Murdoch University
A Perth university on a bushland campus, with a veterinary school and a founding commitment to flexible admission.
- Students
- 25,000
- Tuition
- A$36,720
- From · 2027
- Founded
- 1973
- QS World Ranking
- #422
- 2027 edition
About Murdoch
Murdoch University was established in 1973 and took its first students in 1975. Named after the writer and academic Sir Walter Murdoch, it was the first Australian university to introduce a flexible admission system that looked beyond school exam results, and inclusive education remains central to its identity. Murdoch describes itself as having more than 25,000 students and 2,400 staff from 90 countries.
Its main campus is in Murdoch, a suburb south of central Perth, with further campuses in Rockingham and Mandurah, a Singapore location, Whitby Falls Farm and the Nambeelup Food Centre. Teaching is organised into five colleges: Business; Environmental and Life Sciences; Health and Education; Law, Arts and Social Sciences; and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Murdoch offers a combined Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with its own veterinary facilities, as well as chiropractic, nursing, forensic science, sport science, engineering and law.
Murdoch suits students who want a friendly campus set in native bush, degrees with practical placements, and an admissions system that offers several routes in: guaranteed selection ranks, free enabling courses, a Year 12 early offer program and portfolio or experience-based entry.
Ngala Kwop Biddi
“Building a brighter future, together” — university motto
Why students choose Murdoch
Murdoch offers a combined Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with dedicated veterinary facilities, plus a university farm at Whitby Falls.
Most undergraduate courses have a guaranteed selection rank of around 70, and free enabling courses such as OnTrack and K-Track offer another route in.
Year 12 students can secure an early conditional offer for 2027 from October 2026 through the Early Offer Program.
International tuition for 2027 is published per course, starting at A$36,720 a year for Arts and A$37,800 for Business.
Admissions
Semester 1 2027 (February/March 2027); Semester 2 2027 intake also available
Selectivity
Murdoch does not publish an acceptance rate. Apart from Nursing and Veterinary Medicine, which are competitive, undergraduate courses have a guaranteed selection rank (generally 70 or higher, depending on the course) listed in the course finder and on TISC.
Typical entry requirements
| ATAR / selection rank | A selection rank of 70 or higher depending on the course; Nursing and Veterinary Science are competitive. Adjustment factors (e.g. Murdoch RISE) can raise your rank |
|---|---|
| Certificate IV or Tertiary Preparation Endorsed Program | Completion gives a selection rank of 70 |
| IB Diploma | Converted to an ATAR equivalent; course-specific IB scores are listed in the course finder |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 60 Standard undergraduate requirement: IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with 6.0 in each band; TOEFL iBT 60 (reading 13, writing 21, speaking 18, listening 12); PTE Academic 50. Higher for Law (IELTS 6.5), Nursing and Veterinary Medicine (IELTS 7.0) and Education (IELTS 7.5). |
Deadlines
- Veterinary Science (TISC) for 2027 Non-binding Passed31 July 2026
Deadline for all Veterinary Science applications to start in 2027 (now passed).
- Year 12 Early Offer Program (Semester 1 2027) Non-binding Next deadline · In 57 days2 December 2026, 5:00pm
Early conditional offers made from 5 October 2026 based on Year 11 results and current pathway; after this, apply through TISC for main or second round offers.
Dates are from Murdoch's Apply through TISC and Early Offer Program pages (checked 29 September 2026). International applicants apply directly; Murdoch does not publish a single international closing date on the pages checked, so apply early to allow time for a student visa.
How to apply
Year 12 school leavers apply for Semester 1 through TISC (up to six preferences; Murdoch as first preference for the early offer program). Veterinary Science applicants must apply through TISC. Other domestic applicants, Semester 2 applicants and international students apply directly to Murdoch online, or internationally through an agent.
What admissions looks for
- A selection rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) at or above the course's guaranteed rank.
- English language competency at the level set for the course.
- For Nursing and Veterinary Science, a competitive rank; extenuating circumstances are not considered for direct entry into Veterinary Science.
- For alternative routes, evidence from enabling courses, experience-based entry, a creative media portfolio or the Law Start assessment.
Tips for applying to Murdoch
- 1 If you are in Year 12 in Australia, apply for the Early Offer Program before 2 December 2026 to get a conditional offer based on Year 11 results.
- 2 Check Murdoch RISE: it can add points to your selection rank if you are from a regional or low socio-economic area, first in family, or Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
- 3 For Veterinary Science in 2028, note the much earlier TISC deadline (31 July for 2027 entry).
- 4 Check the English band for your course: Education needs IELTS 7.5 with 8.0 in speaking and listening.
Costs & financial aid
2027 · figures in AUD
Murdoch offers a range of scholarships for commencing students, including international students, and lists external scholarships. US students can use US Direct Loans and Veterans Affairs benefits, and Canadian students can use Canadian student loans. Domestic students in Commonwealth supported places can defer their contribution through HECS-HELP.
- Food and groceries A$140-280 a week; public transport A$30-60 a week; off-campus rent over A$440 a week
- Perth living-cost guide (Murdoch)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (two main intakes)
Bachelor of Science / Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Murdoch's veterinary degree, with dedicated veterinary facilities, competitive TISC-only entry for domestic applicants and IELTS 7.0 for international students.
Bachelor of Health Science / Master of Clinical Chiropractic
A combined chiropractic pathway with its own Chiropractic Clinic on campus.
Bachelor of Forensic Science
Part of Murdoch's medical, molecular and forensic sciences group, with a combined master's option (A$44,040 a year for international students in 2027).
Bachelor of Agricultural Science
Offered by the College of Environmental and Life Sciences, which covers agriculture, food production and animal health; A$45,000 a year for international students in 2027.
Bachelor of Laws
Offers the Law Start route, which uses a workshop and written assessment instead of the ATAR.
Research
- Murdoch's College of Environmental and Life Sciences covers environmental science, biodiversity, sustainability, agriculture, food production and animal health.
- Murdoch's locations include Whitby Falls Farm and the Nambeelup Food Centre alongside its Perth, Rockingham and Mandurah campuses.
- Murdoch has dedicated veterinary, engineering and exercise science facilities on its Perth campus.
Schools & faculties
- College of Business
- College of Environmental and Life Sciences
- College of Health and Education
- College of Law, Arts and Social Sciences
- College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Student life
The Perth campus is built around Bush Court, a central lawn crossed by the long covered Broadwalk, with native trees throughout. Murdoch has international student groups, a social program for study abroad students, the Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre, a psychology clinic and a chiropractic clinic, and support schemes such as the Elite Athlete Support Fund. Murdoch also has smaller campuses in Rockingham and Mandurah, south of Perth. Support services for international students include airport pickups and help with getting organised after arrival in Perth.
- Bush Court and the Broadwalk at the heart of the Perth campus.
- The Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
- International student groups and a social program for exchange students.
- The Murdoch University Art Collection.
Housing. Murdoch lists on- and off-campus accommodation options in Perth; its living-cost guide puts off-campus rent at over A$440 a week and hostels at about A$90-150 a week.
Location
Murdoch's main campus is in the southern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia's capital, a sunny coastal city on the Swan River. Murdoch's living-cost guide puts food and groceries at about A$140-280 a week, public transport at A$30-60 and off-campus rent at over A$440 a week. Murdoch's international pages also cover working in Perth and things to do in and around the city.
Nearest airport: Perth Airport (PER)
Notable alumni
- RC Roger CookPremier of Western Australia
- JE James EdelmanJustice of the High Court of Australia
- CC Craig ChallenVeterinary surgeon, cave diver and 2019 co-Australian of the Year
- AB Adam BandtPolitician and former leader of the Australian Greens
- CS Chen SiqingBanker and chairman of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
- BZ Basil ZempilasBroadcaster and politician; media studies graduate
- BW Barbara WieneckeAntarctic researcher and seabird ecologist
Frequently asked questions
What ATAR do you need for Murdoch University?
Most undergraduate courses have a guaranteed selection rank of 70 or higher depending on the course; Nursing and Veterinary Science are competitive. Adjustment factors such as Murdoch RISE can raise your rank.
How much are Murdoch's international fees for 2027?
Indicative first-year tuition for 2027 ranges from A$36,720 (Arts) and A$37,800 (Business) to A$44,040 (Engineering Honours, Biomedical Science), A$44,640 (Nursing) and A$45,000 (Agricultural Science); the combined Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is A$71,880 a year.
What IELTS score does Murdoch require?
The standard undergraduate requirement is IELTS Academic 6.0 with 6.0 in each band (TOEFL iBT 60, PTE 50). Law needs 6.5, Nursing and Veterinary Medicine 7.0, and Education 7.5.
Does Murdoch have early offers?
Yes. Year 12 students graduating in 2026 can apply to the Early Offer Program until 2 December 2026, with conditional offers from 5 October 2026.
How do I apply for Veterinary Science at Murdoch?
Through TISC. For 2027 entry the deadline was 31 July 2026, and extenuating circumstances are not considered for direct entry.
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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