Where To Apply

Canberra, ACT, Australia · public

Australian National University

UPCOMING
Official website ↗

The closing date to apply to Australian National University for its next intake (Semester 1) is 15 December 2026. Individual courses can close earlier.

At a glance

International tuition
A$48,000/yr
First-year budget
A$81,000 to A$93,000
English (minimum)
IELTS 6.5 · PTE 58
Application fee
A$150
Intakes
Semester 1 · Semester 2
Regional (migration)
Yes
Selectivity
Selective
Degree levels
Undergraduate

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

ANU is the only Australian university created by the federal government, and its close ties to national research institutes give undergraduates unusually early access to research placements.

Who is this university for?

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. Graduate entry is broad from a solid bachelor's, though the flagship undergraduate programs are competitive, so it suits students who want a research-heavy rather than vocational degree.

Admissions

Selectivity
Selective
English (institutional minimum)
IELTS 6.5 · PTE 58
Application platform
Direct
Degree levels
Undergraduate

Verified anu.edu.au ↗

Australian universities do not publish official acceptance rates. Selectivity here is our editorial band, not a percentage. Group of Eight, research-intensive. Most coursework masters accept a solid bachelor's; undergraduate entry and flagship programs like PPE, law and advanced science are materially harder. Individual competitive courses stay harder to enter than the institution-wide band suggests. How we assign it.

Tuition & first-year budget

International tuition
A$48,000/year
Application fee
A$150
Living cost estimate
A$29,000/year

Verified anu.edu.au ↗

Estimated first-year budget

A$81,000 to A$93,000

Tuition plus about A$29,000 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 Canberra, 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

Bachelor of Accounting

Undergraduate · Business

Bachelor of Actuarial Studies

Undergraduate · Mathematics

Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Honours)

Undergraduate · Computer Science

Bachelor of Applied Data Analytics

Undergraduate · Information Technology

Bachelor of Archaeological Practice

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Arts

Undergraduate · Arts & Design

Bachelor of Asia-Pacific Affairs

Undergraduate · Political Science & International Relations

Bachelor of Asian Studies

Undergraduate · Political Science & International Relations

Bachelor of Biotechnology

Undergraduate

Page 1 of 20

Comparing options across universities? Browse programs by subject.

For international students

Canberra counts as a regional area for skilled migration, so studying at ANU earns 5 points toward the 190 and 491 and opens the 491 occupation lists. The ACT also runs its own state nomination stream that favours people who have studied and lived in Canberra. ANU carries a genuine research focus even at undergraduate level, so it fits students aiming at further study or research careers better than those who want a purely vocational degree.

How to apply

  1. Pick your course and check it is open to international students for your intended intake.
  2. Check the entry requirements for that specific course: academic background, minimum GPA or ATAR, subject prerequisites, and the English test score it accepts.
  3. 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.
  4. Apply online through the university's application portal, or through an authorised education agent in your country. Both routes reach the same admissions team.
  5. Pay the application fee if the course charges one. Many Australian universities do not.
  6. 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.
  7. Accept your offer and pay the tuition deposit. The university then issues a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
  8. 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

Australian National University runs fixed intakes rather than one hard deadline. The dates below are the recommended times to have your international application in, about three to four months before each intake. Postgraduate and competitive courses close earlier; later applications are often still accepted while places and visa time remain. Confirm the exact date for your course on the university’s site.

IntakeApply by
Semester 1 · UndergraduateUPCOMING

Closing date for international applications for Semester 1 2027, published by ANU. ANU does not accept late international applications: missing the date defers you to the next intake. Crawford School of Public Policy programs close on 31 October 2026, and programs with additional selection criteria can close earlier.

Semester 1 · GraduateUPCOMING

Closing date for international postgraduate applications for Semester 1 2027, published by ANU. Crawford School of Public Policy programs close on 31 October 2026. ANU does not accept late international applications.

Semester 2 · UndergraduateUPCOMING

Closing date for international applications for Semester 2 2027, published by ANU. Not every program runs a mid-year intake. ANU does not accept late international applications.

Semester 2 · GraduateUPCOMING

Closing date for international postgraduate applications for Semester 2 2027, published by ANU. Crawford School of Public Policy programs close on 15 April 2027. ANU does not accept late international applications.

Verified study.anu.edu.au ↗

Australian National University deadlines, in detail →

Australian National University: common questions

Does Australian National University charge an application fee for international students?

Australian National 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 Australian National University?

The institutional minimum for undergraduate entry at Australian National 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 Australian National University for a year?

As an international student, budget roughly A$81,000 to A$93,000 for your first year. That is tuition from about A$48,000, around A$29,000 in living costs for Canberra, plus roughly A$4,000 in one-off setup costs. Tuition varies widely by course.

Is Australian National University a Group of Eight university?

Yes. Australian National 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 Australian National University?

Australian National 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 Australian National University in a regional area for skilled migration?

Yes. Canberra is a designated regional area for skilled migration, so studying at Australian National 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 Australian National 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).

Related

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

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Sources & verification

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Written by Roman Lama

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