Where To Apply

Sydney, NSW, Australia · public

UNSW Sydney

OPEN
Official website ↗

UNSW Sydney does not publish a single closing date. For its next intake (Term 1), we recommend applying around November 2026, roughly three to four months ahead.

At a glance

International tuition
A$51,000/yr
First-year budget
A$88,000 to A$101,000
English (minimum)
IELTS 6.5 · PTE 58
Application fee
A$150
Intakes
Term 1 · Term 3
Regional (migration)
No
Selectivity
Selective
Degree levels
Undergraduate

Good for

  • Research reputation and global rankings
  • More than one intake a year

Weaker fit for

  • The lowest possible tuition budget
  • 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

UNSW leans harder into engineering and built environment than most of the Group of Eight, with co-op and industry-placement tracks built into several undergraduate degrees.

Who is this university for?

UNSW leans harder into engineering and the built environment than most of the Group of Eight, with co-op and industry-placement tracks built into several degrees, and it is also strong in business and law. It runs a trimester calendar, so the academic year is structured differently from most universities. It is selective and in Sydney, so it suits strong applicants with the budget for the city.

Admissions

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

Verified unsw.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Australian universities do not publish official acceptance rates.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 courses are attainable from a credit average; engineering, medicine and actuarial studies are higher. Individual competitive courses stay harder to enter than the institution-wide band suggests. How we assign it.

Tuition & first-year budget

International tuition
A$51,000/year
Application fee
A$150
Living cost estimate
A$33,000/year

Verified unsw.edu.au ↗

Estimated first-year budget

A$88,000 to A$101,000

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 · Business

Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours)

Undergraduate · Computer Science

Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours)

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Architectural Studies

Undergraduate · Architecture

Bachelor of Art Theory

Undergraduate · Arts & Design

Bachelor of Arts

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences (Honours)

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Aviation (Flying)

Undergraduate · Engineering

Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours)

Undergraduate

Bachelor of City Planning (Honours)

Undergraduate · Architecture

Page 1 of 22

Comparing options across universities? Browse programs by subject.

For international students

UNSW runs a trimester calendar with three main teaching periods a year, roughly February, June, and September, so there are more entry points than the standard February and July but a faster pace once you start. It is in Sydney, so there are no regional migration points and living costs are the highest in the country. Engineering and business are the largest international cohorts.

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

UNSW Sydney 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
Term 1 · Undergraduatearound November 2026Recommended

UNSW runs three terms a year (Term 1 starts in February) and makes international offers in grouped rounds for in-demand programs rather than on one cut-off. Exact 2027 international dates are published from around late September 2026. Apply two to three months before the term start to leave time for a student visa.

Term 1 · Graduatearound November 2026Recommended

UNSW postgraduate coursework runs to a three-term calendar (Term 1 starts in February), with grouped offer rounds for popular programs and separate deadlines for some faculties (AGSM MBA, Psychology, Master of Teaching, Juris Doctor). Confirm the date for your program; apply early for visa time.

Term 3 · Undergraduatearound July 2027Recommended

Term 3 at UNSW starts in September. Not all programs have a Term 2 or Term 3 intake. International offers are made in grouped rounds for in-demand programs; confirm the date for your program and apply early for visa time.

Verified unsw.edu.au ↗

UNSW Sydney deadlines, in detail →

UNSW Sydney: common questions

Does UNSW Sydney charge an application fee for international students?

UNSW Sydney 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 UNSW Sydney?

The institutional minimum for undergraduate entry at UNSW Sydney 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 UNSW Sydney for a year?

As an international student, budget roughly A$88,000 to A$101,000 for your first year. That is tuition from about A$51,000, 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 UNSW Sydney a Group of Eight university?

Yes. UNSW Sydney 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 UNSW Sydney?

UNSW Sydney 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 UNSW Sydney in a regional area for skilled migration?

No. UNSW Sydney'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 UNSW Sydney 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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Guides

Applying from your country

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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