Comparison
Australian National University vs University of Sydney
Australian National University and University of Sydney are both Group of Eight universities, so both carry the research reputation and both sit near the top of the tuition range. The decision comes down to city, the strength of your specific course, cost, and whether you want the skilled-migration points that come with studying regionally.
Australian National University is in Canberra and University of Sydney is in Sydney. That affects your rent and lifestyle more than almost anything else on this page: see the cost-of-living comparison below.
Australian National University's main campus counts as regional for skilled migration, which adds points on the skilled visa points test and opens the 491 and 190 nomination pathways. If permanent residence is part of your plan, that is a real advantage.
| Australian National University | University of Sydney | |
|---|---|---|
| City | Canberra | Sydney |
| Group of Eight | Yes | Yes |
| Regional (migration) | Yes | No |
| International tuition | from A$48,000/yr | from A$49,000/yr |
| First-year budget | A$82,000 to A$94,000 | A$87,000 to A$100,000 |
| English (IELTS) | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Application fee | None | None |
| Intakes | February, July | February, July |
| Selectivity | Highly selective | Selective |
Choose Australian National University if
- You want the regional skilled-migration points
- You want to live in Canberra
Choose University of Sydney if
- You want to live in Sydney
Who Australian National University suits
ANU is the strongest choice for research-oriented students, especially in the sciences, economics, politics, and Asia-Pacific studies, where its ties to national institutes give undergraduates early exposure to active research. Canberra is smaller and quieter than Sydney or Melbourne, with lower living costs and an easier rental market. It is highly selective, so it suits students with strong academic records who want a research-heavy rather than vocational degree.
Who University of Sydney suits
Sydney is a comprehensive Group of Eight university with a broad faculty structure that lets first-years explore before locking into a major. It is strong across medicine, law, business, engineering, and the humanities, and its sandstone campus is close to the city centre. It is selective and large, and Sydney living costs are the highest in the country, so it suits students with the academic record and budget to match.
Australian National University vs University of Sydney: common questions
Is Australian National University or University of Sydney cheaper for international students?
They are close. The lowest tuition on record is A$48,000 at one and A$49,000 at the other, and course choice moves the number more than the university does.
Which is harder to get into, Australian National University or University of Sydney?
On the institution-wide picture, Australian National University is the more selective. Australian universities do not publish official acceptance rates, and specific competitive courses (medicine, law, some design) are hard to enter at both regardless.
Which is better for permanent residence, Australian National University or University of Sydney?
Australian National University has the edge for a PR plan: its main campus is in a designated regional area, so studying there earns regional points and opens the 491 and 190 nomination streams. Neither guarantees PR; that depends on your occupation and points.
Which is more prestigious, Australian National University or University of Sydney?
Both sit in a similar tier. Prestige is not a strong tie-breaker here; look at rankings in your specific field and where you want to work afterward.
Can I apply to both Australian National University and University of Sydney?
Yes. Australian universities assess applications independently and many charge international students no application fee, so applying to both and comparing your offers is normal.
Go deeper
Other comparisons
Tuition figures are approximate and drawn from this site’s database, and selectivity is a band, not an official rate. This is general information, not admissions advice.