Where To Apply

Sydney, NSW, Australia · public

Macquarie University

UPCOMING
Official website ↗

Macquarie University does not publish a single closing date. For its next intake (Semester 1), we recommend applying around October 2026, roughly three to four months ahead.

At a glance

International tuition
A$42,000/yr
First-year budget
A$79,000 to A$91,000
English (minimum)
IELTS 6.5 · PTE 58
Application fee
None
Intakes
Semester 1 · Semester 2
Regional (migration)
No
Selectivity
Competitive
Degree levels
Undergraduate

Good for

  • More than one intake a year
  • No application fee

Weaker fit for

  • Regional migration points, if you study on the metro campus

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

Macquarie's campus includes its own train station and one of the few university-run teaching hospitals in Australia, MQ Health.

Who is this university for?

Macquarie is a strong fit for students in actuarial studies, finance, linguistics, cognitive science, and health, and its campus has its own metro station and a university-run hospital used in teaching. It sits in Sydney's north, near a major corporate and tech precinct, which helps with internships and graduate roles. Living costs are Sydney-level, so budget accordingly.

Admissions

Selectivity
Competitive
English (institutional minimum)
IELTS 6.5 · PTE 58
Degree levels
Undergraduate

Verified mq.edu.au ↗

Australian universities do not publish official acceptance rates. Selectivity here is our editorial band, not a percentage. Mainstream public university. Entry is real but attainable from a recognised bachelor's or Year 12 equivalent, while named professional courses such as nursing, teaching and psychology set higher course-specific bars. Individual competitive courses stay harder to enter than the institution-wide band suggests. How we assign it.

Tuition & first-year budget

International tuition
A$42,000/year
Application fee
None
Living cost estimate
A$33,000/year

Verified mq.edu.au ↗

Estimated first-year budget

A$79,000 to A$91,000

Tuition plus about A$33,000 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 Sydney, 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 Actuarial Studies

Undergraduate · Mathematics

Bachelor of Advanced Information Technology

Undergraduate · Computer Science

Bachelor of Ancient History

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Applied Finance

Undergraduate · Business

Bachelor of Arts

Undergraduate · Arts & Design

Bachelor of Arts - Media

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

Undergraduate · Psychology

Bachelor of Business

Undergraduate · Business

Bachelor of Business Administration

Undergraduate · Business

Bachelor of Business Analytics

Undergraduate · Information Technology

Page 1 of 15

Comparing options across universities? Browse programs by subject.

For international students

Macquarie is in northern Sydney, so there are no regional migration points and Sydney living costs are the highest in the country. Its campus has its own metro station and a university-run teaching hospital, MQ Health, which supports its medicine and allied health programs, and it is well regarded for actuarial studies, finance, and politics and international relations. Entry from a three-year overseas bachelor is accepted for most masters, with a credit average the common bar.

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

Macquarie 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 · Graduatearound October 2026Recommended

Macquarie University assesses international applications on a rolling basis rather than to one fixed deadline. The date shown is a recommended time to apply for the February or March 2027 intake, roughly three to four months before it starts. Applications are usually still accepted after it while places remain and there is time for a student visa. Macquarie assesses international applications as they arrive rather than to a set date, and some courses fill early. Apply well before your session start and leave time for a student visa.

Semester 1 · Undergraduatearound November 2026Recommended

Macquarie University assesses international applications on a rolling basis rather than to one fixed deadline. The date shown is a recommended time to apply for the February or March 2027 intake, roughly three to four months before it starts. Applications are usually still accepted after it while places remain and there is time for a student visa. Macquarie assesses international applications as they arrive rather than to a set date, and some courses fill early. Apply well before your session start and leave time for a student visa.

Semester 2 · Graduatearound April 2027Recommended

Macquarie University assesses international applications on a rolling basis rather than to one fixed deadline. The date shown is a recommended time to apply for the July 2027 intake, roughly three to four months before it starts. Applications are usually still accepted after it while places remain and there is time for a student visa. Macquarie assesses international applications as they arrive rather than to a set date, and some courses fill early. Apply well before your session start and leave time for a student visa.

Semester 2 · Undergraduatearound April 2027Recommended

Macquarie University assesses international applications on a rolling basis rather than to one fixed deadline. The date shown is a recommended time to apply for the July 2027 intake, roughly three to four months before it starts. Applications are usually still accepted after it while places remain and there is time for a student visa. Macquarie assesses international applications as they arrive rather than to a set date, and some courses fill early. Apply well before your session start and leave time for a student visa.

Verified mq.edu.au ↗

Macquarie University deadlines, in detail →

Macquarie University: common questions

Does Macquarie University charge an application fee for international students?

No. Macquarie University does not charge international students an application fee when you apply directly or through an authorised agent. Third-party application platforms may add their own service fee.

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

The institutional minimum for undergraduate entry at Macquarie 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 Macquarie University for a year?

As an international student, budget roughly A$79,000 to A$91,000 for your first year. That is tuition from about A$42,000, around A$33,000 in living costs for Sydney, plus roughly A$4,000 in one-off setup costs. Tuition varies widely by course.

Is Macquarie University a Group of Eight university?

No. Macquarie University is not a member of the Group of Eight (Australia's eight research-intensive universities: ANU, Melbourne, Sydney, UNSW, Queensland, Monash, Western Australia, and Adelaide). Many fields are taught just as well outside the Go8 for lower fees.

When can I start studying at Macquarie University?

Macquarie 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 Macquarie University in a regional area for skilled migration?

No. Macquarie University's main campus is in a major metropolitan area, so it does not attract the regional study points. If regional migration points matter to you, look at universities in Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, or the smaller cities.

How do I apply to Macquarie 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).

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