University of Southern Queensland
A regional Queensland university with three intakes a year, strong online study and a national lead in space research.
- Students
- 21,242
- 14,105 undergraduates
- International
- 11%
- of students
- Tuition
- A$28,800
- From · 2026 (indicative; fees are reviewed annually)
- Founded
- 1967
About UniSQ
The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) traces its history to 1967, when the Queensland Institute of Technology (Darling Downs) opened in Toowoomba; it became the Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education in 1971 and a university in 1992. Toowoomba remains its founding campus, alongside campuses in Ipswich and Springfield near Brisbane, and UniSQ has more than 40 years of experience in flexible and online learning.
Teaching is organised into five schools: Business, Law, Humanities and Pathways; Education and Creative Arts; Health, Psychological and Medical Sciences; Nursing and Midwifery; and Science, Engineering and Digital Technologies. Research is built around four flagships: agriculture, climate and the environment; space, defence and advanced technologies; health; and communities and regional development. UniSQ leads iLAuNCH, a national Trailblazer program in space manufacturing with the Australian National University, the University of South Australia and more than 20 industry partners, and runs the Mount Kent astronomical observatory and a hypersonic wind tunnel.
UniSQ suits students who want a practical degree with flexible start dates (three trimesters a year), a regional campus with residential colleges, or the option to study online. The Good Universities Guide 2026 rates it 5 stars for graduates in full-time employment and first in Australia for graduate starting salary.
Per Studia Mens Nova
“Through study the mind is renewed” — university motto
Why students choose UniSQ
Three trimester intakes a year (February, May and September), with applications open until the start of each trimester.
UniSQ leads the iLAuNCH space manufacturing program and hosts the Southern Hemisphere's only ground-based support for NASA's TESS exoplanet mission.
The Good Universities Guide 2026 ranks UniSQ first in Australia for graduate starting salary and first in Queensland for engineering and technology graduates in full-time employment.
International students starting in 2027 are automatically considered for a 10% tuition reduction for the whole degree through the International Student Support Scholarship.
Admissions
2027 entry (Trimester 1 starts 15 February 2027; Trimester 2 on 31 May; Trimester 3 on 13 September)
Selectivity
UniSQ does not publish an acceptance rate. Degree pages list the lowest adjusted ATAR offered in Trimester 1, e.g. Arts 58, Information Technology 58.9, Business, Nursing and Science 60, Aviation 62.7, Engineering (Honours) 69.5 and Laws 75.
Typical entry requirements
| ATAR (lowest adjusted score offered, Trimester 1) | Arts 58; Information Technology 58.9; Business 60; Nursing 60; Science 60; Aviation 62.7; Engineering (Honours) 69.5; Laws 75 |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | 24 points, equivalent to an ATAR of 65 and UniSQ's standard undergraduate requirement; some degrees need more or prerequisite subjects |
| GCE A-levels | Aggregate of the best three A-levels (A* = 6, A = 5, B = 4, etc.) converted to an Australian rank |
| English language | IELTS 6 Degree pages for most bachelor's degrees (e.g. Engineering, Business, IT, Science, Arts, Laws, Aviation) list IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component; Nursing requires IELTS 7.0. UniSQ's general English requirements page lists IELTS 6.5 (no subscore below 6.0) among the evidence accepted for the majority of degrees, so the two pages differ: confirm the requirement on your own degree page. |
Deadlines
- Trimester 1, 2027 application closing date Non-binding Next deadline · In ~4 monthsMonday 15 February 2027
Applies whether applying through QTAC or directly; orientation starts 8 February 2027. International applicants need to allow time for the student visa.
- Trimester 2, 2027 application closing date Non-binding In ~8 monthsMonday 31 May 2027
- Trimester 3, 2027 application closing date Non-binding In ~11 monthsMonday 13 September 2027
Dates are from UniSQ's 2027 key dates (checked 29 September 2026). Block and session study periods have other dates.
How to apply
Domestic applicants apply through QTAC or directly to UniSQ. International applicants apply directly online or through an approved UniSQ agent (applicants from Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent must use an agent), with certified copies of ID, school results and English test results. There is no application fee. Student visa applicants must meet the genuine student requirement.
What admissions looks for
- An ATAR or equivalent at or above the degree's entry threshold, compared against Australian Year 12.
- Assumed knowledge for some degrees, such as mathematics for Engineering (Honours).
- English proficiency at the level set for the degree (higher for Nursing).
- For student visa applicants, evidence that they meet the genuine student requirement.
Tips for applying to UniSQ
- 1 Use the trimester system: if you miss the February start, Trimester 2 begins on 31 May 2027 and Trimester 3 on 13 September 2027.
- 2 Check the English requirement on your degree page: most need IELTS 6.0, but Nursing needs 7.0.
- 3 International applicants from Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent must apply through a UniSQ representative.
- 4 Special admission schemes can add adjustment factors to your ATAR, so check whether you qualify before applying.
Costs & financial aid
2026 (indicative; fees are reviewed annually) · figures in AUD
International students starting an eligible award degree in 2027 are automatically assessed for the International Student Support Scholarship, a 10% tuition reduction for the full degree, with no separate application. UniSQ has other scholarships for academic excellence and diverse backgrounds, international students may apply for Australia Awards Scholarships, and domestic students can defer fees through HECS-HELP.
- 10% off tuition for the duration of the degree, assessed automatically
- International Student Support Scholarship (2027 starters)
- None
- Application fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Trimesters (three intakes a year), plus block and session study periods
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
UniSQ is ranked first in Queensland for engineering and technology graduates in full-time employment (Good Universities Guide 2026).
Bachelor of Aviation
A specialist degree with a lowest ATAR offered of 62.7 and international fees of A$28,800 a year (2026).
Bachelor of Nursing
Part of UniSQ's health flagship, which it describes as underpinned by a strong reputation in nursing and allied health teaching.
Bachelor of Science
Links to research strengths in astrophysics, agriculture and climate science, including the Mount Kent observatory.
Bachelor of Laws
UniSQ's highest-threshold undergraduate entry among the degrees checked, at ATAR 75.
Research
- UniSQ leads iLAuNCH, a Trailblazer Universities program building Australia's sovereign space capability with ANU, UniSA and 20+ industry partners.
- UniSQ hosts the only ground-based support in the Southern Hemisphere for NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), and runs the Mount Kent astronomical observatory.
- Facilities include a hypersonic wind tunnel and one of Australia's largest composite materials manufacturing and testing facilities.
Schools & faculties
- School of Business, Law, Humanities and Pathways
- School of Education and Creative Arts
- School of Health, Psychological and Medical Sciences
- School of Nursing and Midwifery
- School of Science, Engineering and Digital Technologies
Good Universities Guide 2026: 5 out of 5 stars for graduates in full-time employment and first in Australia for graduate starting salary.
Student life
The Toowoomba campus is the heart of residential student life, with three on-campus residential colleges, a library, an art gallery and Australia's largest and most traditionally designed Japanese garden. Clubs and societies cover academic, cultural and recreational interests, and there is free on-campus parking and 24/7 security. The Ipswich and Springfield campuses are smaller and closer to Brisbane, and many UniSQ students study online. Toowoomba campus services include free student support, counselling and career advice.
- The Japanese Garden in Toowoomba, which UniSQ describes as Australia's largest and most traditionally designed.
- Three residential colleges at the Toowoomba campus.
- Clubs and societies plus the UniSQ Works Health and Recreation Club.
- Campuses in Toowoomba, Ipswich and Springfield, and online study.
Housing. Toowoomba's three residential colleges (McGregor, Concannon and Steele Rudd) charge A$171-253 a week in 2027 (A$166-236 in 2026) for a furnished single room including internet and utilities; the fees page describes them as self-catered.
Location
Toowoomba is a regional city west of Brisbane, which UniSQ describes as Australia's largest inland city, and it is UniSQ's founding campus. Living costs and rents are generally lower than in Brisbane. The Ipswich and Springfield campuses are about 30 minutes from Brisbane. UniSQ's Toowoomba campus offers free on-campus parking, cycling paths and public transport links.
Nearest airport: Brisbane Airport (BNE)
Notable alumni
- KC Kev CarmodySinger-songwriter, ARIA Hall of Fame inductee
- MZ Melanie ZanettiActress, voice of Chilli Heeler in Bluey
- SJ Shameel JoosubCEO of Vodacom
- AK Atul KhareIndian diplomat and UN Under-Secretary-General for Field Support
- JL Jamus LimEconomist and Singaporean Member of Parliament
- DF Deb FrecklingtonQueensland politician and first female leader of the LNP
- JG Jason GannActor and writer
- JR Joe RoffRugby union player
Frequently asked questions
What ATAR do you need for UniSQ?
Lowest adjusted ATARs offered in Trimester 1 include 58 for Arts, 60 for Business, Nursing and Science, 69.5 for Engineering (Honours) and 75 for Laws. An IB Diploma of 24 points is treated as an ATAR of 65.
How much are UniSQ's international fees?
Indicative 2026 international fees for a first year range from A$28,800 (Business, Aviation) to A$37,840 (Engineering Honours), with Nursing at A$34,280. 2027 starters are automatically considered for a 10% tuition reduction.
When does UniSQ start in 2027?
Trimester 1 starts on 15 February 2027, Trimester 2 on 31 May and Trimester 3 on 13 September; the application closing date for each is the start date.
Is there an application fee for UniSQ?
No. UniSQ charges no application or assessment fee for international applications.
What IELTS score does UniSQ require?
Most bachelor's degree pages list IELTS Academic 6.0 with no component below 5.5, and Nursing needs 7.0. UniSQ's general English requirements page lists 6.5 (no band below 6.0), so confirm the figure on your degree page.
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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