Contents
UNSW admission at a glance
You apply to UNSW through the UNSW Applicant Portal or a UNSW agent, unless you take the IB Diploma, an Australian school-leaving certificate or NZ NCEA Level 3, in which case you apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Applications to all 2027 intakes are open, the online application costs A$150, and the 2026 lowest selection rank was 83.0 for the Bachelor of Science.
This page is the short version of the University of New South Wales (UNSW) admission process for an applicant from abroad. The chapters after it give the detail on each point. UNSW says Applications to all 2027 intakes are open, so a start in 2027 is still possible, but some programmes may be full, as the third rule below shows.
Which route you use
UNSW treats you as an international student if you are not an Australian or New Zealand citizen, a permanent resident of Australia or a holder of a permanent Australian humanitarian visa. If you hold the IB Diploma, an Australian school-leaving certificate or NCEA Level 3, UNSW sends you to UAC, not to its own portal. Everyone else submits the form and documents in the UNSW Applicant Portal, or works with a local UNSW agent who guides the application.
Tests and the rules that catch applicants out
UNSW does not state a general SAT or ACT requirement on the pages we checked, and we found no rule for US diploma holders, so confirm that on your degree page. Some degrees add their own selection step: UNSW lists Music, Law, Medicine, Aviation, Co-op and UNSW Canberra programs. The Bachelor of Aviation (Flying) requires you to pass the Aviation Aptitude Admission Test (AAT) and hold a CASA Class 1 medical certificate.
Three rules catch international applicants out. First, IB, Australian school-leaving certificate and NCEA students use UAC. Second, on English tests, UNSW says The new TOEFL format is currently under review and is not being accepted until further notice, and for IELTS Online version is not accepted. Third, UNSW says Some programs are at capacity for 2026 intakes and new applications are closed to New Overseas Student Commencement (NOSC), so a late applicant can lose a place in a full programme.
The real bar
UNSW issues offers on the basis of Selection Rank (ATAR plus Adjustment Factors). The lowest selection rank is the lowest score that received an offer, so it is an indicative guide to a year's entry, not a promise for 2027.
For the Bachelor of Science, UNSW also shows an IB Diploma figure of 31.0 for 2026, and 39.0 for Electrical Engineering.
What it costs
UNSW charges the A$150 application fee by credit card only. Tuition depends on the courses you take. For the Bachelor of Science, UNSW lists an indicative international first-year fee of $61,000 and $194,000 to complete the degree, both for 2026. For a student visa, a single student must show living costs of at least A$29,710 per year.
The Flex-Semester calendar
UNSW says We're moving to a new Flex-Semester Academic Calendar from 2028. Your degree structure and requirements stay the same, but the duration of your studies may vary depending on when you commence your degree prior to 2028. If you start in 2027, check the duration on your degree page before you plan your finances and visa.
| Question | What UNSW states |
|---|---|
| Route | UNSW Applicant Portal, an agent, or UAC for IB, Australian school-leaving certificate and NCEA |
| Intake | UNSW names Term 1, 2027 as a starting term and says Applications to all 2027 intakes are open |
| Application fee | A$150, credit card only |
| Tuition | Calculated on the courses (subjects) you select, rather than on the degree (program) you choose |
| English test | Taken within two years before you start |
UNSW rankings and reputation
UNSW ranks #19 worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2027, and UNSW says it has been ranked among the top 20 universities globally for four years in a row. For your 2027 application, the number to remember is that edition.
UNSW describes itself as Australia's number one university in the QS 2027 edition. Other overall tables, such as Times Higher Education, ARWU and U.S. News Best Global Universities, are not quoted here because UNSW's own pages do not give a figure for them and we publish only what a publisher or UNSW states.
Where UNSW ranks highest by subject
| Subject area | Position |
|---|---|
| Engineering and Technology | #1 in Australia, #33 globally |
| Mineral and Mining Engineering | #1 in Australia, #3 globally |
| Petroleum Engineering | #1 in Australia, #13 globally |
| Law and legal studies | #1 in Sydney, #13 globally |
| Social sciences and management | #3 in Australia, #27 globally |
| Business and Management | #1 in Sydney |
UNSW Science reports a place in the top 50 worldwide in 9 subjects and in the top 5 nationally across 14 subjects, including #1 for Materials Science, #1 for Chemistry and =#1 for Statistics and Operational Research. In engineering, UNSW reports that 7 of its engineering schools sit in the global top 50.
UNSW pages do not give a QS figure for accounting and finance, so this report does not state one. Check the subject you want on the QS site for the current edition before you decide.
Employability rankings
UNSW leads with employment outcomes: in the QS 2027 edition it is ranked #1 in Australia and #46 globally for employment outcomes.
UNSW also won the AFR Most Employable University Award seven years in a row, covering the 2020-2026 awards. In a separate ranking, the AFR Best Universities Ranking 2025, UNSW is #1 in Australia for career outcomes.
These are not the overall table. The QS employment outcomes figure scores graduate employability only, and the AFR award is judged on graduate employers. A university can rank lower on employment than on overall QS, and UNSW does, so read each figure for what it measures.
What UNSW's reputation rests on
UNSW has existed since 1949 and teaches at its main Kensington campus in Sydney, with a further UNSW campus in Canberra. It is a member of the Group of Eight, the group of research-intensive Australian universities.
UNSW states that it produces the most new startups and spinout companies in Australia (SCOPR 2024), and in 2025 it launched a new strategy called Progress for All.
UNSW acceptance rate and entry scores: what UNSW publishes
UNSW does not publish an acceptance rate, an admit rate, or the number of applications and offers, for all applicants or for international applicants, so any percentage you see online has no official UNSW source. What UNSW publishes is the Undergraduate Admissions profile of the Term 1, 2026 intake, with the highest, median and lowest ATAR of students who received an offer, and the lowest Selection Rank of each degree.
UNSW issues offers on the basis of Selection Rank (ATAR plus Adjustment Factors). Competition is therefore expressed as a score per degree, not as a share of applicants admitted. The cached official pages contain no count of applications received and no count of offers made.
What UNSW publishes instead
The ATAR Profile gives a summary of the Term 1, 2026 intake. Besides the ATAR figures, it includes the highest, median and lowest Selection Rank to which an offer was made. A separate Student Profile section describes the peer cohort of the same intake.
The Student Profile hides small groups. A cell marked NP means Not published, and a cell marked <5 means that fewer than 5 students are in it. Do not read an NP cell as zero.
How to read the profile from abroad
ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the score of Australian school leavers. UNSW states that international students have different entry requirements from domestic students. The profile describes who received an offer in the Term 1, 2026 intake. It is not your entry requirement.
For applicants who plan to start in 2027, UNSW says that the Selection Rank will provide a better indication of the likelihood of receiving an offer than the ATAR alone. For your own bar, open your degree page: International direct entry scores are listed on each degree page. The per-country and per-qualification values on those pages load interactively and are not reproduced here, so check them for your qualification.
Most competitive degrees
Among the degrees whose pages were checked, Commerce has the highest 2026 Lowest Selection Rank at 97.0, followed by Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications at 95.0 and Computer Science at 93.0. The 2026 IB Diploma indications on the degree pages are 41.0 for Commerce, 39.0 for Electrical Engineering, 37.0 for Computer Science, 34.0 for Information Systems and 31.0 for Music.
UNSW Medicine publishes no numeric Selection Rank. Its degree page lists the 2026 lowest ATAR for domestic applicants as 91.05 (Rural)/94.25* Gateway/99.75 (Local), and requires a UCAT ANZ and an interview. A Law score was not available in the pages checked, so none is quoted.
Degrees with additional selection criteria
A score is not always enough. UNSW lists Music, Law, Medicine, Aviation, Co-op and UNSW Canberra programs as having additional selection criteria. For Aviation, final entry to the program is dependent on additional selection criteria. The Co-op Program offers a reduced ATAR requirement of 90 under an Australian equity scheme, so it does not describe the route for applicants from abroad.
Capacity can also limit you. UNSW notes that some programs are at capacity for 2026 intakes and new applications are closed to New Overseas Student Commencement, while applications to all 2027 intakes are open.
How UNSW selects students: academic merit and the International ATAR
UNSW selects international undergraduates on academic merit: your qualification is converted to an International ATAR and compared with the international direct entry score of your degree, and you add an English test or waiver. For 2027 entry, applicants from eligible markets can also receive 5 extra points on the International ATAR, with a minimum of 75.
UNSW states that it issues offers on the basis of Selection Rank, which is ATAR plus adjustment factors. For international applicants the same logic applies with the International ATAR. UNSW publishes the score you need for each degree on that degree's page, so the target depends on the programme you choose.
What counts in your application
| Element | What UNSW says |
|---|---|
| Academic score | Your qualification is converted to an International ATAR and checked against the degree's international direct entry score |
| English | IELTS-equivalent bands depend on the faculty; one example row is 6.5 overall (min. 6.0 in each subtest) |
| Test validity | The test must be taken no more than two years before your intended start date |
| Extra criteria | Some programs have additional selection criteria, including Music, Law, Medicine, Aviation, Co-op and UNSW Canberra programs |
| Aviation | Bachelor of Aviation (Flying) lists the Aviation Aptitude Admission Test (AAT) |
UNSW lets you apply for an English waiver during your online application, with supporting documents. From Term 1 2027, UNSW also lists LanguageCert Academic and the Michigan English Test (MET) among the tests it accepts. The faculty row you need is on your degree's page.
The pages we checked show no essay, reference or extracurricular requirement for international undergraduates. A personal statement appears only in the Gateway route, which is for domestic students. The Medicine and Music pages were not available to us, so check them directly if you apply for those degrees.
Assumed knowledge instead of prerequisites
UNSW states that it has no formal subject prerequisites for any degree, only assumed knowledge. You can be admitted without it, but UNSW warns that you may start off at a disadvantage and find yourself behind in your first year.
If you lack a subject such as Mathematics Advanced, UNSW Science bridging courses are open to domestic or international students. A bridging course costs $380 at UNSW; the page shows the dollar sign only, and we assume Australian dollars.
Adjustment schemes: domestic and international
| Scheme | International applicants |
|---|---|
| Gateway | No: Australian/New Zealand citizen, Australia Permanent Resident or identified protection or bridging visa holders only |
| Portfolio Entry | No: only open to domestic students |
| Uni Prep | No: for domestic students only |
| HSC Plus | No: a domestic student only scheme |
| EAS and EAPL | No: they require Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residence or a humanitarian visa |
| International Admissions Diversity Pathway | Yes, for citizens of International Student Award (ISA) eligible markets |
The International Admissions Diversity Pathway is the scheme built for you. Eligible applicants receive an additional 5 points towards their International ATAR, capped at a Maximum International ATAR of 99.95. It needs a minimum International ATAR of 75 and is available for Term 1 2027 and beyond.
The pathway is not available for admission to the 3805 Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine. For 2027 entry, check whether your citizenship is on the ISA list before you count on the bonus.
Offers, deferral and reapplying
UNSW states that the majority of offers are made in December and January for Term 1 study. The UAC rounds quoted on UNSW's pages give you one offer per round and allow up to five preferences, but those pages are written for the Australian system, so ask UNSW how your own application is handled.
UNSW states that you can defer for one year if you meet all your offer conditions and accept by the deadline. That wording sits on the Gateway page, which is domestic only, so confirm with UNSW that it covers your offer. The pages did not state a rule for moving to another term when a programme is at capacity, and we publish none.
UNSW admissions tests: Medicine, Aviation and SAT, ACT or AP
UNSW publishes no general admissions test for international applicants for 2027 entry; a test or audition appears only on individual degree pages. Medicine requires the UCAT ANZ or the ISAT, Aviation (Flying) requires the Aviation Aptitude Admission Test at a fee of $55, and Music in Fine Arts requires an audition. No UNSW page we could read mentions SAT, ACT or AP scores.
| Degree | What UNSW requires | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine | UCAT ANZ or ISAT, then an interview | International applicants |
| Bachelor of Aviation (Flying) | Aviation Aptitude Admission Test (AAT) | Every applicant |
| Bachelor of Fine Arts, Music specialisation | Audition | Every applicant |
| Bachelor of Design | Portfolio preparation or additional submission for some design courses | International applicants |
For every other degree, UNSW states that international direct entry scores are listed on each degree page. Those scores are school-result scores, not test scores, so check the page of your degree before you plan any test.
Medicine: UCAT ANZ or ISAT
UNSW Medicine states that you must sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT ANZ) or the International Student Admission Test (ISAT). Domestic applicants are named only for the UCAT ANZ, so the ISAT option is the one written for international applicants.
The test comes first in the process: you give your ISAT or UCAT ANZ registration number when you lodge your application. If you do not hold an Australian or New Zealand high school qualification, you apply through the Apply Online portal.
UNSW Medicine counts only the test you submit first. Once you have submitted one of the accepted tests, a later submission of the other test is not considered, so choose before you register.
After the application, UNSW Medicine invites you to an interview that counts towards your overall application. Interviews are held on Zoom and start in June and continue through the year for the following year's Term One intake. The degree page does not publish test dates, the registration deadline or how the test score is weighted against the school result and the interview, so confirm those with the UCAT ANZ and ISAT organisers.
Aviation: the Aptitude Admission Test
UNSW Bachelor of Aviation (Flying) states that you'll be required to pass the AAT, on top of your application. The test is online and combines general ability questions (logic, reasoning, and problem-solving) with a behaviour-based assessment.
The AAT costs $55 in Australian dollars and the fee is non-refundable. UNSW asks you to finish the test within two weeks of receiving access.
UNSW Aviation looks at one attempt only: only your first aptitude admission test result relating to the admission year you're applying for will be considered. An attempt in December 2026 (for 2027 admission) therefore counts for 2027 entry. The degree page does not list sitting dates here; it links to a key-dates page.
Passing the test is not the last medical step. UNSW states that you must obtain a CASA Class 1 medical certificate before beginning flying training.
SAT, ACT and AP for US applicants
UNSW does not publish an SAT, ACT or AP requirement, minimum score or superscoring rule on any official page we could read. A figure for SAT scores appears on a third-party ranking site only, and we do not cite it. The United States is on UNSW's list of English-speaking countries, which is a rule about English proof, not about test scores.
If you hold a US High School Diploma, open your degree page and read the international direct entry scores listed there, then ask UNSW admissions how your diploma is assessed. Do not pay for SAT or ACT sittings for UNSW until UNSW confirms in writing that it uses them.
Auditions and portfolios
Acceptance into the Music specialisation of the Bachelor of Fine Arts requires you to audition. The Portfolio Entry early offer scheme does not help you as an international applicant, because it is only open to domestic students.
International applicants to the Bachelor of Design can apply directly to UNSW through the UNSW admissions portal. UNSW adds that some design courses may also include portfolio preparation or additional submission requirements, without saying which, so read the page of the exact course.
UNSW requirements for IB, A-levels and other diplomas
UNSW Sydney lists 2026 IB Diploma indications from 30.0 points for Aviation (Management) to 39.0 for Electrical Engineering, and 2026 A levels scores from 10.0 to 16.0 on the same degrees. Those are indications for the 2026 cycle, not 2027 offers.
UNSW publishes the IB and A-level scores on each degree page as 2026 indications, so they show last cycle's level and not a 2027 offer. Treat them as the best available guide for autumn 2027 entry and check the degree page again before you apply.
IB Diploma and A-levels by degree
| Degree | IB Diploma points | A levels score |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Social Sciences | 31.0 | 10.0 |
| Bachelor of Science | 31.0 | 10.0 |
| Bachelor of Design | 31.0 | - |
| Bachelor of Information Systems | 34.0 | 12.0 |
| Bachelor of Architectural Studies | 36.0 | 15.0 |
| Engineering (Honours) Surveying | 38.0 | 16.0 |
| Engineering (Honours) Electrical | 39.0 | 16.0 |
Within the degrees we checked, UNSW Sydney asks the least for Social Sciences and Science, and the most for Electrical and Telecommunications Engineering, which also lists 39.0 IB points. Renewable Energy Engineering is at 38.0 and Aviation (Management) at 30.0. The Bachelor of Commerce and Computer Science pages were not available to us, so no figures are given for them.
These indications are a gate, not the level of every admitted student. UNSW does not publish what admitted international students actually scored.
How the A levels score is calculated
UNSW states that the 2026 A levels score is based on four Advanced Level (A2) subjects. Each grade converts to points: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1. The Bachelor of Science score of 10.0 is therefore far below what four top grades would add up to, so check how your own best subjects convert on the degree page.
UNSW states that its assessment of Singapore A-levels is under review after changes to the A-Level curriculum and University Admissions Score calculation effective 2026. If you hold Singapore A-levels, expect the degree page to change.
CBSE, HKDSE and other qualifications
UNSW scores CBSE as the average percentage across English or Hindi and your best four remaining subjects.
UNSW scores the HKDSE on the aggregate of the best 5 achieved category A subjects. Category B and C subjects are not considered. Points run from level 5**=7 points down to Level U=0 point.
The cached UNSW pages we checked do not list the Chinese Gaokao, the US High School Diploma or European school-leaving diplomas. Check the accepted qualifications page for your country. UNSW also says We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country for countries where it does not recognise the local secondary qualification. The country selector on the degree page shows which case applies to you.
Assumed knowledge by degree
UNSW says that assumed knowledge is not a prerequisite: No, assumed knowledge isn’t a prerequisite. Without it, UNSW advises bridging courses. Examples from the degree pages:
- Electrical Engineering: Mathematics Extension 1, Physics.
- Science: Mathematics Advanced or Mathematics Extension 1 (depending on chosen area of study) plus one or more of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Physics.
- Information Systems: Mathematics.
UNSW takes final-year school course performance into account for Australian applicants through HSC Plus. The pages we checked describe no matching step for international qualifications, so compare your IB or A-level subjects with the list yourself.
If the diploma is not accepted or the score falls short
UNSW College, which UNSW Sydney owns, offers 12-month diploma programs with direct entry into the second year of any UNSW bachelor's degree. The pathways chapter covers them in full.
UNSW English language requirements: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and more
UNSW asks most undergraduate applicants for an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each subtest, or 90 in TOEFL iBT; Business and Law applicants need 7.0 in IELTS or 94 in TOEFL. UNSW also accepts PTE Academic, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency, and adds LanguageCert Academic and MET for applications from Term 1, 2027.
UNSW publishes one table per faculty. The Arts, Design & Architecture row is the common case; Science and Engineering sit in the same band for IELTS. Always check the exact programme row before you book a test.
Programmes with higher bars
UNSW Law & Justice asks for IELTS 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each subtest, and TOEFL iBT 94. Listed Medicine programs such as the BMed/MD also need IELTS 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each subtest.
Teaching and social work go further. The Bachelor of Education (Secondary) (Honours) needs IELTS 7.5, with 7.0 in writing and reading and 8.0 in speaking and listening. The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) needs 7.0 in every IELTS subtest. The Bachelor of Education (Secondary) needs TOEFL iBT 102.
A cross-faculty double degree is a separate case. UNSW applies the higher English requirements of the two faculties.
Tests and versions UNSW does not accept
UNSW does not accept IELTS Online. It takes IELTS Academic, IELTS One Skill Retake and IELTS UKVI. UNSW also rejects the TOEFL MyBest Score.
The new TOEFL iBT format is under review and not accepted until further notice. If you sit TOEFL for UNSW, you must select Taking TOEFL for Australia when you register, or the result is not valid for UNSW.
How long a score stays valid
UNSW wants a test completed no more than two years before your intended start date. In practice the test must be dated on or after the 1st of January two years earlier for Term 1, or the 1st of May for Term 2 and the 1st of August for Term 3.
LanguageCert Academic and MET results count for applications from Term 1, 2027 onwards. For LanguageCert, the Arts minimum is 67 overall; for MET it is 58 overall.
Exemptions
UNSW can waive a test if you come from an English-speaking background. Citizens and permanent residents of English-speaking countries qualify, as does anyone with a minimum of ten years in an English-speaking country and secondary or tertiary education completed there.
School qualifications can also count. The IB Diploma route needs Grade 4 in IB English A at Higher Level, Grade 5 in English A at Standard Level or Grade 7 in English B at Higher Level. Under A Levels, UNSW asks for Grade C* in an approved essay-based subject. HKDSE applicants need Level 4 in English Language or Literature in English. Some programmes, including education, are excluded from certain school routes.
If you fall short
With a conditional offer, you can meet the requirement through UNSW College's University English Entry Course (UEEC). The course must be completed no more than two years before your intended start date, and double degrees again carry higher minimums.
UNSW intakes in 2027: Term 1, 2 or 3, and the Flex-Semester calendar from 2028
UNSW teaches in three terms a year plus an optional summer period, and the 2027 start that UNSW names on its admission pages is Term 1, 2027. Which other terms you can start in depends on the degree, and a new Flex-Semester calendar replaces this system from 2028.
UNSW does not publish a single list of 2027 intakes for international bachelor applicants. What its pages do show is the structure: each university year has three terms and an optional summer study period, and you can fit two or three courses into a term but only one course in a summer term.
Which degrees start in which term
Each degree page at UNSW lists the terms in which new students can begin. The pages carry no year, so check the degree you want before you plan around a Term 3 start.
| Degree | Commencing terms |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science | Term 1, 2 & 3 |
| Architectural Studies | Term 1 & 3 |
| Interior Architecture (Honours) | Term 1 & 3 |
| Social Work (Honours) | Term 1 & 2 |
| Landscape Architecture (Honours) | Term 1 only |
| Aviation (Flying) | Term 1 only |
UNSW Gateway diploma places are different: they must be taken in Term 1, 2027 with no deferral. The University Preparation Program has one intake a year, in February, and its next one is February 2027.
The Flex-Semester calendar from 2028
UNSW is moving to a new Flex-Semester Academic Calendar from 2028. UNSW says your degree structure and requirements stay the same, but the duration of your studies may vary depending on when you commence your degree prior to 2028. In practice, the term you start in before 2028 can change how long the degree takes.
UNSW has not published the Flex-Semester mechanics on the pages we could read: the number of teaching periods, the start dates and how duration changes by start term are not stated. A February 2028 start is therefore not confirmed here.
Key dates for Term 1, 2027 entry
The dates UNSW publishes are for Term 1, 2027 and sit mostly on the domestic side. UAC on-time applications for Term 1 usually close at the end of September each year, and UNSW's main offer round is December Round 2. Use the dates below as the shape of the cycle, not as international deadlines.
International undergraduate offers are issued in grouped offer rounds, and UNSW states that applications to all 2027 intakes are open. The offer-round schedule and closing dates for Term 3 2027 and for 2028 are on a UNSW international admissions page we could not read, so confirm them there before you set your own deadline.
UNSW admissions step by step: UNSW Applicant Portal or UAC
UNSW takes undergraduate applications from abroad through one of two doors for 2027 entry: UAC if you are currently taking the final year of Australian school, the IB Diploma or NZ NCEA Level 3, and the UNSW Applicant Portal (or a UNSW agent) for everyone else. UAC allows five degree preferences, and the UAC early bird round for 2027 admissions closed on 30 September 2026.
UNSW defines an international student as someone who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen, not a permanent resident of Australia and not a holder of a permanent Australian humanitarian visa. If you are currently in the final year of Australian school (in or outside Australia), the International Baccalaureate Diploma or a New Zealand NCEA Level 3, UNSW sends you to Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) for undergraduate courses. Every other international applicant uses the UNSW Applicant Portal.
If you apply through UAC
UAC gives you one offer per offer round, so UNSW advises keeping the degree you really want as your top preference. You can change the order of your preferences as often as you like before each round. For 2027 admissions, UNSW's main offer round is December Round 2, with the majority of offers made in this round and January Round 1.
UNSW and UAC do not agree on one date in the sources we read: the UNSW page gives the December Round 2 preferences close date above, while a UAC offer round table on another UNSW page gives an earlier application closing date of 26 November 2026. Treat the earlier date as your deadline and check your UAC account. We found no published UAC dates for May-session IB students aiming for Term 3 2027 or the February 2028 start.
If you apply through the UNSW Applicant Portal
UNSW describes the portal route in four steps. You can also apply with a local UNSW agent, who receives a copy of your offer email.
- Submit the online form in the UNSW Applicant Portal and upload the required documents. You track progress there, and missing documents delay the outcome.
- UNSW emails a letter of offer: a full offer, or a conditional offer if you still need to complete more steps. UNSW issues international undergraduate offers through grouped offer rounds.
- Accept a full offer in the portal and pay your deposit. After that, UNSW issues your electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCoE).
- Enrol in your degree and courses online in myUNSW.
UNSW states that every international student must hold health insurance (OSHC) from the date they arrive in Australia until the date they depart. UNSW's pages we read do not give dates for the visa step or orientation, so check your offer email for those.
Fees and documents
The UNSW online application costs A$150. UNSW's fees page says this; we found no official statement on how it is paid or whether it is refundable.
UNSW asks for an English test result taken no more than two years before your intended start date. For Term 3 commencement, the earliest test date is the 1st of August (two years prior). If you have prior university study, UNSW says you can send a credit transfer request before accepting your UNSW offer.
Apply early, capacity and applicants under 18
UNSW encourages you to submit your completed application as early as possible so it is processed in time for your preferred term. On-time applications for Term 1 usually close at the end of September each year, and late applications carry a late fee.
Capacity is a real constraint. UNSW says some programs are at capacity for 2026 intakes and new applications are closed to New Overseas Student Commencement (NOSC), while Applications to all 2027 intakes are open. UNSW will move to a Flex-Semester Academic Calendar from 2028, which affects how long your studies run if you start before then.
If you are under 18 years of age, UNSW says you need to make special arrangements; the pages we read do not list them, so ask UNSW before you apply.
Pathways into UNSW: UNSW College, the Diversity Pathway and articulation
UNSW Sydney offers three routes besides a direct school-leaving application: UNSW College Foundation Studies into first year, a 12-month UNSW College Diploma into second year, and the International Admissions Diversity Pathway, which adds 5 points to your International ATAR for entry from Term 1 2027.
UNSW states that the Diploma gives "direct entry into the second year of any UNSW bachelor's degree". The Diversity Pathway is not a separate programme: it changes how UNSW scores your International ATAR. Articulation is a third mechanism, for applicants already studying at a partner institution.
| Route | What it does | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| UNSW College Foundation Studies | Prepares you for entry into the first year of any UNSW bachelor's degree | International applicants; minimum English qualification C+ in Academic English |
| UNSW College Diploma | Direct entry into the second year, 12-month programme | Options in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Media and Communications, or Science |
| International Admissions Diversity Pathway | Adds 5 points to your International ATAR | Citizens of eligible countries with a minimum International ATAR of 75 |
| Articulation | Credit transfer from an approved partner program | International students who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents |
UNSW College: Foundation Studies and Diplomas
UNSW lists UNSW Foundation Studies and a UNSW Diploma as admission pathways to an undergraduate degree. Foundation Studies prepare you for entry into the first year of any UNSW bachelor's degree, and the minimum English qualification is C+ in Academic English. UNSW does not publish the length of Foundation Studies or its other entry requirements on the pages we checked, so ask UNSW College before you plan around them.
The UNSW College Diploma runs for 12 months and mirrors the first-year degree curriculum with additional support. It leads directly into second year with lower ATAR requirements than the bachelor's degree itself. Diploma options are Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Media and Communications, or Science. UNSW states that over 90% of Diploma graduates progress to UNSW.
UNSW College Foundations graduates can receive the UNSW College Award: $10,000 for the first year of the undergraduate degree. UNSW's scholarships page writes the amount with a dollar sign only and does not say AUD.
International Admissions Diversity Pathway
The International Admissions Diversity Pathway gives eligible applicants 5 additional points towards their International ATAR when UNSW assesses admission to selected undergraduate programs. It is available to applicants applying for Term 1 2027 and beyond.
To qualify, you must hold citizenship in a country eligible for the UNSW International Student Award and have a minimum International ATAR of 75. The terms use a maximum International ATAR of 99.95. There is no separate application: UNSW automatically considers eligible applicants as part of their admission, and they may also receive priority application processing.
The points do not guarantee admission. You must still meet all relevant UNSW admission requirements, including English language requirements, program prerequisites and any program-specific minimum academic requirements. The pathway is not available for admission to the 3805 Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine.
Articulation and credit transfer
UNSW articulation is available only to international students who are not Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents. The Articulation Pathway Register outlines the maximum credits you can transfer to UNSW for each partner program, plus English and additional requirements. The page does not state a single maximum, so check the register for your program.
If you study an approved program at a partner institution, you request credit transfer in the UNSW Applicant Portal as part of your application. If you did not request it then, you can submit a credit transfer request to UNSW before accepting your UNSW offer. Applications to all 2027 intakes are open.
UNSW College Applied Degrees
UNSW College's Applied Degrees are three-year bachelor's degrees, and graduates receive a UNSW College degree rather than a UNSW Sydney one. UNSW describes them on its pages for domestic applicants; the pages we checked do not say whether international students can take them.
What to study at UNSW: degrees, majors and double degrees
UNSW offers 400+ degree and double-degree options, and the Bachelor of Science shows how they are counted: 144 units of credit (UOC) over three years full-time as a single degree, or 192 UOC over four years as a double degree. The 2026 pages give each degree its own entry guide, so you can compare scores before you choose.
A UOC is the unit UNSW uses to count study, and your degree is complete when you reach its UOC total. The Bachelor of Science is made up of 26 courses, 144 UOC, taken over three years of full-time study. UNSW Business School, UNSW Engineering, the Faculty of Science and the School of Built Environment each run their own degrees. The pages used for this report do not state how many faculties UNSW has, so check the faculty of your degree on its UNSW page.
Each degree is built from core courses, then a major, then electives. A major is your main subject area, and a minor is a smaller block of study in a second area. The table shows the degrees international applicants ask about most, with UNSW's own 2026 entry guides in A levels and IB Diploma points.
| Degree | Years full-time | 2026 A levels | 2026 IB Diploma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commerce | 3 | 17.0 | 41.0 |
| Computer Science | 3 | 15.0 | 37.0 |
| Engineering (Honours), Photovoltaics and Solar Energy | 4 | 16.0 | 38.0 |
| Architectural Studies | 3 | 15.0 | 36.0 |
| Science | three | 10.0 | 31.0 |
| Design | Not on page | 10.0 | 31.0 |
| Aviation (Flying) | 3 | 10.0 | 30.0 |
These are 2026 guides, not a promise for 2027 entry. Treat the numbers as the gate you must clear, not the typical level of admitted students. UNSW also lists a domestic selection rank and lowest ATAR for some degrees, but those are Australian scores and this report leaves them out.
Engineering (Honours): Photovoltaics and Solar Energy, Renewable Energy
The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Photovoltaics and Solar Energy takes 4 years full-time and 192 UOC. The Renewable Energy degree also takes 4 years. Check each degree page for its accreditation and industrial training, which this report does not cite.
Commerce
The UNSW Bachelor of Commerce is a three-year degree of 24 courses and 144 UOC, with 16 major options. UNSW says work experience is built in, so every student does Work Integrated Learning, through internships in Australia or overseas, consultancy projects or online practicums. Commerce also offers an extra Honours year with a research thesis.
Computer Science
The Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) takes 3 years full-time and 144 UOC, and sits in UNSW Engineering. UNSW lists majors such as Artificial Intelligence, Security Engineering and Database Systems, and the Australian Computer Society accredits the degree.
Science
The Bachelor of Science lets you choose from 28 majors and 41 complementary minors. The same UNSW page also says 27 majors in another place, so confirm the current list for your intake before you pick one.
Law double degrees
The pages used for this report do not include the Law degree page, so this report publishes no length, structure or entry score for Law. The Bachelor of Commerce page does confirm that you can pursue a double degree with areas such as law, engineering, arts or science. Check the Law double-degree page at UNSW before you build a plan around it.
Architecture and design
The Bachelor of Architectural Studies has 144 UOC and takes 3 years with full-time study. The structure includes 7 design studio courses worth 54 UOC and 11 core courses worth 66 UOC. UNSW does not state on the pages used here which further degree you need to register as an architect, so check that before you plan the full route.
The Bachelor of Design combines a specialisation of 16 courses with a minor of 6 courses. UNSW publishes the 2026 A levels and IB guide for both degrees, shown in the table above. A separate international entry score for architecture is not published on the pages used here.
Double degrees
A double degree combines two programs. The Bachelor of Science double degree is 36 courses and 192 UOC taken over four years full-time. Commerce doubles can credit practical experience from the second degree, such as legal clinics or engineering industrial training.
UNSW applies higher English requirements to some cross-faculty doubles, but the pages used here do not state that higher number. Read the UNSW English language requirements page for your exact pairing.
Honours, exchange and work-integrated learning
Honours in the Bachelor of Science is a year-long independent research project, and entry depends on your performance in the degree. Work-integrated learning draws on UNSW's network of 400+ industry and research partners.
Commerce students can go on exchange from hundreds of exchange partners, many taught in English, and Commerce work-integrated learning offers opportunities with industry partners including Big 4 firms, banks and global companies.
Aviation and UNSW Canberra at ADFA
The Bachelor of Aviation (Flying) needs 144 UOC over 3 years, and the Bachelor of Aviation (Management) also needs 144 UOC. Aviation (Flying) shows an entry guide of 10.0 A levels points and 30.0 IB points for 2026.
The pages used here do not say whether international students can enrol in UNSW Canberra at ADFA programs, so ask UNSW before you plan around it.
Medicine at UNSW: the Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine
UNSW offers medicine as a six-year Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine that you can start straight from school, and international applicants need IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with no band below 6.0, plus the UCAT ANZ or ISAT and an interview.
UNSW Sydney teaches medicine as a single program, the Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine (program code 3805), which UNSW says is one of the few medicine degrees in Australia offered at undergraduate level. You can apply with a school qualification and do not need a first degree. Places for the 2027 intakes are open to international applicants, and entry combines your school results, an aptitude test and an interview.
What the BMed/MD is
The UNSW BMed/MD takes six years of full-time study and ends in two degrees, the Bachelor of Medical Studies and the Doctor of Medicine. UNSW splits the program into three phases, with two years in each phase. In the third year the clinical work starts: UNSW has students spend three days per week in hospitals, applying their clinical skills.
The Australian Medical Council accredits the program. UNSW states that graduates are eligible for provisional registration with the Medical Board of Australia, so that they can apply for an approved intern position in Australia. UNSW also notes that the length of the degree can vary by intake before 2028, so check the degree page for the intake you plan to start.
We could not verify from official pages how UNSW compares with the graduate-entry medical degrees at Melbourne or ANU, so this report does not make that comparison.
How to get in
| Step | What UNSW states |
|---|---|
| Aptitude test | UCAT ANZ or the International Student Admission Test (ISAT) |
| Route | Applicants without an Australian or New Zealand school qualification apply through UNSW's Apply Online portal |
| Interview | Held on Zoom and counted towards the overall application |
| English | IELTS Academic 7.0 overall, at least 6.0 in each subtest |
| Diversity Pathway | Not available for this program |
UNSW selects on three parts, ATAR + UCAT ANZ + Interview, and tests everyone with either the UCAT ANZ or the ISAT. UNSW assesses international applicants against its direct-entry tables for each qualification or country, and publishes no single international minimum for Medicine. Interviews commence in June and continue through the year for the following year's Term One, so a start in 2027 follows the interview round that has already begun.
UNSW does not give the Medicine application deadline on the pages we could read. It points to a separate Medicine application page, so confirm the date there before you plan around any other deadline.
Places and competition
UNSW publishes no count of places for international students. One UNSW page says up to 20 places a year go through the Gateway Entry Scheme, while another says Up to 10 are available to Gateway applicants who meet the criteria. Neither figure is split into domestic and international places, and Gateway is a separate scheme from the one you would use.
For scale, the lowest selection ranks UNSW reports for 2026 are domestic: an ATAR of 99.75 for Local applicants, 94.25 for Gateway and 91.05 for Rural. These are not international cut-offs, and they show how strong the competition is.
For English, UNSW accepts IELTS Academic, not the Online version, and also accepts TOEFL iBT, but publishes no TOEFL score for Medicine. The result must come from a test taken in the last two years before you start.
What the degree costs
UNSW's degree page lists two fee tables and does not name the audience of the second one. The Commonwealth Supported Place table is a domestic funding category, so budget with the second table, and confirm with UNSW which one applies to you. The full-degree figures include an estimate of study costs of approximately $1,000 per year. UNSW charges an application fee of AUD $150 per online application.
On funding, UNSW is currently not participating in the US Federal Student Aid program and cannot accept Federal Direct Loan applications. US students use private education loans, where approval depends on credit history and often needs a co-signer who is a US citizen. UNSW gives this guidance for all students, not only for Medicine.
Other health routes
If Medicine is not realistic, UNSW's Medicine and Health group offers combined degrees that run from bachelor to master: Exercise Science with Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology, Pharmaceutical Medicine with Pharmacy, and Nutrition with Dietetics and Food Innovation. The Nutrition and Dietetics route asks for 7.0 overall and 7.0 in each subtest. See the programmes chapter for the detail.
Career prospects: what UNSW graduates do next
UNSW is ranked #1 in Australia and #46 globally for employment outcomes in the QS World University Rankings 2027, and it won the AFR Most Employable University Award seven years in a row, 2020 to 2026. UNSW does not publish a graduate employment rate or median salary figure for undergraduates on the pages we checked, only a ranking against other Sydney universities.
| Source | What UNSW reports |
|---|---|
| AFR Most Employable University Award | Winner seven years in a row (2020 to 2026) |
| AFR Best Universities Ranking, 2025 | #1 in Australia for career outcomes |
| QS World University Rankings 2027, employment outcomes | #1 in Australia and #46 globally |
Graduate outcomes survey
QILT describes its survey as a national survey of recent graduates that measures employment outcomes, salaries, skills utilisation, further study and graduate satisfaction. UNSW says its graduates have the highest rate of graduate full-time employment and the highest median salaries among Sydney-based Group of Eight universities (the Go8 are Australia's research-intensive universities).
The comparison is a ranking, not a number. We found no full-time employment percentage, median salary or sample size for UNSW undergraduates in the sources we checked, so this report does not state one. Look up the figure for your own course on the QILT website before you rely on it.
The UNSW Co-op Program
The UNSW Co-op Program combines study with three major industry placements, which UNSW describes as up to 18-months of relevant industry experience with multiple companies, plus mentoring, networking and financial support of $19,600 per year. Co-op covers Business, Engineering and Science.
UNSW lists the Co-op Program among its scholarships for domestic students. We could not find a page that says whether international students are eligible, so check the Co-op eligibility criteria on the UNSW website before you plan around it.
The date the round for 2028 entry opens is not published on the pages we checked.
Professional accreditation
UNSW engineering degrees are accredited by Engineers Australia, and graduates are recognised internationally through the Washington Accord. Some engineering degrees include 60 days of approved industrial training in Australia or overseas; the Photovoltaics degree is one example. Specialisations in the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) are also accredited with the Australian Computer Society at the level of Professional.
The UNSW Bachelor of Commerce is accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. With a major in Accounting, it leads to associate membership of CPA Australia and eligibility for the Chartered Accountants Program. UNSW Business School is accredited by AACSB and EQUIS. Admission to legal practice after a UNSW law degree is not covered by the sources we checked.
After graduation, international students can apply for a Temporary Graduate visa. The visa chapter of this report covers the rules.
Cost of study and living at UNSW
UNSW Sydney charges international undergraduates by the course, not by the degree, and its indicative 2026 fees run from A$61,000 in the first year of the Bachelor of Science to A$61,500 in Electrical Engineering (Honours). UNSW has not published 2027 fee figures on the pages we checked, so use the 2026 numbers as a guide for autumn 2027 entry and expect them to change.
UNSW states that tuition fees are calculated by the Units of Credit (UOC) you study and the faculty that offers the courses. A degree page therefore shows an indicative figure, not a fixed price. Each degree page marks the figures with an asterisk and says that fees are subject to annual review.
| Degree | First year | Whole degree |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Design | A$49,500 | A$158,000 |
| Bachelor of Science | A$61,000 | A$194,000 |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Electrical | A$61,500 | A$265,500 |
The whole-degree figures differ because degrees differ in length and course mix. UNSW adds an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year to the amounts it quotes to complete a degree. UNSW notes that applications to all 2027 intakes are open, but the fee pages we read did not list 2027 amounts.
Other fees on top of tuition
- Application: UNSW charges A$150 per online application, and the fee is non-refundable. Honours, diploma, postgraduate research and UNSW Canberra applications carry no fee.
- Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF): the maximum for 2025 was A$365. It depends on your study load, and you must pay this fee upfront. UNSW has not published a 2026 or 2027 figure on the page we read.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): international students need it, and Medibank is UNSW's preferred health cover provider. The only exception is for students from Belgium, Norway and Sweden who are covered by their home schemes.
- Books: UNSW recommends budgeting around A$1,000 per year. Lab, field and equipment costs vary by program.
Living costs and the visa funds test
UNSW publishes weekly living-cost estimates by housing type. The table shows the ranges as of May 2025, so rents in 2027 may be higher.
| Housing | Per week | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Residential college | A$505-760 | A$22,220-34,440 |
| On-campus apartment | A$555-960 | A$28,860-49,920 |
| Share house | A$590-780 | A$30,680-40,560 |
| One-bedroom unit | A$785-1,335 | A$40,820-69,420 |
The Australian Department of Home Affairs sets the minimum funds you must show for a student visa. UNSW quotes it as: from 10 May 2024, a single student must show living costs of at least A$29,710 per year. Check the current amount on the Home Affairs student visa page before you apply, because UNSW's quote is dated.
What Australian students pay
Domestic students pay far less. UNSW says most undergraduate degrees offer Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) that subsidise the cost of the degree, and eligible students can take a HECS-HELP loan that they repay later. For the Bachelor of Science the indicative first-year contribution in 2026 is $9,500, against $61,000 for an international student. These places are for domestic students, so as an international applicant you pay the full fee.
UNSW does not publish USD or EUR conversions, so this chapter gives amounts in Australian dollars only. Convert at the rate on the day you pay, since the exchange rate moves.
UNSW scholarships and financial aid
UNSW gives international undergraduates merit money rather than need-based aid: the International Scientia Coursework Scholarship covers full tuition or $20,000 a year, and the International Student Award takes 20% off tuition for eligible citizens starting in 2026 and 2027. UNSW publishes no need-blind admission and no full-need aid for international students, so plan the rest of the cost yourself.
UNSW Sydney lists interest-free loans and living-cost grants for enrolled international students: it says it offers student loans that charge no interest and support grants for essential living costs that you do not have to pay back. Eligibility criteria sit on linked pages that were not available to us, so check them before you count on either. UNSW also says it can agree a fee payment plan if you face unexpected financial hardship.
| Award | What you get | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| International Scientia Coursework Scholarship | Full tuition or $20,000 a year | International coursework students |
| International Student Award | 20% of tuition, every year | Citizens of listed countries, starting 2026 or 2027 |
| Australia's Global University Award | $10,000 for one year | International students, paid in the second term of first year |
| UNSW College Award | $10,000 for the first year | International students from UNSW College Foundations |
UNSW does not publish 2027 application deadlines for these awards on the pages we could read, so check the UNSW scholarships portal before you apply. Apply for every award you meet the criteria for.
The International Student Award
The International Student Award gives 20 per cent off tuition for the duration of your program. It applies to international students from eligible countries who start at UNSW in 2026 or 2027. UNSW says applicants must hold citizenship in a country listed in Attachment A of the terms and must provide proof of citizenship.
To keep the award, UNSW requires no outstanding fees, full-time enrolment and enrolment in an eligible program. UNSW ends the award if you graduate, withdraw or fail to enrol, become a domestic student, fail to complete within your visa timeframe, or commit serious misconduct (terms and conditions).
A separate route, the International Admissions Diversity Pathway, adds 5 points to the International ATAR of eligible applicants with a minimum International ATAR of 75. UNSW says it is available to applicants for Term 1 2027 and beyond. It is an admission adjustment, not money.
Funding from your home country
UNSW states it is currently not participating in the U.S. Federal Student Aid (FSA) program, so US Federal Direct Loans are not available for UNSW. US VA education benefits need program approval, and VA reviews may take up to 45 days. Sallie Mae offers private education loans to eligible US citizens and permanent residents studying abroad.
Canadian citizens may be able to use federal or provincial student loan programs. For Europe, UNSW names home-country schemes for Belgium (FAMIRIS), Denmark (SU), Germany (Bafog), Norway (Lanekassen) and Sweden (CSN). Eligibility is set by those agencies, not by UNSW.
Awards you cannot apply for
Several well-known UNSW awards are for domestic students only. The domestic Scientia Scholarship needs a raw ATAR or equivalent of 99.90 and pays $10,000 for the program. The Academic Achievement Award pays $5,000 for one year. Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships reach $18,000. Equity scholarships are also for commencing students applying through UAC. UNSW also notes faculty and university-wide scholarships for domestic and international students; check your faculty's list.
Housing at UNSW: residential colleges and apartments
UNSW lists on-campus housing in its cost table at A$365 to A$580 a week for an apartment and A$435 to A$630 a week for a residential college, estimates dated May 2025, not 2027 residence prices. UNSW's cached official pages do not state whether first-year international students are guaranteed a room or when to apply.
UNSW names two on-campus housing types on its fees page: an on-campus apartment and an on-campus college. The apartment column shows food as a separate cost, while the college column shows food as Included. UNSW adds that costs vary with the type of accommodation and the catering offered. The pages we could read do not list individual residences, so we cannot confirm names such as UNSW Village or the affiliated colleges, and we do not publish them here.
| Housing type | Weekly accommodation cost |
|---|---|
| On-campus apartment | A$365 to A$580 |
| On-campus college (food included) | A$435 to A$630 |
| Share house, off campus | A$290 |
| 1 bedroom unit, off campus | A$470 to A$830 |
College contract and yearly cost
UNSW states that residential college contract periods are 44 weeks. On that basis UNSW estimates the total yearly living cost in a college at A$22,220 to A$34,440, against A$28,860 to A$49,920 in an on-campus apartment. These totals include food, utilities and other living costs, not rent alone.
UNSW's visa guidance says a single student must show funds for living costs of at least A$29,710 a year, applying from 10 May 2024.
Room guarantee, applying and age rules
The cached UNSW pages do not say whether a first-year international student is guaranteed a room, or how to apply for Term 1 or Term 3 2027. Check UNSW's student accommodation pages before you plan travel. For applicants under 18 years of age, UNSW says you need to make special arrangements and points to a separate page for younger international students, which we could not read.
Scholarships for accommodation
The Community Plus Scholarship covers on-campus accommodation of up to $25,000 a year, but only a limited number are available and UNSW prioritises Gateway Admission Pathway applicants moving on campus. Gateway requires Australian or New Zealand citizenship, Australian permanent residence, or a protection or bridging visa, so a typical international applicant is not eligible. The international awards we found are for tuition only: the International Student Award gives 20% towards tuition fees.
For private rental, the only UNSW figures are the share house and one bedroom unit estimates in the table above. UNSW's cached pages give no rental guidance for Kensington or Randwick.
Student life at UNSW and in Sydney
UNSW's main campus sits in Kensington, an inner-city suburb between the beach and the city.
The Kensington campus and the other sites
UNSW describes its Kensington campus as a multicultural, inner-city suburb "ideally located between the beach and the city".
UNSW is not a single site. The QS profile lists two more campuses, and which one you study on depends on your programme.
| Campus | What it is known for |
|---|---|
| Kensington | Main campus, between the beach and the city |
| Paddington | Home of the UNSW School of Art & Design |
| UNSW Canberra | Home of the Australian Defence Force Academy |
The sources we checked give no official distance in kilometres from Kensington to the Sydney CBD, so this report states none.
Clubs, societies and orientation
UNSW students can join clubs through Arc, the student organisation. UNSW's university preparation page says there are "more than 350 clubs and societies". A different UNSW page, the Gateway admission pathway, says 300+ clubs and societies. Plan on a few hundred and check the current list with Arc.
The UNSW Gateway page says staff and students come from 120+ countries.
UNSW also runs a Cultural Mentor Program that helps new international students settle into life and study in Sydney. The welcome programme includes new-arrival workshops, campus tours, myEnglish Week and O-Week.
Support for international students
The Nucleus Student Hub is the place on campus UNSW points students to for enrolment, campus questions and student ID. Before you travel, the QS profile says UNSW offers concierge services to find accommodation in Sydney, and it lists an airport pick-up service for new international students.
Living in Sydney: cost and distance
UNSW also says it offers scholarships "up to the full tuition fees", so check scholarship rules before you decide that Sydney is out of reach.
Sydney is far from Europe and the Americas. The UNSW pages we checked state no time difference and no safety statistics, so verify the time zone against your family's, and plan a long trip with a visa and housing sorted before you fly.
Student visa (subclass 500), work rights and arrival in Sydney
To hold an Australian student visa for UNSW you must show living costs of at least A$29,710 per year as a single student, and you must carry Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the whole visa. UNSW states the amount with the date 10 May 2024 on its fees page, so confirm the current figure with the Department of Home Affairs before you lodge.
UNSW issues the document your visa application depends on, the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), only after you accept an offer. The visa itself is decided by Home Affairs, not by UNSW. The pages we could read from UNSW cover the money-evidence rule, insurance and the steps from offer to enrolment, and this chapter sticks to those. For 2027 entry, UNSW says that applications to all 2027 intakes are open.
Money evidence and health cover
UNSW's fees page tells single students to show the financial capacity to cover living costs of at least A$29,710 per year, and it dates the rule from 10 May 2024. UNSW adds that the Australian government provides separate guidance on living costs which must be evidenced in the Student Visa application. Treat the Home Affairs page as the authority on the amount and on how to prove it.
UNSW requires students on a student visa to pay for health insurance through OSHC and to maintain insurance for the duration of your visa. UNSW lists five registered OSHC providers, and its research pages name Medibank as the preferred provider, while saying you may choose another. UNSW's graduate research pages add that OSHC cannot be paid in monthly or yearly instalments; those pages are written for research students, so check the payment terms for your own degree.
From offer to enrolment
UNSW's fees page says the CoE is issued on acceptance of an offer, while its international page ties the eCoE to accepting the offer and paying the deposit. Follow the international page for the order, and ask the Nucleus Student Hub if your offer letter says anything different. The eCoE gives an estimated total cost, which is the figure to compare with your funding evidence.
Timing and under-18 applicants
UNSW has warned that capacity can run out. Its international page says that some programs are at capacity for 2026 intakes and closed to new overseas student applications. That notice applies to 2026, not to your 2027 entry, but it is a reason to apply early. If you are under 18, UNSW says you need to make special arrangements; the undergraduate degree page we read gives no further detail.
What the official pages we read do not state
The cached UNSW pages do not give the visa application charge, the Genuine Student requirement, health and character checks, current processing times, work hours during study, or the Temporary Graduate visa rules. The Home Affairs pages for the Student visa and the Temporary Graduate visa did not load with usable text. This chapter therefore states no figures for them. Read both Home Affairs pages directly before you plan your finances or your post-study route.
For enrolment help, UNSW points applicants with questions to the Nucleus Student Hub. Enrolment itself runs online through myUNSW once your degree opens.
Who is UNSW for? Summary
UNSW suits you if you want a large Sydney university with a strong employment record: the QS World University Rankings 2027 place it #19 in the world, and UNSW cites #1 in Australia and #46 globally for employment outcomes. It is a poor fit if you want a fixed price per degree, a small campus or a plan that cannot move with Australian visa and calendar rules.
UNSW sets international tuition by the courses you pick, not by the degree. The UNSW fees page says tuition is "calculated based on the courses (subjects) you select", so your own cost depends on your course list. UNSW gives the estimated total on your eCoE once you accept an offer, which means you see the full figure only after an offer.
Who UNSW suits
UNSW suits applicants who want a degree where employment outcomes are a selling point. UNSW states it is "ranked among the top 20 universities globally" (QS World University Rankings, 2027) and has been in the global top group for four years in a row. UNSW also offers more than 400 degree and double degree options, so a combined degree is a realistic route.
UNSW suits applicants who can plan around the calendar. UNSW runs a trimester system now and moves to a new flex-semester calendar starting from 2028. UNSW says the length of your studies may vary with the date you start before 2028, so ask what your start date means for your degree length before you accept.
UNSW suits applicants who can budget for Sydney. UNSW estimates weekly living costs for an on-campus apartment at $A28,860 - $A49,920 a year (estimates as of May 2025). For a student visa, a single student must show living costs of at least A$29,710 per year.
UNSW suits you less if your qualification is not recognised by UNSW, or if you need a programme that is closed to new overseas students for your intake. UNSW states that some programs are at capacity for 2026 intakes and closed to new overseas applicants, while all 2027 intakes are open.
How UNSW compares on rankings
| University | Position it states | Where |
|---|---|---|
| UNSW | #19 | UNSW undergraduate page |
| University of Sydney | Cites QS 2027, gives no position | University of Sydney website |
A fair comparison needs more than rank. The University of Melbourne and ANU pages we could read give no QS position, and none of the four rival universities publishes fees, intakes or medicine entry on a page we could check. We therefore do not rank UNSW against Sydney, Melbourne, ANU or Monash on cost or entry; compare those on each university's own pages. For UNSW, the application fee is A$150.
Next steps
Pick the route first. Most international applicants apply through the UNSW Applicant Portal or a local UNSW agent. UNSW sends international students who are studying an Australian final school year, the International Baccalaureate Diploma or New Zealand NCEA to the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) instead, so IB students apply through UAC.
Scholarships and what UNSW does not publish
UNSW offers an International Student Award of 20% towards tuition fees for every year of the programme, for students from eligible countries starting in 2026 and 2027. The International Admissions Diversity Pathway adds 5 points to your International ATAR and applies to Term 1 2027 and beyond.
The UNSW pages we checked do not give the Term 3 2027 start date, a start in February 2028, the deposit amount, accommodation application dates, scholarship closing dates or visa steps. Confirm each on UNSW's own pages before you plan travel or pay anything.
UNSW: frequently asked questions
What is the UNSW acceptance rate for international students?
UNSW does not publish an acceptance rate or the number of applications and offers, for international applicants or anyone else, so a percentage you see online has no official UNSW source. It publishes the highest, median and lowest Selection Rank to which an offer was made, and its degree pages give the 2026 lowest Selection Rank: 97.0 for Commerce, 93.0 for Computer Science and 83.0 for Science. For your own bar, international direct entry scores are listed on each degree page, and they are a gate you must clear, not the level of the students UNSW admitted.
When is the UNSW application deadline for 2027 entry?
If you apply through the UNSW Applicant Portal, UNSW publishes no single closing date: it says Applications to all 2027 intakes are open and asks you to apply as early as possible, because offers go out in grouped offer rounds and some programmes fill up. If you take the IB Diploma, an Australian school-leaving certificate or NCEA Level 3, you apply through UAC, whose early bird round closed on 30 September 2026. A UAC table on a UNSW page gives 26 November 2026 as the closing date for December Round 2, UNSW's main offer round, and most Term 1 offers are made in December and January.
How do I apply to UNSW as an international student?
UNSW sends you to the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) if you are in the final year of Australian school, the IB Diploma or NZ NCEA Level 3, and UAC lets you list five degree preferences. Everyone else applies in the UNSW Applicant Portal or through a UNSW agent, and the online application costs A$150. After a full offer you accept it, pay the deposit and receive your electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCoE), the document your student visa application needs.
Does UNSW require the SAT, ACT or an admissions test?
Not in general: no official UNSW page we could read sets an SAT, ACT or AP requirement for 2027 entry, and UNSW assesses your school results against the international direct entry scores listed on each degree page. A few degrees add their own test: Medicine requires the UCAT ANZ or ISAT followed by an interview, and Aviation (Flying) requires the Aviation Aptitude Admission Test (AAT), which costs $55. Music in the Bachelor of Fine Arts requires an audition.
What IB or A-level score do I need for UNSW?
UNSW lists a 2026 IB Diploma indication on each degree page, from 30.0 points for Aviation (Management) and 31.0 for Science to 39.0 for Electrical Engineering and 41.0 for Commerce. The A levels score adds up four A2 subjects at A*=6, A=5, B=4 and so on, with 2026 indications from 10.0 for Science to 17.0 for Commerce. These are 2026 figures and a gate you must clear, not the level of admitted students, which UNSW does not publish.
What IELTS or TOEFL score does UNSW require?
Most UNSW undergraduate degrees ask for IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (min. 6.0 in each subtest) or TOEFL iBT 90; Business asks for IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 94, and Law and Medicine ask for IELTS 7.0 and 7.0. UNSW does not accept IELTS Online or the TOEFL MyBest Score, and the new TOEFL format is not accepted until further notice. Your test must be taken no more than two years before your intended start date, and LanguageCert Academic and MET count for applications from Term 1, 2027.
How much does UNSW cost for international students?
UNSW charges international undergraduates by the courses they take, and its indicative 2026 first-year fees are A$49,500 for Design, A$61,000 for Science and A$61,500 for Electrical Engineering (Honours); the whole Science degree comes to A$194,000. UNSW has not published 2027 fees and says fees are subject to annual review. On top of tuition, UNSW estimates a year of living in a residential college at A$22,220-34,440 (May 2025 figures), and the student visa asks you to show at least A$29,710 a year.
Does UNSW offer scholarships or financial aid to international students?
Yes, as merit awards and fee discounts rather than need-based aid: the International Student Award takes 20% off tuition every year for citizens of eligible countries starting in 2026 and 2027, and the International Scientia Coursework Scholarship gives full tuition fee support or a $20,000 contribution a year. Australia's Global University Award pays $10,000 for one year. UNSW publishes no need-blind admission or full-need aid for international students, and it is currently not participating in the U.S. Federal Student Aid (FSA) program, so US applicants turn to private loans.
What do I need for an Australian student visa to study at UNSW?
The Department of Home Affairs decides the visa, not UNSW, and UNSW issues the confirmation of enrolment your application depends on only on acceptance of an offer and payment of the deposit. You must show living costs of at least A$29,710 a year as a single student, a rule UNSW dates from 10 May 2024, so check the current figure with Home Affairs. You also need Overseas Student Health Cover for the duration of your visa from one of five registered providers, and if you are under 18, UNSW says you need to make special arrangements.
Can international students study Medicine at UNSW?
Yes: UNSW offers medicine as a six-year Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine that you can start from school, and applications to all 2027 intakes are open to international applicants. You sit the UCAT ANZ or the ISAT, need IELTS Academic 7.0 overall (min 6.0 in each subtest) and attend an interview on Zoom; interviews commence in June for the following year's Term One. UNSW publishes no number of places for international students, the second fee table on the degree page shows $95,500 for the first year in 2026, and the International Admissions Diversity Pathway is not available for Medicine.
Can I get into UNSW through a foundation year or diploma?
Yes: UNSW College Foundation Studies prepares you for the first year of any UNSW bachelor's degree, and a 12-month UNSW College Diploma gives direct entry into the second year with lower ATAR requirements, in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Media and Communications or Science. UNSW says over 90% of Diploma graduates progress to UNSW. Separately, from Term 1 2027 the International Admissions Diversity Pathway adds 5 points to the International ATAR of eligible citizens with a minimum of 75, but it does not guarantee admission.
How is UNSW ranked?
UNSW is #19 worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2027, and UNSW says it has been in the global top 20 for four years in a row. In the same edition it is #1 in Australia and #46 globally for employment outcomes, and it won the AFR Most Employable University Award seven years in a row. By subject, UNSW cites QS 2026 places of #3 globally for Mineral and Mining Engineering and #13 for law and legal studies.
Where these numbers come from
Official pages of University of New South Wales, UCAS, gov.uk and the ranking publishers. Applicant reports, where shown, are self-reported and labelled.
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Photos: Old Main Building UNSW: photo FlyingKoala, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons · Main Walkway, Lower campus UNSW: photo J Bar, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons · Hilmer Building and Science & Engineering Building UNSW: photo FlyingKoala, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons · UNSW Roundhouse 002: photo Sardaka, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons · UNSW Business School: photo FlyingKoala, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons