Overview

Founded in 1946, The Australian National University (ANU) is Australia's only national university and one of the most globally connected universities in the region. Located in Canberra, the nation's capital, ANU brings together students from all over the world into a diverse and welcoming community. Ranked 1st in 11 academic disciplines in Australia, ANU is a powerhouse of world-leading research and teaching. 

ANU is governed by a 15-member Council. The university was reorganised to create seven Colleges, each of which leads both teaching and research. The ANU College of Science & Medicine encompasses the John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR), ANU Medical School, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, and Research School of Psychology. JCSMR was established in 1948 as a result of the vision of Nobel laureate Howard Florey. Three further Nobel Prizes have been won as a result of research at JCSMR — in 1963 by John Eccles and in 1996 by Peter Doherty and Rolf M. Zinkernagel. 

Founded in 1946, ANU is the only university that was established by the Australian Parliament. ANU now enrolls approximately 26,000 students, 7,425 of whom are international students.  ANU is a member of the Group of Eight and is the only Australian member of the International Alliance of Research Universities. ANU students interact with brilliant minds and learn from world-class scholars, with six Nobel laureates and two Australian prime ministers among its faculty and alumni. 

ANU counts six Nobel laureates and 49 Rhodes scholars among its faculty and alumni. The university has educated the incumbent Governor-General of Australia, two former prime ministers, and more than a dozen current heads of government departments of Australia.  ANU's main campus is set in a park with more than 10,000 trees, and the buildings are carefully arranged within that beautiful landscape. ANU is committed to sustainability and is one of the greenest universities in the country.

Intakes

ANU offers two primary intake windows for international students each academic year.

Semester 1 (February) — Primary and largest intake; open to nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs.

• Application deadline: October 31 (of previous year; program-dependent)

Semester 2 (July) — Mid-year intake; available for select programs including MBA.

• Application deadline: April 30 (program-dependent)

Important for Indian Students:

• Indian UG applicants require Class 12 scores equivalent to ATAR 85%+ (program-specific; Medicine and Law require higher)
• Indian PG applicants require a minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0 or 3.0/4.0 (equivalent to 65%+ in Indian bachelor's degree)
• A deposit of approximately AUD $20,000 is required to issue a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for the visa 
• Application fee: AUD $78 for postgraduate applications
• 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 confirm specific intake dates with their chosen ANU college.

Top Courses

ANU offers 81 undergraduate, 129 postgraduate, and 2 doctoral programs. These programs are provided through six colleges, 22 schools, and three research centres. Popular courses include Data Science, Computer Science, Law, Political Science, and Engineering.  Key colleges and popular programs include:

ANU College of Law

• Juris Doctor (JD)
• Master of Laws (LLM)
• Master of International Law
• Graduate Diploma in Law

ANU College of Business and Economics (CBE)

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) — 16-month program, English-taught
• Master of Economics
• Master of Finance
• Master of International and Development Economics
• Master of Management (International)

ANU College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics

• Master of Engineering (various streams)
• Master of Computing
• Master of Applied Cybernetics
• Master of Human-Centred Computing

ANU College of Science

• Master of Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth Sciences)
• Master of Environment
• Master of Applied Data Analytics
• Master of Mathematical Sciences

ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences

• Master of International Affairs
• Master of Diplomacy
• Master of Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development
• Master of Arts (various disciplines)

ANU College of Asia and the Pacific

• Master of Asia-Pacific Affairs
• Master of International Relations
• Master of Strategic Studies

ANU College of Health and Medicine

• Master of Public Health
• Master of Epidemiology
• Doctor of Medicine (MD — graduate entry)

Cost of Studying at Australian National University (ANU)

International students can expect tuition fees between AUD $43,000 and $53,000 per year, depending on the course. Average living expenses in Canberra range from AUD $25,000 to $30,000 annually, including housing, food, transport, and insurance. 

AUD $83,584 is the tuition fee for the 2025 MBA intake at ANU for international students.  Canberra is notably more affordable than Sydney or Melbourne, making ANU a strong value proposition among Go8 universities.

Note: Canberra has significantly lower cost of living than Sydney or Melbourne, making ANU one of the most cost-effective Go8 options. Figures are indicative based on 2025 data. Please refer to ANU's official website (anu.edu.au) for the most current fee structure.

Scholarships

Scholarships at ANU cover either partial tuition fee waivers (25%–50%) or provide living stipends up to AUD $38,000 per year. Most are automatically considered with admission, while a few require separate applications. 

Key funding opportunities include:

• ANU Chancellor's International Scholarship — Merit-based; covers 25% or 50% of tuition fees for the duration of the program; open to all international undergraduate and postgraduate students; automatically considered upon application — no separate form required; highly competitive
• ANU India Excellence Scholarship — Specifically for Indian students; merit-based partial tuition waiver; amounts vary by program
• ANU Chancellor's International Scholarship, India — Covers 25% or 50% of tuition fees; merit-based; specifically available for Indian students
• ANU Research Training Program (RTP) — For PhD and research Masters students; covers full tuition fees plus a living stipend of approximately AUD $32,000–$38,000/year; highly competitive; automatic consideration 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; highly competitive
• ANU University Research Scholarships — For doctoral candidates; full tuition plus living allowance
• College-Specific Scholarships — ANU College of Law, CBE (Business & Economics), and College of Engineering each offer merit-based scholarships with varying amounts
• ANU MBA Early Bird Scholarship — For early applications to the ANU MBA; provides up to 50% tuition reduction for high-achieving applicants

Note: Most ANU scholarships are automatically considered upon admission application. Indian students should apply early and ensure strong academic records to maximise scholarship chances. APS Certificate is not required for Australia (unlike Germany).

Admissions

Admission to ANU is competitive. The acceptance rate is 35%, and applicants need a minimum academic score of 85% for undergraduate programs. Postgraduate students may also need work experience, referee details, and a learning outcome statement. 

For Graduate (Master's / Doctoral) Programs:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with a strong academic record
• Minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0 or equivalent (approximately 65%+ in Indian bachelor's degree; competitive programs require higher)
• English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 overall (7.0 for many programs) / TOEFL iBT 80–100+ / PTE 58–68+ (varies by program)
• GMAT/GRE required for MBA (GMAT 600+ recommended)
• Statement of Purpose / Personal Statement
• 2–3 Letters of Recommendation (for most programs)
• CV / Résumé
• Official transcripts (certified English translation if required)
• Application fee: AUD $78

For Undergraduate Programs:

• Higher secondary certificate (Class 12 / CBSE / ISC) equivalent to ATAR 85%+ (program-specific; higher for Medicine, Law, and Engineering)
• English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0)

Indian students can check ANU's specific admission requirements for their chosen program directly through Polygon Campus.

Placements

ANU's location in Canberra — Australia's capital and the seat of federal government, intelligence agencies, diplomatic missions, think tanks, and major research institutions — gives graduates unparalleled access to careers in public policy, international affairs, diplomacy, defence, law, science, and technology. Australian National University is ranked #1 most employable graduates in Australia by Times Higher Education. 

ANU graduates achieve high outcomes, with 92% employment within 4 months. Average Starting Salary is approximately ₹44,94,000 for undergraduates and ₹57,78,000 for postgraduates. Top sectors include consulting, government, technology, and research. 

Currently, ANU graduates earn an average starting salary of AUD $59,000 (approximately ₹30.9 lakh) per year. 

Jobs After Graduating from Australian National University

Note: Salary figures are indicative. Actual salaries may vary by role, employer, location, and experience.

ANU's career support ecosystem includes:

• ANU Careers & Employability — Personalised career coaching, employer events, career fairs, internship matching, CV and interview preparation workshops, and ANU CareerHub online jobs portal for all students and alumni
• ANU CareerHub — ANU's dedicated employability tool that assists students in securing placements; lists job openings in Australia along with career resources, services, and appointments; international job fairs are attended by BOE, Infosys, Google India, Microsoft South Asia, and other renowned firms 
• Government & Policy Network — Unrivalled access to Australia's Parliament House, federal departments, ASIO, DFAT, ATO, RBA, and major policy think tanks — all within walking distance or a short drive from campus
• International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU) — The only Australian member; global academic and career mobility partnerships with Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, Berkeley, Copenhagen, ETH Zurich, NUS, and Peking University
• ANU Alumni Network — A growing global community of distinguished graduates spanning law, government, science, diplomacy, and business
• 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 ANU admissions, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.