Are you dreaming of getting a master’s degree in Australia without breaking the bank? You’re in the right place! We’ve put together a list of the top 10 Cheapest Universities in Australia for Master Degree that offer high-quality education at prices that won’t make your wallet cry.
Why should you keep reading? Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Which universities offer the best value for your money?
- What kinds of master’s programs you can choose from?
- How much you can expect to pay for tuition?
Whether you’re interested in business, technology, health, or any other field, we’ve got options for you. These universities aren’t just affordable – they’re also known for their great teaching and job opportunities after graduation.
Ready to discover your perfect match for studying in Australia? Let’s explore these budget-friendly options that could change your future!
10 Top Cheapest Universities in Australia for Master Degree 2024
1. University of the Sunshine Coast
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland (main campus)
Tuition fee: From AUD 28,000 per year
Notable Features:
- Located in the beautiful Sunshine Coast region
- Ideal for sustainability, health, and creative fields
- Offers tuition fee and fully funded scholarships
- 13 research fields rated well above world standard in the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) rankings
- Earned five stars for overall student experience, skills development, and equity efforts in 2019
Course Options:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Cyber Security and Forensics
- Master of Dietetics (Sports Nutrition)
- Master of Information and Communications Technology
- Master of International Business
- Master of International Development
- Master of Mental Health and Neuroscience
- Master of Nursing (Clinical Leadership)
- Master of Professional Accounting (MPA)
- Master of Psychology (Clinical)
- Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
- Master of Teaching (Primary)
English Requirements:
- IELTS (Academic): Overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 76 with a minimum score of 18 for writing
- PTE (Pearson Test of English Academic): Overall score of 58 with a minimum score of 50 in all communicative skills
2. Charles Darwin University
Location: Primary campus in Darwin, Northern Territory, with an additional campus in New South Wales
Size: Mid-sized university
Tuition Fees: Master’s degrees from AUD 26,000 per year
Notable Features:
- Named after the famous naturalist Charles Darwin
- Offers a unique study experience in Australia’s Top End
- Ranked 2nd in Australia for postgraduate full-time employment outcomes (93% rate) by the Good Universities Guide 2024
- Ranked 91st in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia-Pacific University Ranking 2019
Course Options:
- Master of IT
- Master of Engineering
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Public Health
- Master of Education
- Master of Nursing
- Master of Social Work
English Requirements:
- IELTS: Overall minimum score of 6.5, with no band below 6.0
- PTE: Overall minimum score of 58, with no score below 50
- TOEFL iBT: Overall minimum score of 79, with a minimum writing score of 21
- Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): Overall minimum score of 176, with no skill below 169
3. University of Southern Queensland
Location: Queensland
Size: Mid-sized university
Tuition fee: AUD 25,000 to AUD 32,000 per year
Notable Features:
- Offers courses in business, law, health, engineering, and information technology
- Ranked top 58 young universities worldwide
- Rated 5/5 for graduate starting salary in Australia
- Ranked in the top 351-400 universities worldwide
Course Options:
- Master of Information Technology
- Master of Information Systems
- Master of Data Science
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Engineering (MEng)
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- Master of Education (MEd)
English Requirements:
- IELTS: Minimum score of 6.5 for most postgraduate programs; specific programs may require higher scores
- TOEFL: Generally requires a score of 79-90, depending on the program
- PTE: Typically requires a score of 58-65 for postgraduate programs
4. Federation University Australia
Location: Multiple campuses including Churchill, Ballarat, Horsham, and Brisbane
Tuition fee: Average AUD 24,780 per year
Notable Features:
- Offers a diverse range of programs
- Multiple campus locations
- Popular for data science, accountancy, and IT programs
- Emphasizes practical learning
Course Options:
- Master of Data Science
- Master of Professional Accounting
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science or Information Technology
- Master of Engineering (MEng)
- Master of Arts (MA) in International Relations or Global Studies
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- Master of Education (MEd)
- Master of Finance (MFin)
English Requirements:
- IELTS: Minimum score of 6.5 overall, with no individual band lower than 6.0
- TOEFL: Minimum score of 79 (iBT), with no section lower than 18
- PTE Academic: Minimum score of 58, with no communicative skill score lower than 50
5. Torrens University
Location: Campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Brisbane
Tuition fee: Master’s degrees from AUD 24,000 per year
Notable Features:
- Ranked 10th in Australia for teaching quality among 42 universities (QILT survey)
- Fastest-growing university in Australia from 2017 to 2022
- Diverse learning environment with students from over 117 nationalities
Course Options:
- Master of Global Project Management
- Master of Public Health
- Master of Design
- Master of Education
- Master of Cybersecurity
- Master of Software Engineering (Artificial Intelligence, Advanced)
English Requirements:
- IELTS: Minimum overall score of 6.0 to 6.5, with no band less than 6.0
- TOEFL: Minimum score of 60, with at least 18 in writing
- PTE: Minimum score of 50, with at least 42 in all areas
- Cambridge English Scale: Minimum score of 169, with at least 162 in all areas
6. Kaplan Business School Australia
Location: Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
Tuition fee: Master’s Degrees from AUD 18,480 per year
Application Fee: AUD 300
Notable Features:
- Second-most popular MBA course in Australia for international students in 2019
- Top 2 most popular MBA courses in Australia in 2020
- Consistently ranks highly in teaching quality, student support, and overall educational experience
Course Options:
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Accounting
- Master of Professional Accounting
- Master of Business Analytics
- Master of Information Technology
English Requirements:
- Academic IELTS: Overall 6.0 (minimum 6.0 in Speaking and Writing, 5.5 in Listening and Reading)
- PTE: Academic Score of 50
- TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 64
DID YOU KNOW:
Australia has provided 4 years of Post Study Work (PSW) Visa for Doctoral degree (Phd), 3 years for Master degree and 2 years for Bachelor degree.
7. Melbourne Institute of Technology
Location: Melbourne and Sydney
Tuition fee: AUD 29,568 – 36,063 per year
Notable Features:
- Established in 1996
- First non-university higher education institution accredited by Engineers Australia
- Offers a wide range of programs across Business, Engineering, and Information Technology
Course Options:
- Master of Professional Accounting
- Master of Business Research
- Master of ICT Research
- Master of Business Analytics
- Master of Data Analytics
- Master of Networking
- Master of Engineering (Telecommunications)
English Requirements:
- Academic IELTS: Overall 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: Overall score 79-93 with minimum scores
- PTE: Overall 58
8. University of Wollongong
Location: Wollongong, New South Wales
Tuition fee: Starts from AUD 16,056 to 30,000 per year
Notable Features:
- Offers courses in business, engineering, law, medicine, and more
- 29% of 18,500+ students are international
- Ranked among the top 1% of modern universities globally
Course Options:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Information Technology
- Master of Public Health
- Master of Professional Accounting
- Master of Education (Educational Leadership)
- Master of Nursing International
- Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
English Requirements:
- IELTS: 6.5 overall band score with no individual band score less than 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: 70 overall score with minimum scores of 21 in Listening, 22 in Reading, 23 in Speaking, and 24 in Writing
- PTE Academic: 65 overall score with no communicative skills score less than 58
Learn More ⇒ What is Genuine Student Requirement ? GTE VS GS
9. Excelsia College
Location: Sydney
Tuition fee: AUD 21,000 per year
Notable Features:
- Registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) under PRV12064
- Achieved an overall student satisfaction rating of 91.7% for undergraduates and 89.6% for postgraduates
- Received high ratings in Learner Engagement (77.6%) and Student Support (84.5%)
- Ranked among the top 25 higher education providers in Australia in 2019
Course Options:
- Master of Business (Research)
- Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Professional Accounting
- Master of Counselling
English Requirements:
- IELTS: 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 (7.0 with no band less than 7.0 for Master of Social Work)
- PTE: 58 with no score less than 51
10. University of Divinity
Location: Melbourne, with partner institutions across Australia
Tuition fee: AUD 19,608 per year
Application Fee: AUD 300 for overseas applicants
Notable Features:
- Established in 1910 as the Melbourne College of Divinity
- Leader in providing accredited theological education in Australia
- Established partnerships with several international institutions
- Has graduated more than 10,000 students since its first graduation ceremony on May 6, 1913
Course Options:
- Master of Philosophy
- Master of Education and Theology
- Master of Philosophical Studies
- Master of Leadership
- Master of Divinity
English Requirements:
- IELTS: Minimum score of 6.5 overall, with no band less than 6.0
- TOEFL: Minimum score of 79 (internet-based), with a minimum of 13 in reading, 12 in listening, 18 in speaking, and 21 in writing
- PTE: Minimum score of 58, with no communicative skill less than 50
Learn More ⇒ Top Level 2 Universities in Australia
Final Thoughts About Cheapest Universities in Australia for Master Degree
Pursuing a master’s degree in Australia doesn’t have to be a financial burden. These 10 cheapest universities in Australia for Master Degree offer a perfect blend of affordability and quality education, opening doors to international students from diverse backgrounds. From the tropical north to the bustling cities of the south, each institution on our list provides unique opportunities for academic and personal growth.
Remember, while tuition fees are an important factor, consider other aspects such as location, course offerings, and career prospects when making your decision. Many of these universities also offer scholarships and financial aid, so be sure to explore all available options.
With these affordable options, your Australian education dream is now within reach.
Commonly Asked Questions About Cheapest Universities in Australia for Master Degree
Australia offers post-study work visas up to 4 years for international students. The duration varies depending on your qualification and where you studied.
Generally, cities like Sydney and Melbourne have a higher cost of living compared to smaller cities or regional areas. Factor this into your budget when choosing a university.
Business, IT, Engineering, and Health Sciences are among the most popular fields for international students pursuing master's degrees in Australia.
It's recommended to start your application process at least 6-12 months before your intended start date to allow time for visa processing and preparations.
While these universities may be more affordable, many of them still rank well nationally and internationally. They offer quality education and good career prospects.
Yes, all the universities listed are accredited by the Australian government and recognized internationally. Many of them also rank well in global university rankings.