The University of Western Australia
Western Australia's only world top-100 university: a sandstone Perth campus with a Nobel laureate among its graduates.
- Students
- 28,000
- International
- 28%
- of students
- Tuition
- A$42,500
- From · 2026
- Founded
- 1911
About UWA
The University of Western Australia, founded in 1911, is the only Western Australian university in the QS world top 100 (77th in 2027). Its main campus in the Perth suburb of Crawley is centred on Winthrop Hall and the Hackett Memorial Buildings.
UWA has more than 28,000 students, including over 7,900 international students, and more than 150,000 graduates. It is organised into 22 schools, including the Business School, Law School, Medical School, Dental School, Conservatorium of Music, School of Engineering and the Oceans Graduate School. Undergraduates take broad bachelor's degrees such as Arts, Commerce, Science and Biomedical Science, choosing from many majors (29 in Science and 33 in Arts). UWA reports 10 subjects in the world's top 50 (QS 2026 and ShanghaiRanking GRAS 2025) and more than 1,500 active scholarships awarded to its students in 2024. The Business School is accredited by EQUIS and AACSB.
The flagship Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) takes students with an ATAR of 98 into a research-intensive four-year program. UWA suits students who want a classic campus, strong links to WA's resources, health and business sectors, and a lower-key city than Sydney or Melbourne.
Seek Wisdom
University motto
Why students choose UWA
The Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) offers high achievers (minimum ATAR 98) a four-year research-focused degree with 96 majors to choose from.
UWA's exchange program links students to more than 130 partner universities around the world, plus short-term programs, study tours and international internships.
Commerce students use the Rosemarie Nathanson Financial Markets Trading Room, and the Business School is accredited by both EQUIS and AACSB.
The Global Excellence Scholarship offers international students starting in 2027 up to 20% off tuition for their whole course.
Admissions
Semester 1, 2027 entry (February 2027)
Selectivity
UWA does not publish an acceptance rate. It sets a minimum ATAR for each course: Arts and Science 70, Commerce 80, Advanced Computer Science 90 and Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) 98. Meeting the minimum plus prerequisites and English makes you eligible.
Typical entry requirements
| ATAR (minimum) | Arts 70; Science 70; Commerce 80; Advanced Computer Science 90 (with Mathematics Methods ATAR); Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) 98 |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma (UWA ATAR equivalents) | IB 24 = ATAR 70; 27 = 80; 30 = 85; 32 = 90; 35 = 94; 36 = 95; 40 = 98 |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 82 Minimum standard: IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0, or TOEFL iBT 82 (speaking and writing 20, listening and reading 17). Higher standard (some courses): IELTS 7.0 with no band below 6.5. |
Deadlines
- TISC early conditional offers (Year 12, first preference) Non-binding Next deadline · In 57 days2 December 2026
Early conditional offers go out from 5 October to 2 December 2026 to Year 12 applicants who list the course as their first preference.
- TISC main round: apply and re-arrange preferences Non-binding In ~2 months20 December 2026
WA ATARs are released 20 December 2026 at 8am; main round offers on 24 December 2026.
- International applications, Semester 1 2027 (most countries) Non-binding In ~3 months11 January 2027
Applicants from a listed set of countries must apply by 28 December 2026.
- TISC final closing date Non-binding In ~3 months13 January 2027
Second round offers on 20 January 2027.
TISC calendar for 2027 admission and UWA's international applicant page. Some courses have earlier closing dates listed on their course pages.
How to apply
Western Australian and other Australian Year 12 students apply through TISC (Tertiary Institutions Service Centre). International students apply directly to UWA, online or through a UWA representative, quoting the course name and code.
What admissions looks for
- An ATAR (or equivalent such as IB) at or above the course minimum.
- Course and major prerequisites, for example Mathematics Methods ATAR for Advanced Computer Science.
- English language competence at the standard or higher level required by the course.
Tips for applying to UWA
- 1 WA Year 12 students: list UWA as your TISC first preference to be eligible for an early conditional offer between October and December.
- 2 IB students can check UWA's conversion table; for example, 27 IB points equals the ATAR 80 needed for Commerce.
- 3 International applicants from some countries face an earlier deadline (28 December 2026) than everyone else (11 January 2027).
- 4 Check major prerequisites early: some UWA majors require specific ATAR subjects before an offer can be made.
Costs & financial aid
2026 · figures in AUD
International students starting in 2027 can receive the Global Excellence Scholarship of up to 20% off tuition for the full course. UWA also offers 25% off selected undergraduate courses for eligible Singapore polytechnic diploma holders. Over 1,500 active scholarships were awarded to UWA students in 2024.
- Up to 20% off tuition
- Global Excellence Scholarship (2027 starters)
- 1,500+
- Active scholarships awarded (2024)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (February and July intakes)
Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
UWA's flagship degree for high achievers: minimum ATAR 98, four years, research-focused.
Bachelor of Commerce
Eight majors, a financial markets trading room and 30+ corporate supporters such as BHP, KPMG and Woodside.
Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours)
A four-year honours computing degree (minimum ATAR 90).
Bachelor of Science
A broad degree with 29 majors (minimum ATAR 70).
Bachelor of Biomedical Science
A health and life sciences degree taught with the School of Biomedical Sciences (2026 international fee A$51,400).
Research
- Nobel laureate Barry Marshall is a UWA graduate.
- UWA has 10 subjects in the world's top 50 (QS 2026 and ShanghaiRanking GRAS 2025) and says it has the most subjects ranked in the world top 100 of any Western Australian university.
- UWA's 22 schools include the Oceans Graduate School and the School of Earth Sciences.
Schools & faculties
- UWA Business School
- UWA Law School
- UWA Medical School
- UWA Dental School
- UWA Conservatorium of Music
- Graduate School of Education
- Oceans Graduate School
- School of Engineering
- School of Design
- School of Biomedical Sciences
- School of Physics, Mathematics and Computing
- School of Psychological Science
Student life
UWA's Crawley campus is known for its sandstone buildings, Winthrop Hall's clock tower, reflection pools and lawns. The UWA Student Guild runs the clubs program and student services, and residential colleges and university-managed housing sit on or beside campus. Much of campus life happens outdoors, including markets on the lawns in front of Winthrop Hall. Beyond lectures, facilities such as the Business School's Rosemarie Nathanson Financial Markets Trading Room and the UWA Conservatorium of Music add to campus life and students can go on exchange to more than 130 partner universities.
- Winthrop Hall and the Hackett Memorial Buildings at the heart of campus.
- UWA Student Guild clubs, grants and leadership training.
- Residential colleges and university-managed housing through UWA Student Living.
- Student exchange with 130+ partner universities, plus short-term programs, study tours and international internships.
Housing. Options range from residential colleges to university-managed housing and trusted off-campus partners, coordinated through UWA Student Living.
Location
Perth is Australia's fourth-largest city and the capital of Western Australia, home to people of more than 190 nationalities. UWA's main campus is in Crawley, close to the city centre, and a second UWA campus operates in Albany. UWA reports that Perth incomes are about 8% higher than the national average (ABS, 2020).
Nearest airport: Perth Airport (PER)
Notable alumni
- BH Bob Hawke23rd Prime Minister of Australia
- BM Barry MarshallNobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine
- FS Fiona Stanley2003 Australian of the Year
- FW Fiona Wood2005 Australian of the Year
- KB Kim BeazleyFormer federal minister
- AF Andrew ForrestBusinessman
- RE Rod EddingtonFormer CEO of Ansett Airlines and British Airways
- TM Tim MinchinComedian and musician
Frequently asked questions
What ATAR do you need for UWA?
Minimum ATARs include Arts and Science 70, Commerce 80, Advanced Computer Science 90 and the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) 98.
What IB score does UWA need?
UWA converts IB points to an ATAR: 24 = 70, 27 = 80, 32 = 90 and 40 = 98. So Commerce needs about 27 points.
How much does UWA cost for international students?
For 2026 starters, annual fees were A$42,500 for Arts, A$50,700 for Commerce, A$52,000 for Science and A$54,900 for the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours).
When is the UWA application deadline for 2027?
International students apply by 11 January 2027 (28 December 2026 for some countries). TISC applicants must apply by 20 December 2026 for main round offers, and the final TISC closing date is 13 January 2027.
Does UWA offer scholarships to international students?
Yes. The Global Excellence Scholarship gives students starting in 2027 up to 20% off tuition for the whole course.
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.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to UWA in the QS World University Rankings 2027.