Flinders University
Adelaide's bushland-campus university, with a hospital on site and a medicine pathway straight from school.
- International
- 27%
- of students
- Tuition
- A$37,200
- From · 2027
- Founded
- 1966
- QS World Ranking
- #374
- 2027 edition
About Flinders
Flinders University opened in 1966 on a hillside at Bedford Park, about 12 km south of Adelaide's city centre, and is named after the navigator Matthew Flinders. Its main campus sits in gardens and native bushland, and from the start the university built its medical school inside the neighbouring Flinders Medical Centre, a public teaching hospital. A second campus at Tonsley, on the site of a former car plant, houses engineering and IT, and a vertical City Campus opened on Adelaide's Festival Plaza in 2024.
Teaching is organised into five colleges, from Business, Creative Arts, Law and Social Sciences to Medicine and Public Health and Science and Engineering. The university has more than 25,000 students and over 500 degrees, and it also runs medical and health programs in regional South Australia and the Northern Territory. Flinders is strongest in health: it ranks 16th in the world in the THE University Impact Rankings 2026 and 2nd for good health and wellbeing.
Entry is accessible: the minimum for direct entry is comparable to an ATAR of 60, with higher bars for competitive courses such as Law (Honours) at 95 and the Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine pathway, which uses the UCAT ANZ. Flinders suits students who want a health, science or creative-arts degree on a green campus close to beaches, and who value on-campus living, which Flinders says no other Adelaide university offers.
Why students choose Flinders
The Bachelor of Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine takes school leavers to an Australian Medical Council-accredited MD in six years, with no interview required.
Flinders is the only university in Adelaide with on-campus housing: the catered University Hall and the self-catered Deirdre Jordan Village.
Engineering and computer science are taught at Tonsley, an innovation precinct that places students alongside research institutes and companies.
The Flinders Drama Centre has trained actors and directors since 1971, and its graduates include Noni Hazlehurst and Scott Hicks, the Academy Award-nominated director of Shine.
Admissions
2027 intakes (Semester 1 from March 2027; mid-year July 2027 intake for some courses)
Selectivity
Flinders does not publish an offer rate. Most courses have a guaranteed entry ATAR: Arts and Computer Science 65, Nursing and Psychological Science 70, Civil Engineering (Honours) 80, Paramedicine 93, Law (Honours) 95. The minimum for direct entry is comparable to an ATAR of 60.
Typical entry requirements
| ATAR (guaranteed entry) | Arts 65; Computer Science 65; Nursing (Preregistration) 70; Psychological Science 70; Engineering (Civil) (Honours) 80; Paramedicine 93; Laws (Honours) 95 |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | 24 points is equivalent to ATAR 60-65, 28 to ATAR 80, 33 to ATAR 90 and 37 to ATAR 95 |
| Gaokao | 55% of the total is equivalent to ATAR 60; 65% to ATAR 80; 80% to ATAR 95 |
| GCE A-levels | Converted to an ATAR equivalent using Flinders' points table (6 points for ATAR 60-65, 9 for ATAR 80, 13 for ATAR 95) |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 72 Most undergraduate courses: IELTS Academic 6.0 with 6.0 in speaking and writing, TOEFL iBT 72 (18 in speaking and writing) or PTE 50. Psychology and some health courses need IELTS 6.5; Law (Honours), Nursing and Paramedicine need IELTS 7.0; Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine needs 7.0 in every band. Duolingo is not accepted for medicine, nursing and several other health courses from 2026. |
Deadlines
- SATAC equal consideration closing date (Semester 1 2027) Non-binding Next deadline · In 56 days1 December 2026
SATAC application fees increase for applications submitted after 30 September 2026.
- Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine and Performance (Acting, Directing) Non-binding In 56 days1 December 2026
SATAC closing date for these Flinders courses; late applications may not be accepted. Medicine must be the first Flinders preference.
- SATAC change of preference deadline (Semester 1 2027) Non-binding In ~3 months6 January 2027
Last date to change SATAC preferences before the main January offer rounds.
Dates are from SATAC's 2027 key dates (checked 29 September 2026). International applicants applying directly to Flinders have no single published closing date; Flinders notes that some courses have limited places and applications may close without notice, so apply early and allow time for a student visa.
How to apply
International students apply directly through Flinders' online application or through an authorised education agent (students from some countries must use an agent), uploading certified academic and English documents. International students completing Australian Year 12 or the IB in Australia apply through SATAC, which allows six preferences. Domestic applicants apply through SATAC.
What admissions looks for
- A recognised secondary qualification at or above the course's ATAR or ATAR-equivalent threshold.
- Any course prerequisites or assumed knowledge; some courses also use an interview, audition or portfolio.
- English proficiency at the level set for the course, which is higher for law, nursing, paramedicine and medicine.
- For Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine, school-leaver status and UCAT ANZ performance.
Tips for applying to Flinders
- 1 Use Flinders' ATAR equivalency table to translate your Gaokao, IB, A-level or SAT result before choosing courses.
- 2 If you are aiming for medicine, sit the UCAT ANZ and list the Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine as your first Flinders preference on SATAC by 1 December 2026.
- 3 Apply for on-campus housing early: University Hall costs A$480 a week (catered) and Deirdre Jordan Village A$297 a week.
- 4 Check the international scholarships page when you apply: Flinders advertises merit scholarships of up to 50% of tuition for the full duration.
Costs & financial aid
2027 · figures in AUD
Flinders offers international students merit scholarships worth up to 50% of tuition for the full duration, plus named awards such as the Global, Kickstart and Pathway scholarships (up to 20%) and the Excellence scholarship (up to 25%) for recent intakes. US and Canadian students may be able to use their home student-loan schemes. Domestic students in Commonwealth supported places can defer their contribution through HECS-HELP.
- Up to 50% of tuition, full duration
- International academic scholarships
- 20% off a further degree, full duration
- Flinders alumni scholarship
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (Semester 1 from March, Semester 2 from July)
Bachelor of Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine
A six-year school-leaver pathway into an AMC-accredited MD, taught at Bedford Park next to Flinders Medical Centre, with UCAT ANZ and no interview.
Bachelor of Paramedicine
One of Flinders' most competitive courses, with a guaranteed entry ATAR of 93 and IELTS 7.0 in every band.
Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
Guaranteed entry ATAR 95, with options such as a Washington internship and an Indonesia law study tour.
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
Civil, biomedical and electrical and electronic streams taught at the Tonsley innovation precinct.
Bachelor of Nursing (Preregistration)
Offered at Bedford Park, the City Campus and the Riverland, with a guaranteed entry ATAR of 70.
Drama and screen (Creative Arts, Film and Television)
The Flinders Drama Centre has run professional acting and directing programs since 1971; Performance (Acting) and (Directing) are selected by audition.
Research
- Flinders ranks 16th in the world in the THE University Impact Rankings 2026, 2nd for good health and wellbeing and 6th for gender equality.
- The Tonsley campus, opened in 2015 on the former Mitsubishi plant, houses the university's engineering and computing school alongside its Medical Device Research Institute.
- Flinders built its medical school inside the neighbouring Flinders Medical Centre public hospital, the first such integration of a university and hospital in Australia.
- QS ranks Flinders in the world's top 50 for Archaeology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026).
Schools & faculties
- College of Business, Creative Arts, Law and Social Sciences
- College of Health and Enablement
- College of Human Sciences and Culture
- College of Medicine and Public Health
- College of Science and Engineering
Student life
Life at Flinders centres on the Bedford Park campus, a hillside of gardens, lakes and native bushland with views across Adelaide to the sea. It is the only Adelaide university with on-campus housing: University Hall is a catered, collegiate-style residence for over 250 students, and Deirdre Jordan Village offers self-catered units for more than 300. The student newspaper Empire Times has run since the university's early years, and the Matthew Flinders Theatre hosts drama productions. Flinders recommends that international students budget about A$29,710 a year for living costs.
- University Hall (catered, A$480 a week) and Deirdre Jordan Village (self-catered, A$297 a week) on campus.
- Empire Times, the student newspaper, whose past editors and contributors include HG Nelson and Kate Ellis.
- The 425-seat Matthew Flinders Theatre, home of the Flinders Drama Centre's productions.
- Three Adelaide campuses: Bedford Park, Tonsley and the City Campus at Festival Plaza.
Housing. On-campus places at University Hall and Deirdre Jordan Village are open to international students, and the city accommodation provider The Switch starts from A$399 a week; Flinders does not provide temporary accommodation on arrival.
Location
Adelaide is South Australia's capital, a compact coastal city known for festivals, nearby wine regions and beaches. The main Bedford Park campus is about 12 km south of the city centre and is reached by bus and train on the Adelaide Metro network, which Flinders estimates costs up to A$15 a week. The City Campus puts students on North Terrace in the middle of the CBD.
Nearest airport: Adelaide Airport (ADL)
Notable alumni
- TT Terence TaoFields Medal-winning mathematician; earned his bachelor's and master's degrees at Flinders by age 16
- RH Richard HarrisAnaesthetist in the 2018 Thai cave rescue and 2019 Australian of the Year; Flinders MBBS
- MM Mamoru MohriScientist and the first Japanese astronaut from an official Japanese space program, veteran of two Space Shuttle missions; PhD in chemistry from Flinders
- RB Rodney BrooksRoboticist, founder and former CTO of iRobot and former director of MIT CSAIL; MA in pure mathematics from Flinders
- SH Scott HicksDirector of Shine, nominated for two Academy Awards; BA (Hons) in drama
- NH Noni HazlehurstActor and presenter; studied drama at Flinders
- BN Brendan NelsonFormer federal Minister for Defence and Director of the Australian War Memorial; Flinders MBBS
- SH Sophie HydeFilm director and producer; studied film and theatre
Frequently asked questions
What ATAR do you need for Flinders University?
It depends on the course: guaranteed entry ATARs include 65 for Arts and Computer Science, 70 for Nursing and Psychological Science, 80 for Civil Engineering, 93 for Paramedicine and 95 for Law (Honours). The minimum for direct entry is comparable to an ATAR of 60.
How much does Flinders cost for international students?
2027 commencing fees range from about A$37,200 a year (Arts, Creative Arts) to A$49,600 (Engineering), and A$54,900 for the undergraduate years of Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine. Flinders recommends budgeting A$29,710 a year for living costs.
Can I study medicine at Flinders straight from school?
Yes. The Bachelor of Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine is a six-year pathway for school leavers; you need to sit the UCAT ANZ and apply through SATAC by 1 December 2026 for 2027 entry. No interview is required.
What IELTS score does Flinders require?
Most undergraduate courses need IELTS 6.0 with 6.0 in speaking and writing (or TOEFL iBT 72). Psychology needs 6.5, Law, Nursing and Paramedicine need 7.0, and Medicine needs 7.0 in every band.
Does Flinders have on-campus accommodation?
Yes. Flinders says it is the only university in Adelaide where you can live on campus, at the catered University Hall or the self-catered Deirdre Jordan Village.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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