Live, Study & Grow in Melbourne’s West: UniLodge VU Meets the New Footscray Hospital Precinct
Melbourne’s inner-west is entering an exciting new chapter.
At the heart of this transformation is the new Footscray Hospital, a major health, education, and research hub set to reshape the western suburbs. The precinct is set for competition at the end of the year, opening to the public in February 2026. The new precinct will feature a mix of retail, commercial and specialist health services, including cafes, a pharmacy, gym, convenience store and a range of private health clinics.
Retailers confirmed so far include:
- Health Smart Pharmacy
- Alleyway Kitchen
- Milk & Moss
- Koolbeanz Academy Childcare Centre
For students studying at Victoria University – or anyone wanting to live close to a growing health and education precinct – this development represents a huge opportunity. And with UniLodge VU located directly across from VU’s Footscray Park campus, students can now live in one of Melbourne’s most connected inner-west locations for study, lifestyle, and future career pathways.
Image sourced from www.plenary.com.
Table of Contents
- Does the new Footscray hospital mean anything for students?
- How does the new hospital benefit students at VU?
- Is Footscray a good suburb to live in while studying?
- Why is UniLodge in Footscray a great option for students?
Does the new Footscray hospital mean anything for students?
The new Footscray Hospital is one of Victoria’s largest ever health infrastructure projects.
Located on the corner of Geelong and Ballarat Roads, the facility will include more than 500 inpatient beds, a significantly expanded Emergency Department, and modern spaces dedicated to clinical training, teaching and medical research.
Importantly, the development has a formal partnership with Victoria University. A planned pedestrian footbridge will directly link the hospital site to Victoria University’s Footscray Park campus, allowing seamless access between classrooms, research labs, and real-world clinical environments. This makes the precinct one of the most unique education-to-industry pathways in Melbourne. Particularly for students studying:
- Nursing
- Allied health
- Biomedical science
- Paramedicine
- Sports and exercise science
...and other health-related fields!
How does this hospital benefit students at VU?
- Access to placements, internships, and hands-on learning opportunities right next door to campus.
- Growing precinct backed by long-term investment in healthcare, research, and training.
- Networking potential with practicing clinicians, researchers, and health-sector employers.
- Location with expanding career opportunities in Melbourne’s fastest-growing region.
Is Footscray a good suburb to live in while studying?
The short answer is yes. Footscray is transforming into a major education and health hub, making it more than just an ordinary suburb.
It sits close to the city while offering more affordable housing than typical Melbourne CBD rentals, which benefits both domestic and international students. Victoria University’s campus adds to the area’s appeal, creating a vibrant, student-friendly community.
Footscray offers plenty of cafés, reliable transport, bustling markets, and rich cultural diversity. Its affordability and supportive environment make it ideal for international students seeking connection, and it’s especially convenient for VU students studying health, science, or sport.
Your Student Home in Footscray: UniLodge VU
Located on campus at Victoria University’s Footscray Park campus, UniLodge VU offers fully furnished, all-inclusive student apartments in a friendly, student-focused community. It’s one of the most convenient accommodation options for students who want to live close to study, transport, shops, green spaces and the new hospital precinct.
UniLodge VU Includes:
- Fully furnished rooms
- Weekly rent that includes utilities, unlimited Wi-Fi, and 24/7 secure access.
- A choice of room types: from studios to multi-share apartments
- Rooftop terrace with BBQ, cinema/games room, basketball half-court, study lounges and social spaces
- Tram 82 at the door, Footscray Station nearby, and just 5km to Melbourne CBD
With more students expected to live and study in Footscray as the precinct grows, demand for student-first, walk-to-campus accommodation continues to rise — so securing a room gives you a major advantage.
Why is UniLodge in Footscray a great option for students?
Studying in the health or medical field can be intense — long hours, late-night study blocks, early-morning placements, and the pressure of balancing lectures, lab work, self-study and hospital time. That’s why where you live matters just as much as where you study. Living at UniLodge VU means you’re not spending time commuting across Melbourne to get to campus or placement. You’re based right where everything happens — across from Victoria University and within walking distance of the new Footscray Hospital precinct. Less time travelling = more time to study, rest, socialise, and reset.
Made for students like you:
- Fully furnished rooms with built-in study spaces
- Fast, reliable Wi-Fi for research, placements and online classes
- Quiet study areas + shared lounges so you can choose your focus space
- On-campus location removes the stress of long public transport commutes
It’s the difference between “just renting a room” and actually having a community around you.
Student living with built in support
- Live independently but never alone
- Onsite team available 24/7 for safety and support
- Resident Assistants help new students settle in
- A mix of private and shared spaces to suit your lifestyle and personality
For students facing long study blocks, shifts, clinical assessments or placement rotations, having a home that is both close and supportive can be a huge factor in staying focused, staying well and actually enjoying the experience.
Where to Learn More about UniLodge VU?
When your degree demands a lot from you, where you live should make life easier — not harder. That’s why more VU students are choosing UniLodge VU.
To learn more, visit the property website today!