Finding the perfect study spot can make all the difference when it comes to productivity and focus. At the University of Melbourne, there’s no shortage of classic go-to libraries and bustling student lounges, but the campus also hides a treasure trove of secret nooks and scenic corners that deserve some love. Whether you’re a crammer by night or a daylight studier, we’ve rounded up the best hidden gems to smash out those assignments or simply romanticise your study sesh.
1. Baillieu Library Basement
🧠 Vibes: Cosy, old-school academia
Everyone knows Baillieu is the OG library of UniMelb – but the real MVP is the basement. Tucked away below the main floors, this underrated haven is where serious study energy thrives. Think vintage wooden desks, dim lighting, and the gentle hum of concentration. Bonus points if you snag a seat in one of the windowless study nooks – perfect for going full hermit mode.
📍 Pro Tip: BYO snacks and keep a sneaky stash of chocolate bars to fuel your marathon sessions.
2. South Lawn
🌿 Vibes: Nature therapy meets study grind
When Melbourne turns on that rare sunny charm, South Lawn is the ultimate outdoor study spot. Picture yourself sprawled under a shady tree, laptop out, the smell of freshly cut grass wafting through the air. It’s practically an Instagram flat-lay waiting to happen. Just don’t fall into the trap of napping under the sun – we’ve all been there.
📸 Pro Tip: Head there in the morning for peak serenity before the lunchtime picnickers roll in.
3. Old Quad
🏛️ Vibes: Harry Potter meets Melbourne chic
If you’re the kind of person who thrives in aesthetic environments, the Old Quad courtyard will have you romanticising your degree in no time. With its sandstone archways, trickling fountains, and the occasional distant church bell ringing – it’s giving European summer, but make it Melbourne.
🍵 Pro Tip: Grab a coffee from Standing Room before you settle in.
4. Law Library
⚖️ Vibes: Silent, serious, studious
Non-law students, listen up – this is your invitation to infiltrate the hallowed halls of the Melbourne Law School. The Law Library is criminally underrated by the wider student population. With endless rows of books, individual study carrels, and near-religious silence, it’s the perfect spot to grind out those word counts.
🚨 Pro Tip: Pretend you’re working on a groundbreaking legal case even if you’re just doing first-year psych notes.
5. Eastern Resource Centre (ERC)
📚 Vibes: Retro futurism meets low-key productivity
The ERC is that weird, brutalist building everyone forgets about – which is exactly why it’s one of the quietest study spots on campus. The top floors have some of the best natural light on campus, and the desks by the windows offer a solid view of the city skyline. It’s a little bit vintage, a little bit dystopian, and weirdly charming.
🎧 Pro Tip: Plug into a lo-fi beats playlist and channel your inner cyberpunk academic.
6. Arts West Building
🎨 Vibes: Modern, light-filled, Instagrammable
Arts West is what happens when a Pinterest board meets campus architecture. With floor-to-ceiling windows, study pods, and scattered cushions, this is the spot if you’re after a little natural light therapy while you study. Plus, the building’s design basically screams “I’m an intellectual but also aesthetically aware.”
📍 Pro Tip: Head to the upper floors for the best quiet nooks.
7. Giblin Eunson Library
💸 Vibes: Corporate chic meets productivity temple
Located in the Faculty of Business and Economics, the Giblin Eunson Library feels like the kind of place where finance bros and future CEOs get stuff done. But don’t be intimidated – this library has some of the comfiest study booths on campus, plus plenty of power points for those long-haul sessions.
☕ Pro Tip: Treat yourself to a coffee from Seven Seeds nearby as your pre-study ritual.
8. The Spot
🏙️ Vibes: Corporate minimalist with a side of caffeine
The Spot isn’t just for commerce kids – it’s for anyone who wants a chic, modern study space with strong coffee game. There are quiet study rooms, plenty of seating, and a café downstairs to keep the caffeine flowing. If you’re a fan of clean lines and industrial aesthetics, this one’s for you.
📍 Pro Tip: The rooftop terrace is one of the best-kept secrets on campus.
9. Graduate House
🎓 Vibes: Mature, peaceful, low-key exclusive
If you’re a postgrad or know someone who can sneak you in, Graduate House is like UniMelb’s members-only club for studious types. With plush armchairs, hushed vibes, and free tea and coffee, it’s the kind of place where you half expect to bump into a professor writing their magnum opus.
🍷 Pro Tip: They do wine nights on Thursdays if you need a little post-study debrief.
10. Union House
🍔 Vibes: Nostalgic, communal, slightly chaotic
Union House is chaotic good energy at its finest. While everyone else is fighting for a seat at Castro’s Kiosk, head upstairs to the quieter lounge areas. There’s something weirdly comforting about the old couches and mismatched tables – like a relic of student life that refuses to die.
🍕 Pro Tip: Power through your readings, then reward yourself with a cheeky kebab from Zambrero downstairs.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re after serious silence or scenic vibes, UniMelb’s hidden gems offer something for every type of studious soul. Next time you’re on campus, ditch the crowded libraries and explore these underrated spots – your WAM (and Instagram feed) will thank you.
Happy studying! 📚✨
Inside The University of Melbourne 