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Last modified: 2026-09-28

# Bachelor's Degrees in Australia: How the Degree Works, 2027 Costs and Entry for International Students

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A bachelor's degree in Australia takes three years; honours programs and engineering take four. First year at most universities starts in February or March, with a second intake in July. For 2027, international tuition at leading universities runs $33,770–44,670 (A$48,080–63,600) a year: humanities are at the lower end, business, IT, engineering and biomedical science at the upper end. A full Bachelor of Commerce at UNSW costs $126,780 (A$180,500) in tuition alone at 2026 rates.

Students from 11-year school systems, such as Russia's, need an intermediate step: a foundation program, a university college diploma or a year of university at home. After graduation, bachelor's holders can apply for a two-year post-study work visa. This guide covers the structure of the degree, how honours differs from a standard bachelor's, fees by field, grade and English requirements, the application calendar and a full-degree budget. US dollar figures use the ECB reference rate of 28 September 2026 (1 USD ≈ 1.4237 AUD). For a country overview, see [studying in Australia](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-australia).

Buildings N, K and S on Monash University's Caulfield campus, Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Rob Deutscher from Melbourne, Australia / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monash_University_Caulfield_(48729152751).jpg), [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0).

## How an Australian bachelor's degree is structured {#section-1}

A bachelor's degree sits at level 7 of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). The academic year usually has two semesters, though some universities use trimesters: UNSW, for example, admits students into Term 1, 2 and 3.

The degree is built from units or credit points. At ANU a three-year bachelor's is 144 units: four 6-unit courses per semester, two semesters a year. Within that total are compulsory courses, a major, a minor and electives. Flexibility is real: in ANU's Bachelor of Arts at least 48 units are electives, and at UQ a Bachelor of Arts student can add, for example, a minor in popular music.

The main formats:

| Format | Length | What the graduate receives |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Standard bachelor's | 3 years | Bachelor's degree, AQF level 7 |
| Bachelor (Honours) built into the program | 4 years | Honours degree, AQF level 8; engineering and advanced IT degrees work this way, e.g. UQ's Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and ANU's Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Honours) |
| Separate honours year after a bachelor's | +1 year | A research project and AQF level 8, one of the routes to a PhD |
| Double degree | Longer than a single degree; length depends on the combination | Two degrees, e.g. business and law |
| Combined bachelor's and master's | 4 years or more | For example, UQ's Bachelor of Computer Science / Master of Data Science in 4 years |

If you are aiming for research, check whether the program offers an honours year. If you need a licensed profession, such as engineering, accounting or psychology, confirm that the degree is accredited by the relevant professional body. UQ, for instance, states that its Bachelor of Commerce, with the right majors, leads towards accreditation as a professional accountant.

## What a bachelor's degree costs in 2027 {#section-2}

Fees depend on the program. Universities publish an indicative annual fee for a full-time load and review it every year.

| Field | University | Annual tuition | Fee year |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Humanities (Bachelor of Arts) | University of Queensland | $33,770 (A$48,080) | 2027 |
| Bachelor of Arts | ANU | $35,940 (A$51,170) | 2027 |
| International relations | ANU | $38,310 (A$54,540) | 2027 |
| Commerce, business management | University of Queensland | $39,900 (A$56,800) | 2027 |
| Commerce, computing | ANU | $40,490 (A$57,640) | 2027 |
| Computer science, engineering (honours), biomedical science | University of Queensland | $42,810 (A$60,952) | 2027 |
| Arts, commerce, computer science, first year | UNSW Sydney | $35,820 / 39,690 / 42,850 (A$51,000 / 56,500 / 61,000) | 2026 |
| Commerce | Monash University | $41,540 (A$59,140) | 2027 |
| Business (range for the field) | University of Sydney | $41,510–44,670 (A$59,100–63,600) | 2027 |

The cost of the whole degree is more useful than the annual figure. UNSW publishes it: at 2026 rates, the Bachelor of Arts costs $112,380 (A$160,000), the Bachelor of Commerce $126,780 (A$180,500) and the Bachelor of Computer Science $135,210 (A$192,500). For UQ and ANU, multiply the annual fee by the number of years and allow for annual increases: three years of commerce at UQ at the 2027 rate come to about $119,690 (A$170,400).

On top of tuition come the Student Services and Amenities Fee, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the whole visa period and living costs. For the visa you must show A$29,710 (≈ $20,870) for each year. City-by-city budgets are in our guide to the [cost of studying in Australia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-australia), and university discounts in [scholarships in Australia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-in-australia).

## Who can apply directly {#section-3}

Universities admit students straight into first year if they recognise the school qualification as equivalent to Australian Year 12. ANU's list, for example, includes the International Baccalaureate, British A-levels, the US SAT (together with a school qualification ANU accepts as equivalent) and national school-leaving exams from many countries.

How universities select applicants:

- Selection rank. Australian universities convert school results into an ATAR, which goes up to 99.95. For its Bachelor of Arts, ANU offers a place to every applicant with a selection rank of 80 and considers applicants from 70; for the Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Honours) and International Relations the threshold for an automatic offer is 85. Foreign results are converted into this rank using the university's own tables.
- Prerequisites. UQ's Bachelor of Commerce requires English and Mathematical Methods; at ANU, mathematics is a prerequisite for computing and "assumed knowledge" for commerce.
- English. UQ asks for IELTS Academic 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each band, TOEFL iBT 87 or PTE Academic 64 for bachelor's programs.

An 11-year school certificate is usually not on these lists. UTS requires applicants from Russia to have completed a year of bachelor's study at a recognised university, and school leavers go through foundation programs or diplomas, as explained in our guide to [Australian university entry after 11 years of school](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-australia-after-11-years-of-school).

## Other routes: associate degrees and vocational education {#section-4}

Beyond foundation programs and university college diplomas, there are routes through vocational education. Study Australia mentions associate degrees, higher education programs that lead into a full bachelor's degree, and Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs at TAFE colleges and private training organisations. Some universities have agreements with these providers and grant credit for completed study.

Two checks apply to international students. First, does the specific university have a written credit agreement with your college, and how much credit will it give? Second, how does the whole route work for the visa: each stage needs its own CRICOS code, and gaps between packaged courses are limited.

## When study starts and when to apply {#section-5}

The main intake is semester 1 in February or March, the second is July. Universities publish exact dates: at UQ the 2027 semesters start on 22 February and 26 July. Not every program opens mid-year, and some pathways tie you to a single intake; UNSW College's architecture diplomas, for example, start only in January.

Visa timing now matters too. Since 14 November 2025, student visa processing priority depends on how far the university has progressed towards its share of the national planning level for new international students (295,000 for 2027). Applications lodged between 15 November and 31 December count against the university's allocation for the following calendar year. Plan your university application so that you can hold a CoE and lodge the visa three to four months before the start date rather than at the last moment.

## Documents for your application {#section-6}

- passport;
- school certificate with grades, or a foundation or diploma completion certificate; after a year at a home university, an academic transcript listing courses and hours;
- English translations in the format the university specifies;
- an IELTS, TOEFL iBT or PTE Academic result;
- a portfolio or admission task for design, architecture or music, where the program requires one;
- a personal statement if the university asks for one; the visa separately requires Genuine Student answers.

Programs that select by portfolio or audition have their own deadlines and formats, shown on the course page.

## Working during and after your studies {#section-7}

The student visa allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours in scheduled breaks. After a bachelor's degree you can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485, Post-Higher Education Work stream), granted for 2 years, including after an honours degree.

Conditions to plan for:

- you must be 35 or under when you apply;
- you need an English test taken within the 12 months before applying: at least IELTS Academic 6.5 overall and 5.5 in each band (for tests taken from 7 August 2025);
- your study in Australia must total at least 92 weeks of CRICOS-registered study over no less than 16 calendar months. A three-year bachelor's covers this; a foundation year does not count;
- graduates who studied at a regional campus may qualify for a second visa in the same stream if they then live, work or study in a regional area.

More on work rules and the 485 visa is in [working while studying and the 485 visa](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-working-while-studying-and-485-visa-australia).

## The cost of a whole degree: an example {#section-8}

An example for the UNSW Bachelor of Commerce at 2026 rates. It includes only verifiable items: tuition for the whole degree, the visa living-cost amount and the visa charge.

| Item | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| Tuition, 3 years | A$180,500 (≈ $126,780) |
| Living costs at the visa rate, 3 years | A$89,130 (≈ $62,600) |
| Visa charge | A$2,500 (≈ $1,760) |
| Total | A$272,130 (≈ $191,140) |

Not included: OSHC, flights, a rental bond, study materials and fee increases in later years. If you rent near campus in Sydney, real living costs will exceed the visa amount. Legal payment routes from Russia are covered in [how to pay for studies abroad from Russia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia).

## How to choose a bachelor's program {#section-9}

1. Career or research. For a profession, check accreditation; for research, check for an honours year.
2. Structure. Compare compulsory courses and elective freedom: some degrees are fixed, others let you combine two majors.
3. Entry. Identify the qualification you are applying with and the route the university offers for it: direct, foundation or diploma.
4. Full price. Compare the cost of the whole degree, not the first year.
5. City and campus. Confirm where this specific program is taught. For an overview by city, see [universities in Australia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-australia), [universities in Sydney](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-sydney) and [universities in Melbourne](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-melbourne).

University profiles on StudyU: [University of Sydney](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-university-of-sydney), [UNSW](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-unsw), [University of Melbourne](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-melbourne), [Monash](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-monash-university), [ANU](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-australian-national-university), [University of Queensland](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-queensland), [RMIT](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-rmit).

## Common mistakes {#section-10}

- Budgeting one year at a time and missing the cost of the whole degree, which rises with the fee schedule.
- Choosing a program without checking prerequisites: without the right level of mathematics, commerce and IT may be closed to you.
- Confusing an honours degree built into the program with a separate honours year: the length and cost differ.
- Forgetting that the graduate visa requires 92 weeks of study and an age of 35 or under.
- Taking an at-home version of an English test that is not accepted for visas.
- Leaving the application to the last weeks and losing visa processing priority.

## FAQ {#faq}

### How long is a bachelor's degree in Australia?

Usually three years. Programs with built-in honours, including engineering, take four. A double degree takes longer than a single one, depending on the combination.

### How much does a bachelor's degree cost for international students?

For 2027 at UQ and ANU, from A$48,080 to A$60,952 a year ($33,770–42,810). Three years of commerce at UNSW at 2026 rates add up to A$180,500 before living costs.

### Can I apply with an 11-year school certificate?

Direct entry is rare. The usual route is a foundation program or a university college diploma; UTS considers applicants from Russia after a full year of university study.

### What is the difference between a bachelor (honours) and a standard bachelor's?

Honours is AQF level 8 and includes a research component. It is either built into a four-year program, as in engineering, or taken as a separate year after a three-year degree, which opens a route to a PhD.

### What IELTS score do I need for a bachelor's degree?

For UQ programs, 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each band. The visa minimum is lower, 6.0, but it will not get you into UQ.

### Can I stay and work after a bachelor's degree?

A bachelor's graduate can obtain a 485 visa for 2 years if they are 35 or under, have studied in Australia for at least 92 weeks and have an English score of 6.5.

## Sources {#section-12}

- [Study Australia: education system and program length](https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/plan-your-studies/australias-education-system) — checked September 28, 2026
- [AQF: qualification levels](https://www.aqf.edu.au/framework/aqf-qualifications) — checked September 28, 2026
- [ANU: Bachelor of Arts](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2027/program/barts), [Bachelor of Commerce](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2027/program/bcomm), [Bachelor of Computing](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2027/program/bcomp), [Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Honours)](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2027/program/aacom), [Bachelor of International Relations](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2027/program/bir) — checked September 28, 2026
- [ANU: recognised school qualifications](https://study.anu.edu.au/apply/undergraduate-program-indicative-entry-requirements) — checked September 28, 2026
- [University of Queensland: Bachelor of Commerce](https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/programs/bachelor-commerce-2336?student_type=international), [Bachelor of Arts](https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/programs/bachelor-arts-2000?student_type=international), [Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)](https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/programs/bachelor-engineering-honours-2455?student_type=international), [Bachelor of Computer Science / Master of Data Science](https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/programs/bachelor-computer-science-master-data-science-2561?student_type=international) — checked September 28, 2026
- [UNSW: Bachelor of Arts](https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/undergraduate/bachelor-of-arts?studentType=International), [Bachelor of Commerce](https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/undergraduate/bachelor-of-commerce?studentType=International), [Bachelor of Computer Science](https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/undergraduate/bachelor-of-computer-science?studentType=International) — checked September 28, 2026
- [UTS: academic entry requirements for international applicants](https://www.uts.edu.au/for-students/admissions-entry/how-to-apply/international-applicants/academic-entry-requirements) — checked September 28, 2026
- [Home Affairs: Student visa subclass 500](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500) and [processing priorities](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/visa-processing-priorities/student-visa) — checked September 28, 2026
- [Study Australia: visa charge from 1 July 2026 and work rules](https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/plan-your-move/your-guide-to-visas/student-visa-subclass-500) — checked September 28, 2026
- [Home Affairs: 485 visa, Post-Higher Education Work stream](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485/post-higher-education-work) and [study requirement](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485/meeting-the-temporary-graduate-visa-subclass-485-study-requirement) — checked September 28, 2026
- [Department of Education: National Planning Level 2027](https://www.education.gov.au/managed-system-international-education/announcements/national-planning-level-2027-announced) — checked September 28, 2026
- [UNSW College: diploma fees and dates](https://www.unswcollege.edu.au/apply/fees) — checked September 28, 2026
- [Monash: Bachelor of Commerce](https://www.monash.edu/study/courses/find-a-course/commerce-b2001?international=true) and [University of Sydney: international tuition fees](https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/fees-and-loans/international-student-tuition-fees.html) — checked September 28, 2026
- USD conversions use the ECB reference rates of September 28, 2026: EUR/USD 1.1378 and EUR/AUD 1.6199, i.e. 1 USD ≈ 1.4237 AUD; amounts are rounded to the nearest ten dollars.

Bachelor's program shortlisting, checks of requirements and entry routes, and preparation of application and visa documents are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Admission decisions are made by the university; visa decisions by the Department of Home Affairs.

[During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply)

## Next steps

- [Cost of Studying in Australia in 2026–2027: University Fees, Living Costs, Visa and a First-Year Budget](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-australia)
- [Scholarships in Australia for International Students in 2026–2027: What Is Actually Available](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-in-australia)
- [Australian University Entry After 11 Years of School: Foundation, Diploma or a Year at a Home University](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-australia-after-11-years-of-school)
- [Working While Studying in Australia and the 485 Graduate Visa in 2026: Hours, Pay, Tax and Post-Study Stay](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-working-while-studying-and-485-visa-australia)
- [Studying in Australia for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-australia)
- [How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia)

Updated: September 2026