Macquarie University
A green campus in Sydney's Macquarie Park tech corridor, with a university hospital on site and strong actuarial and health programs.
- Students
- 46,458
- International
- 26%
- of students
- Tuition
- A$46,100
- From · 2027
- Founded
- 1964
About Macquarie
Macquarie University was founded in 1964 by the New South Wales Government as the third university in the Sydney area. Its main Wallumattagal campus covers 126 hectares of lawns and bushland in Macquarie Park, north-west of the Sydney CBD, in the middle of one of the city's biggest high-tech business districts; Cochlear has its headquarters beside the university's Australian Hearing Hub, and the campus includes Macquarie University Hospital.
The university is organised into four faculties: Arts, Macquarie Business School, Medicine and Health Sciences, and Science and Engineering. It is especially known for actuarial studies (the Bachelor of Actuarial Studies requires a minimum selection rank of 95), clinical and medical sciences, psychology and hearing research, and it offers a long list of double degrees such as Commerce with Psychology or Laws.
Most first-year places are filled on ATAR or an equivalent international result, but Macquarie also runs an early-entry scheme based on Year 11 results and extracurricular activities. It suits students who want a spacious, green campus with good transport links, strong business and health options and a large international community.
And gladly teche
University motto
Why students choose Macquarie
The Bachelor of Actuarial Studies is one of Australia's most selective business degrees, with a minimum selection rank of 95.
The Macquarie Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme considers Year 11 results alongside extracurriculars, work and community involvement for an early offer.
Macquarie University Hospital and the Australian Hearing Hub are on the main campus, next to Cochlear's headquarters.
Many degrees start in both February and July.
Admissions
2027 intake (Session 1 from 22 February 2027; Session 2 from July)
Selectivity
Macquarie does not publish an overall offer rate. Minimum selection ranks listed on UAC for 2027 entry include Actuarial Studies 95, Clinical Science 90, Commerce 85, Medical Sciences 85, Software Engineering (Honours) 83, Psychology 80, Cyber Security 80 and Information Technology 75.
Typical entry requirements
| ATAR / selection rank (2027 minimums, via UAC) | Actuarial Studies 95; Clinical Science 90; Commerce 85; Medical Sciences 85; Software Engineering (Honours) 83; Psychology 80; Cyber Security 80; Information Technology 75 |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma and NZ NCEA Level 3 | International students completing an IB Diploma in Australia or NCEA Level 3 apply through UAC and are ranked on their ATAR-equivalent |
| Other international qualifications | Apply directly to Macquarie; pathway diplomas and foundation programs at Macquarie University College are available if you fall short |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 86 Most undergraduate courses: IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0, TOEFL iBT 86 (min. 20 speaking and writing, 17 listening, 18 reading), or PTE Academic 60. Law, Clinical Science and Exercise and Sports Science require IELTS 7.0 (6.5 in each band) or TOEFL iBT 95; Education requires IELTS 7.5. |
Deadlines
- UAC early bird application fee deadline Non-binding Passed30 September 2026, 11:59 pm
Domestic and international undergraduate applicants; applications are still accepted afterwards at a higher processing charge.
- UAC closing date for the listed Macquarie courses (Session 1, 2027) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~4 months28 January 2027
Final closing date shown on UAC Course Search for Commerce, Actuarial Studies, Psychology, Clinical Science, Medical Sciences, IT, Cyber Security and Software Engineering, for both domestic and international applicants.
- UAC final international deadline, Semester 1 2027 Non-binding In ~4 months5 February 2027, 11:59 pm
UAC's general final deadline for international undergraduate applicants (offers 19 and 26 February); individual courses may close earlier.
- Session 1, 2027 start Non-binding In ~5 months22 February 2027
International students applying directly should apply well ahead to allow for visa processing.
Dates are from UAC's key dates page and UAC Course Search. UAC releases offers in rounds from October 2026 to February 2027. International students applying directly to Macquarie (not through UAC) should check mq.edu.au for direct-application timing.
How to apply
Australian Year 12, IB (in Australia) and NCEA Level 3 students, including international students in these systems, apply through UAC. Other international students apply directly to Macquarie or through an education agent. The Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme is a separate direct application.
What admissions looks for
- A selection rank at or above the course minimum, based on ATAR or equivalent plus any adjustment factors.
- Strong results in Year 12 subjects related to your chosen degree, which can earn up to six adjustment points.
- For early entry: Year 11 performance plus leadership, extracurricular activities, casual work and community involvement.
- Adequate English proficiency for the course level (higher for Law, Clinical Science and Education).
Tips for applying to Macquarie
- 1 Apply to the Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme if you have strong Year 11 results and a record of leadership or community work.
- 2 Put a Macquarie course in your UAC preferences to have subject-based adjustment factors applied automatically.
- 3 If your ATAR is below the course minimum, look at Macquarie University College diplomas, which lead into the first or second year of a degree.
- 4 Duke of Edinburgh's, King's Scout or Queen's Guide awards can add up to six adjustment points.
Costs & financial aid
2027 · figures in AUD
Domestic students in bachelor's degrees are typically in Commonwealth Supported Places. International fees are set annually per credit point, and a Student Services and Amenities Fee of $373 a year (2026, full-time) also applies. Macquarie offers scholarships for domestic and international students; details are on mq.edu.au.
- $373 per year full-time
- Student Services and Amenities Fee (2026)
Academics
Academic calendar: Sessions: Session 1 (February) and Session 2 (July)
Bachelor of Actuarial Studies
Minimum selection rank 95 and a 2025 median ATAR of 96.60 among recent school leavers.
Bachelor of Clinical Science
Minimum selection rank 90 (2025 median ATAR 93.00) and a 2027 international fee of AU$52,400.
Bachelor of Commerce
Integrated foundation units followed by one or two majors in areas like accounting, finance and marketing.
Bachelor of Psychology
Minimum selection rank 80, with February and July starts.
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Software Engineering
Minimum selection rank 83 and a 2027 international fee of AU$49,200.
Research
- The Australian Hearing Hub on campus partners with Cochlear, whose headquarters is next door.
- Macquarie University Hospital sits on the main campus.
- Four Macquarie academics appeared in Thomson Reuters' The World's Most Influential Minds 2014 list of highly cited researchers.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts
- Macquarie Business School
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
Student life
Macquarie's campus is spacious and leafy, with lawns, bushland and a lake. The Sport and Aquatic Centre has a 50-metre outdoor pool and a 25-metre indoor pool, and the university's playing fields are also used by Sydney FC and the Matildas. Two residential colleges, Dunmore Lang and Robert Menzies, sit on campus. Every year students celebrate Conception Day, a tongue-in-cheek tradition since 1969 marking the supposed conception date of Governor Lachlan Macquarie.
- Conception Day, a student tradition since 1969.
- Sport and Aquatic Centre with 50-metre and 25-metre pools.
- Two residential colleges on campus: Dunmore Lang College and Robert Menzies College.
- Community radio station 2SER, co-owned with UTS.
Housing. On-campus options include Dunmore Lang College and Robert Menzies College, plus a student village north of campus.
Location
Macquarie Park is a business and technology hub in Sydney's north-west, and the campus has its own Metro station, Macquarie University, connecting it to the rest of the city. Students get the space of a suburban campus with lawns, bushland and a lake, while staying connected to Sydney's beaches, harbour and city life.
Nearest airport: Sydney Airport (SYD)
Notable alumni
- TP Tanya PlibersekAustralian federal minister
- IT Ian ThorpeFive-time Olympic gold medallist swimmer
- LJ Lauren JacksonBasketball player, WNBA champion and Olympic medallist
- MC Murray Cook, Anthony Field and Greg PageFounding members of The Wiggles
- HA Harini Amarasuriya16th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
- CF Cathy FoleyPhysicist and former Chief Scientist of Australia
- MB Matt BarrieFounder of Freelancer.com
- YH Yalda HakimJournalist and BBC presenter
Frequently asked questions
What ATAR do you need for Macquarie University?
Minimum selection ranks for 2027 range from 75 for Information Technology to 80 for Psychology and Cyber Security, 85 for Commerce and Medical Sciences, 90 for Clinical Science and 95 for Actuarial Studies.
How much are Macquarie's fees for international students?
Indicative 2027 annual tuition listed on UAC ranges from about AU$46,100 (Psychology) to AU$52,400 (Clinical Science), with Commerce at AU$49,200 and Information Technology at AU$48,900.
What IELTS score does Macquarie require?
Most undergraduate courses require IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0. Law, Clinical Science and Exercise and Sports Science need 7.0 with 6.5 in each band, and Education needs 7.5.
When are Macquarie's intakes?
Session 1 starts on 22 February 2027 and many degrees also accept students into Session 2 in July.
Can I get an early offer from Macquarie?
Yes. The Macquarie Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme assesses Year 11 results together with extracurriculars, work and community involvement for an early offer into most degrees.
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.
- Macquarie University Annual Report 2025 (student enrolments, p. 42)
- Macquarie at a glance
- UAC Course Search data (coursehub API), e.g. Bachelor of Commerce 300221
- UAC: Macquarie University, international students
- UAC: Macquarie University admission criteria and entry schemes
- UAC: Macquarie University English language proficiency
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