The University of New South Wales: Rankings, Courses & Admissions

UNSW has three campuses to provide quality knowledge,practical learning and excellence.

Kensington Campus: UNSW’s Main Hub

This is the largest and most active campus, just 7 km from Sydney’s city center and close to Coogee Beach. It has the most faculties, research centers, and student facilities.

Key Highlights of Kensington Campus 

• Prime Location: Well-connected to Sydney via public transport.
• Top Academic Schools: Includes Engineering, Business, Law, Science, and Arts.
• Research Excellence: Includes the Kirby Institute and University of New South Wales Quantum.
• Vibrant Student Life: 300+ student clubs, gyms, cafes, and retail outlets.
• Startup Support: Offers innovation spaces like the Michael Crouch Innovation Centre.

Other Campuses of University of New South Wales

• Paddington Campus (UNSW Art & Design):
  Located in Sydney’s creative district, this campus focuses on fine arts, media, and design. It includes studios, digital labs, and gallery spaces.
• Canberra Campus (UNSW Canberra at ADFA):
  Partnered with the Australian Defence Force Academy, this campus provides programs and research in defense, cybersecurity, and engineering.
• CBD Campus (UNSW Business School):
  Based in Sydney’s financial hub, it provides MBA programs, executive education, and short courses aligned with industry needs.

University and its campuses provides high-class education,practical skills,industry standard research opportunities.

Rankings across major ranking bodies of year 2025-26 are explored further.

Need Help with Your Application to University of New South Wales, Sydney? Book your free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad experts now.

The University of New South Wales(UNSW Sydney) is among the world's top institutions for academic value,innovation and job opportunities.Many branches like business,engineering and research programmes often receive top national and global recognition

The table below presents the rankings given to New South Wales by most celebrated Ranking Bodies.

These rankings highlight the University of New South Wales, Sydney’s name as a world-class university with a strong focus on employability, executive education, and academic leadership.

For more information on the Rankings of the University of New South Wales, visit our Ranking Page. 

University of New South Wales accepts international students for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. 

Below are the requirements for admissions.

Academic Requirements

Undergraduate (Bachelor’s programs)

• Completion of Class 12 (CBSE, ISC, or State Board)
• Minimum score of 65% to 85%, depending on the program
• Some programs like Engineering or Law may need higher marks

Postgraduate (Master’s programs)

• Recognized Bachelor’s degree (3 or 4 years)
• Minimum overall score of 60% or more
• Some programs may require relevant subjects or work experience

Note: Always check your specific course page, as some programs have additional requirements.

English Language Requirements

The following table provides the list of English Proficiency Tests required along with their minimum scores.

Note: The scores are valid for 2 years.

Required Documents

When applying, you must upload the following:

• Academic transcripts and certificates
• English test score report
• Valid passport copy
• Personal statement (if required)
• Resume or CV (for postgraduate programs)
• Portfolio (for design or architecture programs)
• Proof of work experience (if applicable)

Note: Make sure all documents are clear and in PDF format.

University of New South Wales College offers several intakes throughout the year for different programs like Diploma, Pre-Master’s, Foundation Studies, and UEEC. Each intake has its own application deadline, document submission date, and course start date.

Here is the schedule for each program.

Diploma Programs

Here is the schedule for the Diploma programs.

Pre-Master’s Program

Check the key dates for the Pre-Master’s intakes below.

Foundation Studies (Standard Foundation Program)

Here are the deadlines for the Foundation Studies program.

Note: The University English Entry Course (UEEC) has several intakes from September 2025 to May 2026. Application deadlines are usually 4 to 8 weeks before the course begins. 

New South Wales has 400+ courses. Let's explore some of the popular ones with their approx. fees.

University of New South Wales provides over 400+ UG and PG programs across 9 faculties.It has impressive global rankings and industry-related curricula and provide education to students from more than 130 countries in the world.

Top 5 Undergraduate Programs

Note: Fees are approximate and may vary based on major or stream.

Top 5 Postgraduate Programs

Note: Tuition fees are indicative and may differ by specialization or course structure.

There are two main cash components: the tuition fee of the academic programme and a rough estimate of living expenses in Sydney.

Tuition fees vary by the duration and type of program, while the cost of living depends on the lifestyle of the individual and the accommodation type.

Tuition Fees for International Students (2025)

Note: Tuition fees are subject to change and may vary based on the specific program and duration.

University of New South Wales Sydney, offers a wide range of internal scholarships to support international students across undergraduate and postgraduate programs.. 

While most scholarships are partially funded, a few may offer full tuition waivers or stipends.

Internal Scholarships

Internal scholarships at University of New South Wales are awarded directly by the university. 

These are open to high-performing international students and can help reduce financial pressure during the first year or full duration of study.

Here are some internal scholarships available for international students:

After getting the details about the Internal Scholarships, we will now have a look at the External Scholarships provided by the University of New South Wales.

External Scholarships

Apart from the options at the University of New South Wales, international students can also apply for outside scholarships offered by the Australian government or private groups.

These scholarships are tough to get but can help with more than just tuition, like living costs, travel, and insurance.

Here are some notable external scholarships:

Note: The external scholarships are considered to be more difficult to crack. Prepare before time!

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is known for helping students find good jobs after they graduate. It works closely with top companies in Australia and other countries.

UNSW also gives students strong career support, practical learning, and real-world experience to help them move smoothly from studies to work.

Career Support

Career development is built into the student journey at the University of New South Wales. The UNSW Employability team offers career coaching and a range of services designed to build your skills and confidence for the job market.

Students can access:

• One-on-one career coaching sessions
• Resume writing and interview preparation workshops
• Internship and graduate job search support
• Networking events and career expos on campus
• Online job boards and employment tools through the UNSW Career Hub

These services are available to all students from their first year through graduation and beyond.

Industry Connections

UNSW has close ties with major startups, companies and government organisations through internship programs, placement ties and research partnerships. Industry integration fields like computer, business, science, healthcare, law and engineering help to develop strong ties.

Students can take part in:

• Industry-based learning programs and work placements
• Guest lectures and mentorship from professionals
• Real-world projects as part of their coursework
• Innovation hubs and entrepreneur support on campus

These connections help students use what they learn in class to solve real-world business problems, which makes them more ready for jobs.

Top Recruiters

The placements of University of New South Wales are attractive to top employers from both Australia and globally. Although, UNSW does not publish an official employer list but the graduate employment data and alumni networks prove great outcomes.

Popular employers hiring UNSW graduates include:

• Deloitte – Graduate roles in consulting, audit, and tech
• Commonwealth Bank – Banking, finance, and data analytics
• Google – Engineering, product design, and marketing
• Accenture – Tech consulting and digital transformation
• PwC – Consulting and accounting roles
• Atlassian – Software development and product roles
• Amazon – Logistics, operations, and tech jobs
• KPMG – Finance, risk, and advisory
• BCG and McKinsey – Management consulting Arc, the student organization, runs events like O-Week, social mixers, career fairs, and weekly pop-up markets.
• You can attend workshops, language exchanges, or cultural nights throughout the year.

2. Facilities and Services

The main Kensington campus is designed for both study and relaxation.

• You’ll find quiet study spaces, tech-enabled classrooms, and 24/7 libraries.
• The campus also includes cafes, food courts, green lawns, shops, banks, and even a medical center.
• Free Wi-Fi and student lounges are available across campus.

3. Sports and Fitness

UNSW encourages students to stay healthy and active.

• The UNSW Fitness and Aquatic Centre offers a fully equipped gym, group fitness classes, and a 25-meter indoor pool.
• You can also join university sports teams or play casually on basketball courts, fields, and tennis courts.
• There are free outdoor workouts and student sports events all year round.

4. Housing Options

You can choose between on-campus and off-campus housing.

• Colleges provide private rooms, meals, events, and pastoral support.
• Microsoft – Cloud computing, AI, and software services

Graduates also find opportunities in government, non-profits, and research organizations, depending on their field of study.

The right university for the individual should never be considered by external factors like rankings.Many aspects like program choices,tuition fee,placement rates,campus environment should be considered.

Here's a brief comparison of University of New South Wales(UNSW),University of British Columbia(UBC) and University of Manchester.

The University of New South Wales offers over 400 programs, giving students more choices than the University of British Columbia (around 250) and the University of Manchester (around 200).

Its graduates earn an average salary of AUD 90,000 (around INR 49.5 lakh), which is much higher than what many international universities offer.

With a QS World University Ranking of 19 in 2025 and a graduate employment rate above 90 percent, the University of New South Wales stands out for both academic strength and career outcomes.

Compared to the other two universities, it gives students better job prospects, more study options, and stronger global recognition.

University of New South Wales warmly welcomes the students from across the world and actively connect with more than 60k students globally,offering good learnings and pleasant culture

1. Clubs and Campus Activities

UNSW has over 300 student-run clubs and societies you can join.

• These cover interests like tech, art, volunteering, and culture.
• Apartments are available with shared kitchens, study areas, and community lounges.
• Off-campus, students can rent private apartments, providing rental advice and roommate matching help.

5. Support Services

University of New South Wales offers strong support for international and domestic students.

• Free help with visa issues, housing, academic stress, and personal problems
• You can get help with counseling, health care, money problems, and legal issues.
• There are also academic writing workshops and peer mentoring to support your studies.

6. Career and Language Support

The university helps prepare you for work after graduation.

• You can get help with resume building, job search, internships, and mock interviews.
• There’s a language exchange program to practice English and learn other languages
• Workshops focus on interview skills, professional writing, and career planning.

7. A Day in the Life at University of New South Wales

This is how a day in New South Wales looks like.

• Get a coffee on campus before heading to class
• Study in the library or attend a tutorial
• Join friends for lunch at the main courtyard
• Attend a workshop, club meeting, or fitness class
• Wind down with a movie night, game night, or quiet study time

Now let's meet some of its most inspiring alumni.

UNSW have an established reputation in industries like Tech, Law, Science and Enterpreneurship. The university feels pride in students who are innovating, leading business and construction global welfare

Here are some well-known alumni of the University of New South Wales:

Now that you’ve seen how alumni from the University of New South Wales are making an impact globally, let’s see how the university compares with other top institutions.

The University of New South Wales follows a Trimester calendar with three main intakes each year. This flexible structure gives international students multiple entry points for their programs.

• Term 1: February
• Term 2: May
• Term 3: September

Application Timeline:

• Applications usually open 8–12 months before the term starts.
• Students are advised to apply at least 3–4 months in advance to ensure enough time for:
  • Receiving an offer
  • Visa processing
  • Travel and accommodation

Note: Some programs may have fixed intakes. Always check the specific course page to confirm the availability.

To know more about the Admission Process, Click Here.

As a foreign student in Sydney, the cost of living is directly proportional to the lifestyle and accommodation choice. Sydney is one of the largest cities of Australia; therefore, comparatively it has higher living expenses.

Here's an estimate of monthly costs to help you plan your finances.

Note: These amounts are estimates and can change based on your lifestyle and housing choices. It's smart to keep extra funds for unexpected expenses and currency changes.