UNSW Sydney
The University of New South Wales
Sydney's engineering, business and tech powerhouse, ranked No. 1 in Australia in QS 2027 and built around employability.
- Students
- 86,235
- International
- 48%
- of students
- Tuition
- A$56,500
- From · 2026
- Founded
- 1949
About UNSW
UNSW Sydney was founded in 1949 as a university of technology, and that origin still shapes it: engineering, business, computing and applied science are its biggest draws, and its graduates are the ones Australian employers chase hardest. The Australian Financial Review has named it the country's Most Employable University for seven straight years, and in the QS World University Rankings 2027 it placed 19th in the world, the highest of any Australian university.
The main campus is in Kensington, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, a short bus ride from the CBD and Coogee Beach. Teaching is organised into seven faculties: Arts, Design and Architecture; Business; Engineering; Law and Justice; Medicine and Health; Science; and UNSW Canberra, which educates officer cadets at the Australian Defence Force Academy. With around 86,000 students in 2025, nearly half of them international, it is one of the largest and most international universities in Australia.
UNSW suits students who want a professional degree with real industry contact built in: engineering students complete 60 days of industrial training, Commerce students get guaranteed work-integrated learning, and the university is a leading creator of research spinouts in Australia and New Zealand. The trade-off is scale: classes are big and you need to seek out your community.
Scientia Corde Manu et Mente
“Knowledge by heart, hand and mind” — university motto
Why students choose UNSW
UNSW Engineering offers more than 20 specialisations, from aerospace and quantum engineering to renewable energy, and every student completes 60 days of approved industrial training.
The Bachelor of Commerce has 16 majors, an integrated first year, guaranteed work-integrated learning and access to the Career Accelerator program.
UNSW was ranked 1st in Australia for employment outcomes in QS 2027 and has been named AFR Most Employable University every year from 2020 to 2026.
Spinouts such as Silicon Quantum Computing and Diraq give students a front-row view of silicon quantum computing, one of the university's signature research fields.
Admissions
Term 1, 2027 entry (starts February 2027)
Selectivity
UNSW does not publish an overall acceptance rate. Offers go in rank order of Selection Rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors). For domestic applicants in 2026, the lowest selection rank for the Bachelor of Commerce was 97.0 (lowest raw ATAR offer 81.0, made through a Gateway early conditional offer); for Engineering (Hons) the lowest ATAR offer was 80.1, also through a Gateway early conditional offer. International applicants are assessed against a separate International ATAR guide (2027: Commerce 92). Medicine is decided on ATAR plus UCAT ANZ plus interview.
Typical entry requirements
| International ATAR guide (2027 international entry table) | Commerce 92, Engineering (Hons) 89, Advanced Computer Science 91, Actuarial Studies 97, Medical Studies/MD 96 (international guide) |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma (2027 guide) | Commerce 36, Engineering (Hons) 35, Actuarial Studies 41, Medical Studies/MD 40, Arts 29 |
| GCE A-levels (2027 guide) | Scored from A-level grades (A*=6, A=5, B=4...): Commerce 15, Engineering (Hons) 13, Medical Studies/MD 17, Arts 10 |
| US high school with SAT (2027 guide) | SAT 1300 for Commerce, 1260 for Engineering (Hons), 1370 for Medical Studies/MD, plus evidence of high school completion |
| NCEA (New Zealand) | NCEA Level 3 and University Entrance required; scores are converted per program |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 90 Standard level: IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each band, or TOEFL iBT 90 (writing 23, other sections 22). Law, Business and some Medicine & Health programs need IELTS 7.0 (6.0 each) or TOEFL 94; Education needs IELTS 7.5. |
Deadlines
- UAC early-bird processing charge Non-binding Passed30 September 2026
Apply by this date to pay the early-bird charge (about A$82) instead of the standard charge (about A$215).
- UAC December Round 2 (first ATAR-based offers) Non-binding Next deadline · In 51 days26 November 2026
ATARs are released on 16 December 2026; offers are released on 23 December 2026.
- UAC international unconditional offers, first round Non-binding In ~2 months10 December 2026
Apply and pay by this date for unconditional offers released on 23 December 2026.
- UAC final closing date, semester 1 2027 Non-binding In ~4 months5 February 2027
Final date to apply for courses starting in semester 1 (UNSW Term 1) 2027. Some courses close earlier.
Dates from UAC's Key dates for Year 12 students 2026-2027 (correct as at 10 March 2026). The Schools Recommendation Scheme closed on 11 September 2026. Medicine, Music and Aviation (Flying) have extra selection steps and earlier requirements.
How to apply
Australian and NZ school leavers apply through UAC (Universities Admissions Centre). International students can apply through UAC or directly to UNSW, and receive offers in grouped offer rounds based on academic merit. Year 12 students from under-represented backgrounds can get early conditional offers through the Gateway Admission Pathway.
What admissions looks for
- A Selection Rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) high enough for the program's offer round, since offers are made to the top-ranked applicants.
- The assumed knowledge for the degree, for example Mathematics Extension 1 and Physics for Engineering.
- For Medicine, the combination of academic results, UCAT ANZ (or ISAT for international applicants) and interview performance.
- For scholarships, leadership and extracurricular involvement as well as grades; UNSW says scholarships are not based on grades alone.
Tips for applying to UNSW
- 1 Check which adjustment factors you qualify for (elite athlete, performer, HSC subject bonuses, Gateway schools); they can lift your Selection Rank above your raw ATAR.
- 2 International applicants from eligible countries are automatically placed in the International Admissions Diversity Pathway, which adds 5 points to the International ATAR (not for Medicine).
- 3 Apply early as an international student: applicants from International Student Award countries get offers weekly, while others are placed in scheduled offer rounds prioritised by academic merit and subject to places.
- 4 From 2028 UNSW moves from its trimester-style 3+ calendar to a new flex-semester calendar, so a degree started in 2027 may span both.
Costs & financial aid
2026 · figures in AUD
International applicants can apply for the International Scientia Coursework Scholarship (full tuition or A$20,000 a year for the minimum program length). Citizens of eligible countries receive the International Student Award (20% off tuition each year), and some high achievers are automatically considered for Australia's Global University Award (A$10,000 one-off).
- Full tuition or A$20,000 per year
- International Scientia Coursework Scholarship
- 20% of tuition fees each year
- International Student Award
- A$10,000 one-off
- Australia's Global University Award
Academics
Academic calendar: UNSW 3+ calendar (three main terms); moving to a flex-semester calendar from 2028
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
Four years, 20+ specialisations including Quantum Engineering and Renewable Energy, and 60 days of required industrial training.
Bachelor of Commerce
16 majors, guaranteed work-integrated learning and the Career Accelerator program; one of Australia's most competitive business degrees.
Bachelor of Actuarial Studies
UNSW's highest academic entry guide (International ATAR 97, IB 41).
Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine
A direct-entry medical degree for school leavers, selected on ATAR, UCAT ANZ and interview.
Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours)
An honours computing degree taught in the faculty behind UNSW's quantum and AI spinouts.
Research
- UNSW spinouts Silicon Quantum Computing and Diraq were selected by DARPA for Stage B of its Quantum Benchmarking Initiative in 2025.
- The SMaRT Centre, led by Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla, developed UNSW's Green Steel Polymer Injection Technology, which uses waste as a resource in steelmaking.
- UNSW recorded 25 spinout companies and A$412 million in knowledge exchange revenue in 2025, and ranked 1st for startups and spinouts in the SCOPR survey for the fourth year running.
- UNSW co-leads the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE), which supported 120+ companies in 2025.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture
- UNSW Business School
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Law & Justice
- Faculty of Medicine & Health
- Faculty of Science
- UNSW Canberra
Ranked 1st in Australia for employment outcomes (score 97.4/100) in the QS World University Rankings 2027, and named AFR Most Employable University for seven consecutive years (2020-2026).
Student life
Most UNSW life revolves around the Kensington campus, with its Library Lawn, the Main Walkway up the hill and a mix of residential colleges and university apartments. Arc, the student organisation, runs what it calls the largest clubs program in Australia, with more than 350 clubs and societies, from engineering project teams to cultural and faith groups. Because many students commute, joining a club or a student project team is the most reliable way to find your people. Coogee and the eastern beaches are a short trip away.
- Arc@UNSW runs 350+ clubs and societies, which it calls the largest clubs program in Australia.
- More than 4,100 beds on campus across colleges and university housing.
- Student engineering and startup culture, including UNSW Founders programs for student ventures.
- UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy trains officer cadets alongside civilian postgraduates.
Housing. UNSW has more than 4,100 beds on or near the Kensington campus, including residential colleges and self-catered apartments, but many students rent in surrounding suburbs.
Location
Kensington is a residential suburb south-east of Sydney's CBD, linked to the city by light rail and frequent buses. Coogee, Maroubra and the eastern beaches are nearby. Sydney is Australia's largest city and living costs are high: UNSW estimates living costs from about A$2,645 to A$4,166 a month, depending on housing and lifestyle.
Nearest airport: Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD)
Notable alumni
- SM Scott Morrison30th Prime Minister of Australia
- GB Gladys Berejiklian45th Premier of New South Wales
- MC Mike Cannon-BrookesCEO of software company Atlassian
- SZ Shi ZhengrongBusinessman and philanthropist, once the richest person in China
- RW Rebel WilsonActress, writer and director
- GM Glenn MurcuttArchitect
- TF Tim FlanneryMammalogist, palaeontologist and author
- MT Mark TaylorFormer captain of the Australian cricket team
Frequently asked questions
What ATAR do you need for UNSW Commerce?
For domestic applicants, the 2026 lowest selection rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) for the Bachelor of Commerce was 97.0. International applicants are assessed on a separate guide: UNSW's 2027 international entry table lists an International ATAR of 92 for Commerce (IB 36, SAT 1300).
Does UNSW accept the SAT or A-levels?
Yes. The 2027 guide lists SAT 1300 plus high school completion for Commerce and 1260 for Engineering (Hons). A-levels are scored from your grades (A*=6, A=5, B=4 and so on), with Commerce needing 15 points.
How much does UNSW cost for international students?
In 2026, first-year indicative fees were A$56,500 for Commerce and A$61,500 for Engineering (Hons). UNSW notes fees are reviewed and may increase each year of the degree, and you also need to show A$29,710 a year for living costs for your visa.
What IELTS score does UNSW require?
Most undergraduate degrees need IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each band (TOEFL iBT 90). Law and Business need IELTS 7.0.
Does UNSW use trimesters?
UNSW currently runs a 3+ calendar with three main terms but is moving to a flex-semester calendar from 2028, so students starting in 2027 may study under both.
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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