Adelaide, SA, Australia · public

Adelaide University

OPEN

Adelaide University does not publish a single closing date. For its next intake (Semester 1), we recommend applying around January 2027, roughly three to four months ahead.

At a glance

International tuition: from A$19,000/yr
First-year budget: A$49,000 to A$56,000
English (minimum): IELTS 6.5 · PTE 58
Application fee: A$150
Intakes: Semester 1 · Semester 2
Regional (migration): Yes
Selectivity: Selective

Good for

Research reputation and global rankings
Regional migration points (491 and 190 pathways)
More than one intake a year

Weaker fit for

The lowest possible tuition budget

Derived from the data on this page. Individual courses set their own fees, entry scores, and intakes, so check the ones you are applying to.

Overview

Adelaide University formed on 1 January 2026 from the merger of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia, the largest university merger in Australian history, combining a Group of Eight research institution with one of the country's largest work-integrated-learning providers.

Who is this university for?

Consider Adelaide University if you want a large, comprehensive institution in a city with noticeably lower living costs than Sydney or Melbourne. Formed in 2026 from the merger of two established universities, it now offers one of the broadest course catalogs in the country across health, engineering, business, and the creative arts. Adelaide also counts as a regional area for skilled migration, so studying here earns extra points toward the 491 and 190 visas.

Admissions

Selectivity: Selective
GPA requirement: min 2.8
Academic requirement: Undergraduate: Year 12 equivalent qualification + country-specific minimum score Postgraduate: Recognised bachelor's degree or equivalent overseas qualification
Required tests: PTE / IELTS
English (institutional minimum): IELTS 6.5 · PTE 58

Verified Aug 31, 2026adelaide.edu.au ↗

Australian universities do not publish official acceptance rates. Selectivity here is our editorial band, not a percentage. Formed from the 2026 merger of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia. Carries Group of Eight standing with broad entry across most courses and harder medical and health programs. Individual competitive courses stay harder to enter than the institution-wide band suggests. How we assign it.

Tuition & first-year budget

International tuition (from): A$19,000/year
Application fee: A$150
Living cost estimate: A$26,000/year

Verified Aug 31, 2026adelaide.edu.au ↗

Estimated first-year budget

A$49,000 to A$56,000

Tuition (cheapest published program) plus about A$26,000 living costs, the application fee, and roughly A$4,000 in one-off setup costs (visa, health cover, flights, initial deposits). Tuition varies widely by course, so check your specific program.

The living-cost figure is an estimate for Adelaide, anchored to the Australian Government’s AUD 29,710 minimum for a single student visa applicant (2026) and adjusted for the city. Your actual costs depend most on rent and lifestyle.

Financial aid & scholarships

See all scholarships for studying in Australia, including national government schemes.

Academics

Associate Degree in Arts Studies

Undergraduate · Computer Science

Associate Degree in Building Studies

Undergraduate · Architecture

Associate Degree in Business Studies

Undergraduate · Business

Associate Degree in Commerce Studies

Undergraduate · Business

2 years · Tuition A$47,500 (international)

Associate Degree in Creative Arts Studies

Undergraduate · Arts & Design

Associate Degree in Cyber Security

Undergraduate · Information Technology

Associate Degree in Data Analytics

Undergraduate · Mathematics

Associate Degree in Design Studies

Undergraduate · Architecture

2 years · Tuition A$45,000 (international)

Associate Degree in Economic Studies

Undergraduate · Economics

2 years · Tuition A$47,000 (international)

Associate Degree in Education Studies

Undergraduate · Education

2 years · Tuition A$40,000 (international)

Page 1 of 33

Comparing options across universities? Browse programs by subject.

For international students

Adelaide counts as a regional area for skilled migration, so study here earns 5 points toward the 190 and 491 and opens the 491 occupation lists, and South Australia runs nomination streams that favour local graduates. Adelaide University was formed on 1 January 2026 from the merger of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia, so confirm that your offer, your Confirmation of Enrolment, and the CRICOS codes all name the new combined entity.

How to apply

Pick your course and check it is open to international students for your intended intake.
Check the entry requirements for that specific course: academic background, minimum GPA or ATAR, subject prerequisites, and the English test score it accepts.
Prepare your documents: academic transcripts and completion certificates, your English test result (IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL), passport, CV, and a statement of purpose if the course asks for one.
Apply online through the university's application portal, or through an authorised education agent in your country. Both routes reach the same admissions team.
Pay the application fee if the course charges one. Many Australian universities do not.
Wait for the outcome. You may receive a full offer, a conditional offer (for example, subject to final results or an English score), or a rejection.
Accept your offer and pay the tuition deposit. The university then issues a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Use the CoE to apply for a Student visa (subclass 500), arrange Overseas Student Health Cover, and book travel.

Requirements and steps can vary by course. Always confirm the process for your specific program on the university’s official website before applying.

Application deadlines

Adelaide University assesses international applications on a rolling basis rather than by a single fixed date. Apply as early as you can: places in popular courses fill, and you need time afterward for the offer, Confirmation of Enrolment, and Student visa before your intake starts.

IntakeApply by

Semester 1 · UndergraduateRecommended

Adelaide University does not set a fixed international deadline. It asks you to apply at least six weeks before the intake starts (roughly mid-January for a Semester 1 2027 start); later applications are assessed case by case and may roll to the next intake. Some programs have early closing dates. As a newly merged university (from 2026), confirm current dates and fees directly.

Semester 1 · GraduateRecommended

Adelaide University asks international postgraduate coursework applicants to apply at least six weeks before the Semester 1 start; there is no fixed deadline and some programs close early. As a newly merged university, confirm current dates and fees directly.

Semester 2 · UndergraduateRecommended

Adelaide University asks international applicants to apply at least six weeks before the Semester 2 (July) start; there is no fixed deadline, later applications are assessed case by case, and not every program runs mid-year.

Semester 2 · GraduateRecommended

Adelaide University asks international postgraduate coursework applicants to apply at least six weeks before the Semester 2 start; there is no fixed deadline and some programs close early. Confirm current dates directly.

Verified Aug 29, 2026international.adelaide.edu.au ↗

Adelaide University deadlines, in detail →

Adelaide University: common questions

Does Adelaide University charge an application fee for international students?

Adelaide University lists an application fee of about A$150 for direct international applications. Several universities that charge a fee waive it for applications lodged through an authorised agent, so check before you pay.

What English test score do I need to get into Adelaide University?

The institutional minimum for undergraduate entry at Adelaide University is IELTS 6.5 overall, or PTE Academic 58. This is a floor, not a guarantee: nursing programs usually need IELTS 7.0, teaching 7.5, and medicine, law, and business often 7.0. Postgraduate coursework is typically 6.5. Always check the score for your specific course.

How much does it cost to study at Adelaide University for a year?

As an international student, budget roughly A$49,000 to A$56,000 for your first year. That is tuition from about A$19,000, around A$26,000 in living costs for Adelaide, plus roughly A$4,000 in one-off setup costs. Tuition varies widely by course.

Is Adelaide University a Group of Eight university?

Yes. Adelaide University is one of the eight members of the Group of Eight, Australia's research-intensive university alliance. That means higher rankings and research funding, and also the most selective admissions and the highest tuition band.

When can I start studying at Adelaide University?

Adelaide University has two main intakes a year: Semester 1, starting in February or March, and Semester 2, starting in July. The recommended time to apply is about three to four months before the intake, and postgraduate and competitive courses close earlier.

Is Adelaide University in a regional area for skilled migration?

Yes. Adelaide is a designated regional area for skilled migration, so studying at Adelaide University earns 5 extra points on the skilled points test and opens the Skilled Work Regional (491) visa. Living costs are also usually below Sydney and Melbourne.

How do I apply to Adelaide University as an international student?

Choose your course and confirm it is open to international students for your intake, check the entry requirements and English score, then apply online through the university's admissions portal or through an authorised agent in your country. After an offer you accept, pay the deposit, receive a Confirmation of Enrolment, and use it to apply for a Student visa (subclass 500).

Similar universities

Guides

Applying from your country

What changes by nationality: agent rules, how your degree converts, and how closely the student visa is checked.

Why trust Where To Apply

Official sources onlyEvery deadline, fee, and requirement traces to a university, government, or admissions-body page.
Dated and re-checkedEach fact carries the date it was last verified, on a quarterly re-verification cadence.
IndependentNo university pays for inclusion, a better write-up, or a higher rank. We are not an education agent.
Named editor, public methodWritten and maintained by a named operator against a published methodology.

How we verify data →Editorial policy →Who runs this →

Sources & verification

Last verified August 31, 2026Sources:[1][2]

Spotted an out-of-date deadline, fee, or requirement? Report an update.

← Back to deadline calendar