University of Canberra
A university for the professions in Australia's capital, with placement-heavy degrees in health, law and government.
- Students
- 18,000
- 11,800 undergraduates
- Tuition
- A$34,900
- From · 2027
- Founded
- 1967
- QS World Ranking
- #477
- 2027 edition
About UC
The University of Canberra (UC) began in 1967 as the Canberra College of Advanced Education and became a university in 1990. It calls itself a university for the professions, focused on immersive, employability-driven learning, and its main campus is in the suburb of Bruce in Australia's capital. As of November 2024, more than 18,000 students (11,800+ undergraduates and 6,300+ postgraduates) from 100 countries studied at UC.
Teaching is organised into five faculties: Arts and Design; Business, Government and Law; Education; Health; and Science and Technology. Health is a major strength, with nursing, midwifery, pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, vision science and exercise physiology alongside psychology and sport science. Being in the national capital shapes the university's links to government, public policy and politics, and many degrees include work-integrated learning hours in real workplaces.
UC suits students who want a practical, placement-heavy degree in a smaller, calmer capital city than Sydney or Melbourne. UC says it is in Australia's top 10 universities for employment outcomes (GOS 2025), and eligible international graduates can access an additional year of post-study work rights. It also offers alternative entry routes, including a Schools Recommendation Scheme and portfolio entry.
Galambany
“We all, including you” — university motto
Why students choose UC
Many degrees build in work-integrated learning, from about 100 hours in arts degrees to more than 1,000 hours in Physiotherapy and 1,310 hours in Midwifery.
UC reports being in Australia's top 10 universities for employment outcomes (GOS 2025) and first in Canberra for full-time employment, skills development and student support.
International students are considered automatically for scholarships of 10% to 30% off tuition, such as the UC Excellence Scholarship (30%, GPA 5.5 out of 7).
UC highlights extended post-study work options, with eligible graduates able to access an additional year of post-study work rights.
Admissions
Semester 1 2027 (starts 15 February 2027); Semester 2 2027 starts 9 August 2027
Selectivity
UC does not publish an acceptance rate. Course pages list the previous year's selection rank (minimum ATAR plus adjustment factors), e.g. Business 60, Information Technology 60, Engineering (Honours) 65 and Laws 85. UC also publishes admissions comparison data for each course.
Typical entry requirements
| ATAR / selection rank (previous year's minimum) | Business 60; Information Technology 60; Engineering (Honours) 65; Laws 85 |
|---|---|
| Overseas secondary qualifications | Converted to an entrance rank; international Year 12 students in the ACT or NSW (ACT certificate, HSC or IB) can use the Early Offer Scheme |
| English language | IELTS 6 Most bachelor's degrees (e.g. Business, IT): IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 6.0. Engineering (Honours) and Laws: IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0. Nursing: IELTS 7.0 (7.0 in listening, reading and speaking, 6.5 in writing) or TOEFL iBT 94. |
Deadlines
- Semester 1, 2027 starts Non-binding Next deadline · In ~4 months15 February 2027
UC had not published a 2027 application closing date on the pages checked; apply well before the start, allowing time for a student visa.
- Semester 2, 2027 starts Non-binding In ~10 months9 August 2027
Dates are from UC's 2027 teaching periods and census dates (checked 29 September 2026). Domestic applicants should also check UAC key dates.
How to apply
Domestic undergraduates apply through UAC (Universities Admissions Centre) or UC's admission programs such as the Schools Recommendation Scheme and portfolio entry. International students apply directly to UC online or through an education agent, and are considered for international scholarships as part of the application. International Year 12 students in the ACT or NSW can apply for an early offer.
What admissions looks for
- A selection rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) at or above the course's indicative rank.
- English proficiency at the level set for the course (higher for Nursing, Laws and Engineering).
- For international scholarships, a GPA of 5 or 5.5 out of 7 or equivalent.
- For alternative routes, school recommendations, portfolios, work experience or vocational qualifications.
Tips for applying to UC
- 1 Check UC's admissions comparison data to see the ATARs of students offered a place in your course last year.
- 2 If you are an international Year 12 student in the ACT or NSW, the Early Offer Scheme can get you an offer before your final results.
- 3 Aim for a GPA of 5.5 out of 7 (or equivalent) to be considered for the 30% UC Excellence Scholarship.
- 4 Plan for placements: health and education degrees include hundreds of work-integrated learning hours, sometimes outside the standard semester.
Costs & financial aid
2027 · figures in AUD
International students are automatically considered for scholarships when they apply: the UC Excellence Scholarship (30% off, GPA 5.5/7), UC High Achievers Scholarship (20% off, GPA 5.5/7) and UC Merit Scholarship (10% off, GPA 5/7), some limited to certain regions. For domestic students from under-represented groups, the Snow Scholarship Program provides up to A$30,000 a year for the whole degree plus wrap-around support. UC awards hundreds of scholarships each year.
- 30% off tuition, GPA 5.5 out of 7
- UC Excellence Scholarship (international)
- Up to A$30,000 a year for the degree
- Snow Scholarship (domestic, under-represented groups)
- Rent from A$162 a week on campus; food about A$100-150 a week
- Canberra living costs (UC guide)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (February and August), plus summer and short study blocks
Bachelor of Nursing
More than 800 hours of work-integrated learning; international fee A$40,500 a year (2027).
Bachelor of Physiotherapy
Four-year degree with more than 1,000 placement hours; A$47,000 a year for international students (2027).
Bachelor of Laws
UC's most selective undergraduate course checked (selection rank 85), accredited by the ACT Law Society.
Bachelor of Politics and International Relations
A Faculty of Business, Government and Law degree taught in the national capital; A$39,900 a year for international students (2027).
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
Four-year degree at the Bruce campus, selection rank 65.
Research
- UC is home to the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM), founded by economist Ann Harding.
- UC ranked in the top 7 universities in the world for reducing inequalities in the THE Impact Rankings 2024.
- UC researchers work on topics from environmental resilience to amphibian conservation, including a 2026 Max Day Fellowship.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts and Design
- Faculty of Business, Government and Law
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Health
- Faculty of Science and Technology
UC reports being in Australia's top 10 universities for employment outcomes (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025) and number one in Canberra for full-time employment, skills development and student support.
Student life
UC's Bruce campus is a leafy suburban campus a short trip from central Canberra, with on-campus apartments (studios and multi-share apartments with private bedrooms from about A$162 a week), sport, live performances, mental health sessions and trivia nights. The Ngunnawal Centre supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Canberra's compact '30-minute city' layout makes it easy to get around for students. UC awards hundreds of scholarships every year to local and international students.
- On-campus apartments starting from about A$162 a week.
- The Ngunnawal Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
- Events ranging from sport and live performances to trivia nights.
- Work-integrated learning placements across Canberra's government, health and education sectors.
Housing. UC offers on-campus studio and multi-share apartments from about A$162 a week; off-campus rooms in share houses start around A$160 a week.
Location
Canberra is Australia's purpose-built capital, home to Parliament House, national institutions and the federal public service. UC describes it as safe, multicultural and designed as a '30-minute city'. Living costs cited by UC include about A$100-150 a week for groceries and A$160 a week and up for a room in a share house.
Nearest airport: Canberra Airport (CBR)
Notable alumni
- LT Lotay TsheringFormer Prime Minister of Bhutan
- GO Genesis OwusuSinger and four-time ARIA Music Award winner
- WA Wil AndersonComedian
- GN Garth NixFantasy author
- GG George GreganFormer captain of the Wallabies
- NF Natasha FylesFormer Chief Minister of the Northern Territory
- KM Kristy McBainFederal MP and minister in the Albanese government
- LL Lee Lai ShanOlympic gold medallist in windsurfing
Frequently asked questions
What ATAR do you need for the University of Canberra?
Indicative selection ranks from the previous year include 60 for Business and Information Technology, 65 for Engineering (Honours) and 85 for Laws. UC also publishes admissions comparison data for each course.
How much does the University of Canberra cost for international students?
For 2027, UC's course pages list annual international fee rates from A$34,900 for Justice Studies and A$36,000 for Education to A$39,000 for Information Technology, A$40,500 for Nursing, A$44,500 for Engineering (Honours) and A$47,000 for Physiotherapy and Vision Science.
Does UC offer scholarships to international students?
Yes. Applicants are considered automatically for scholarships including the UC Excellence Scholarship (30% off, GPA 5.5/7), High Achievers (20%) and Merit (10%, GPA 5/7).
What IELTS score does UC require?
Most bachelor's degrees need IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 6.0; Engineering and Laws need 6.5, and Nursing needs 7.0.
When does Semester 1 2027 start at UC?
Semester 1 2027 starts on 15 February 2027 and Semester 2 on 9 August 2027.
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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