The University of Sydney is a public research university in Sydney, founded in 1850. It has more than 70,000 students and offers 450+ courses across 10 areas of study.[1][2] It is ranked 28th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[3]
The university’s fee guide for 2027 entry lists international undergraduate tuition from A$51,700 a year (arts and social sciences, nursing) to A$69,200 (the upper end of health sciences), based on 48 credit points a year.[4] The standard English requirement is IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0; many courses ask for more.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | The University of Sydney |
| Location | Sydney, New South Wales (main campus: City Road, University of Sydney NSW 2006)[3] |
| Type | Public research university[2] |
| Founded | 1850[2] |
| Students | 70,000+[1] |
| Courses | 450+ across 10 areas of study[1] |
| Research | 150+ research centres and 6 multidisciplinary initiatives[1] |
| Alumni | 500,000+ in over 170 countries[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 28th in the world[3] |
| Group of Eight | Member of the Group of Eight, Australia’s research-intensive universities[6] |
| Tuition 2027 entry, undergraduate | A$51,700–A$69,200 per year (guide, 48 credit points)[4] |
| English (standard minimum) | IELTS Academic 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0; some courses higher[5] |
| Official website | sydney.edu.au |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 6 November 2026.
About the University of Sydney
The University of Sydney was founded in 1850 and is the oldest university in Australia.[2] It reports more than 70,000 students, 450+ courses across 10 areas of study, 150+ research centres and over 500,000 alumni in more than 170 countries.[1]
It is a member of the Group of Eight, Australia’s research-intensive universities.[6] The main campus address is City Road, University of Sydney NSW 2006.[3] For the wider picture of living and studying in the country, see our Study in Australia guide and the Australia overview.
How is the University of Sydney ranked?
The university’s own rankings page lists it 28th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[3] A national press report on the QS 2027 release (published by the Canberra Times) gives the same position and places it behind UNSW (19th) and the University of Melbourne (22nd) and ahead of the Australian National University (29th) among Australian universities.[7]
The university also lists 15th globally for sustainability in QS’s 2026 sustainability ranking.[1] The rankings page adds subject positions; for example it lists Veterinary science as 16th in the world in QS by Subject 2026.[3] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University of Sydney?
The university offers 450+ courses across 10 areas of study.[1] Its international fee guide groups tuition by study area: architecture, design and planning; arts and social sciences; business; economics; education and social work; engineering and computer science; law; medicine and health (dentistry, health sciences, medicine and public health, nursing, pharmacy); music; and science.[4]
Some degrees are priced separately because their fees differ significantly from the guide, for example the Doctor of Medicine, the Doctor of Dental Medicine, the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, the Executive Master of Business Administration and the dual degrees with Sciences Po in France.[4]
How much does the University of Sydney cost in 2027?
The fee guide shows the tuition you are likely to pay as an international student in your first year. It is based on a full-time load of 48 credit points a year (1 EFTSL); courses with fewer credit points cost less, and a graduate certificate with 24 credit points costs less than a 48-point master’s degree. The guide is indicative, fees change every year, and for exact figures you must check the course page.[4]
Full-time fees, guide for 2027 entry
| Study area | Undergraduate | Postgraduate coursework | Postgraduate research |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture, design and planning | A$55,100 | A$50,500–A$55,500 | A$54,500 |
| Arts and social sciences | A$51,700–A$59,100 | A$52,200–A$60,200 | A$49,200–A$54,500 |
| Business | A$59,100–A$63,600 | A$56,800–A$64,800 | A$61,300 |
| Economics | A$59,100 | A$64,800 | A$54,500–A$61,300 |
| Education and social work | A$59,100–A$63,600 | A$56,800 | A$54,500 |
| Engineering and computer science | A$63,600 | A$60,800–A$64,800 | A$61,300 |
| Law | A$59,100 | A$56,800–A$64,800 | A$61,300 |
| Science | A$59,100–A$63,600 | A$60,800–A$64,800 | A$56,800–A$61,300 |
| Nursing | A$51,700 | A$53,900 | A$53,300–A$61,300 |
| Pharmacy | A$63,600 | A$48,700–A$64,800 | A$53,300–A$61,300 |
| Health sciences | A$63,600–A$69,200 | A$64,800–A$72,800 | A$61,300 |
| Dentistry | A$63,600 | A$87,000 | A$61,300 |
| Medicine and public health | not applicable | A$64,800 | A$61,300 |
Figures are in Australian dollars per year of full-time study. The same page also lists the guide for 2026 entry; the 2027 undergraduate range for arts and social sciences, for instance, is A$51,700–A$59,100 against A$49,200–A$56,300 for 2026.[4]
First payment and other costs
You make your first payment when you accept an offer. It acts as a deposit, covers your first semester’s tuition and, if you choose the university’s preferred provider, Overseas Student Health Cover.[8] The exact amount is confirmed in your letter of offer.[8] As well as tuition you pay an application processing fee, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).[4] For living costs see the Study in Australia guide.
How do you apply to the University of Sydney?
- Most international applicants: apply directly to the university from your course page, or through an authorised agent. An application processing fee applies.[8]
- Through UAC: if you are currently studying an Australian Year 12 qualification or an IB diploma in Australia, you apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC), which processes applications for New South Wales universities.[8]
If you are successful you receive an unconditional or conditional offer. You accept it by the deadline and pay your first semester’s fees; you then receive an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) for your student visa application.[8] A valid Australian student visa requires health insurance, which the university can arrange for you.[8] The Department of Home Affairs lists the Student visa (subclass 500) with a stay of up to six years in line with your enrolment.[9] We give no deadlines here because they change every year; check your course page.
Which English level do you need?
The standard requirement is an IELTS Academic overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0, but some faculties and courses set different requirements, so check your course page.[5] Other accepted tests are converted with the university’s concordance table: TOEFL iBT (the Australia version only, not the Home Edition), PTE, LanguageCert Academic (in-person) and Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency.[5]
All IELTS, PTE and LanguageCert requirements refer to the academic test, non-academic tests are not accepted, IELTS Online is not accepted, and results must be no more than two years old at the course start date.[5] You may also qualify without a test if your previous qualification was taught entirely in English or you completed a specific English or humanities subject in a recognised qualification within two years of the start date.[5]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the University of Sydney cost for international students in 2027?
The university’s fee guide for 2027 entry shows undergraduate tuition of about A$51,700 to A$69,200 a year depending on the study area, for example A$63,600 for engineering and computer science.[4] Check your course page for the exact fee.
What is the University of Sydney’s QS ranking in 2027?
The university lists itself 28th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[3]
What IELTS score do you need for the University of Sydney?
The standard minimum is 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0. Many courses require more.[5]
Do I apply to the University of Sydney directly or through UAC?
Most international applicants apply directly or through an authorised agent. Those currently studying an Australian Year 12 or an IB diploma in Australia apply through UAC.[8]
Is the University of Sydney the oldest university in Australia?
Yes. It was founded in 1850 and is described as the oldest university in Australia and Oceania.[2]
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
- Adelaide University
- 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 Tasmania
- University of Technology Sydney
- The University of Western Australia
- University of Wollongong
- UNSW Sydney
Sources
[1] University of Sydney: About us (page without a date)
[2] Wikipedia: University of Sydney (founding and type; page without a date)
[3] University of Sydney: Our world rankings (page without a date; shows QS World University Rankings 2027)
[4] University of Sydney: International student tuition fees (page without a date; fee guide for 2026 and 2027 entry)
[5] University of Sydney: English language requirements (page without a date)
[6] Group of Eight: About (page without a date)
[7] Canberra Times: Australian unis ‘punch above their weight’ in rankings (QS 2027 report of 18 Jun 2026; wire story)
[8] University of Sydney: How to apply, international students (page without a date)
[9] Australian Department of Home Affairs: Student visa (subclass 500) (page updated 5 Nov 2026)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.