Victoria University

Researching about Victoria University in Australia but still piecing things together – rankings, courses, scholarships, and how hard it is to get in? Here’s a clear, skimmable guide so you can quickly judge if Victoria University (VU) fits your plans, after which you can access more detailed resources provided by PickMyUni.

A Quick overview of Victoria University

Victoria University is a public research university based in Melbourne’s west, with extra campuses in the Melbourne CBD, plus Sydney and Brisbane. It’s a dual-sector university, so you’ll see everything from vocational (TAFE) study right through to PhD research.

VU sits in the top 2% of universities worldwide in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings and holds a 401–500 band place globally, plus a strong position in the Young University rankings. For students, the big drawcard is the VU Block Model – you study one subject at a time in short, focused blocks instead of juggling four units at once.

Victoria University Campuses

VU’s main home base is Footscray Park Campus on Ballarat Road, about 5km from Melbourne’s CBD. This is the administrative centre and hosts big areas such as engineering, education and sport sciences. On top of that, VU has:

For exact Victoria University address details (street addresses, transport, parking and maps), students usually rely on VU’s campus guides.

Victoria University courses & study areas

If you like choice, VU has a lot. 

From our review of VU’s course catalogue at PickMyUni and VU’s own site, major Victoria University courses include:

• Business, accounting, finance and management

• Information technology, networking and cybersecurity

• Engineering and built environment

• Sport and exercise science (a long-standing strength at VU)

• Health sciences, nursing, osteopathy and biomedicine

• Education and teaching

• Humanities, social sciences and community services

• Trades and apprenticeships via Victoria Polytechnic (TAFE)

Because VU is dual-sector, many students start with a TAFE or diploma course, then use formal pathways to step into a bachelor degree with credit. This is a big plus if your current grades, English level or budget mean a direct bachelor entry is tricky.

Victoria University Careers Support & Placements 

From what we see in employer surveys and partner lists, VU puts real effort into work-based learning and industry ties, especially in sport, teaching, nursing and business. Many VU courses include work placements, practicums or internships, often arranged through local councils, schools, hospitals, sports clubs and businesses.

Career-related features you’ll run into:

• Careers and Employability services – resume checks, interview practice and career coaching for students.

• Industry projects – real client briefs in business, IT and engineering subjects.

• Strong technical focus – external data ranks VU #1 in Australia for technical skills application and inside the top 10 nationally for overall employer satisfaction.

So if your main question is “Will Victoria University help me get work after graduation?”, the short answer is: VU leans strongly into practical, hands-on learning and industry-ready skills.

Victoria University Ranking & Reputation

From PickMyUni’s point of view, VU sits in that “solid, practical” category rather than super-elite Go8. It doesn’t chase top-10 national bragging rights, but it does hold credible global and subject rankings:

• THE World University Rankings 2025 & 2026: band 401–500 globally; top 2% of universities worldwide.

• THE Young University Rankings: around 70th in the world for universities under 50 years old.

• QS World University Rankings 2026: band #741–750 globally.

• Strong performance in THE Impact Rankings across areas like reduced inequalities and climate action.

For many students, Victoria University ranking is “good enough globally, strong in sport and technical areas, and well-regarded for practical teaching” – especially if you’re more focused on affordability and support than on a prestige name.

Victoria University scholarships & financial support

On the money front, VU offers a mix of Victoria University scholarships for domestic and international students. Key examples include:

• VU Block Model International Scholarship – up to 30% off tuition fees for new international students starting eligible courses at VU Melbourne.

• Other merit-based or area-specific scholarships that change each year (for example, support for high achievers, equity bursaries, or aid linked to specific colleges).

Exact scholarship value, criteria and closing dates change pretty often, and departments sometimes add their own awards on top of central funding. So treat any example as a starting point, not a guarantee.

Victoria University Acceptance Rate

Students search “Victoria University acceptance rate” a lot, looking for a single number. The tricky bit: Australian Public Universities rarely publish a precise official percentage.

External study-abroad data suggests VU’s acceptance rate sits around 64%, with an average GPA of around 3.3 for successful applicants.That matches what we see anecdotally: Victoria University Australia tends to be more accessible than many high-ranking research universities, especially if you use a pathway via TAFE or a diploma.

However, competitiveness varies hugely by:

• Course (e.g. nursing and teaching vs. a general business degree)

• Study level (TAFE, bachelor, master, research)

• Campus and study mode (on-campus vs. online)

• Your background (ATAR, GPA, English level, work experience)

So treat 64% as a rough guide from external platforms, not a formal promise from the university.

Victoria University Academic Calendar & VU Block Model

Instead of long 12–13 week semesters with four subjects at once, Victoria University uses the Block Model for most undergraduate courses, especially in Melbourne. You study one unit at a time, in short four-week blocks (plus exams and breaks), which many students find easier to manage around work and life.

For date planning, the Victoria University academic calendar covers:

• Block and semester start and finish dates

• Census dates (last date to change subjects without academic penalty)

• Exam periods

• Public holidays and university breaks

• Graduation periods

VU publishes calendars for both on-campus students, with separate tables for blocks, semesters, winter/summer study and 8-week periods. 

Final thought

Victoria University Australia is an excellent choice for students seeking hands on, practical, industry based study experience, located in either Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane. Add to this flexible entry options and a calmer study rhythm flowing from the Block Mode and you have a great match. If this works for you, our next step is easy.

Shortlist Victoria University on PickMyUni and add a couple of comparison universities and then prior to applying, you can peruse the dedicated guides for courses, scholarships and student reviews.