5 Reasons to Study on the Gold Coast

Australia's Gold Coast is known for its 57 kilometers of golden coastline, ancient rainforests, and friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Every year, thousands of students from more than 130 countries choose to study on the Gold Coast.

If you want to experience Australian lifestyle for yourself, here are five reasons the Gold Coast is a great place to study.

It is home to some of the world's best research-intensive universities

Beyond all the city’s natural beauty, it is also surrounded by some of the greatest higher education institutions in Australia and in the world.

Three Gold Coast schools rank highly in this year’s QS World University Rankings: Griffith University, Bond University, and Southern Cross University.

Griffith University, located in southeast Queensland, welcomes more than 50,000 students across five campuses. Its largest campus is in Southport, which has seen significant growth and development, including the opening of the Griffith Health Centre, the launch of the Griffith Business School building, and the opening of Griffith Queensland Menzies Health Institute.

The university is also closely involved in a number of scientific breakthroughs. Among many other achievements, it is developing a world-leading malaria vaccine at the Griffith Institute for Glycomics; it has led research at the Queensland Menzies Health Institute on using robots to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia; and it took the first photograph of an atom’s shadow at the Griffith Centre for Quantum Dynamics.

Bond University, in the south of the Gold Coast, is a private university praised for its small class sizes, innovative teaching, and extensive industry engagement. Students learn through interactive, discussion-based classes that make full use of the latest learning technologies.

In addition to its teaching quality, the university is also known for its research. It leads a national sports science project worth 6.9 million pounds (14 million Australian dollars). Its stem cell research program has also come close to restoring sight for patients with macular degeneration.

Southern Cross University is located beside Gold Coast Airport in southeast Queensland. Thanks to its ideal location, the university partners with local aviation vocational institutions to offer a Bachelor of Business and Enterprise (Aviation Management).

The university also offers state-of-the-art health and science laboratories, and 14 fields have been rated “above world standard” by the Australian Research Excellence assessment.

Graduates can work on the Gold Coast for up to three years after university

If, like many graduates before you, you decide that you do not want to leave the Gold Coast after university, you do not have to. With a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), you can enjoy three years of post-study work rights, along with plenty of other benefits.

This visa can also make you eligible for additional regional visas, priority visa processing, and bonus points for skilled migration to Australia.

That gives studying on the Gold Coast a unique advantage over cities like Brisbane, Melbourne, or Sydney, where you can legally work for only up to two years after graduation.

Working on the Gold Coast after graduation also gives you access to a wide range of job opportunities in tourism, research, manufacturing, IT, marine industries, and healthcare.

The Gold Coast is more affordable than other major Australian cities

If all of this sounds too good to be true, here is another major benefit of studying on the Gold Coast: it is cheaper than other major Australian cities. In the latest QS Best Student Cities ranking, it was named the most affordable Australian city and ranked 98th globally.

According to Numbeo, a single person living on the Gold Coast needs about 713 pounds (1,270 Australian dollars) a month, compared with about 755 pounds (1,345 Australian dollars) in Brisbane. A one-bedroom apartment in central Gold Coast costs around 1,018 pounds (1,814 Australian dollars), while one in central Sydney costs 1,471 pounds (2,620 Australian dollars).

In fact, Study Gold Coast estimates that student accommodation is much cheaper, at just 450 pounds (800 Australian dollars) per month, so you do not have to break the bank.

You get all the benefits of a big city, but with far fewer people

The Gold Coast offers all the benefits of a big city, including job opportunities, diversity, and endless things to do, but with only a fraction of the population.

According to the latest QS Student Cities data, the Gold Coast has a population of around 638,000, compared with 5.2 million in Sydney and 5 million in Melbourne.

People on the Gold Coast are generally very friendly and welcoming. They love being outdoors and enjoying the city's scenery and weather.

Despite its smaller population, the city is well known for its multicultural atmosphere, with plenty of international food options and annual festivals that celebrate cultural diversity.

The Gold Coast’s universities also have their own diverse communities, and 19% of the city’s students come from other countries.

Its laid-back lifestyle will make you never want to leave

If your idea of the perfect study abroad destination includes beautiful natural surroundings, there is nowhere better than the Gold Coast.

Many people choose to study on the Gold Coast because of the change of pace. Life is generally much slower here. There is always time to enjoy the beautiful beaches, waterfalls, and mountains, go hiking, and soak up the sun.

If you want something a little faster-paced, surfing is a popular activity among students and locals alike. The city also has thrilling theme parks and a lively cultural scene, with cafes, restaurants, and festivals all over town.

There are many World Heritage rainforests and national parks within the city, home to hundreds of species of wildlife and plant life, as well as great places to admire spectacular waterfalls along scenic walking trails.

And best of all, thanks to Australia’s subtropical climate, the sun shines almost all the time. The annual average temperature is 29 degrees Celsius, with an average of 300 sunny days a year. That is the charm of Australia.