Life in Brisbane already has a lot to offer international students, and careful budgeting will help keep your study and living costs down.
We know studying as an international student can be a big investment. Whether you're planning for tuition fees, accommodation, transport or everyday expenses, there are plenty of ways to reduce your costs while enjoying student life at The University of Queensland.
Compare tuition fees and living costs
UQ belongs to the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities, which is Australia’s version of the Ivy League. As a global top 50 university and one of the country’s leading research-intensive universities, UQ is a popular and very competitive choice for many domestic and international students.
Tuition fees at UQ vary by program, but both UQ and Brisbane offer an outstanding student experience, combining excellent value with a high quality of student life. In fact, Brisbane is consistently ranked among the world’s most liveable cities, making it an appealing destination for students from around the globe.
UQ provides clear information about tuition fees and study costs upfront, helping international students plan and make informed study decisions. So do your due diligence and research about the value you get from the universities and cities you're considering.
Save more with scholarships
UQ aims to help remove barriers to education for international students by providing different scholarships depending on your journey. Various scholarships may be available to you, including: living stipends, monetary support, tuition fee reductions, English language program and more.
What scholarships does UQ offer? You can get up to a 25% tuition fee reduction for the duration of your program with these scholarships for international students.
Compare accommodation costs
Brisbane is the third-largest city in Australia, home to a rich multicultural vibe and a laidback, friendly atmosphere. The city offers competitive accommodation costs and varied options.
For example, if you choose to live on campus at one of UQ's Residential Colleges, it means you’ll have heaps of opportunities to attend college-specific activities and social events, and access to plenty of spaces to relax and study. You won't need to worry about fluctuating living costs because fees you pay upfront come with meals and utilities. Plus, you’ll save on transport costs since you can walk to class and easily get involved in student life activities on campus.
You can keep your accommodation costs lower with off-campus accommodation options. Off-campus living costs can vary widely depending on your suburb and housing, but you can find share house accommodation from as little as A$170 per week.
Read our guide for choosing to live on or off campus for more information and advice.
Save money on food and groceries
With a little bit of organisation and thinking ahead, you may be surprised just how much difference discounts and loyalty programs can make.
“You might think it’s ridiculous, but during my free time, I’ve found myself reading catalogues, looking at what I can get for cheaper. Here, you get information on what will be on discount, so be sure to look through them to spot anything you might need and purchase it then.”
-Nigel Ong, former exchange student
Other things you can do when budgeting for your student life in Brisbane include:
- keeping a reusable water bottle with you (UQ has bubblers across the campus)
- buying items on special (the main grocery chains Woolworths, Coles and Aldi feature a rotating list of specials every week)
- shop late in the day (most groceries and bakeries put items on special towards the end of the day)
- getting loyalty cards and memberships (most cafes in the University give out loyalty cards, while shops offer free memberships for points)
- buying fresh fruit and vegetables from a farmers’ market on the weekends.
The UQ Union also runs free meal programs to support hungry students. There’s free breakfast on campus from 8am to 9:30am, and you can get a free dinner at Kampus Kitchen from 5pm.
Enjoy low-cost public transport
How much is public transport in Brisbane? Well, Queensland is the only state in Australia with public transport fares capped at 50 cents per trip on all Translink services, including buses, ferries, trains and trams. Whether you're coming to class, exploring Brisbane or heading out further for a weekend trip, you'll pay the same low fare.
If you need to travel between campuses, UQ offers a free shuttle bus service that connects our St Lucia and Gatton campuses.
You can also save money by walking or cycling when possible. UQ is very walkable and bike paths around the campus lead to many scenic dedicated off-road paths.
Access student discounts and free events
International students in Brisbane can also access a variety of student discounts across a range of stores and venues. With your student ID, you can get discounts on products and services such as:
- software and technology
- movie tickets
- museums and art galleries
- entertainment (such as cinemas and live shows)
- select food and drink venues
- select retailers
- hairdressers and barbers
- plenty more.
All UQ students also get a free membership to Mates Rates, which gets you 10% of full price purchases at UQ Union food, drink, and retail outlets.
And it’s not just discounts. Brisbane hosts several free events and entertainment options throughout the year. South Bank, for example, is home to the Queensland Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art and State Library of Queensland – all of which have free exhibitions. You’ll also hear free live music on most weekend afternoons in South Bank.
Check out the Brisbane City Council's What's on in Brisbane webpage or UQ's Events page to check free events around the city.
Enjoy the best of Brisbane’s world-class arts and culture at a discounted rate. Photo courtesy of Brisbane Economic Development Agency.
Stay active on a budget
Maintaining your health and wellbeing doesn't have to be expensive. As a UQ student, you can access discounted UQ Sport gym memberships, making it easier to stay active while studying. Students also enjoy $2 entry to the UQ Sport Aquatic Centre. No membership required.
Do you want to explore a new sport without having to buy all the gear and make a year-long commitment? UQ Sport offers a varied schedule of social sports year-round such as soccer, netball, badminton and beach volleyball. Discounted individual fees per session are available for students, starting at $18.
Access affordable student services
Did you know that UQ offers affordable physiotherapy at the UQ Health & Rehabilitation Clinics? To sweeten the deal, students get an additional 15% discount on top of their already affordable costs, with rates starting from $39 per session. You can also avail heavily discounted dental procedures at the UQ Herston Dental Clinic. Cheap haircuts from $10 are also available in many trade providers across Brisbane.
Studying abroad is a significant investment, but Brisbane offers plenty of opportunities to manage your budget without missing out on big student experiences. From scholarships and affordable accommodation to discounted transport and student deals, there are many ways to make your money go further while studying at UQ.
How much does it cost to live in Brisbane as a student? Visit this page to better understand cost of living in the city.
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