Australia · South Australia

Adelaide city

The capital of South Australia, a compact festival city between the hills and the sea.

Photo: Yu Chu Chin, CC BY-SA 4.0

#8 in the worldEIU Global Liveability Index 2026

#79Adelaide University, QS 2027

7,055Nepal-born people in Greater Adelaide (2021 Census)

Freecity buses and trams in the centre

In short

Studying in Adelaide: the short answer

Adelaide is the capital of South Australia, a compact city between the Adelaide Hills and the sea. It was ranked the world’s eighth most liveable city in 2026. Adelaide University is ranked #79 in the QS 2027 world rankings, and Flinders University is also ranked. 7,055 Nepal-born people lived in Greater Adelaide at the 2021 Census. Students can work up to 48 hours a fortnight during study, and you need to show at least AUD 29,710 a year for living costs for your visa. The main intakes are February and July.

Universities

Universities in Adelaide

Ranks are from the QS World University Rankings 2027.

University	QS 2027	Main Adelaide campus
Adelaide University	#79	North Terrace (city) and other campuses
Flinders University	#374	Bedford Park (south) and the city

Source: QS World University Rankings 2027. Checked 14 November 2026.

Living in Adelaide

Costs, transport and work

Money to show

AUD 29,710

a year for living costs, the student visa minimum. Adelaide is usually cheaper to live in than Sydney or Melbourne.

Transport

Free in the city

City Connector buses and trams in the city centre are free. Use a Metrocard for other trips. See Adelaide Metro.

Work while you study

48 hours

a fortnight during study periods, and full-time during scheduled breaks.

Where to live

Live near your campus

Adelaide is compact, so most students live within a short bus, tram or train ride of campus.

City and North Adelaide

Close to Adelaide University’s North Terrace campus, with free city buses and trams.

Bedford Park and Marion

Southern suburbs around Flinders University.

Glenelg and the beaches

Beach suburbs linked to the city by tram.

Eastern suburbs

Suburbs like Norwood and Kensington, a short bus ride from the city.

Landmarks

Adelaide in pictures

Places you will get to know in your first few weeks.

North Terrace, Adelaide — **North Terrace**The city’s cultural boulevard, home to the university, museum and library.

City centre, Adelaide — **City centre**The compact city centre, seen from above.

Adelaide Central Market, Adelaide — **Adelaide Central Market**A huge undercover food market in the city.

Adelaide Oval, Adelaide — **Adelaide Oval**The city’s stadium for AFL, cricket and concerts.

River Torrens, Adelaide — **River Torrens**Riverside paths and parklands next to the city.

Rundle Mall, Adelaide — **Rundle Mall**The main shopping street, with events all year.

Barossa Valley, Adelaide — **Barossa Valley**Rolling countryside and wineries, an easy day trip.

Adelaide Botanic Garden, Adelaide — **Adelaide Botanic Garden**Free gardens on North Terrace, next to the university.

Photo credits

Photos via Wikimedia Commons: North Terrace, city centre, Central Market, Rundle Mall and the main photo by Yu Chu Chin (CC BY-SA 4.0); Adelaide Oval by Luke Anderson (CC BY-SA 2.0); River Torrens and Barossa Valley by DXR (CC BY-SA 4.0); Botanic Garden by Dietmar Rabich (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Student life

Things students love about Adelaide

🚋

Free trams and buses

Trams and City Connector buses are free in the city centre.

🍎

Central Market

Cheap fresh food and food stalls from around the world in one place.

🏖

Beach by tram

Take the tram to Glenelg for the beach and the jetty.

🍇

Day trips

The Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and wine regions are close by.

🎭

Festival city

February and March bring the Adelaide Fringe, the Adelaide Festival and WOMADelaide.

💰

Lower costs

Rent and living costs are usually lower than in Sydney or Melbourne.

What’s on

Festivals, sport and concerts through the year

Adelaide has plenty on through the year. These are the big ones.

February to March

Adelaide Fringe

Thousands of comedy, music and theatre shows across the city.

March

Adelaide Festival

Theatre, music, dance and writers’ week.

March

WOMADelaide

A world music festival in Botanic Park.

April

AFL Gather Round

A whole round of AFL games played in South Australia.

November

Christmas Pageant

The famous street parade through the city.

Throughout the year

Concerts

Big tours play Adelaide Oval and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Summer

Cricket

International and Big Bash cricket at Adelaide Oval.

Community

Nepali festivals

Nepali community groups celebrate Dashain, Tihar and Holi together each year.

Months are usual timings; check each event’s website for exact dates.

Questions

Questions about studying in Adelaide

Is Adelaide good for Nepali students?

Yes, for many. Adelaide ranked eighth in the world in the EIU Global Liveability Index 2026, is usually cheaper than Sydney or Melbourne, and had 7,055 Nepal-born people at the 2021 Census.

Which universities are in Adelaide?

Adelaide University (#79) and Flinders University (#374) in the QS World University Rankings 2027.

How much money do I need to live in Adelaide?

For a student visa you must show at least AUD 29,710 a year for living costs. Rent is usually the biggest cost, and sharing a house or flat is the cheapest option. See the full money-to-show guide.

Is public transport free in Adelaide?

Trams and City Connector buses are free in the city centre. Other trips use a Metrocard. Check Adelaide Metro.

Can I work while studying in Adelaide?

Yes. International students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods and full-time during scheduled breaks.

Adelaide or a bigger city?

Adelaide is smaller, calmer and usually cheaper. Sydney and Melbourne have bigger Nepali communities. See our Sydney and Melbourne guides, or talk to a counsellor.

Next step

Planning to study in Adelaide in 2027?

Get a free plan from an NEC counsellor: the right course and university, the money to show and a timeline for February or July 2027.

Get my free 2027 plan Back to Study in Australia

More cities

Other cities in Australia

Not sure Adelaide is right for you? Compare the other main student cities.

Victoria

Melbourne

Ranked #3 for liveability in the world (EIU 2026)

Melbourne city guide →

New South Wales

Sydney

Australia’s largest Nepali community

Sydney city guide →

Western Australia

Perth

Free buses and trains in the city centre

Perth city guide →

Queensland

Brisbane

50-cent fares on all public transport

Brisbane city guide →

Compare all five cities side by side → · Study in Australia guide →

Last updated: 14 November 2026, by the NEC counselling team in Kathmandu. Sources: QS World University Rankings 2027; EIU Global Liveability Index 2026; Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021 Census; Department of Home Affairs, Student visa (subclass 500) for the AUD 29,710 living-cost figure. City photos: Sydney by Benh LIEU SONG, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). Fees, rules and event dates change, so check official sites before you apply.

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