University of New South Wales (UNSW): Ranking, Acceptance rate, Courses, Admission, Fees, Scholarship & Placements

University of New South Wales Highlights

The University of New South Wales (UNSW), also referred to as UNSW Sydney was established in 1949 as a public research university. The university, located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, is also known to be one of the founding members of an organization comprising research-intensive universities in Australia called the Group of Eight.

The University of New South Wales is a qualified member of Universitas 21, which is a global network comprising multiple research universities. The university has strong research and exchange-based partnerships with more than 200 universities across the globe, for those interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics or STEM. Apart from being one of the most credible universities to study in Australia, UNSW is also one of the top-ranking educational institutions in the world.

• Consistently ranked among the top 50 universities globally, recognized for its research excellence and academic quality.

• Extensive partnerships with industries and businesses, facilitating internships, work placements, and job opportunities for students.

• Wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs across disciplines such as Business, Engineering, Science, Arts, and Law.

• Known for its impactful research across various fields, contributing to advancements in technology, health, and social sciences.

University of New South Wales Acceptance Rate

The UNSW acceptance rate varies depending on the program and level of study. As one of the top universities in Australia, UNSW is highly competitive with an acceptance rate of 30-35% for International students. This reflects the university’s selective admission process, especially for popular courses like engineering, business, and law. Below is the acceptance for Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs.

Undergraduate Programs: The UNSW acceptance rate for undergraduate programs is generally in the range of 35-40%. Popular courses like engineering, business, and law tend to have lower acceptance rates due to the high volume of applications.

Postgraduate Programs: Postgraduate courses, especially MBA, data science, and medicine-related programs, have a more selective acceptance rate, often around 30% or lower.

High-Demand Programs: Courses in fields such as engineering, law, and medicine have had acceptance rates as low as 20-30% due to the large number of qualified applicants and limited seats.

University of New South Wales (UNSW) Rankings

The UNSW world ranking solidifies its position as a global leader in education and research. Regularly placed in the top 50 universities worldwide, UNSW’s strong focus on innovation, cutting-edge research, and global partnerships has helped it maintain its position as one of the best universities globally.Below are the national and international rankings for UNSW:

National Rankings:

1. QS Australia Rankings: UNSW is ranked among the top 5 universities in Australia.
2. Times Higher Education (THE) Australia: Ranked 4th in Australia for research, teaching quality, and graduate outcomes.
3. ARWU (Academic Ranking of World Universities) Australia: UNSW is listed among the top 6 universities in Australia, with strong performance in engineering, computer science, and business.

International Rankings:

• QS World University Rankings 2024: The University of New South Wales QS ranking has steadily improved over the years, with the university now ranked within the top 50 globally.UNSW is ranked 43rd globally, showcasing its academic reputation and research impact.
• Engineering & Technology: Ranked 13th globally.
• Accounting & Finance: Ranked 15th globally.
• Law: Ranked 14th globally
• Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings: Placed within the top 70 universities worldwide, highlighting strong performance in research, international outlook, and citations.
• Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2024: UNSW is ranked in the top 100 globally, driven by its robust research output and excellence in teaching.
• US News & World Report Global Rankings: UNSW is ranked within the top 60 universities globally, with special recognition in fields like engineering, computer science, and law.

To know more about other universities in the Australia, click here.

University of New South Wales Admissions

The University of New South Wales provides educational facilities to nearly 59,000 students at any given time. It also has a research community comprising 7,000 students who wish to opt for higher education in the country.

More than 145 programs are offered at the undergraduate level, and over 280 courses are provided at the postgraduate level to students at the University of South Wales. The university also provides students with four diploma programs and a few well-structured foundation studies programs.

Undergraduate Admissions at University of New South Wales

The University of South Wales offers international students as many as 145 courses at the undergraduate level. Some of the most popular disciplines for international students happen to be medicine, engineering, law, business, environment, arts, and social sciences.

Suppose an international student has completed their IB degree or 12 qualifications in Australia. In that case, they can opt for a UAC Application to apply for an undergraduate program at the University of New South Wales. Other applicants have to apply using the UNSW Application.

For early-bird applicants, the application fee for an undergraduate program is 70 AUD. For standard applicants, the application fee is 200 AUD. While applying for a UG program offered by the university, an international student has to download an application form, fill it up properly, and submit it along with their English proficiency test scores, a document serving as their proof of employment, a copy of visa certificate and passport.

Since the University of New South Wales is based in Australia, international students must procure an Australian student visa. To get a student visa, an international student needs to fulfill some important requirements within a given time frame.

An international student can use a Document Checklist Tool to get information about all the documents needed to apply for an Australian student visa. The documents a student needs to have at their disposal are a birth certificate, proof of financial support, health insurance, confirmation of enrolment, scores of the different examinations one must clear to study in Australia, and a copy of a passport.

It is important to remember that the minimum score or percentage required in an examination depends on the course or discipline the student is applying for. If an international student is interested in disciplines like art and social sciences, art and design, science or engineering, a minimum score of 6.5 on an IELTS test would be sufficient. However, if international students want to enroll in the built environment, medicine, business, or law, they must score at least 7 on the same test.

Graduate Admissions at University of New South Wales

The University of New South Wales offers more than 280 degree programs and several certificate courses at the graduate level. The applicant gets the opportunity to choose from multiple disciplines like art and design, arts and social sciences, medicine, built environment, law, business, and science.

The application process for graduate programs is quite similar to the UG programs offered by the university. The application fee, too, is the same. By applying early, a student can save substantial money on the application fee.

While filling up the application form, the applicant must ensure that information is entered correctly. To enroll in a graduate program at the University of New South Wales, an international should is expected to have a bachelor’s degree. They also have to submit the scores they had received in various study-abroad exams like the IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL. Along with a visa certificate, they must also submit a copy of their passport.

Since graduate courses are of different types, their requirements also vary from one another. If an individual is interested in doing an MBA program at the University of New South Wales, they must have some work experience. However, work experience is not mandatory for those who wish to do a master’s in engineering or architecture.

University of New South Wales Programs

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) offers a diverse range of programs across various disciplines. Here’s an overview:

1. Undergraduate Programs

• Arts and Social Sciences: Includes majors such as International Relations, Psychology, Sociology, and Creative Writing.
• Business: Programs like Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Economics, and Bachelor of International Business.
• Engineering: Offers specializations in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Chemical Engineering, among others.
• Law: Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and combined degrees like LLB/Commerce or LLB/Arts.
• Science: Majors in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Environmental Science.
• Design: Programs such as Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Industrial Design, and Bachelor of Built Environment.

2. Postgraduate Programs

• Business: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Finance, Master of Marketing, and Master of International Business.
• Engineering: Master of Engineering in various specializations including Structural, Environmental, and Biomedical Engineering.
• Law: Master of Laws (LLM) with specializations in Corporate and Commercial Law, International Law, and Human Rights Law.
• Public Health: Master of Public Health, Master of Global Health, and Master of Health Management.
• Data Science: Master of Data Science, Master of Machine Learning and Computer Vision.

3. Research Degrees

• PhD: Available across all faculties, with opportunities for research in fields such as Science, Engineering, Business, and Humanities.
• Professional Doctorates: Includes Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in specialized areas like Education, Medicine, and Architecture.

4. Professional Development and Executive Education

• Short courses and executive programs in areas such as Leadership, Project Management, Data Analysis, and Digital Transformation.

University of New South Wales Intakes

• UNSW offers two main intakes each year: Semester 1 in February and Semester 2 in July.
• Application deadlines for Semester 1 are typically in January, while Semester 2 deadlines are in June. Some programs may have different deadlines, so it’s important to check individual course requirements

University of New South Wales Accommodation

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) offers a range of accommodation options for students, both on-campus and off-campus. Here’s a detailed overview:

1. On-Campus Accommodation

• Residential Colleges: Provide a fully catered living experience with meals included, along with academic support, social activities, and a strong sense of community. Examples include:
  • Goldstein College: Offers a traditional college experience with academic support and social events.
  • Basser College: Known for its supportive environment and diverse student activities.
• Student Apartments: Offer self-catered accommodation with shared facilities. Examples include:
  • UNSW Village: Provides modern apartments with cooking facilities, study areas, and common spaces.
  • Fig Tree Hall: Offers both single and shared apartments with various amenities.

2. Off-Campus Accommodation

• Private Rentals: Students can find private rental options in nearby neighborhoods such as Kensington, Randwick, and Coogee. Costs typically range from AUD 300 to 600 per week, depending on location and type of housing.
• Shared Housing: Sharing a house or apartment with other students is a popular and cost-effective option. This can help reduce rental costs and foster a communal living experience.

3. Accommodation Costs

• On-Campus: Costs range from AUD 250 to 550 per week, depending on the type of accommodation and facilities provided. Prices vary for different residential colleges and student apartments.
• Off-Campus: Renting privately or sharing a house typically costs between AUD 300 to 600 per week, depending on the location and size of the property.

4. Student Support Services

• Accommodation Services: UNSW offers support to students seeking off-campus housing, including advice on finding suitable accommodation and an online accommodation service to connect with potential rentals.
• Support for On-Campus Residents: Residents receive support from residential advisors and access to campus facilities and activities designed to enhance their university experience.

University of New South Wales fees

Tuition Fees

• Undergraduate Programs: For international students, tuition fees generally range from AUD 40,000 to 50,000 per year, depending on the program and field of study.
• Postgraduate Programs: Fees for postgraduate programs usually range from AUD 45,000 to 55,000 per year, with some specialized programs, such as MBA or Medicine, being higher.

2. Accommodation Costs

• On-Campus: On-campus accommodation options, such as residential colleges and student apartments, range from AUD 250 to 550 per week. Costs vary depending on the type of accommodation and facilities provided.
• Off-Campus: Renting privately in areas around UNSW can cost between AUD 300 to 600 per week, depending on location and type of housing. Sharing an apartment can reduce costs.

3. Living Expenses

• Estimated Costs: Students should budget approximately AUD 1,500 to 2,500 per month for living expenses, which includes groceries, dining out, public transportation, and personal costs. Sydney is known for its high cost of living, so budgeting adequately is essential.

4. Additional Costs

• Health Insurance: International students are required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which costs around AUD 500 to 700 per year.
• Books and Supplies: Students should budget approximately AUD 1,000 to 1,500 per year for textbooks, course materials, and other educational supplies.

University of New South Wales Scholarships

Before applying for a course offered by the University of New South Wales, international students must check if they can avail of some scholarship or financial aid. The university provides students financial aid in different forms like loans, grants, and scholarships.

One of the most popular scholarships the UNSW offers is the UNSW Business School Scholarship, which is given out at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. This scholarship is given to students based on merit or their grades. While 5,000 AUD is given at the undergraduate level, meritorious students get 10,000 AUD at the postgraduate level.

The University International Postgraduate Award is a scholarship given to research scholars for engaging in Ph. Ph.D.-level research work for three and a half years. Those who receive the UNSW Art and Design International Scholarship receive an amount of 5,000 AUD based on their academic performance.

To know about the Australia study visa requirements, click here.

University of New South Wales Placements

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is renowned for its strong industry connections and effective career services, contributing to high placement rates for its graduates. Here are key points about UNSW placements:

• High Employability: UNSW graduates are highly sought after, with a significant percentage securing employment within months of graduation. The university consistently reports high employability rates, reflecting the relevance and quality of its programs.

• Industry Connections: UNSW has strong links with various industries, including finance, engineering, technology, and media. These connections facilitate valuable internships, work placements, and networking opportunities that enhance students' career prospects.

• Career Support Services: The university offers extensive career services, including career counseling, job search assistance, resume writing workshops, and interview preparation. The UNSW Careers and Employment team also hosts career fairs and employer networking events.

• Internship Opportunities: Many programs include compulsory or optional internships, providing practical experience and professional connections. These internships often lead to job offers or valuable industry insights.

• Alumni Network: UNSW boasts a global alumni network that provides mentorship, career advice, and job opportunities for recent graduates. The strong alumni presence in various sectors helps in job placements and career advancement.

FAQs About the University of New South Wales

1. What are the application deadlines for international students?

Semester 1: January; Semester 2: June. Specific program deadlines may vary.

2. What are the English language requirements for admission?

Typically, an IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 79 is required for most programs.

3. Does UNSW offer scholarships for international students?

Yes, UNSW provides various scholarships based on academic merit and specific criteria.

4. What is the cost of living in Sydney for students?

Students should expect to spend around AUD 1,800 to 2,500 per month on living expenses.

5. What accommodation options are available at UNSW?

Options include on-campus residential colleges and university-managed apartments, as well as private rentals and shared housing off-campus.

6. Are there part-time job opportunities for students?

Yes, students can work part-time, with opportunities available in retail, hospitality, and on-campus positions.