Australian National University: Rankings, Courses & Admissions

Australian National University operates through two campuses and a few specialised facilities, each contributing to its academic and research excellence. The main Acton campus and the field and observatory sites offer students diverse environments to learn and discover.

Acton Campus

The Acton campus in Canberra is the Australian National University’s primary campus. It is a 145-hectare campus with vast grounds, state of the art research facilities, and historical buildings. It is where the colleges, student residences, libraries, and administrative offices of the Australian National University are situated.

Popularity:

• It is where all seven colleges of ANU are situated, which includes all its flagship colleges
• It also hosts national research centres like the Crawford School of Public Policy and the ANU Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics, which make it a very conducive environment for students to pursue their respective fields of studies.

Unique Features:

• The Acton campus has the old heritage buildings of ANU alongside the new cutting edge infrastructure of the university, like the award-winning Kambri precinct.
• It also offers cultural venues like the Drill Hall Gallery and sporting facilities integrated into campus life, making it a very engaging space for students, allowing them multiple opportunities around the campus to collaborate and interact.

Location:

• It is situated in Canberra, the Australian Capital Territory, and is very close to Parliament House, national museums, and diplomatic missions. The proximity to such prominent sites is very helpful for students of ANU.
• The campus has excellent transport connectivity, which makes it easier for students to navigate the city in general.

Kioloa Coastal Campus

The Kioloa Coastal Campus has been the coastal field campus of the Australian National University since 1975. The campus's primary purpose is to provide residential field work space, space for outdoor workshops, and research projects. 

The campus is a magnificent 348 hectares and is focused on outdoor learning experiences for ANU students. The campus has facilities that support short and long-term research projects, undergraduate/postgraduate field trips and other cultural and educational activities.

Location: New South Wales, Australia.

Mount Stromlo Observatory

Mount Stromlo Observatory is where the ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics is based. The observatory is vast and spans over an area of 81 hectares on the summit of Canberra's Mt Stromlo. 

Key research facilities like the administrative centre, the offices of the astronomers and students, the mechanical, electronic and optical workshops, and the computer laboratories are all situated in MSO.

Location: Mount Stromlo, Australian Capital Territory

Siding Spring Observatory

The Siding Spring Observatory is the largest optical observatory in Australia. It is one of the most important sites for astronomy, astrophysics and space science in Australia. It was established in 1964 and is situated 1,165 meters above sea level.

The site has several active telescopes owned by the Australian National University. The site is also holds the Anglo-Australian Telescope. Furthermore, many international research telescopes and commercially operated telescopes are operated from this site and is known as Australia's foremost optical and infrared observatory. The site spans over 151 hectares and is situated at the summit of Mount Woorut. 

Location: Coonabarabran, Australia

With steady ranks in the major world league tables, the ANU candles the most prestigious management institute in the world. In QS rankings, from final position number 34 in 2024, the ANU found itself at number 30 in 2025 and slipped to 32 in 2026, suggesting steady international approval. 

In the THE ranking, ANU had been gradually declining in position, sitting down at 62 in 2023, 73 in 2025, and then dropping out of the list in 2026, maybe because Taiwanese universities have been increasingly saturated or because of some reporting issues. 

US News, meanwhile, reflected a prominent drop for the university from 62 in 2023 down to 86 in 2025, with the institution no longer ranked in 2026. So in general terms, the ANU has strong global standing; yet, the recent minority of years' dent downward trends indicate reinforcing metrics of research impact, international outlook, and academic reputation to stay up there.

Given below, we have discussed some key rankings of the Australian National University. 

Australian National University welcomes international students worldwide with a clear and structured application process. Undergraduate applicants need to meet academic entry standards such as the All India Senior School Certificate requirements, while postgraduate applicants must hold a recognised university qualification.

Once you receive your offer of admission from ANU, you must submit documents like a valid passport and evidence of funds to apply for an Australian student visa.

Here are the admission requirements to study at ANU:

Note: The score requirements are averages, and more competitive programs might require higher scores. Furthermore, different programs might have additional requirements; it is advised to check course-specific pages for more details.

English Proficiency Requirements for the Australian National University

The English proficiency requirements are really important for ANU due to all its courses being taught in English, and the university accepts multiple proofs for proficiency and has varied standards for UG and PG students.

Given below are the English proficiency requirements for ANU:

Undergraduate Requirements:

Postgraduate Requirements

Intakes at the Australian National University

ANU offers two major intakes each year, giving international students flexibility to plan their studies and visa arrangements effectively.

Semester 1 (February)

This is the primary intake and the most popular among international students. It offers the widest range of programs, proper orientation activities, and a bustling enviornment on the campus, as most new students begin their college in this term.

Semester 2 (July)

This intake is perfect for students who prefer a mid-year start or need additional time for visa processing. This intake provides a wide range of programs and a smooth transition for those coming from a different academic calendar.

Note: Specific start dates may vary by program. Always confirm the exact dates for your chosen course.

Admission Dates and Deadlines

ANU has two main application periods for each semester. Given below are the key details of the timelines:

Australian National University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses recognised globally for academic excellence and they are also known for their research strength, which is exemplified by the university producing 6 Nobel laureates. The university’s programs are academically excellent, which is proven by the fact that the university is ranked 8th by QS WUR by subjects. Given below are the top programs from the Australian National University.

Top 5 undergraduate courses:

Top 5 postgraduate courses:

Note: The fees mentioned here are indicative; the fees of ANU are based on multiple factors, and the exact amount is only calculated at the application stage. So, please check your specific course details with the university for accurate numbers.

Australian National University is one of Australia’s top public universities, offering globally recognised undergraduate and postgraduate programs, which are also highly ranked like 8th by QS WUR by subject. Tuition fees vary by program and depend on multiple other factors, and international students also have to account for additional costs such as student services fees and living expenses and basic amenities in a country like Australia.

Below is an overview of the estimated tuition fees for international students, along with additional charges.​

Here’s the table for the tuition fees and additional charges at The Australian National University: 

Note: The fees mentioned here are indicative; the fees of ANU are based on multiple factors, and the exact amount is only calculated at the application stage. So, please check your specific course details with the university for accurate numbers.

In addition to the tuition fee, you need to pay for accommodation, tuition, and academic materials. Let’s find out the cost involved.

Cost of Living

Cost of living in Australia depends on your lifestyle, but the main expenses usually include accommodation, food, and course materials. If you live off-campus, you’ll also need to budget for transportation.

Here are the additional costs involved in studying at the Australian National University:

Note: These figures are estimates, and actual expenses may vary. It's recommended to plan your budget accordingly and consider potential fluctuations in living costs.

The Australian National University supports student career outcomes through structured internship programs, career coaching, and industry‑engaged academic programs. Students are provided opportunities to build experience with government, policy, industry, research and community organizations while studying their respective courses. Early engagement with the university’s Careers & Employability cell is strongly recommended.

Career Support

The Australian National University aims to help their students prepare for the job market through their Careers and Employability cell. The cell provides the following facilities to the students:

• Workshops: These workshops are based on various topics that might help a student prepare for the job market, like career counselling, resume preparation etc.
• One on one career consultations: The university, through its experts, helps and guides the students towards the most suited career path for them.
• Application support: The university has schemes like Career Central, which help students with applications.

Internships and co-op opportunities

Internships at the Australian National University are classed as work-integrated learning and often function as credit based courses designed in collaboration with employers. Students can also pursue self-sourced internships outside for credit options for their course. Both pathways are supposed to build experience and can be competitive in their own right. 

Featured opportunities:

• Australian National Internships Program (ANIP): These are research-focused placements with the Commonwealth Parliament, ACT Assembly, government agencies, diplomatic missions, NGOs and policy groups, etc., so students can gain work experience in the bureaucratic space.
• College internship streams: A lot of colleges in the Australian National University run internship courses that develop professional skills through structured projects and employer engagement. 

Top Recruiters

The following is a concise list of all the top recruiters of the Australian National University from multiple sectors.

After all the primary academic details, now let's take a look at the student life of the Australian National University.

Student life at the Australian National University is dynamic and inclusive, blending academic excellence with a vibrant social and cultural environment. With more than 200 clubs and societies under the ANU Students’ Association, students have countless opportunities to engage beyond the classroom.

Diverse Clubs and Communities

• Cultural and Social Clubs: Celebrate diversity through cultural societies and international student associations, fostering global connections.
• Academic and Professional Societies: Join faculty-based clubs, debate societies, and career networks to enhance your academic and professional development.
• Special Interest Groups: Explore interests ranging from performing arts to sustainability initiatives and gaming communities.

Campus Facilities & Sports

• ANU offers state-of-the-art sports facilities, including a fully equipped gym, swimming pool, fitness studios, and outdoor courts for basketball, tennis, and soccer.
• Students can participate in inter-hall sporting events and recreational clubs for activities like hiking and rowing.

Events & Campus Life

• Annual events like O-Week, cultural festivals, and networking nights keep the campus buzzing year-round.
• Students also enjoy access to music venues, art galleries, and theatres, reinforcing ANU’s strong arts culture.

The Australian National University graduates have made their mark in politics, law, economics, diplomacy, and public policy, holding influential roles across the globe. Here are some notable alumni of the Australian National University:

Choosing the right university is one of the most critical decisions for students aspiring to study in Australia. To help you make an informed choice, let’s compare Australian National University (ANU) with two of its biggest competitors: University of Melbourne and University of Sydney.

Note: The tuition fee is calculated as the average for top programs.

ANU stands out with 300+ programs across disciplines, offering greater variety compared to UQ (350+) and UWA (250+). This highlights ANU’s emphasis on research-driven and globally relevant education.

Graduate salary outcomes further strengthen ANU’s position, with an average salary of AUD 90,000 (₹49.5L), higher than UQ’s AUD 84,000 (₹46.2L) and UWA’s AUD 80,000 (₹44L).

The Australian National University offers a wide range of scholarships. The benefits of these scholarships are varied, as some provide tuition fee reductions, some offer cash stipends, some travel support, or large discipline‑targeted awards. 

Most of these are automatically considered when you apply for admission. But you should always review eligibility and deadlines on the official ANU scholarship page before applying for any of them.

Internal Scholarships

Internal scholarships at the Australian National University are supported through the university’s budget, private donations, and public grants. These universities help thousands of students to fund their higher education and are very important for them. The details aof these internal scholarships are given below: 

Note: INR conversions are indicative. Check current exchange rates for accurate figures.

ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship

It is a large tuition fee waiver program for new international students. The Awards are grouped by region and study level. Most categories provide a 25 per cent tuition reduction, and some even offer 50 per cent. 

This specific program is not available for the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD) or the Master of Military and Defence Studies course students. Total of about 200 awards across categories. Selection is by academic merit, and applicants are automatically processed after receiving an eligible offer from ANU.

External Scholarships

ANU has an external funding directory that links to scholarships offered by governments, industry groups, foundations, and partner organizations on their website. These scholarships can support tuition, living costs, research travel, or discipline‑specific study. Always check each external provider’s website for current values and eligibility.

​Placement rates are a key indicator of academic outcomes at the Australian National University. Let's explore the placement rates at SRH University of Applied Sciences in more detail.