UNSW Sydney (the University of New South Wales) is a public research university in Sydney. It is ranked 19th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, the first place in Australia and the only Australian university in the global top 20.[1] Its 2024 fact sheet counts 70,238 students, of whom 27,695 are international (2023 data).[2]
International tuition for 2027 is charged per unit of credit (UOC); a full-time year is 48 UOC. At the 2027 undergraduate rates that is about A$45,840 to A$67,920 a year for most disciplines, for example A$49,680 for Arts and A$63,840 for Engineering, with Medicine higher.[3] Most undergraduate degrees ask for IELTS Academic 6.5 (7.0 in Business and Law & Justice) with no band below 6.0.[4]
Key facts
| Official name | University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) |
| Location | Kensington, Sydney, New South Wales (postcode 2033)[3] |
| Type | Public research university[5] |
| Founded | 1949[6] |
| Students | 70,238, of which 27,695 international and 42,543 local (2023 data in the 2024 fact sheet)[2] |
| Higher degree research candidates | 4,246 (2023 data)[2] |
| Kensington campus | 38 hectares; seven faculties[2] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 19th in the world, 1st in Australia[1] |
| Group of Eight | Member of the Group of Eight, Australia’s research-intensive universities[7] |
| CRICOS provider code | 00098G[3] |
| Tuition 2027, undergraduate | A$955–A$1,415 per unit of credit for most disciplines (48 UOC = one full-time year); Medicine A$2,175[3] |
| Student Services & Amenities Fee | Charged in addition to tuition[3] |
| English (most undergraduate degrees) | IELTS Academic 6.5, no band below 6.0 (7.0 in Business and in Law & Justice)[4] |
| Official website | unsw.edu.au |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 6 November 2026.
About UNSW Sydney
UNSW Sydney was founded in 1949.[6] Its main Kensington campus covers 38 hectares and the university had seven faculties in its 2024 fact sheet.[2] The faculties listed on the current website are Arts, Design & Architecture; Business School; Engineering; Law & Justice; Medicine & Health; Science; and UNSW Canberra.[4]
It is a member of the Group of Eight, Australia’s research-intensive universities.[7] The latest student figures in the fact sheet are for 2023: 70,238 students, 27,695 of them international, and 4,246 higher degree research candidates.[2] Newer official headcounts were not available to us. For the wider picture of living and studying in the country, see our Study in Australia guide and the Australia overview.
How is UNSW Sydney ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, UNSW Sydney is 19th in the world. The university says this is the first time it holds the top place among Australian universities (a first for a university in New South Wales), that it is the only Australian university in the global top 20, and that it has stayed in the top 20 for four years in a row.[1] The ranking covered 1,504 published universities.[1]
UNSW also reports a score of 97.4 for graduate employment outcomes (first in Australia) and 7th in the world for sustainability.[1] The release is the university’s own statement, so treat it as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at UNSW Sydney?
UNSW says it offers more than 400 degree and double-degree options.[8] Undergraduate, postgraduate coursework and research programmes are organised in seven faculties: Arts, Design & Architecture; Business School; Engineering; Law & Justice; Medicine & Health; Science; and UNSW Canberra.[4]
The Business School, Engineering, Science, Law & Justice and Medicine & Health each have their own fee tables, so the faculty of your course sets your price. Find the unit-of-credit value of your course in the UNSW Handbook.[3]
How much does UNSW Sydney cost in 2027?
UNSW lists international fees in Australian dollars per unit of credit (UOC). A full-time year is 48 UOC, and most courses are worth 6 UOC. Students are charged the rate for the year of the census date of their enrolment, and fees are reviewed annually.[3] The annual figures below are our multiplication of the 2027 per-UOC rates by 48; they are not UNSW’s own course prices.
Undergraduate, 2027
| Faculty / discipline | Per UOC | Per 48 UOC (one year) |
|---|---|---|
| Arts (e.g. ARTS) | A$1,035 | A$49,680 |
| Art & Design | A$1,050 | A$50,400 |
| Architecture (ARCH) and Law (LAWS) | A$1,145 | A$54,960 |
| Business (e.g. COMM, ACCT) | A$1,240 | A$59,520 |
| Engineering (e.g. COMP, MECH) | A$1,330 | A$63,840 |
| Science (e.g. MATH, CHEM) | A$1,375 | A$66,000 |
| Medicine & Health (e.g. HLTH, MEDM) | A$1,390 | A$66,720 |
| Medicine (MDCN, MFAC) | A$2,175 | A$104,400 |
Postgraduate coursework and research, 2027 (examples)
| Discipline | Postgraduate coursework per UOC (per year) | Research per UOC (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Arts | A$1,025 (A$49,200) | A$960 (A$46,080) |
| Business (e.g. ACCT) | A$1,360 (A$65,280) | A$965 (A$46,320) |
| Law (LAWS) | A$1,355 (A$65,040) | A$1,195 (A$57,360) |
| Computer Science (COMP) | A$1,375 (A$66,000) | A$1,285 (A$61,680) |
| Mathematics (MATH) | A$1,305 (A$62,640) | A$1,350 (A$64,800) |
Fees are charged at the level of the course: a postgraduate student taking an undergraduate course pays the undergraduate rate.[3] A Student Services & Amenities Fee is charged in addition to tuition.[3] Other disciplines have their own rates, from A$955 to A$1,415 per UOC at undergraduate level excluding Medicine at A$2,175, so check the discipline of your course on the fee page.[3] Living costs come on top; see the Study in Australia guide.
How do you apply to UNSW Sydney?
The application route depends on your status and qualification.[8]
- International students: you are international if you are not an Australian or New Zealand citizen, a permanent resident of Australia or a holder of a permanent Australian humanitarian visa. International students apply online, with separate pages for undergraduate, postgraduate and higher degree research study.[8]
- Undergraduate through UAC: international students currently doing an Australian Year 12 (in or outside Australia), the International Baccalaureate Diploma or New Zealand NCEA Level 3 apply for undergraduate courses through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).[8]
Application dates are on the university’s application dates page and change every year, so we give none here.[8] After you accept an offer, you need a Confirmation of Enrolment for the Student visa (subclass 500); the Department of Home Affairs lists a stay of up to six years in line with your enrolment.[9] UNSW also says it is moving to a new Flex-Semester academic calendar from 2028.[4]
Which English level do you need?
UNSW asks for results from an approved English test taken no more than two years before your start date, unless another route applies. Accepted tests include IELTS Academic (the online version is not accepted), TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic.[4] The undergraduate minimums by faculty:[4]
| Faculty | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|
| Arts, Design & Architecture | 6.5, min 6.0 in each band | – |
| Business | 7.0, min 6.0 in each band | 94 (writing 25; reading, listening, speaking 23) |
| Engineering | 6.5, min 6.0 in each band | 90 (writing 23; reading, listening, speaking 22) |
| Law & Justice | 7.0, min 6.0 in each band | 94 (writing 25; reading, listening, speaking 23) |
| Medicine & Health | 6.5, min 6.0 in each band | 90 (writing 23; reading, listening, speaking 22) |
| Science | 6.5, min 6.0 in each band | – |
Some programmes need more, for example 7.5 overall for the Bachelor of Education (Primary or Secondary) (Honours) and 7.0 in every band for the Bachelor of Vision Science.[4] PTE and other test scores for each faculty are on the same page.[4]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are UNSW tuition fees for international students in 2027?
UNSW charges per unit of credit (48 UOC is a full-time year). For undergraduates the 2027 rates range from A$955 to A$1,415 per UOC for most disciplines, so about A$45,840 to A$67,920 a year, and A$2,175 per UOC for Medicine.[3] The per-year amounts are our calculation from the per-UOC rates.
Where does UNSW rank in the QS World University Rankings 2027?
UNSW Sydney is 19th in the world and first among Australian universities, according to the university’s announcement.[1]
What IELTS score do you need for UNSW?
Most undergraduate degrees need IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0; Business and Law & Justice need 7.0 overall with no band below 6.0.[4]
How many international students does UNSW have?
The 2024 fact sheet, which uses 2023 data, counts 27,695 international students out of 70,238.[2]
Do I apply to UNSW directly or through UAC?
International students currently doing an Australian Year 12, the IB Diploma or New Zealand NCEA Level 3 apply for undergraduate courses through UAC. Other international applicants apply online directly.[8]
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
- University of Wollongong
Sources
[1] UNSW Newsroom: UNSW claims Australia’s top spot for the first time in preeminent world university rankings (June 2026 release; article without a printed date)
[2] UNSW: UNSW at a glance 2024 (PDF) (fact sheet of August 2024; student data for 2023)
[3] UNSW: International tuition fees (2027 table) (page without a date; the page shows 2026 and 2027 tables)
[4] UNSW: English language requirements (page without a date)
[5] Wikipedia: University of New South Wales (type and location; page without a date)
[6] UNSW: About us (page without a date)
[7] Group of Eight: About (page without a date)
[8] UNSW: 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.