Adelaide University is a new public university in South Australia. It was formed from the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia (UniSA): students transferred on 1 January 2026, and the university opened its doors on 5 January 2026.[1][2] At the opening its Chancellor spoke of around 70,000 students.[2] It is ranked 79th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, as a single institution.[3][4]
The degree pages we read list indicative international fees of A$45,100 a year for the Bachelor of Arts, A$52,500 for the Bachelor of Business, A$55,400 for the Bachelor of Computer Science and the Bachelor of Science, and A$57,100 for the Master of Data Science.[5][6][7][8] These degrees ask for IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.[5][8]
Key facts
| Official name | Adelaide University (Kaurna name: Tirkangkaku, “Place of Learning”)[3] |
| Location | Adelaide, South Australia (registered address Level 4, 108 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000)[3] |
| Type | Public university; member of the Group of Eight[3] |
| Founded | 2026, by merging the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia; student transfer on 1 January 2026, opened on 5 January 2026[1] |
| Official opening | Reported as officially open in a South Australian Government news item of 29 January 2026[9] |
| Students | Around 70,000 (Chancellor, 5 Jan 2026); about 56,000 students transferred from the two foundation universities (SA Government, 29 Jan 2026)[2] |
| Campuses | Adelaide City, Magill, Mawson Lakes, Mount Gambier, Roseworthy, Waite and Whyalla[10] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 79th[3] |
| THE World University Rankings 2027 | 141st worldwide and 7th in Australia (university’s own statement)[3] |
| International fees (examples) | A$45,100 (BA) · A$52,500 (BBus) · A$55,400 (BCompSci, BSc) · A$57,100 (MDataSci), indicative annual fees[5] |
| English requirement (typical) | IELTS Overall 6.5, with 6 in Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing[5] |
| CRICOS provider code | 04249J[3] |
| Official website | adelaideuni.edu.au |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 6 November 2026.
About Adelaide University
Adelaide University came into being at the start of 2026. The Governor of South Australia made a proclamation that transferred students’ program enrolments from the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia (UniSA) to the new university on 1 January 2026.[1] The university says it officially opened its doors on 5 January 2026.[2] A Government of South Australia news item of 29 January 2026 reports the university as officially open.[9] The creation of the university was announced in 2023.[2]
It describes itself as a “for-purpose” university and a member of the Group of Eight, built from the capabilities of two foundation institutions with more than 180 years of collective experience.[3] Adelaide University is the first university in Australia with an Aboriginal name in its founding legislation: the Kaurna name Tirkangkaku, meaning Place of Learning.[3]
Its campuses are Adelaide City, Magill, Mawson Lakes, Mount Gambier, Roseworthy, Waite and Whyalla.[10]
How is Adelaide University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Adelaide University is 79th in the world. The university states this on its own pages, and the press list of Australian results names it as “Adelaide University” at 79th, just behind the University of Western Australia (77th).[3][4] In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 the university reports 141st worldwide and 7th in Australia, and it lists subject positions such as 89th for Education Studies and 96th for computer science (THE subject ranking 2026).[3]
Because the university only opened in January 2026, editions before 2027 cannot describe it as a single institution, so we do not compare this position with earlier ones. The QS site itself blocks automated access, so we rely on the university’s statement and press reports. Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at Adelaide University?
Adelaide University organises its study into six colleges: Business and Law; Creative Arts, Design and Humanities; Education, Behavioural and Social Sciences; Engineering and Information Technology; Health; and Science.[11] Examples we checked for international students:
- Bachelor of Arts: 3 years full time, Adelaide City and Magill campuses.[5]
- Bachelor of Business: 3 years full time, Adelaide City campus.[6]
- Bachelor of Computer Science: 3 years full time, Adelaide City and Mawson Lakes campuses.[7]
- Master of Data Science: 2 years full time, Adelaide City and Mawson Lakes campuses.[8]
Part-time study is not available for international students.[5] For degrees, visas and living costs see Study in Australia; other universities are in our Australia guide.
How much does Adelaide University cost for international students?
| Degree | Level | Duration (full time) | Indicative annual fee (A$) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor’s | 3 years | 45,100 |
| Bachelor of Business | Bachelor’s | 3 years | 52,500 |
| Bachelor of Computer Science | Bachelor’s | 3 years | 55,400 |
| Bachelor of Science | Bachelor’s | 3 years | 55,400 |
| Master of Data Science | Master’s | 2 years | 57,100 |
The degree pages call these “indicative annual fees”, state that fees are subject to change annually, and base them on the total number of units studied in the program on a full-time annual basis.[5][6][7][8]
These are the fees of Adelaide University. Fees quoted for the University of Adelaide or UniSA before 2026 belong to the predecessors. For other costs such as health cover and living expenses, see Study in Australia.
How do international students apply to Adelaide University?
The university describes three stages: before you apply (find your degree, check entry requirements, consider pathway programs), applying, and after applying.[12] Requirements include the academic entry requirements, English language requirements, the Genuine Student requirement and a financial capacity requirement.[12]
Most students can apply directly through the International Application System. Students from the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia (Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka), the Philippines and Latin America must apply through an Education Agent.[12] Research degrees follow a separate application process.[12]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year; the closing date is shown on each degree page.[12] Start months for the degrees we read are February and July.[5]
Which English level do you need for Adelaide University?
The Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Computer Science and Master of Data Science pages all list IELTS Overall 6.5 with 6 in Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing, and note equivalent English qualifications.[5][6][7][8] Other degrees can differ, so read the English language requirements on your degree page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Adelaide University the same as the University of Adelaide?
How much are Adelaide University fees for international students?
What is Adelaide University’s world ranking?
Which IELTS score do I need for Adelaide University?
How do I apply as an international student?
Most students apply directly through the International Application System; students from some regions must use an Education Agent.[12]
More about studying in Australia
- Australia: best universities
- Study in Australia: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Australia
- Australian National University
- Curtin University
- Deakin University
- Griffith University
- James Cook University
- La Trobe University
- Macquarie University
- Monash University
- Queensland University of Technology
- RMIT University
- University of Melbourne
- University of Newcastle
- The University of Queensland
- University of Sydney
- University of Tasmania
- University of Technology Sydney
- The University of Western Australia
- University of Wollongong
- UNSW Sydney
Sources
[1] Adelaide University: Transitioning students from University of Adelaide and UniSA (includes the notice of 19 Nov 2025 on the legal transfer on 1 Jan 2026)
[2] Adelaide University: A bold new future for Australian higher education begins today (published 5 Jan 2026)
[3] Adelaide University: About (rankings stated by the university; CRICOS provider 04249J and registered address from the page footer and data; page without a visible date)
[4] Time Out Australia: Nine Australian universities rank among the world’s top 100 for 2027 (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article of 24 Jun 2026; QS edition released 18 Jun 2026; InDaily of 18 Jun 2026 reports the same rank)
[5] Adelaide University: Bachelor of Arts, international view (page without a visible date; enrolment year setting 2027; CRICOS 115677K)
[6] Adelaide University: Bachelor of Business, international view (page without a visible date; enrolment year setting 2027; CRICOS 115681C)
[7] Adelaide University: Bachelor of Computer Science, international view (page without a visible date; enrolment year setting 2027; CRICOS 115685K)
[8] Adelaide University: Master of Data Science, international view (page without a visible date; enrolment year setting 2027; CRICOS 115904D)
[9] Government of South Australia, Department of State Development: New Adelaide University officially open (news item of 29 Jan 2026)
[10] Adelaide University: Campuses (page without a date)
[11] Adelaide University: International students (page without a visible date; colleges named in its navigation)
[12] Adelaide University: How to apply, international students (page data modified 13 Oct 2026)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.