ANU vs University of Melbourne: Similarities and differences

We at Cybernews Academy have set out to review some of the best universities for Computer Science and Information Technology degrees. Previously, we have reviewed ETH Zurich vs. EPFL, Oxford vs. Cambridge, MIT vs. Carnegie Mellon, and KAIST vs. Seoul National University. Now, we will examine two of the highest-ranked universities in Australia: The Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Melbourne. Let’s explore these two universities and uncover some unique details about ANU and the University of Melbourne.

Australian National University

The Australian National University, or ANU, is a public research university established in 1946 by the Parliament of Australia. It is said to have been founded in a spirit of post-war optimism that aimed to reveal Australia’s potential to the rest of the world. ANU’s vision was, and still is, to “support the development of national unity and identity, improve our understanding of ourselves and our neighbors, and provide our nation with research capacity amongst the best in the world, and education in areas vital for our future.” The university aims to connect talented people with diverse perspectives while equipping them with the necessary skills to address the complex problems of tomorrow.

Location

ANU’s main campus is in the suburb of Acton, Canberra, Australia’s capital city. The main campus is located in the Australian Capital Territory. There are various campuses’ located across Australia, in the region of New South Wales and the Northern Territory. The campus comprises 358 acres of parkland with university buildings built within. The native bushland of Black Mountain, Lake Burley Griffin, and the suburb of Turner borders the university. The area has over 10,000 trees, making it one of Australia's greenest and most sustainable campuses (2009 and 2011.) ANU’s campuses have a rich and diverse history as the institution manages places with Indigenous historical and natural heritage value.

History

The establishment of ANU started as early as 1900. The planning and building of the university were disrupted by World War II but resumed in 1942. ANU is the first university and only university to have been created by the Parliament of Australia. The institution traces back to Canberra University College, established in 1929 and was combined with ANU in 1960.

Famous alumni

A few heroic faces have graced the halls of ANU. General David Morrison attended ANU and completed his Bachelor of Arts degree before ascending through the army. Jennifer Robinson attended ANU and studied Asian Studies (Indonesian) and is best known for her work as a pro bono legal adviser to Julian Assange and WikiLeaks. Rolf Martin Zinkernagel is a professor of experimental immunology at the University of Zurich and has won a Nobel prize in the Physiology of Medicine for discovering how the immune system recognizes virus-infected cells. He graduated from ANU with his PhD in 1975. Andrew Tridgell is an Australian computer programmer, the author/contributor to the Samba file server, and co-inventor of the rsync algorithm. He graduated from ANU with a PhD from the Computer Sciences Laboratory.

The University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne is a public research university, and its research contributes to solving social, economic, and environmental challenges in today's world. The institution is intrinsically connected with communities in Australia and worldwide. This relationship enriches the institution's learning, teaching, and research culture. The university is one of Australia’s six sandstone universities and is a member of many groups dedicated to research. These include Group of Eight, Universitas 21, Washington University’s McDonnell International Scholars Academy, and the Association for Pacific Rim Universities. According to its website, “the University of Melbourne aspires to be a place where people are valued and respected, have equal access to opportunities, and are encouraged to fulfill their talents and potential.”

Location

The university’s main campus lies in Parkville, the inner suburb of Melbourne’s central business district. The University of Melbourne has various other campuses located across Victoria. In total, the university has seven locations, which encompass different schools and disciplines. These campuses are Parkville, Southbank, Burnley, Creswick, Dookie, Shepparton, and Werribee. The university’s primary and largest campus is located in the heart of Melbourne and has expanded beyond its borders with many new buildings constructed in the suburb of Carlton. The University of Melbourne’s campus is approximately 89 acres and is a relatively large campus that houses different facilities, libraries, research centers, and open spaces. If you want to learn more about the experience at the University, read our story ‘Future Engineer in Australia.’

History

The University of Melbourne was established in 1853, the original buildings opened, and classes commenced in 1855 with three professors and sixteen students. The Foundation Stones of the University and the State Library of Victoria were laid on the day the university was founded. The University of Melbourne website says, “The university is more than a place of learning and research. It’s an integral part of the cultural life of the city of Melbourne.”

Famous alumni

Many famous politicians, writers, and philosophers attended the University of Melbourne. Germaine Greer is an Australian writer who graduated with a degree in English and French language and literature. Pete Singer is an Australian moral philosopher who graduated from the University of Melbourne with a law, history, and philosophy degree. Robert Menzies, former Prime Minister of Australia, studied law at the University of Melbourne. Ian Hector Frazer is a Scottish-born Australian immunologist who helped develop and patent the basic technology behind the HPV vaccine against cervical cancer. Frazer graduated with an M.D. in 1988 from the University of Melbourne.

Similarities

Cybernews Academy has highlighted the similarities between ANU and the University of Melbourne. Let’s take a look at some of the attributes these universities share.

Reputation

Both universities have an excellent reputation. They are highly respected institutions that are renowned internationally. Both ANU and the University of Melbourne are consistently ranked among the top universities in Australia and worldwide. The University of Melbourne is ranked #14, and ANU is ranked #34 in the QS World University Rankings. In university rankings by subject for Computer Science and Information Systems, the University of Melbourne is ranked #41, and ANU is ranked #56. They are both excellent options for studying Computer Science and Information Technology degrees.

Remarkable research

The University of Melbourne and ANU have a strong focus on research and are known for their contributions to the computer science and information technology field. Each university contains world-class faculty members and high-tech research facilities. The University of Melbourne and ANU belong to the esteemed Australian research group, the Group of Eight. The University of Melbourne works closely with industry partners and specialist research institutes, exploring solutions to significant world problems. Similarly, ANU is a research-intensive university, with its research reflecting real-world challenges.

International presence

Both institutions have a strong international presence with diverse student populations and worldwide collaboration with various institutions. ANU’s work showcases intellectual leadership and provides the university communities with transformational experiences while achieving the unique national role that reflects ANU’s values. The university engages with various institutions, from governments to public and private sectors, to contribute to the resolution of significant issues facing Australia and the world. Similarly, the University of Melbourne is an internationally recognized university with a global outlook and growing global reach. The university is said to lead, convene, and collaborate through partnerships worldwide. The University of Melbourne aspires to become a hub of knowledge and research for the Asia Pacific region to contribute to the world significantly.

Scholarships

Both universities offer scholarships for international students. The ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarships allows students to access multiple scholarships available at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These scholarships are designed to attract global talent from around the world. These scholarships are available to those students planning to study undergraduate or postgraduate. There are also country-specific scholarships for students from India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Europe and the Americas. The total value of these scholarships is 25% or 50% fee waiver of tuition for the entire study period. The University of Melbourne also offers scholarships to international students. These fall under the Melbourne Chancellor Scholarship, which provides 50% off fee remission, and the Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship, which provides either a $10,000 remission in the first year, a 50% fee remission for the three years, or 100% remission for the three year duration of the undergraduate degree.

Differences

Despite being two of the highest-ranked universities in Australia, some distinct differences between the two institutions make them both unique.

Main campus locations

The University of Melbourne’s main campus is located only a short distance from central Melbourne, which hosts a vibrant and diverse range of individuals. Approximately 4.9 million people populate the city, and it ranks as one of the most innovative cities in the world. The main campus of Parkville is said to hold an additional six specialist campuses located throughout Greater Melbourne and regional Victoria. In contrast, ANU’s main campus is in the suburb of Action, Canberra, Australia’s capital. Canberra is home to approximately 472,000 individuals. This area features some of Australia’s most significant cultural and political institutions.

Programs

ANU and the University of Melbourne provide a range of academic programs and cover various disciplines. However, one university offers more programs computing programs than its counterpart. The University of Melbourne has 34 degrees in Computer Science and Information Technology degrees, five majors and specializations, and 30 short courses and Microcredentials at the undergraduate level. There are also many master’s and graduate programs available. In contrast, ANU has ten degrees in Computer Science and Information Technology (including Engineering) for both home and international students at an undergraduate level.

Acceptance rate

According to Meridian Overseas, the University of Melbourne has an acceptance rate of approximately 70%, unlike ANU, which has an approximate acceptance rate of 35%. The acceptance rate of the University of Melbourne depends on certain factors, such as the program chosen, availability, and application inflow quantity. ANU University has strict criteria for application acceptance, making it one of the most competitive universities in Australia.

Entry requirements

the entry requirements for international students at the University of Melbourne differ from those required to be accepted into ANU. The University of Melbourne requires students to receive BBC if they wish to go into a Science-based field of study. A prerequisite of Mathematics, one of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, and an approved A or AS level English subject is required. At ANU, the admission requirements for a Bachelor of Computing program is ATAR 80 or AAB - A*AA. These requirements are higher than those of the University of Melbourne. With a low acceptance rate, ANU is keeping its acceptance competitive.

ANU and the University of Melbourne are excellent institutions if you want to embark on a computer science degree. Both institutions are committed to research and have a robust global presence while maintaining an incredible reputation. Both universities are ranked highly in the QS world rankings and the QS world rankings by Computer Science and Information Technology. ANU and the University of Melbourne offer gracious scholarships to international students, which helps promote diversity and inclusion within their institutions. Despite their similarities, there are differences between the two institutions that can’t go unnoticed. Both campus locations vary and have different acceptance rates, entry requirements, and programs. We at Cybernews Academy hope this comparison has helped highlight the wonderful and unique aspects of ANU and the University of Melbourne