Overview

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is a public research university based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was established in 1949. The university comprises seven faculties, through which it offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. Its main campus is in the Sydney eastern suburb of Kensington, 7 kilometres from the Sydney central business district (CBD). 

UNSW Sydney is a global top 20 university determined to drive progress that benefits everyone through learning, teaching and research. A member of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) Australian Universities, UNSW helps tomorrow's leaders unlock their full potential, channelling their skills and passion into careers with impact. 

UNSW has been named AFR Most Employable University for seven years in a row at the AFR Top100 Future Leaders & Graduate Employers Awards (2020–2026). Graduates earn the highest median salaries among graduates of Go8 universities, according to the QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey.

Six of UNSW's subjects are in the world's top 20, including accounting and finance, environmental sciences, and several engineering specialisations. UNSW also offers the world's first bachelor's degree in quantum engineering as well as Australia's most in-demand medicine degrees. 

UNSW is one of the founding members of Group of Eight, a coalition of Australian research-intensive universities, and a member of Universitas 21, a global network of research universities.  The institution has produced Nobel laureates; among those is chemistry professor Sir Fraser Stoddart, who was awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. 

Intakes

UNSW Sydney operates on a trimester (term) system — a key distinction from most other Australian universities which use a semester system.

Term 1 (February) — Primary intake; open to most undergraduate and graduate programs.

• Application deadline: October 31 – November 30 (of previous year; program-dependent)

Term 2 (June) — Mid-year intake; available for select programs.

• Application deadline: March 31 – April 30 (program-dependent)

Term 3 (September) — Available for select programs; fewer course options.

• Application deadline: July 31 (program-dependent)

Important for Indian Students:

• Application fee: AUD $150 
• Students accepting offers to UNSW are required to pay an acceptance deposit of AUD $14,000 
• All international undergraduate, postgraduate and research students at UNSW must make an annual compulsory contribution to the Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF); the maximum SSAF for 2025 is AUD $365 
• 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. Given UNSW's trimester system, students should carefully confirm intake options for their chosen programs.

Top Courses

UNSW offers hundreds of award-winning degree and double degree combinations. Six of UNSW's subjects are in the world's top 20, including accounting and finance, environmental sciences, and several engineering specialisations. UNSW offers the world's first bachelor's degree in quantum engineering as well as Australia's most in-demand medicine degrees. 

Faculty of Engineering

• BE (Hons) in Civil Engineering
• BE (Hons) in Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering
• BE (Hons) in Electrical Engineering
• BE (Hons) in Chemical Engineering
• Master of Engineering (various streams)
• Bachelor of Quantum Engineering (world's first)

Faculty of Science

• Bachelor / Master of Data Science and Decisions
• Master of Statistics
• Master of Environmental Management

Faculty of Law & Justice

• Juris Doctor (JD)
• Master of Laws (LLM)
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB — combined degrees)

UNSW Business School

• MBA (Full-time / Executive)
• Master of Commerce (MComm)
• Master of Finance
• Master of Accounting

Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture

• Bachelor of Architecture
• Master of Architecture
• Master of City Planning

Faculty of Medicine & Health

• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Master of Clinical Psychology

Faculty of Engineering — Computing

• Master of Information Technology
• Master of Artificial Intelligence
• Master of Cyber Security

Cost of Studying at The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)

For the 2025–2026 academic year, undergraduate programs for international students typically range from AUD $40,000 to AUD $56,000 annually. Postgraduate coursework programs such as the Master of Engineering and Master of Commerce generally cost AUD $61,000 to AUD $89,500 annually. 

UNSW offers over AUD $83 million in scholarships annually, helping alleviate the financial burden for domestic and international students. 

Note: Figures are indicative based on 2025–26 data. From 10 May 2024, a single student must show they have the financial capacity to cover the living costs of at least AUD $29,710 per year in order to study on an Australian Student Visa.  Please refer to UNSW's official website (unsw.edu.au) for the most current fee structure.

Scholarships

Overall, UNSW Sydney offers more than AUD $80 million in scholarships annually, making it one of the most generous universities in Australia. 

Key funding opportunities include:

• International Scientia Coursework Scholarship — UNSW's most prestigious international scholarship; covers up to full tuition fees for the duration of the program; awarded to exceptionally high-achieving international students; highly competitive; no separate application required — considered upon program application
• International Student Award — Provides a 15% tuition discount for eligible high-achieving international students; no separate application required
• UNSW Business School International Pathways Award — AUD $15,000 per year for up to five years for international students pursuing Business degrees 
• UNSW Business School International Scholarship — AUD $5,000 per year for international students pursuing business degrees
• UNSW International Scholarships — Ranging from AUD $5,000 to AUD $20,000 per year for high-achieving students across faculties
• Australia Awards Scholarships — Funded by the Australian Government; covers full tuition, travel, OSHC, and living allowance; for students from eligible developing countries including India
• UNSW Engineering Research Scholarships — Covers tuition plus living stipend for PhD and Research Masters candidates in engineering and technology
• Faculty-Specific Scholarships — UNSW Law, Medicine, Engineering, and Science each offer merit and need-based awards with varying amounts

Note: Indian students must apply early to maximize scholarship consideration. The International Scientia Scholarship is assessed automatically upon application — no separate form needed. OSHC is compulsory and not covered by most scholarships.

Admissions

UNSW Sydney acceptance rate is moderately competitive at approximately 30–35% for undergraduate courses. Some sources indicate that the acceptance rate could be as high as 60% depending on the program, while highly competitive courses such as Medicine, Law, Engineering, and Business have a lower acceptance rate. 

For Graduate (Master's / Doctoral) Programs:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with a strong academic record
• Minimum WAM of 65%+ or equivalent (varies by program; Medicine and Law require higher)
• English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5–7.5 overall / TOEFL iBT 90–100+ (varies by program)
• 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)

For Undergraduate Programs:

• Higher secondary certificate (Class 12 / CBSE / ISC) with strong academic record; program-specific cut-offs apply
• English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5–7.5 overall (varies by program)
• Application fee: AUD $150

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

Placements

UNSW's Kensington campus — just 7 km from Sydney's CBD — positions graduates in the heart of Australia's commercial, financial, tech, and creative industries. In the 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey, graduates of the university had a full-time employment rate of 81.3% for undergraduates and 91.7% for postgraduates. The initial full-time salary was AUD $75,000 for undergraduates and AUD $120,000 for postgraduates. 

With a graduate employability rate of 91% and median postgraduate salary of AUD $130,000 (3 years post-graduation), UNSW delivers strong career outcomes.

Top recruiters of UNSW graduates include Google, Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG, Accenture, Amazon, and Microsoft. 

Jobs After Graduating from UNSW Sydney

Note: Salary figures are indicative based on 2023–24 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey. The median postgraduate salary of AUD $130,000 is measured 3 years post-graduation. Actual salaries may vary by role, employer, and experience.

UNSW's career support ecosystem includes:

• UNSW Careers & Employment — Dedicated careers team offering personalised career coaching, employer events, internships, career fairs, and CV and interview preparation workshops for all students and alumni
• Work Integrated Learning (WIL) — A core element of the UNSW curriculum; every student gains real-world industry experience as part of their degree through placements, internships, and industry projects
• UNSW Founders — UNSW's startup and entrepreneurship hub; ranked #1 in Australia for the largest number of new startup and spinout companies founded through university technology
• UNSW Industry Advisory Boards — Each faculty has an industry advisory board that shapes curriculum and creates direct employer pathways for students
• AFR Most Employable University Network — Named Australia's most employable university for seven consecutive years (2020–2026), UNSW's employer network is the largest and most active among Go8 universities 
• UNSW Alumni Network — A community of 300,000+ alumni in 170+ countries; active mentorship and career referral programs
• 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 UNSW Sydney admissions, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.