- By Angelyn Tan

There is no doubt that Australia is one of the top education providers worldwide. In fact, it is ranked at number 3 by QS for having one of the strongest higher education systems in the world. Naturally, it is a top choice for students looking to further their studies, no introduction necessary. After all, who wouldn’t want to experience living in a different country, and on top of that, according to Mercer, a country with some of the most liveable cities (Sydney and Melbourne) in the world.Whether you are from Australia or not, you’ve probably heard about the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities, A.K.A. Australia’s leading research-intensive universities as well as some of the top-ranking universities in the country. If not, here’s a quick run-down.

What Exactly is the Group of Eight?

The Group of Eight universities is a coalition of top-ranking universities that contribute to more than half of the research done in Australia. The Go8 comprises of The University of Western Australia (UWA), Monash University, Australian National University (ANU), The University of Adelaide, The University of Melbourne (Uni Melb), UNSW Sydney, The University of Queensland (UQ) and The University of Sydney (USyd), all of which are ranked in the top 150 universities in the world in several rankings - the QS World University Rankings (QS), the Times Higher Education Rankings (THE) and the Academic Ranking of World Universities from Shanghai Jiao Tong University.Some might compare the Go8 universities to that of United States Ivy League colleges. In reality, unlike the exclusivity that are the Ivy League colleges, Australia’s Go8 universities educates over 380,00 students, more than a quarter of all higher education students in the nation!

So Which Should I Choose?

While some universities may seem more appealing than others, all of these options (or any other university really) are good and valid. When it comes to making your choice, there are a few things you should take into consideration. Are you fixed on a ...