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The second-largest city in the state of Queensland (and the sixth-largest in Australia), Gold Coast boasts 52km of golden sands and 300 sunny days per year, and even has a suburb named ‘Surfer’s Paradise’.
Indeed, surfers and beach-fans will feel right at home here, and it’s unsurprising that Gold Coast is ranked so highly for desirability in the most recent edition of the QS Best Student Cities ranking.
Gold Coast has an excellent reputation for its educational institutions. Among the top universities in Gold Coast is Griffith University.
With an average yearly temperature of 29 degrees Celsius, you can enjoy the sun on Gold Coast’s scenic beaches while exploring its beautiful natural environment.
Strong cultural diversity
The city is well recognised for its multicultural environment and each university has its own diverse community, with over 20 percent of the city’s students coming from outside Australia.
The top universities
Gold Coast is home to three universities ranked in the QS World University Rankings, including Griffith University.
The employment opportunities
By using a Temporary Graduate Visa, graduates are able to work in Gold Coast for up to three years after graduating – plenty of time to explore the diverse employment options on offer.
The city places in the mid-range for cost of studying. As an international student, tuition fees will set you back around US$21,200 on average.
According to Numbeo, a single person living on the Gold Coast would need around AU$1,812 (approx. US$1,369) in rent in the city centre, compared to around AU$1,711 (approx. US$1,293) in Brisbane.
Life and culture in Gold Coast
Gold Coast is one of Australia’s fastest-growing large cities. It has expanded rapidly in recent decades, largely thanks to the area’s flourishing tourism sector. The city annually hosts the Gold Coast 600 car racing event and also hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
Away from all the skyscrapers, the surrounding rural hinterland, referred to as the “green behind the gold”, is a lush, subtropical rainforest of three national parks, with numerous mountains, natural rock formations and spectacular waterfalls.
The city’s residents generally enjoy spending as much time as possible outside. With Gold Coast’s beautiful beaches and gorgeous natural environment, it’s not hard to see why. Surfing is also a popular activity for students and residents alike.
Careers in Gold Coast
With a mix of large industries and small business opportunities, Gold Coast has one of the fastest growing economies in Australia, with tourism making up a large portion of this.
Other major industries on Gold Coast include education, IT, technology, sports and the entertainment industry.
Graduates are able to work in Gold Coast for up to three years after graduating by obtaining a Temporary Graduate Visa.
The former Assistant Editor of TopUniversities.com, Sabrina wrote and edited articles to guide students from around the world on a wide range of topics. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and grew up in Staffordshire, UK.
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Study in Gold Coast
Sabrina Collier
Updated Jul 24, 2025Save
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The second-largest city in the state of Queensland (and the sixth-largest in Australia), Gold Coast boasts 52km of golden sands and 300 sunny days per year, and even has a suburb named ‘Surfer’s Paradise’.
Indeed, surfers and beach-fans will feel right at home here, and it’s unsurprising that Gold Coast is ranked so highly for desirability in the most recent edition of the QS Best Student Cities ranking.
Gold Coast has an excellent reputation for its educational institutions. Among the top universities in Gold Coast is Griffith University.
Top universities in Gold Coast
QS World University Rank
Gold Coast's QS Best Student Cities performance
Why study in Gold Coast?
The climate
With an average yearly temperature of 29 degrees Celsius, you can enjoy the sun on Gold Coast’s scenic beaches while exploring its beautiful natural environment.
Strong cultural diversity
The city is well recognised for its multicultural environment and each university has its own diverse community, with over 20 percent of the city’s students coming from outside Australia.
The top universities
Gold Coast is home to three universities ranked in the QS World University Rankings, including Griffith University.
The employment opportunities
By using a Temporary Graduate Visa, graduates are able to work in Gold Coast for up to three years after graduating – plenty of time to explore the diverse employment options on offer.
Testimonials
Cost of studying in Gold Coast
The city places in the mid-range for cost of studying. As an international student, tuition fees will set you back around US$21,200 on average.
According to Numbeo, a single person living on the Gold Coast would need around AU$1,812 (approx. US$1,369) in rent in the city centre, compared to around AU$1,711 (approx. US$1,293) in Brisbane.
Life and culture in Gold Coast
Gold Coast is one of Australia’s fastest-growing large cities. It has expanded rapidly in recent decades, largely thanks to the area’s flourishing tourism sector. The city annually hosts the Gold Coast 600 car racing event and also hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
Away from all the skyscrapers, the surrounding rural hinterland, referred to as the “green behind the gold”, is a lush, subtropical rainforest of three national parks, with numerous mountains, natural rock formations and spectacular waterfalls.
The city’s residents generally enjoy spending as much time as possible outside. With Gold Coast’s beautiful beaches and gorgeous natural environment, it’s not hard to see why. Surfing is also a popular activity for students and residents alike.
Careers in Gold Coast
With a mix of large industries and small business opportunities, Gold Coast has one of the fastest growing economies in Australia, with tourism making up a large portion of this.
Other major industries on Gold Coast include education, IT, technology, sports and the entertainment industry.
Graduates are able to work in Gold Coast for up to three years after graduating by obtaining a Temporary Graduate Visa.
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The former Assistant Editor of TopUniversities.com, Sabrina wrote and edited articles to guide students from around the world on a wide range of topics. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and grew up in Staffordshire, UK.
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