UniMelb, UniSyd or UNSW? [AUS]

Hey everyone,

Currently finishing up high school and aspiring to go into banking/high finance, have placement offers from all three schools and off my research it seems pretty evident that the prestige or ranking of Unis is majorly irrelevant - did want to ask though, if out of Usyd and UNSW which one had a better campus culture.

Fortunately, I’m able to live in Melbourne at a significantly lower cost (roughly 400 less per week) than Sydney, which leads to a major concern I’ve had as to whether the larger finance market and greater opportunities for internships, jobs, etc. in Sydney is worth the additional cost of living there instead of Melbourne.

Would greatly appreciate it if someone could elaborate on the size difference in both markets.

Cheers

5 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know:

Campus Culture: USyd vs. UNSW

  • USyd: Known for its historic and picturesque campus, USyd has a vibrant student life with numerous clubs and societies. The campus culture is often described as more traditional and academically focused.
  • UNSW: UNSW has a more modern campus with a strong emphasis on innovation and technology. The student culture is dynamic, with a focus on entrepreneurship and practical learning experiences.

Cost of Living: Melbourne vs. Sydney

  • Melbourne: Living in Melbourne at a significantly lower cost (approximately $400 less per week) is a substantial financial advantage. Melbourne also offers a high quality of life with a rich cultural scene and diverse job market.
  • Sydney: While Sydney has a higher cost of living, it is the financial hub of Australia, offering greater opportunities for internships and jobs in banking and high finance. The larger finance market in Sydney could provide more networking opportunities and career growth.

Market Size and Opportunities

  • Sydney: As the financial capital of Australia, Sydney hosts the headquarters of many major banks and financial institutions. This translates to more job openings, internships, and networking events in the finance sector.
  • Melbourne: While Melbourne also has a strong finance sector, it is smaller compared to Sydney. However, the lower cost of living and the presence of significant financial institutions still make it a viable option for a career in banking and finance.

Conclusion

  • If the primary goal is to maximize career opportunities in banking and high finance, Sydney might be worth the additional cost due to its larger finance market.
  • If cost savings and quality of life are more critical, Melbourne offers a compelling alternative with a still-strong finance sector.

Hope this helps! Cheers!

Sources: Q&A: Middle Market IB Analyst, Living in Asia, Tech vs Finance? 2020 edition thread #4, Opportunity to move from NY to Europe in Structuring/Origination, Why would anyone willingly choose to live in NYC / SF / CHI?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Both are on par for most of the top degrees - but I think USYD has a slightly more 'prestigious' history. Never had a positive nor negative because of the university you went to. I'd say it's either USYD, UNSW, or UniMelb for Australia. The rest are all meh for finance. 

 

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