Overview

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is a public research university in Crawley, Western Australia, Australia. UWA was established in 1911 by an act of the Parliament of Western Australia. The university is classed as one of the "sandstone universities," an informal designation given to the oldest university in each state. It is a member of the Group of Eight. 

Since beginnings in 1911, The University of Western Australia (UWA) has blazed the trail in producing remarkable and life-changing contributions across learning, teaching, and research, as well as contributing to the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of Western Australia, the nation, and the world. 

Today, more than 28,000 students from over 100 countries call UWA home. Students join a community of passionate, intelligent and resourceful scholars who drive innovation and change. They connect and work with leaders in education, research and industry and follow in the footsteps of more than 150,000 inspiring graduates.

UWA is home to more than 40 research centres and institutes. Our leadership in research means we are a top performer in securing research funding, receiving approximately 80% of all funding to Western Australian universities annually. 

Our graduates go on to positively impact society — from Nobel Prize-winning scientist Professor Barry Marshall, to entrepreneurs like Mecca Cosmetica founder Jo Horgan, and politicians such as former prime minister Bob Hawke. UWA is also home to Fields Medal winner Professor Akshay Venkatesh; Decjuba CEO/owner Tania Austin; comedian, writer, and musician Tim Minchin; and Academy Award winner Shaun Tan. 

UWA will set campuses in India by mid-2026 in Chennai and Mumbai — making it the first university to launch two campuses in India simultaneously. 

Intakes

The University of Western Australia 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 (program-dependent)

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

• Application deadline: April 30 (program-dependent; varies by program)

Important for Indian Students:

• Online application fee: AUD $150 (approximately ₹9,000) 
• Indian UG applicants require Class 12 scores with a minimum 75%–80% aggregate (program-specific)
• Indian PG applicants require a minimum WAM of 65%+ or equivalent in their bachelor's degree
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for the duration of the student visa
• UWA is launching campuses in Chennai and Mumbai by mid-2026  — Indian students may have an additional local entry pathway
• 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 UWA faculty.

Top Courses

UWA offers a wide range of degrees and programs to help students stand out in the job market. All degrees include the option to undertake internships or work integrated learning units, along with mentoring and volunteering opportunities.  More than 430 courses are offered by UWA. At the UG level, 190+ courses are available and at the PG level, 200+ courses are offered.  Key faculties and popular programs include:

UWA Business School (Western Australia's #1 — AFR BOSS 2025)

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Business Analytics
• Master of Finance
• Master of Professional Accounting
• Master of Commerce

Faculty of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences

• Master of Professional Engineering (various — Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical)
• Master of Data Science
• Master of Information Technology
• Master of Engineering Science

Faculty of Law

• Juris Doctor (JD)
• Master of Laws (LLM)
• Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice

Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences

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

Faculty of Science

• Master of Mineral and Mining Engineering — ranked #7 globally (QS)
• Master of Environmental Science
• Master of Marine Biology
• Master of Agricultural Science
• Master of Psychology (Clinical)

Faculty of Arts

• Master of International Relations
• Master of Applied Linguistics
• Master of Education

Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts

• Master of Architecture
• Master of Urban and Regional Planning

Cost of Studying at The University of Western Australia

University of Western Australia fees for Indian students range from AUD $38,100 to $49,300 (approximately ₹19.65L to ₹25.42L) for UG programs and AUD $35,300 to $1,11,560 (approximately ₹18.20L to ₹57.53L) for PG programs. 

Students looking to commence their studies in 2026 could be eligible to receive a fee reduction of up to AUD $20,000 over four years on eligible undergraduate courses or up to AUD $10,000 over two years on eligible postgraduate courses through UWA scholarships.

Note: Perth has a lower cost of living 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 UWA's official website (uwa.edu.au) for the most current fee structure.

Scholarships

The UWA Global Excellence Scholarship is available for 2026. Students looking to commence studies in 2026 could be eligible to receive a scholarship of up to AUD $48,000 over four years on eligible undergraduate courses, or up to AUD $24,000 over two years on eligible postgraduate courses. 

Key funding opportunities include:

• UWA Global Excellence Scholarship — Up to AUD $48,000 over 4 years (UG) or AUD $24,000 over 2 years (PG); open to high-achieving international students commencing in 2026; automatically considered upon admission
• UWA International Undergraduate Scholarship — Partial tuition waiver for high-achieving international undergraduate students; merit-based; no separate application required
• UWA 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
• Destination Australia Scholarship — AUD $15,000/year for international students studying at UWA's Albany regional campus
• Australia Awards Scholarships — Funded by the Australian Government; covers full tuition, travel, OSHC, and living allowance; for students from eligible developing countries including India
• UWA Business School MBA Scholarships — Merit-based partial scholarships for outstanding MBA applicants; apply directly through UWA Business School
• HDR International Scholarships — For international Higher Degree by Research students; covers tuition plus living stipend through the Commonwealth's RTP scheme
• Faculty-Specific Scholarships — UWA Faculty of Law, Faculty of Medicine, and Faculty of Engineering each offer merit-based scholarships with varying amounts

Note: Most UWA scholarships are assessed automatically upon admission application. Indian students should apply early for maximum scholarship consideration.

Admissions

The acceptance rate at UWA is around 38%, making admissions to the university competitive and selective. 

For Graduate (Master's / Doctoral) Programs:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with a strong academic record
• Minimum WAM of 65%+ or equivalent (approximately 2.8–3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale; varies by program; Medicine requires higher)
• English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) / TOEFL iBT 82+ / PTE 64+ (some programs require 7.0)
• GMAT/GRE required for MBA 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 minimum 75%–80% aggregate; ATAR equivalent requirement varies by program
• English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0)
• Application fee: AUD $100–$150

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

Placements

UWA's location in Perth — the gateway to Australia's resources boom, home to BHP, Rio Tinto, Woodside Energy, and Chevron, as well as a growing tech and defence sector — gives graduates exceptional career access across mining, energy, health, law, and business. In the 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey, graduates of the university had a full-time employment rate of 69.6% for undergraduates and 89.2% for postgraduates. The initial full-time salary was AUD $67,300 for undergraduates and AUD $86,900 for postgraduates. 

On average, UWA graduates earn AUD $77,000 per year after graduation. With over 4,500 industry partnerships, students have access to a broad network for potential placements. 

Jobs After Graduating from The University of Western Australia

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

UWA's career support ecosystem includes:

• UWA Careers and Employability — Personalised career coaching, employer events, career fairs, CV and interview preparation workshops, and internship matching for all students and recent alumni
• Career and Employability Award — This program provides real-world experiences and skills to guide students on their career journeys 
• Bloom WA — A creative lab that helps students transform business or community ideas into startups, with the potential for academic credit 
• Work Integrated Learning — Opportunities for students to gain industry knowledge, develop career-ready skills, and network with professionals as part of their coursework or co-curricular activities 
• Resources and Energy Sector Network — Direct partnerships with BHP, Rio Tinto, Woodside Energy, Chevron, Alcoa, and CSIRO; unrivalled career pathways in mining, petroleum, and energy engineering
• UWA India Campuses (Mid-2026) — New campuses launching in Chennai and Mumbai; creates a unique India-Australia career bridge for UWA graduates
• UWA Alumni Network — A global community of 150,000+ graduates spanning business, medicine, law, science, and the arts across 150+ countries
• 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 UWA admissions, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.