The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) : Rankings, Fees & Courses Details | Top Universities
Ranking

# 19QS World University Rankings

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161Undergraduate programs

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155Postgraduate programs

International

16420International students

About The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)

  • Global Top 20: ranked 19th university worldwide
  • Six subjects ranked in the top 20 worldwide
  • Employable graduates: ranked first in Australia and 29th globally for employment outcomes
  • 11th in the world for contributing to sustainability

UNSW Sydney is a world-leading teaching and research powerhouse recognised by employers and organisations around the globe. Ranked in the top 20 universities worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2025, UNSW is dedicated to bringing the brightest brains together and creating a better future for everyone. From public health, climate science and sustainable cities, to human rights, the progress that the UNSW community makes can improve people's lives worldwide. UNSW ensures students receive a truly hands-on and career-focused education to uncover their full potential. Students discover and grow their strengths through life-changing experiences and inspirational mentoring from world-renowned academics.

Our graduates are among the most employable in the world. Through UNSW's strong connections with industry worldwide, students gain key skills and experiences and learn from internationally recognised academics and expert practitioners. UNSW graduates earn the highest median salaries of Australia’s Group of Eight (Go8) universities. A strong culture of entrepreneurship propels UNSW to the number one ranking in the country for the largest number of new startup and spinout companies founded through technology developed at the University. 

UNSW is a pioneer of interdisciplinary research in fields such as inequality, clean energy, and healthcare. The University is at the forefront of key developments in solar power and quantum computing technology. Breakthrough medical research at UNSW has led to significant increases in IVF and heart transplant success rates around the world. UNSW is ranked the third best in Australia in sustainability for its commitment to tackling global environmental, social and governance challenges.

UNSW has multiple campuses in Sydney, which has been ranked the 6th most student-friendly city in the world. UNSW also has campuses in Australia’s capital city of Canberra. 

About The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)

  • Global Top 20: ranked 19th university worldwide
  • Six subjects ranked in the top 20 worldwide
  • Employable graduates: ranked first in Australia and 29th globally for employment outcomes
  • 11th in the world for contributing to sustainability

UNSW Sydney is a world-leading teaching and research powerhouse recognised by employers and organisations around the globe. Ranked in the top 20 universities worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2025, UNSW is dedicated to bringing the brightest brains together and creating a better future for everyone. From public health, climate science and sustainable cities, to human rights, the progress that the UNSW community makes can improve people's lives worldwide. UNSW ensures students receive a truly hands-on and career-focused education to uncover their full potential. Students discover and grow their strengths through life-changing experiences and inspirational mentoring from world-renowned academics.

Our graduates are among the most employable in the world. Through UNSW's strong connections with industry worldwide, students gain key skills and experiences and learn from internationally recognised academics and expert practitioners. UNSW graduates earn the highest median salaries of Australia’s Group of Eight (Go8) universities. A strong culture of entrepreneurship propels UNSW to the number one ranking in the country for the largest number of new startup and spinout companies founded through technology developed at the University. 

UNSW is a pioneer of interdisciplinary research in fields such as inequality, clean energy, and healthcare. The University is at the forefront of key developments in solar power and quantum computing technology. Breakthrough medical research at UNSW has led to significant increases in IVF and heart transplant success rates around the world. UNSW is ranked the third best in Australia in sustainability for its commitment to tackling global environmental, social and governance challenges.

UNSW has multiple campuses in Sydney, which has been ranked the 6th most student-friendly city in the world. UNSW also has campuses in Australia’s capital city of Canberra. 

Available programs

An undergraduate degree at UNSW Sydney is your passport to opportunities around the world. UNSW prepares you for career success with a rich blend of theory and practice. Award-winning teachers bring employers into state-of-the-art classrooms and our programs provide practical experiences with industry leaders.

Faculties

UNSW Sydney offers bachelor degrees (3-4 years) and dual and combined degrees (4-7 years) across nine faculties (see below) or checkout our Degree Finder to explore and compare what's on offer. 

Career Success

Ranked 27th in the world for graduate employability (QS 2019), UNSW knows what it takes to create future leaders. Our alumni community is 300,000 strong with graduates working or having worked for some of the biggest companies in the world including Google, Penguin, Ernst& Young, PayPal, Rio Tinto, HSBC, NASA and Oxfam.

Our extensive range of Work Integrated Learning units enable you to gain first-hand industry experience as you gain credit towards your degree.   We also provide direct access to leaders in specialised industry workshops, project work or work experience opportunities.

Got a start-up idea or dream of becoming an entrepreneur? We are the #1 University attended by Australian start up founders (Startup Muster2018) and offer Australia's most comprehensive on-campus entrepreneurship program.

Bachelor of Arts

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Bachelor of Media

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A postgraduate degree at UNSW Sydney is your opportunity to tackle the world’s challenges alongside the brightest minds in the country. Close partnerships with government and industry mean our researchers benefit from knowledge sharing and better realise commercial breakthroughs.

Faculties

Postgraduate coursework (1-2 years) and research (2-4 years) programs, including Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Master’s Degrees, are offered across the eight faculties listed below or visit our website to investigate and compare what's on offer.

Research

UNSW is first in Australia for research quality, with more top ratings in broad fields of research than any other Australian university (2018 Excellence in Research in Australia report).  From powering the future to providing clean drinking water and developing lifesaving HIV drugs and cancer therapies, our research innovations have helped to change the world and are helping pave the way to a better tomorrow.

Our researchers have world-class research facilities at their disposal such as the Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre featuring custom-built laboratories for the study of biological, chemical and physical materials.  

Postgraduate research candidates undertake research through supervision with some of Australia's best minds.

Master of Design

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Juris Doctor

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Master of Laws

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University information

Undergraduate study

For undergraduate study at UNSW, there is more than one way to meet the academic entry requirements. These include high school studies, foundation studies, recognised prior study and a university transfer. Find more information on international entry requirements and learn more about academic entry requirements of a specific program via UNSW Degree Pages.

Postgraduate study

For postgraduate study at UNSW, students are generally required to have completed undergraduate studies at a higher education institution. Find more information on international entry requirements and academic entry requirements of a specific program via UNSW Degree Pages.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you may be required to provide evidence that your English language ability meets UNSW requirements. There are several ways to satisfy English language requirements, including taking a recognised English language test, taking  a University English Entry Course (UEEC), proving prior study in English, or applying for an English waiver if applicable.

Learn more about English language requirements and English requirements of a specific program via UNSW Degree Pages.

Other qualifications

In addition to university English preparation courses and English tests, UNSW also accepts several academic qualifications for its English language requirements. Students should have completed all qualifications no more than two years from their year of commencement of study (excluding students from Sweden, Denmark or Norway, who can produce results four years prior to their commencement year of study at UNSW).

Bachelor

1130+
75+
6.5+
90+

Master

550+
6.5+
90+

UNSW Sydney’s main Kensington campus has everything a student needs, from cafes and restaurants, to ATMs, a supermarket, sporting facilities and medical services. There are outdoor study areas and indoor computer labs, as well as free Wi-Fi.

Campus facilities

UNSW’s campus is in Kensington a friendly, multicultural, inner-city suburb ideally located between the beach and the city so you’ll get the best of what Sydney has to offer.
There are trains, buses and light rail options that run from UNSW’s campuses throughout Sydney. Explore the city by light rail in 20 minutes or visit beautiful Coogee beach just 8 minutes away by bus.

There are a variety of cafes and restaurants, shops, healthcare services and amenities including supermarket, post office, libraries, sports fields, a fitness and aquatic centre and award-winning student accommodation on campus that will meet your everyday needs.

Study areas

Students can choose to work in one of UNSW’s many indoor computer labs or outdoor study areas. Power outlets are available indoors and outdoors and students have access to free Wi-Fi across the campus, so they can connect to family and friends, day and night.

Paddington campus

The Paddington campus is home to UNSW’s School of Art & Design. It’s an exciting and stimulating precinct in a hip inner-city location. Designed around a central courtyard, the campus houses museum-standard galleries, state-of-the-art workshops, open studios, private workspaces, research and digital labs, student lounges and spaces for collaboration.

Canberra campus

UNSW Canberra is home to the Australian Defence Force Academy. The campus includes a large library, computing facilities and labs, sports facilities and recreations spaces, a bookshop, cafe, hairdresser, dry-cleaner and florist.

35,933
74%
26%
16,420
63%
37%
3,321
43%
57%

Student life

There are more than 330 student clubs at UNSW, ranging from academic and cultural interests to sports and hobbies. Students make lifelong friends, find companions from their home countries and meet new people from all over the world, including local Australian students.

UNSW’s dedicated Cultural Mentor Program helps new international students settle in, to life and study in Sydney. 

UNSW Sydney produces some of the most employable graduates in the world. Through the University’s strong connections with industry worldwide, students gain skills and learn from internationally renowned academics and expert practitioners. UNSW is ranked 29th in the world and 1st in Australia for employment outcomes.

UNSW graduates also have the highest rate of graduate full-time employment and the highest median salaries of Sydney-based Group of Eight (Go8) universities. UNSW has had more students in the top 100 future leaders list than any other Australian university for five years in a row from 2020 to 2024. 

Our graduates work with some of the world’s most reputable companies and global organisations, such as NASA, Microsoft, Ernst & Young, Google, Unilever, HSBC, UNESCO, Rio Tinto and Oxfam.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL)

UNSW embeds work integrated learning into its programs, enabling students to work directly with industry and gain real-world experience as part of their university studies. Work integrated learning is offered with partner organisations in Australia and around the world. Students earn credits from the professional experience including internships, clinics, collaborating on projects, and more. There are faculty-based WIL opportunities as well as central WIL courses to help students build their leadership and employability skills.

Find out more about Work Integrated Learning.

Post-study working in Australia 

International students who completed their studies at UNSW may consider applying for a Temporary Graduate visa if they wish to work in Australia after graduation. Applicants could be granted permission to live and work in Australia for two to four years, depending on their qualification.

More information can be found on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.

“Coming out of uni there were so many transferrable skills like being a good communicator, a team member and presenting well. These kinds of skills that you’ve built up over the years studying here [UNSW] are so easily transferrable into the workforce.” - Catherine Hu, UNSW Business School Alumna and Customer Solutions Manager for TikTok

Tuition fee and scholarships

One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.

In this guide you will find:
opportunities

Where to look for scholarship opportunities

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How to apply to scholarships relevant to you

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A list of available scholarships around the world

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A scholarship application checklist

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Rankings & ratings

The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) is one of the top public universities in Sydney, Australia. It is ranked #19 in QS World University Rankings 2025.

QS World University Rankings

  • 2012
    #52
  • 2014
    #52
  • 2015
    #48
  • 2016
    #=46
  • 2017
    #=49
  • 2018
    #45
  • 2019
    #45
  • 2020
    #43
  • 2021
    #44
  • 2022
    #43
  • 2023
    #45
  • 2024
    #=19
  • 2025
    #19

Videos & media

Videos & media

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Campus locations

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FAQs

Offers to UNSW are based on academic merit and you’ll need to meet academic entry requirements and English language requirements to receive an offer from UNSW. You can check entry requirements for your desired UNSW degree via UNSW Degree pages.


To apply, you’ll need to provide relevant documents to prove you have met the requirements, such as copies of your award certificate, academic transcript, proof of citizenship and proof of English language proficiency. 


UNSW accepts a number of international qualifications, including some international high school certificates, UNSW-recognised foundation programs or prior tertiary studies. Find out more.

Applying to UNSW is simple. You can submit a formal application through the UNSW Apply Online portal.


If you lodge an application online, create an Apply Online account and log in to start a new application. Follow the steps and upload all the required documents to complete the application process. You may need to upload copies of your award certificate, academic transcript, proof of citizenship and proof of English language proficiency.


There is no limit on the number of applications you submit. However, each application may attract a non-refundable application fee of A$150.


Don’t forget to check application closing dates for each intake before applying. Subject to available places, we may close applications early or accept applications submitted after the closing date. Refer to Apply Online FAQs if you have questions.

UNSW offers a range of scholarships to international students. We encourage you to explore our website for scholarships and awards that you might be eligible for.


You will need to apply for your preferred degree first through the Apply Online portal. The Admissions team will send you a Student ID number to apply for scholarships. You can find information regarding registering your Scholarships account here. For further advice on Scholarships please contact the UNSW Scholarships team at [email protected]

As the #1 Australian university for Employment Outcomes UNSW has a dedicated Employability team which provides students with advice and guidance on enhancing their employability skills through individual career coaching, industry mentoring and career development programs.


While international students can apply for all UNSW Employability programs, the Professional Development Program is specifically designed for international students. By participating in this program, you will learn about Australian workplace culture, recruitment tips and employer expectations. You can choose to do a workplace placement or conduct a real-life workplace project at the end of the program.


Apart from these university-wide career resources, UNSW faculties also provide career support to their students. For example, industrial training for Engineering students, Career Accelerator @UNSW Business School, and the UNSW Law & Justice careers service.

As an international student, you’ll have access to a range of support services from the moment you arrive in Australia to help you feel safe, confident and free to make the most of your time here.


Before travelling you can access UNSW’s concierge services to find safe and convenient accommodation in Sydney.  By signing up for the Cultural Mentoring Program you will be teamed up with a mentor who will provide useful tips for a smooth trip and help you settle into life in Sydney here. 


On arrival in Sydney, UNSW’s free airport pick-up service will welcome you from the moment you land. The International Student Welcome Centre details all the support and activities dedicated to commencing international students. 


Find out more about other student support available from International Student Support

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