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Here are some of Australia’s swankiest student pads
17 Sep 2019
Besides your chosen programme of study and the university itself, accommodation is a huge consideration when deciding to study abroad.
This is where you’ll be living for at least a year or more. You want to ensure you’ll be safe, close to campus, comfortable – but there’s also nothing wrong with seeking sophistication and style!
As the third-most popular study destination among international students and an extremely close competitor with the likes of the UK, Australia has long been a higher education powerhouse. In 2018, non-domestic enrolments across the nation soared by 12 percent, with the country seeing unprecedented numbers of global learners across university campuses.
International students now make up more than a quarter of enrolments at some universities across the nation.
It’s a region that promises prime universities and a student lifestyle to match. No country offers the study backdrop of sun-kissed beaches with quite as much swag as Australia. But one thing this country also offers is contemporary accommodation with class – it just sometimes takes a little research to find all the perks this country has to offer.
So we’ve decided to help you out:
Scape Swanston, Melbourne – Victoria
In 2018, overseas student enrolments in Victoria hit 140,807, with Melbourne itself standing as a recognised learning hub and the world’s third-best student city.
This cutting-edge student block is on-trend and intricately-designed, with private studios offering double beds, built-in storage facilities, kitchenettes, dining and study spaces. The Large Studio Apartments are spacious and chic, with the Sky Large Accessible Studios promising the most breath-taking views in the building for AU$629 p/w.
On the other end of the scale, Swanston’s Studio Apartments are available for AU$469 p/w, maintaining that sleek Swanston feel for a modest price.
With excellent proximity to Melbourne’s CBD, here you’ll be in the heart of the action. Be amazed by the city’s vibrant street art scene, marvel at its tantalising café culture and strut your stuff at the many fun-loving festivals – like Beyond the Valley, Rainbow Serpent and Strawberry Fields – that take place throughout the year.
Other luxurious features include:
- A cinema
- An outdoor terrace
- A communal kitchen
- A fully-equipped gym
- Level 1 and Upper Ground Lounge
“Scape Swanston is in the perfect, central location. Shopping centres, restaurants, bars, RMIT and Uni of Melbourne [are] all within walking distance,” says Annie Batten, a UK native currently studying in Australia.
Darling Square, Sydney – New South Wales
Home to Australia’s third- and fourth-best universities, it’s no surprise that Sydney attracts over 35,000 international students year after year.
For those keen to earn a degree in this world-famous city, Darling Square is a beautiful choice when it comes to selecting your home. The most affluent offering in this residence is the stunning Deluxe Studio with Queen Bed, available to rent from AU$699 p/w.
This self-contained studio has space for you and one other – perfect for young couples looking to make the move together. It comes complete with a quaint kitchenette equipped with modern appliances, a cosy living area for you to share, wireless internet, air conditioning/heating and a private ensuite bathroom.
The great thing is that this building offers a range of more affordable options, promoting a diversity that makes for a rich study experience. The Twin Share Studio with Two Single Beds is the most cost-effective option, which students can rent for 12 months from AU$379 p/w, or for six months from AU$409 p/w.
And the building features a range of luxury perks for everyone to share, including:
- A cinema room
- A TV and games room
- iMac stations
- A secure bike store
- Safe and secure swipe card access and CCTV
- A rooftop terrace with BBQ, tables and benches
- A fully-equipped gym
- A large social area with comfortable seating
- A modern, card-operated laundry
Conveniently nestled between the upbeat restaurants and shops of Haymarket and close to the treasures of Darling Harbour, this housing option perfectly serves the 21st century student.
Atira at Merivale Street, Brisbane – Queensland
Home to the University of Queensland – Australia’s fifth-best university – as well as Griffith and QUT, Brisbane is Australia’s third-best student city and a fantastic choice for the aspiring international student.
Atira Merivale’s enviable Southbank location embodies the very best of urban student living, with immaculate parks, river strolls and regular cultural events breathing life into the vibrant community.
Here, you can choose from a range of twin studios, 2-3 bed apartments and single studios. The Studio Premier Apartment offers a 21-35 week lease for AU$430 p/w, while a 42-58 week lease is available for just AU$400 p/w. The most cost-effective options in the building are the Twin Mix and Twin Bunk Studios. For these, you can bag a 48-52 week lease for just AU$195p/w.
“As soon as I walked in, I said ‘this is where I want to be, this is amazing.’ The building itself is amazing, the rooftop, the media room, the theatre room, and my favourite, the games room. It’s a great place to be, especially for first-year students, and even more so for me, coming from a place outside of Brisbane,” says Akhtar Abdul.
Other major draws of Atira Merivale include:
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- A 24/7 gym
- A study zone
- A games room
- A communal kitchen
- A student experience programme
- Bike storage, car parking and laundry facilities
- A cinema and karaoke (yes, really!)
Any one of these gold-standard student propererties will help you feel smart, sophisticated and above all, at home throughout your Australian study experience. You’ll have access to the space and support needed to preserve the utmost mental well-being, allowing you to excel throughout your university studies.
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