University of Wollongong
A coastal research university in the Illawarra with a 30% automatic scholarship for international undergraduates and campuses from Liverpool to Dubai.
- Students
- 35,076
- International
- 32%
- of students
- Tuition
- A$41,712
- From · 2027
- Founded
- 1975
About UOW
The University of Wollongong traces its origins to 1951, when a division of the New South Wales University of Technology (now UNSW) opened in Wollongong, and it became an independent university on 1 January 1975. Its main campus covers 82.4 hectares about 5 km north-west of Wollongong's city centre, and UOW also teaches at the Innovation Campus, in Sydney at Liverpool and the Sydney Business School, at regional campuses on the NSW south coast, and overseas at campuses in Dubai, Hong Kong, India and Malaysia.
UOW is organised into three faculties: the Arts, Society and Business; Engineering and Information Sciences; and Science, Medicine and Health. Research strengths include the Australian Institute for Innovative Materials, the SMART Infrastructure Facility, the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre and the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, and the iAccelerate start-up centre sits on the Innovation Campus.
Entry is based on published ATAR selection ranks, from 65 for Nursing to 90 for Law and the Dean's Scholar health degree, and every eligible international undergraduate is automatically considered for a 30% tuition scholarship. UOW suits students who want a research university with a relaxed coastal lifestyle, easy access to Sydney and strong programs in engineering, computing, health and business.
Stands for purpose
University motto
Why students choose UOW
The University Excellence Scholarship gives eligible international undergraduates a 30% tuition reduction for the minimum length of their course, with no application needed.
The Innovation Campus houses iAccelerate, a start-up centre for over 280 entrepreneurs, next to the university's engineering and ICT research.
Two main intakes, Autumn (from 1 March 2027) and Spring (from 26 July 2027), for many degrees such as Computer Science.
UOW has partner institutions in 45 countries for exchange, short courses and internships, and its own campuses in Dubai, Hong Kong, India and Malaysia.
Admissions
2027 intakes (Autumn session from 1 March 2027; Spring session from 26 July 2027)
Selectivity
UOW does not publish an overall offer rate. Each course lists an ATAR selection rank (ATAR-SR) for 2027: Nursing 65, Business 70, Computer Science 75, Medical and Health Sciences 75, Engineering (Honours)/Computer Science 80, Psychology (Honours) 89, Law (direct entry) 90, Medical and Health Sciences (Honours) (Dean's Scholar) 90.
Typical entry requirements
| ATAR selection rank (2027) | Nursing 65; Business 70; Computer Science 75; Medical and Health Sciences 75; Engineering (Honours)/Computer Science 80; Psychology (Honours) 89; Law 90; Medical and Health Sciences (Honours) Dean's Scholar 90 |
|---|---|
| International qualifications | Approved equivalents of Australian Year 12, UOW College foundation studies or recognised diplomas; see the International students tab on each course page in Course Finder |
| English language | IELTS 6 IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with 6.0 in each band for courses such as Computer Science and Engineering; 6.5 overall for Psychology (Honours) and Medical and Health Sciences; 7.0 overall for Nursing and Law. UOW also accepts TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge and OET, and UOW College's English for Tertiary Studies. |
Deadlines
- UAC early bird (domestic) Non-binding Passed30 September 2026
Autumn session 2027.
- Direct application to UOW (domestic) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months31 December 2026
Autumn session 2027.
- UAC final round (domestic) Non-binding In ~4 months28 January 2027
Autumn session starts 1 March 2027. Listed on UOW course pages as the 'UAC final round' date for domestic applicants.
- International applicants (recommended) Non-bindingAt least 4 months before your intake
UOW recommends applying no later than four months before the session starts to allow time for assessment, acceptance and a student visa; some courses have set closing dates.
Late applications are still accepted and UOW will try to process them in time for the chosen session, but this is not guaranteed. International applicants should check the International students tab on their course page for cut-off dates.
How to apply
International students can apply through an authorised UOW agent or directly via UOW Apply; international students completing the HSC in Australia may apply through UOW Early Admission. Domestic Year 12 students apply through UAC or directly to UOW, and UOW Early Admission considers Year 11 results, skills and experiences for an early offer.
What admissions looks for
- An ATAR or equivalent that meets the course's published selection rank.
- Prerequisites and assumed knowledge for the course, such as mathematics for engineering and computing.
- English proficiency at the level set for the course.
- For Early Admission, Year 11 performance, skills and experiences rather than final results alone.
Tips for applying to UOW
- 1 International students should apply at least four months before the intake to leave time for a visa.
- 2 You are automatically considered for the 30% University Excellence Scholarship; just apply with strong results in an eligible degree.
- 3 If you are finishing Year 12 in Australia, apply for UOW Early Admission to secure an offer before your final exams.
- 4 Check the International students tab in Course Finder for the exact fees and English bands for your course.
Costs & financial aid
2027 · figures in AUD
The University Excellence Scholarship gives international students with outstanding results a 30% tuition reduction for the minimum duration of an eligible undergraduate course, awarded automatically to offers from 12 June 2026 for 2027 commencement (a minimum WAM of 50 must be maintained; some degrees are excluded). Country and humanitarian scholarships are also available. Domestic students are typically in Commonwealth supported places.
- 30% tuition reduction, automatic
- University Excellence Scholarship (international)
- A$22,416
- Computer Science tuition per session (2027)
Academics
Academic calendar: Sessions: Autumn (from 1 March 2027) and Spring (from 26 July 2027)
Bachelor of Computer Science
ATAR-SR 75, majors including Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, Cyber Security and Software Engineering; Autumn and Spring intakes.
Bachelor of Laws (Direct Entry)
ATAR-SR 90 and IELTS 7.0; 2027 international fee A$46,128.
Bachelor of Medical and Health Sciences (Honours) (Dean's Scholar)
ATAR-SR 90 honours pathway for high achievers in health sciences.
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
ATAR-SR 89 and a 2027 international fee of A$43,728; four years including honours.
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Bachelor of Computer Science
ATAR-SR 80 double degree combining engineering and computing.
Research
- The Australian Institute for Innovative Materials, SMART Infrastructure Facility and Sustainable Buildings Research Centre are major UOW research centres.
- The Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute on campus is a joint initiative with the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
- iAccelerate at the Innovation Campus houses more than 280 start-up entrepreneurs.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of the Arts, Society and Business
- Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences
- Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health
Student life
UOW's main campus is about 5 km north-west of Wollongong's city centre. Students can live in residential colleges and halls such as International House, the oldest, with about 218 beds, Bangalay, Campus East and Kooloobong Village. UOW counts more than 191,000 graduates from 207 countries, and its offshore campuses and partner institutions in 45 countries give it an outward-looking, international feel.
- Residential options include International House, Bangalay, Campus East, Graduate House and Kooloobong Village.
- UOW Mallee Bulls rugby club plays at the University Oval.
- Exchange and study abroad partners in 45 countries.
- iAccelerate start-up centre on the Innovation Campus.
Housing. UOW offers residential colleges and halls including International House (about 218 beds), Bangalay, Campus East, Graduate House and Kooloobong Village.
Location
Wollongong is a coastal city in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, south of Sydney, known for its beaches and the escarpment behind the city. The main campus is about 5 km north-west of the city centre, and UOW's Liverpool and Sydney Business School campuses give students a foothold in Sydney as well.
Nearest airport: Sydney Airport (SYD)
Notable alumni
- KK Karl Kruszelnicki (Dr Karl)Science communicator and broadcaster; studied at Wollongong
- DA Deng AdutLawyer and refugee advocate, former child soldier; Master of Laws from UOW
- CB Clare BowenActor and singer; Bachelor of Creative Arts (2006)
- MC Mark CutifaniFormer CEO of Anglo American; studied at UOW
- PV Peter V'landysChairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission; Bachelor of Commerce (1984)
- MJ Michellie JonesOlympic silver medallist in triathlon; Diploma of Teaching (1990)
- SJ Stephen JonesAustralian federal politician and minister; BA from UOW
Frequently asked questions
What ATAR do you need for the University of Wollongong?
UOW's 2027 selection ranks include 65 for Nursing, 70 for Business, 75 for Computer Science, 89 for Psychology (Honours) and 90 for Law.
How much are UOW's fees for international students?
For 2027, annual tuition is about A$41,712 for Business, A$44,832 for Computer Science, A$45,552 for Medical and Health Sciences and A$46,128 for Law, before the 30% University Excellence Scholarship if you qualify.
Does UOW offer scholarships for international students?
Yes. The University Excellence Scholarship gives eligible international undergraduates a 30% tuition reduction for the minimum duration of their course, and you are considered automatically.
When should international students apply to UOW?
UOW recommends applying at least four months before your intake. Autumn session 2027 starts on 1 March 2027 and Spring session on 26 July 2027.
What IELTS score does UOW require?
Many courses, including Computer Science, require IELTS Academic 6.0 with 6.0 in each band; Psychology (Honours) and Medical and Health Sciences need 6.5, and Nursing and Law need 7.0.
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.
- UOW: About UOW (students, staff, graduates, partnerships)
- UOW: Bachelor of Laws (Direct Entry) 2027 (ATAR profile, fees)
- UOW: Apply as an international student
- UOW: International entry requirements
- UOW news, 22 May 2026: Annual report highlights (offshore campuses in Dubai, India, Malaysia and Hong Kong)
- UOW: Bachelor of Computer Science (2027)
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