Overview
Important Note for 2026 and Beyond: In November 2023, legislation passed state parliament enabling the creation of a new university named Adelaide University — previously a colloquial name used by the University of Adelaide. The combined institution, formed through the merger of the University of Adelaide (est. 1874) and the University of South Australia, formally opened in January 2026. Students starting studies at the pre-merger institutions from 2025 onwards are issued degree certificates from Adelaide University. All current and prospective students applying from 2025 onwards apply directly to Adelaide University.
The University of Adelaide was established on 6 November 1874. The university has four campuses: its main North Terrace campus in central Adelaide, the Waite campus in Urrbrae, a regional campus in Roseworthy, and a study centre in Melbourne, Victoria. Its academic activities are organised into three faculties.
Alumni of the two antecedent universities include the first female prime minister of Australia, Julia Gillard; two presidents of Singapore; the first astronaut born in Australia, Andy Thomas; and the first demonstrator of nuclear fusion, Mark Oliphant. The two universities have produced a combined 117 Rhodes Scholars and 173 Fulbright Scholars and are associated with five Nobel laureates.
The university has been associated with the discovery and development of penicillin, the development of space exploration, sunscreen, the military tank, Wi-Fi, polymer banknotes and X-ray crystallography, and the study of viticulture and oenology.
With over 29,000 students currently enrolled and 7,000+ international students from 100 countries, the university has a diverse student base and deep global connections. The university boasts a strong alumni network of 160,000 individuals. The university gets $180 million annually for fostering research activities and is a member of Australia's Group of Eight research-intensive universities.
Living costs are around 16% lower than Sydney and 13% lower than Melbourne, making Adelaide one of the most affordable capital cities in Australia.
| ~75% Acceptance Rate | 29,000+ Total Students | 100+ Countries Represented | 5 Nobel Laureates |
|---|
Ranking
In June 2025, QS World University Rankings placed the University of Adelaide at #82 globally. In October 2025, THE World University Rankings placed it at #176. As the third oldest university in the country, The University of Adelaide is proud to be associated with one-third of all Australian Nobel Laureates — 5 out of 15.
Adelaide University is ranked 8th nationally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings.
| Ranking Body | Rank |
|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings 2026 | #82 Globally / #8 in Australia |
| Times Higher Education 2026 | #176 Globally |
| US News Best Global Universities | Top 200 Globally |
| CWTS Leiden Ranking 2025 | #253 Globally |
| QS — Agriculture & Forestry (Subject) | Top 20 Globally |
| QS — Dentistry (Subject) | Top 30 Globally |
| QS — Veterinary Science (Subject) | Top 30 Globally |
Intakes
Adelaide University offers two primary intake windows for international students each academic year.
Semester 1 (February/March) — Primary and largest intake; open to nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs.
- No fixed application deadline; Indian students must apply at least 3 months before their intended course start date
- Rolling admissions; early application strongly recommended
Semester 2 (July) — Mid-year intake; available for most programs.
- Application deadline for Semester 2: July 2026
- Rolling admissions; early application recommended
Important for Indian Students:
- Applicants applying to the new Adelaide University in 2026 must apply directly to Adelaide University. There is no application fee.
- Indian students must apply via an authorised Education Agent — agents assist with preparation and submission of the application, as well as the student visa application
- A deposit of 50% of the annual program fee is payable when you accept your Offer of Admission; this deposit is credited towards tuition fees for the first study period
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for the duration of the student visa
- Post-Study Work Visa: 2–4 years depending on level and location of study
Note: Polygon Campus primarily assists with graduate-level admissions. Students are encouraged to verify specific intake dates and program availability directly with Adelaide University's International Office.
Top Courses
Adelaide University offers a total of 178 UG courses and 170 graduate courses, totalling 348 courses across all levels. Popular specialisations include Data Science, Sales & Marketing, General Surgery, Public Health, and Ophthalmology. Key faculties and popular programs include:
Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics (ABLE)
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Master of Laws (LLM)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Business Analytics
- Master of Finance
- Master of International Business
Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences (ECMS)
- Master of Engineering (various specialisations)
- Master of Computer Science
- Master of Data Science
- Master of Cyber Security (English-taught)
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
- Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- Master of Clinical Dentistry
- Master of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Master of Psychology
Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology (SET)
- Master of Agricultural Science
- Master of Viticulture and Oenology (unique globally — ranked world #1)
- Master of Physics
- Master of Environmental Science
Faculty of Arts
- Master of Creative Writing
- Master of Museum Studies
- Master of Arts (various disciplines)
Adelaide Business School
- Master of Finance
- Master of International Trade and Development
- Master of Accounting
Cost of Studying at Adelaide University
The University of Adelaide fees for popular postgraduate programs range within AUD $48,100–$60,500 (approximately ₹26.21L–₹32.96L) per year. At the undergraduate level, annual tuition fees are within AUD $50,800–$94,500 (approximately ₹27.66L–₹51.46L) per year, depending on the program.
Adelaide is one of the most affordable capital cities in Australia, with living costs around 16% lower than Sydney and 13% lower than Melbourne.
| Type of Expense | Annual Cost (AUD) | Annual Cost (INR Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| UG Tuition (Arts / Business / Science) | AUD $35,000 – $50,800 | ₹19.0L – ₹27.5L |
| UG Tuition (Engineering / Medicine / Dental) | AUD $50,800 – $94,500 | ₹27.5L – ₹51.2L |
| PG Tuition (Masters — most programs) | AUD $43,000 – $60,500 | ₹23.3L – ₹32.8L |
| MBA / Clinical / Specialised PG | AUD $55,000 – $65,000+ | ₹29.8L – ₹35.2L+ |
| Acceptance Deposit (50% of annual fee) | AUD $21,500 – $30,000 | ₹11.6L – ₹16.3L |
| Application Fee | NIL (No application fee) | ₹0 |
| OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) | AUD $600 – $700/year | ₹32,500 – ₹37,900 |
| Accommodation (on-campus / off-campus) | AUD $600 – $1,600/month | ₹32,500 – ₹86,700/month |
| Food & Personal Expenses | AUD $300 – $600/month | ₹16,250 – ₹32,500/month |
| Transport | AUD $80 – $150/month | ₹4,330 – ₹8,120/month |
| Total Estimated Annual COA (International) | AUD $50,000 – $80,000+ | ₹27.1L – ₹43.3L+ |
Note: Adelaide offers significantly lower living costs than Sydney or Melbourne. Figures are indicative based on 2025–26 data. Australian Student Visa applicants must demonstrate financial capacity of at least AUD $29,710/year for living costs. Please refer to Adelaide University's official website (adelaide.edu.au) for the most current fee structure.
Scholarships
Notable Adelaide University scholarships include the Global Academic Excellence International Scholarship, and the Ashok Khurana Scholarship — covering 50% of tuition fees to offering an AUD $30,000 stipend.
Key funding opportunities include:
- Global Academic Excellence International Scholarship — Merit-based; covers a substantial portion of tuition fees for high-achieving international students; automatically considered upon admission application
- Ashok Khurana Scholarship — Prestigious award covering up to 50% tuition fees or providing an AUD $30,000 living stipend; open to high-achieving international students
- Adelaide University Research Training Program (RTP) — Full tuition fees plus a living stipend of approximately AUD $32,000–$38,000/year for PhD and Research Masters candidates; automatically considered for eligible research applicants
- Australia Awards Scholarships — Funded by the Australian Government; covers full tuition, travel, OSHC, and living allowance; for students from eligible developing countries including India
- Adelaide Global Excellence Scholarship — Partial tuition waiver for outstanding international undergraduate and postgraduate students; amounts vary by program and level
- Faculty-Specific Scholarships — Adelaide Business School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, and ECMS (Engineering) each offer merit-based scholarships
- Destination Australia Scholarship — AUD $15,000 per year for international students studying in regional campuses (Roseworthy/Waite)
Note: Indian students must apply via an authorised Education Agent. Most scholarships are assessed automatically upon admission. Rolling intake deadlines mean early application increases scholarship chances significantly.
Admissions
The University of Adelaide acceptance rate is around 75%, indicating a lightly selective admissions process.
For Graduate (Master's / Doctoral) Programs:
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with a strong academic record
- Minimum 60%–65% WAM or equivalent (varies by program; Medicine and Dentistry require higher)
- English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) / TOEFL iBT 79+ / PTE 58+ (some programs require higher)
- GMAT/GRE required for MBA and select management programs
- Statement of Purpose / Personal Statement
- 2 Letters of Recommendation (for most programs)
- CV / Résumé
- Official transcripts (certified English translation if required)
- No application fee; apply directly to Adelaide University portal or via an authorised Education Agent
For Undergraduate Programs:
- Higher secondary certificate (Class 12 / CBSE / ISC) with 60%+ aggregate; program-specific requirements apply
- English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0)
- No application fee
Indian students can check Adelaide University's specific admission requirements for their chosen program directly through Polygon Campus.
Placements
Adelaide's location as South Australia's capital — home to the defence, mining, food, wine, and health sectors, and with a rapidly growing technology and startup scene — gives graduates strong career access across Australia and internationally. The university is recognised as South Australia's #1 university for graduate employability, reflecting strong graduate employment outcomes and performance across national employability measures.
Graduates of the University of Adelaide are recruited by leading global and Australian organisations such as Deloitte, EY, KPMG, Microsoft, BHP, SA Health, Santos, and ASC Pty Ltd.
Jobs After Graduating from Adelaide University
| Job Profile | Average Annual Salary (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Software Engineer / Data Scientist | AUD $80,000 – $1,20,000 |
| Civil / Mining / Mechanical Engineer | AUD $78,000 – $1,15,000 |
| Medical Doctor / Clinical Researcher | AUD $80,000 – $1,80,000+ |
| Lawyer / Legal Consultant (JD / LLM) | AUD $75,000 – $1,20,000 |
| Business Analyst / MBA Graduate | AUD $85,000 – $1,25,000 |
| Agricultural / Environmental Scientist | AUD $65,000 – $92,000 |
| Public Health / Health Professional | AUD $68,000 – $1,00,000 |
| Viticulturist / Food Scientist | AUD $60,000 – $85,000 |
Note: Salary figures are indicative. Actual salaries vary by role, employer, location, and experience.
Adelaide University's career support ecosystem includes:
- Career Services (CareerHub) — Personalised career coaching, CV and interview support, internship and job listings through the CareerHub online platform, career advice workshops, and ongoing mentoring; students and alumni (up to 12 months after graduation) can access the portal
- 4,500+ Industry Partnerships — Strong connections with BHP, Santos, ASC Pty Ltd, SA Health, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, Microsoft, and leading South Australian government agencies
- Defence Industry Links — Adelaide is Australia's Defence Capital; unique career pathways in naval construction, aerospace, cyber, and defence technology
- Wine and Food Industry Network — World-renowned Waite campus; Adelaide University's Viticulture and Oenology program is globally ranked; connects graduates to Australia's leading wine and food companies
- Adelaide University Alumni Network — A global community of 160,000+ graduates spanning business, medicine, law, engineering, and the arts
- Post-Study Work Visa (Australia) — International graduates qualify for 2–4 years of post-study work rights in Australia depending on qualification level and study location
For personalised guidance on Adelaide University admissions, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.