Home › Colleges › Australia › UNSW Sydney
30%
Acceptance rate
~$31k
Tuition / yr
6.5
IELTS required
48%
Intl students
1949
Founded
#19
QS World rank
Three intakes/yr; strong engineering. This guide covers UNSW Sydney's courses, fees, English & academic requirements, scholarships, the step-by-step admission process, student-visa and post-study-work rules, and tips to get in — everything in one place.
▶ Predict my admission chances (free)📚 Courses & programs at UNSW Sydney
UNSW Sydney is best known for Engineering, Business, Quantum. Popular programs for international students include:
- Master of IT
- Master of Data Science & Decisions
- MBA (AGSM)
- Master of Eng
- Master of Finance
Class profile: Credit average (65%+). Notable alumni: Australian tech founders.
✅ Entry requirements
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 90 |
| PTE Academic | 64 |
| Duolingo English Test | 115 |
| GRE | Optional |
| GMAT (MBA) | 600 |
| Min GPA / grade | 3.0/4.0 |
| Work experience | 2 yrs (MBA) |
💡
Below the English score? Don't pay to find out — take a free full-length IELTS mock (or PTE / TOEFL) and see your gap instantly. Full breakdown: IELTS score for UNSW Sydney.
💰 Fees & cost of studying
| Tuition (international) | AUD 47k/yr |
| Application fee | Free |
| Living costs (est.) | AUD 21,000/yr (visa requirement) |
| Scholarships | Scientia, country scholarships |
Plan your budget for tuition + living + health insurance + the visa fee. Compare funding with the free scholarship finder.
📝 Step-by-step admission process
- Choose Feb or Jul intake
- Meet IELTS 6.5; prepare SOP, CV, transcripts
- Apply via portal or agent (rolling)
- Receive offer → accept & pay deposit
- Get CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment)
- Apply for Subclass 500 student visa
📄 Documents checklist
- Transcripts
- Statement of Purpose
- CV
- IELTS / TOEFL / PTE
- Passport
- Financial proof
- GTE statement
- CoE
🛂 Student visa & post-study work · Australia
- Student visa: Student visa (Subclass 500)
- Work while studying: 48 hrs/fortnight during term
- Post-study work: Temporary Graduate visa (485): 2–4 years
🎯 Tips & tricks to get admission
- Beat the bar. With about 30% acceptance, aim above the minimums — target IELTS 7+ and a strong GPA, and lead with research, projects or publications.
- Write a tailored SOP. Name the exact program and 1–2 professors/labs at UNSW Sydney and connect your background to them — generic essays are the #1 reason strong profiles get rejected.
- Hit the English score first. UNSW Sydney needs IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 90 / PTE 64. Take a free full-length mock to find your weakest section before you book the real test.
- Prepare finances early. Budget for tuition (AUD 47k/yr) plus living costs (AUD 21,000/yr (visa requirement)); visa officers want clear, stable proof of funds.
- Apply in the right intake. UNSW Sydney's main intakes are Feb & Jun & Sep — applying 4–6 months ahead keeps scholarships and on-campus housing open.
📅 Intakes & deadlines
| Intakes | Feb, Jun, Sep |
| Typical deadline | Rolling (3 terms) |
| Acceptance rate | 30% (competitive) |
All figures are indicative and change year to year — always confirm on the official site (unsw.edu.au) before applying.
Frequently asked questions
- What IELTS score do I need for UNSW Sydney?
- UNSW Sydney typically requires IELTS 6.5 (TOEFL 90, PTE 64). GRE: Optional.
- How much does UNSW Sydney cost?
- International tuition is approximately AUD 47k/yr, plus living costs of AUD 21,000/yr (visa requirement). Application fee: Free.
- What is the acceptance rate at UNSW Sydney?
- UNSW Sydney has an indicative acceptance rate of about 30% (Credit average (65%+)).
- What are the intakes and deadlines at UNSW Sydney?
- Intakes: Feb, Jun, Sep. Typical deadline: Rolling (3 terms).
- Is UNSW Sydney hard to get into?
- UNSW Sydney is competitive, with an indicative acceptance rate of about 30%. Aim above the minimum scores and build a standout profile.
- Does UNSW Sydney require GRE or GMAT?
- GRE: Optional. GMAT (for MBA): 600. Always confirm the exact policy for your specific program on the official site.
- Can I work after studying at UNSW Sydney?
- Temporary Graduate visa (485): 2–4 years (Australia). You can typically also work part-time while studying: 48 hrs/fortnight during term.
- What documents do I need to apply to UNSW Sydney?
- Typically: Transcripts, Statement of Purpose, CV, IELTS / TOEFL / PTE, Passport, Financial proof, GTE statement, CoE. Check program-specific requirements before applying.