-time payment
New international students starting Foundation Studies in the February 2026 intake.

Australia Awards Scholarship:

- Full funding of tuition, living, flights, and OSHC
- Students from eligible developing countries. Apply via gov.au/australiaawards.

NOTE for Indian Students: The Future Leaders Scholarship (20% off fees for your full degree) is specifically available to Indian students and is automatically assessed when you apply to RMIT, no extra form, no separate deadline. In 2025, RMIT awarded 3,750 Future Leaders Scholarships to students from India and neighbouring countries. Apply early to secure your place.

What About the Visa?

You need an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) to study at RMIT.

Steps to Apply

Receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from RMIT
Purchase OSHC mandatory before applying
Create an ImmiAccount at homeaffairs.gov.au
Submit your application and pay AUD 2,000
Complete biometrics at VFS if required
Travel to Melbourne once your visa is granted

After graduation, apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), 2 years of full-time open work rights in Australia (3 years for regional study or PhD graduates). No job offer needed.

What Is Campus Life Like?

RMIT’s main Melbourne City Campus is unlike any other in Australia. It is embedded in the CBD, directly across from the State Library of Victoria, minutes from Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, and Melbourne’s best cafes, restaurants, and cultural venues. Two additional campuses at Brunswick (design and art-focused) and Bundoora (health and science) complete the Melbourne offering.

Melbourne is consistently ranked among the world’s top 5 student cities by QS. It is multicultural, safe, food-obsessed, sport-mad, and endlessly walkable. RMIT has 100+ student clubs and societies, a fully equipped city gym, 24/7 library access, and dedicated international student support from day one. The Indian student community at RMIT is large, well-established, and one of the most active on campus.

What About Career Outcomes?

RMIT graduates are job-ready before they leave. The university’s industry partnerships with Deloitte, BMW, Adidas, NAB, Nike, and the Victorian Government mean students work on real briefs with real companies, not simulated case studies. Work-integrated learning, internships, and placements are embedded across most programmes.

RMIT’s employer reputation ranks consistently in the global top 150 by QS, and its Art and Design graduates are hired by the world’s leading creative agencies and firms. After graduation, the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) gives you 2 years of open Australian work rights real time to build your career and work toward permanent residency.

How Can We Help?

Choosing the right programme at RMIT University, confirming your eligibility for the Future Leaders Scholarship, and navigating the Australian Student Visa process all require careful planning and attention to detail.

My Study Offers, a free global education platform for students, provides support from helping you select the right RMIT programme and maximise scholarship opportunities to guiding you through application documentation and ensuring a smooth Australian Student Visa process.

FAQs

1. Is RMIT a good university for Indian students?

Yes, especially for engineering, IT, design, business, and architecture. It is ranked 125 globally (QS 2026), 1st in Australia for Art and Design, and has a dedicated 20% Future Leaders Scholarship automatically available to Indian students.

2. How much are tuition fees at RMIT?

Undergraduate fees range from AUD 38,400–50,880/year (₹20.7L–₹27.5L). Postgraduate fees are broadly similar. The MBA costs approximately AUD 46,800–50,880/year. PhD students with scholarships study tuition-free.

3. Is there a scholarship for Indian students at RMIT?

Yes. The Future Leaders Scholarship gives Indian students 20% off their full degree, and it is automatically assessed when you apply. No separate application needed. In 2025, RMIT awarded this scholarship to 3,750 students from India and neighbouring countries.

4. How many intakes does RMIT offer?

Three. February (Semester 1), July (Semester 2), and November (Semester 3). This gives you much more flexibility than most Australian universities.