The University of Wollongong (UOW) is a public university on the New South Wales coast, about 80 km south of Sydney.[1] It reports 35,076 enrolled students and 307 degrees.[2] In the QS World University Rankings 2027 it is 195th in the world and 13th in Australia.[3]
International tuition is charged per session. In UOW’s 2027 fee schedule, undergraduate degrees listed at A$17,832 to A$25,512 per session; for example, the Bachelor of Business is A$20,856 per session.[4] The schedule does not state an annual total; check your offer.[5] Most course entries in the 2027 international course guide ask for an overall IELTS score of 6.0 or 6.5.[6]
Key facts
| Official name | University of Wollongong (UOW) |
| Location | Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia (main address Northfields Avenue, NSW 2522)[2] |
| Type | Public research university[1] |
| Founded | 1951 as a division of the New South Wales University of Technology; independent university since 1975[2] |
| Students | 35,076 enrolled (page without a date)[2] |
| Nationalities | 207 represented in the student body[2] |
| Degrees | 307[2] |
| Faculties (2026) | Arts, Society and Business; Engineering and Information Sciences; Science, Medicine and Health[1] |
| Overseas campuses | UOW lists partner or entity campuses in Dubai, Hong Kong, India and Malaysia[2] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 195th worldwide, 13th in Australia (down from equal 184th in 2026)[3] |
| Tuition 2027, undergraduate | A$17,832 to A$25,512 per session (indicative, full-time load)[4] |
| Example: Bachelor of Business 2027 | A$20,856 per session[4] |
| Entry English (2027 guide) | Most courses: IELTS overall 6.0 or 6.5[6] |
| CRICOS provider code | 00102E[5] |
| Official website | uow.edu.au |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 6 November 2026.
About the University of Wollongong
UOW’s history starts in 1951 as a division of the New South Wales University of Technology (later UNSW). The university became independent in 1975.[2] Wikipedia adds that the Wollongong University College was constituted in 1961, and that the 1975 act of the New South Wales Parliament made the university an independent institution.[1] UOW describes itself as funded in its early years by donations from local people.[2]
The main campus is at Wollongong, about 80 km south of Sydney.[1] Wikipedia lists nine Australian sites, among them the Innovation Campus, Sydney Business School, UOW Liverpool, Southern Sydney (Loftus), Shoalhaven, Southern Highlands, Bega and Batemans Bay.[1] UOW lists 207 nationalities among its students and agreements with more than 400 overseas institutions.[2]
As of 2026 the university has three faculties: Arts, Society and Business; Engineering and Information Sciences; and Science, Medicine and Health.[1]
How is the University of Wollongong ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, UOW is 195th in the world and 13th in Australia, among more than 1,500 ranked institutions.[3] Time Out’s list of the Australian results gives the same two numbers.[7] In the 2026 edition UOW was equal 184th, so the position fell by 11 places.[8]
UOW’s own release names its strongest QS indicator: citations per faculty member, where it is 71st worldwide and 5th in Australia. International student diversity rose 21 places to 190th, and sustainability is 138th.[3] In the QS subject rankings 2026 UOW is 6th globally in Philosophy and 36th in Nursing.[3] UOW’s reputation page also quotes equal 41st place in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2026 (social and economic impact).[2]
Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings. For the Australian field see the Australia ranking.
What can you study at the University of Wollongong?
UOW lists 307 degrees.[2] The 2027 international course guide groups undergraduate and postgraduate courses by subject, including business, engineering, health, nursing, law, science, education, social sciences and information technology.[6] Example courses with 2027 session fees in the schedule include the Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Exercise Science, Bachelor of Computer Science, the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in several majors, and the Master of Information Technology.[4]
If you do not meet the direct-entry level, UOW College Australia runs pathway programs, including foundation studies and academic English courses that lead to UOW degrees.[6] Most courses start in February or July; some masters courses start in trimesters (T1, T2, T3).[6] Study abroad and exchange students can take a single Autumn or Spring session.[9]
How much does the University of Wollongong cost for international students in 2027?
| Course (examples) | Indicative fee per session, 2027 (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of International Studies | $18,792 |
| Bachelor of Business | $20,856 |
| Bachelor of Exercise Science | $21,528 |
| Bachelor of Nursing | $21,888 |
| Bachelor of Science (Medical and Radiation Science) | $24,816 |
| Master of Computer Science (Software Engineering) | $22,728 |
| Master of Business Administration | $16,398 |
These are the “indicative commencing session fee based on full-time enrolment” from UOW’s International Commencing Student Tuition Fee Schedule 2027 (updated July 2026). The schedule states the amounts in Australian dollars per session.[4] Across all undergraduate entries in the schedule the amounts run from A$17,832 to A$25,512 per session.[4] The 2027 course guide shows the Bachelor of Science at A$24,816 and the Master of Engineering (Mining Engineering) at A$25,512, again for one study session.[6]
Per session, not per year
UOW does not give an annual total on the pages we read. Its study-abroad page speaks of a single “Autumn or Spring” session, so a normal full-time year contains two sessions.[9] That would put an annual cost at about twice the session fee. This is our own arithmetic, not a figure published by UOW, so check your Offer of Admission. UOW states that fees are calculated per credit point, are reviewed annually and can change at the start of each year.[5] Note that the university’s own pages and the older figures on aggregator sites may use different periods and years.
Other costs
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is required for the visa period.[5] For study abroad in 2027 UOW lists indicative amounts of A$532 for OSHC and A$186.50 for the Student Services and Amenities Fee, alongside a tuition fee of A$12,144 for one session and living costs of A$8,000 to A$12,000.[9] For rent and living costs in Australian cities, see the Study in Australia guide.
How do you apply to the University of Wollongong?
UOW’s 2027 international course guide describes two routes.[6]
- Through an agent: applicants from certain citizenships who must undergo the Genuine Student Assessment have to apply through a UOW authorised agent (list at uow.info/agent-list).[6]
- Directly: applicants whose citizenship does not require the assessment can choose an agent or apply directly through the StudyLink Applicant Portal (apply.uow.edu.au). Applications are free of charge.[6] Students currently completing an Australian Year 12, New Zealand NCEA Level 3 or the International Baccalaureate Diploma may instead apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).[6]
- Research degrees: for a research masters or PhD, find a supervisor and prepare a research proposal first, then apply.[6]
For undergraduate entry UOW recognises secondary qualifications from over 40 countries and systems (for example A Levels, IB, SAT and national school certificates); most postgraduate courses require a recognised bachelor’s degree.[6] After an offer, new students pay a Tuition Fee Deposit to receive the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) needed for the student visa.[5] We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by course; check the intake for your course.
Which English level do you need?
The 2027 course guide lists an IELTS requirement for every course. Most entries ask for an overall score of 6.0 (usually 6.0 in each band) or 6.5 (usually 6.0 in each band). A smaller number need 7.0 or higher, and the highest entry in the guide is 8.5.[6] Examples: Bachelor of Science overall 6.0; Bachelor of International Studies overall 6.5; Master of Business Analytics overall 6.5.[6] Check the course page for the band scores, because they differ by course.
The guide also says that, depending on your citizenship, you may have to meet separate English language requirements for the visa, as advised by the Department of Home Affairs.[6] We did not read the visa rules themselves, so use the Home Affairs website for them. If your English is below the level, UOW College Australia offers English for Academic Purposes and English for Tertiary Studies courses of 6 to 24 weeks, depending on your IELTS score on entry.[6]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the University of Wollongong cost for international students?
What is the University of Wollongong’s QS ranking?
What IELTS score do I need for the University of Wollongong?
It depends on the course. Most entries in the 2027 guide ask for an overall 6.0 or 6.5; some need 7.0 or more.[6]
Do I have to apply through an agent?
Only if your citizenship requires the Genuine Student Assessment. Other applicants can use an agent or apply directly through the StudyLink Applicant Portal; applications are free.[6]
How many students does the University of Wollongong have?
UOW’s reputation page lists 35,076 enrolled students from 207 nationalities (the page has no date).[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 Sydney
- University of Tasmania
- University of Technology Sydney
- The University of Western Australia
- UNSW Sydney
Sources
[1] Wikipedia: University of Wollongong (history, campuses and faculties; first 100,000 characters of the page read)
[2] University of Wollongong: Our reputation & experience (page without a date; copyright 2026)
[3] University of Wollongong: UOW ranks in top 200 globally in QS World University Rankings 2027 (media release) (media release of 18 Jun 2026)
[4] University of Wollongong: International Commencing Student Tuition Fee Schedule 2027 (PDF) (document updated July 2026)
[5] University of Wollongong: International student fees (page without a date; copyright 2026)
[6] University of Wollongong: International Course Guide 2027 (PDF) (publication dated August 2026)
[7] Time Out: this Melbourne university has ranked second in Australia in the QS World Rankings (article of late June 2026 (date taken from the page address); QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access)
[8] PickMyUni: QS Australian universities rankings 2027 (article of 18 Jun 2026, author line updated 5 Nov 2026; used for the 2026 position)
[9] University of Wollongong: Study abroad and exchange, costs and financial aid (page without a date; figures marked indicative for 2027)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.