Overview

The University of Sydney is a member of the Group of Eight, CEMS, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities and the Association of Commonwealth Universities. In 1848, Legislative Council members William Wentworth and Sir Charles Nicholson proposed a plan to expand the existing Sydney College into a university.  Formally established in 1850, it is Australia's first and oldest university.

The University of Sydney community covers the world and includes more than 80,000 students, 9,400 academic and professional staff, and 445,000+ alumni. The university has more than 150 centres and networks dedicated to groundbreaking research, making it one of the leading research-intensive universities. It collaborates with more than 500 industry partners. 

Five Nobel and two Crafoord laureates have been affiliated with the university as graduates and faculty. The university has educated 8 Australian prime ministers, including incumbent Anthony Albanese; 2 governors-general of Australia; 13 premiers of New South Wales; and 26 justices of the High Court of Australia, including 5 chief justices. The university has produced 110 Rhodes Scholars and 19 Gates Scholars. 

The University of Sydney is associated with five Nobel laureates: in chemistry John Cornforth (alumnus) and Robert Robinson (staff); in economics John Harsanyi (alumnus); and in physiology or medicine John Eccles and Bernard Katz (both staff). 

The iconic sandstone Quadrangle campus — one of the most photographed university buildings in the Southern Hemisphere — sits in the inner-western suburb of Camperdown, just 3 km from Sydney's CBD.

Intakes

The University of Sydney 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 – November 30 (program-dependent)

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

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

Important for Indian Students:

• The application fee for an undergraduate program at the University of Sydney is AUD $150 (approximately ₹8,359)
• While applying for a graduate program, a student has to pay an application fee of AUD $150 
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for the duration of the student visa
• English requirements: IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 for most programs (some faculties require higher)
• 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 Sydney faculty.

Top Courses

The University of Sydney draws students from all over the world. Students can enjoy a wide range of facilities on campus, including 30 cafes, bars and food outlets, live performance spaces, museums and art galleries, 24-hour libraries, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a fully equipped gym and a heritage-listed graffiti tunnel.  Key faculties and popular programs include:

Sydney Law School

• Juris Doctor (JD) — produces more High Court justices than any other law school in Australia
• Master of Laws (LLM) — ranked #16 globally (QS)
• Master of International Law

Sydney Business School (USYD Business)

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) — ranked #45 globally (QS MBA Rankings)
• Master of Commerce
• Master of Finance
• Master of Business Analytics

Faculty of Engineering

• Bachelor / Master of Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Software)
• Master of Data Science
• Master of Professional Engineering

Faculty of Medicine and Health

• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Master of Nursing
• Master of Pharmacy

Faculty of Science

• Bachelor / Master of Science (various disciplines)
• Master of Environmental Science
• Master of Bioinformatics

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

• Bachelor / Master of Arts
• Master of International Relations
• Master of International Security

Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning

• Master of Architecture
• Master of Urban and Regional Planning
• Master of Design Computing

Sydney Conservatorium of Music

• Master of Music Performance
• Master of Music Studies

Faculty of Education and Social Work

• Master of Teaching (Primary / Secondary)
• Master of Social Work

Cost of Studying at The University of Sydney

Tuition fees for undergraduate courses at the University of Sydney range between AUD $46,900 to $58,800 (approximately ₹25.21L to ₹31.61L). The postgraduate coursework tuition fee ranges between AUD $45,200 to $80,000 (approximately ₹24.32L to ₹43.04L). 

As an international student, you are not eligible for Australian Government assistance or HELP loans and are required to pay the full international fee for your course. Fees do not include overseas student health cover, living costs such as accommodation, or any additional costs for equipment and materials such as textbooks. 

Note: 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 the University of Sydney's official website (sydney.edu.au) for the most current fee structure.

Scholarships

The University of Sydney offers a number of merit-based, need-based, and faculty-specific scholarships for international students, including the Sydney International Student Award, Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarships Scheme, Postgraduate Research Scholarships, Australia Awards Scholarships, and faculty-specific grants in Science, Engineering, and Law. 

Key funding opportunities include:

• Sydney International Student Award — Provides a 20% tuition fee reduction for the duration of the program; open to high-achieving international undergraduate and postgraduate students; no separate application required — automatically assessed upon admission application
• Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarships Scheme — AUD $5,000 to AUD $40,000; merit-based; awarded to exceptional international students across all faculties
• University of Sydney International Research Scholarship (USydIS) — Covers full tuition fees plus a living allowance stipend for PhD and Research Masters candidates; highly competitive
• Australia Awards Scholarships — Funded by the Australian Government; covers full tuition, travel, OSHC, and living allowance; for students from eligible developing countries including India
• Sydney Scholars Awards — For high-achieving undergraduate students; combines academic merit with leadership and community engagement
• Faculty-Specific Scholarships — Sydney Law School, Sydney Business School (MBA scholarships), Faculty of Medicine, and Faculty of Engineering each offer merit and need-based awards
• Postgraduate Research Scholarships — Covers full tuition plus a living stipend for eligible doctoral candidates
• Endeavour Leadership Program — For high-achieving international students; funded by the Australian Government; covers tuition, travel, and living costs

Note: Most major scholarships at the University of Sydney do not require a separate application — students are assessed automatically upon program application. Students are strongly encouraged to apply early.

Admissions

The University of Sydney has an acceptance rate of 30%, reflecting a highly selective admission process.  High-demand programs such as Medicine, Dentistry, Law, and Engineering are more competitive.

For Graduate (Master's / Doctoral) Programs:

• Bachelor's degree (Honours or equivalent) with a strong academic record
• Minimum GPA equivalent to 70%+ WAM or higher (program-specific; Medicine and Law require higher)
• English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 85+ (writing 19+) / PTE 61+
• GMAT/GRE required for MBA and select management programs (GMAT 600+ preferred)
• 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 60%+ aggregate (program-specific cut-offs apply; competitive programs require higher)
• English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0
• Application fee: AUD $150

Indian students can check the University of Sydney's specific admission requirements for their chosen program directly through Polygon Campus.

Placements

The University of Sydney's iconic sandstone campus — in the inner suburb of Camperdown — places graduates at the nexus of Australia's legal, financial, health, engineering, and creative sectors. In the 2023 Employer Satisfaction Survey, graduates of the university had an overall employer satisfaction rate of 89.6%. In the 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey, graduates had a full-time employment rate of 80.9% for undergraduates and 89% for postgraduates. The initial full-time salary was AUD $70,000 for undergraduates and AUD $96,000 for postgraduates. 

Graduates of the University of Sydney earn a median annual salary of AUD $67,800 (approximately ₹36.2L). 

Jobs After Graduating from The University of Sydney

Note: Salary figures are indicative based on 2023–24 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey. Actual salaries may vary by role, employer, location, and experience.

The University of Sydney's career support ecosystem includes:

• Sydney Career Centre — Personalised career coaching, employer events, career fairs, internship matching, CV and interview preparation workshops, and networking programs for all students and recent alumni
• Sydney Talent — The university's dedicated graduate placement program connecting employers with USYD graduates across law, business, engineering, science, and health
• 500+ Industry Partner Network — The university collaborates with more than 500 industry partners to combine research expertise with business knowledge and translate research from lab to market solutions 
• Sydney Law School Career Network — Unrivalled connections to Australia's top-tier law firms, the NSW Bar, federal and state government, and international legal organisations; produced more High Court justices than any other law school
• Sydney Business School (USB) Career Services — Dedicated MBA career support; ranked #45 globally in QS MBA Rankings; connections across finance, consulting, and technology
• Sydney Health Partners — Clinical and research career pathways through partnerships with NSW Health, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Westmead Hospital, and other leading health networks
• University of Sydney Alumni Network — A global community of 445,000+ alumni spanning 170+ countries; active mentorship, peer networking, 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 University of Sydney admissions, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.