University of Melbourne launches Melbourne Winter School 2026

The University of Melbourne has welcomed 75 students from Asia and the Pacific to its first Melbourne Winter School 2026, a two-week interdisciplinary program delivered at the University’s Parkville campus in Melbourne.

For the next fortnight, students will take part in masterclasses, Indigenous cultural learning and interdisciplinary study streams aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. They will work in teams on practical responses to sustainability and resilience challenges affecting the Asia–Pacific region.

Supported by the Victorian Government’s Yes to International Students Fund, the Melbourne Winter School reflects Victoria’s focus on welcoming international students and recognising the contribution they make to education, research and community life.

Participants travelled from nine partner universities, including Amity University Uttar Pradeh (India), Korea University, Mahidol University (Thailand), Shoolini University (India), Solomon Islands National University, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Indonesia), Universitas Indonesia, the University of Madras (India), and the University of the South Pacific.

The program combines classroom learning with field visits across the city and the chance to experience Melbourne’s laneways, cafes, galleries, live music and festivals, alongside the day-to-day rhythm of studying in a diverse campus community in Australia’s No.1 and the world’s No.5 student city (QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2026).

For many participants, the program marks a first experience of studying away from home, and for some, a first time overseas. Alongside academic work, students will spend time exploring Melbourne and building friendships and intercultural confidence through shared classes and group projects.

University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global, Culture and Engagement) Professor Michael Wesley said the Melbourne Winter School brings students together to learn from each other as much as from the curriculum.

“International students strengthen the University in very practical ways; they bring different experiences, languages and ways of thinking that lift the learning environment for everyone," he said.

“Melbourne Winter School gives students the chance to work side by side, in person, on issues that matter across our region, and to build the kinds of relationships and networks that often shape what they do next. We’re pleased to welcome them to our University and to Melbourne.”

The Victorian Government is proud to support this initiative as part of the Yes to International Students Fund, recognising the important contribution international students make to our community and boosting Victoria’s global education reputation.

The Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, Mr Steve Dimopoulos, said: “We proudly backed this initiative because international students strengthen our global reputation, drive economic growth, build international connections, contribute to innovations that power our future and are a valued part of our community.”

Armaan Bhardwaj, a student studying Business Administration at Amity University, said: “I’ve never done anything like this before, which is what makes it so exciting. It’s my first time in Melbourne, and I’m really looking forward to making new friends and working together.”

Soane Tupola, a Law student at the University of the South Pacific, echoed his excitement and shared how glad he is to be part of the interdisciplinary program.

"Learning alongside students from around the world and Australia, each bringing different perspectives and experiences, will be incredibly valuable. I’m also very eager to learn from leading researchers at the University of Melbourne,” Mr Tupola said.

Melbourne Winter School will run over the next two weeks, with students continuing classes and field visits across Melbourne before presenting their project work at the program’s conclusion.