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Meta title: Universities in Australia for International Students 2027
Meta description: Australia's 42 universities: Go8 and ATN, QS 2027 ranks, 2027 tuition, universities by city and entry routes for applicants from 11-year school systems.
Last modified: 2026-09-28

# Universities in Australia for International Students: How to Choose, 2027 Costs and Entry Routes

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Australia has 42 universities: 36 public and 6 private. All of them admit international students, but on very different terms. The eight research-intensive members of the Group of Eight (Go8) set the highest entry bars and prices, the technology universities build degrees around industry projects, and regional universities offer options beyond Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. For 2027, a year of a bachelor's degree at a leading university costs roughly $33,770–44,670 (A$48,080–63,600) in tuition alone, and a year of a master's $40,490–48,540 (A$57,640–69,112). On top of that, a student visa applicant must show A$29,710 (≈ $20,870) for a year of living costs.

Finishing school after 11 years usually does not open the first year of an Australian degree. Among the rules we checked, UTS asks applicants from Russia for a completed year of university study, the Russian school certificate is not on ANU's list of recognised school qualifications, and the University of Melbourne, UQ and UNSW publish entry conditions for Russian school leavers through their foundation and diploma pathways. This guide explains the types of universities, where they are, what the QS 2027 ranking shows, how much study costs and how to match a university to the qualification you hold. 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).

The Australian National University campus looking towards Black Mountain and Telstra Tower, Canberra, Australia. Photo: Thennicke / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Telstra_Tower_from_ANU_campus,_Canberra_Australia.jpg), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

## What kinds of universities Australia has {#section-1}

The government portal Study Australia lists 42 universities, 36 public and 6 private. Most run several campuses, and not always in one state: the University of Tasmania and Charles Darwin University both teach in Sydney, while UNSW has a campus in Canberra. The university's name therefore tells you little about where you will live. Check the campus of the specific program.

Universities are not the only degree-granting institutions. Study Australia notes that private higher education institutes and government-owned TAFE colleges also teach bachelor's and master's programs. They can be a sound option for an international student as long as two registers confirm them: the TEQSA National Register (status as a higher education provider) and CRICOS (only a CRICOS-registered course can be studied on a student visa).

One change in 2026 matters for anyone reading older articles. On 1 January 2026, students of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia (UniSA) were transferred to a new institution, Adelaide University. Study Australia and the Go8 now list Adelaide University, while many guides still describe the two former universities. See our [Adelaide University profile](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-adelaide).

## Group of Eight, ATN and the rest {#section-2}

Australian universities form associations by mission. Membership is a useful orientation point, not a quality label for any single program.

| Group | Members | What it tells an applicant |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Group of Eight (Go8) | Adelaide University, Australian National University, University of Melbourne, Monash University, UNSW Sydney, University of Queensland, University of Sydney, University of Western Australia | The largest research universities. The Go8 states that all eight rank in the QS top 100 and that its members award half of Australia's doctorates. Expect the highest entry requirements and fees |
| Australian Technology Network (ATN) | Curtin University, Deakin University, RMIT University, University of Newcastle, University of Technology Sydney | Strong industry links and applied projects |
| Other universities | Macquarie, Griffith, La Trobe, Swinburne, QUT, Western Sydney, Flinders and others | Fees and requirements vary as widely as within the Go8, so compare them program by program |

Go8 membership is worth paying for if you want a research environment, a route into a PhD or a profession where the institution's name carries weight. For a coursework master's in IT or business, an accredited program at a university outside the Go8 with good employer links may serve you just as well; compare the fees and content of specific programs.

## QS World University Rankings 2027: where Australian universities stand {#section-3}

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026, nine Australian universities made the global top 100. The national top ten:

| World rank | University | City | StudyU profile |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 19 | UNSW Sydney | Sydney | [UNSW](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-unsw) |
| =22 | University of Melbourne | Melbourne | [University of Melbourne](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-melbourne) |
| 28 | University of Sydney | Sydney | [University of Sydney](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-university-of-sydney) |
| 29 | Australian National University | Canberra | [ANU](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-australian-national-university) |
| 31 | Monash University | Melbourne | [Monash](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-monash-university) |
| =40 | University of Queensland | Brisbane | [UQ](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-queensland) |
| =77 | University of Western Australia | Perth | — |
| 79 | Adelaide University | Adelaide | [Adelaide University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-adelaide) |
| =87 | University of Technology Sydney | Sydney | — |
| =119 | RMIT University | Melbourne | [RMIT](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-rmit) |

A gap of ten places near the top says almost nothing about your future program. QS rates whole institutions on reputation, citations and internationalisation. Subject rankings are more informative, and so is professional accreditation if you need a licence to practise, for example as an engineer, accountant or psychologist.

## Universities by city {#section-4}

The amount the visa authority asks you to show is the same everywhere in Australia. Real spending is not: it depends on the city, the suburb and the type of housing. The table lists universities with campuses in the main cities, based on Study Australia.

| City | Universities with a campus there | Read more |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sydney | University of Sydney, UNSW, UTS, Macquarie, Western Sydney University; campuses of ACU, University of Wollongong, Torrens and others | [Universities in Sydney](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-sydney) |
| Melbourne | University of Melbourne, Monash, RMIT, Deakin, La Trobe, Swinburne, Victoria University, ACU | [Universities in Melbourne](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-melbourne) |
| Brisbane and Gold Coast | University of Queensland, QUT, Griffith, Bond; campuses of ACU and James Cook University | [UQ](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-queensland) |
| Canberra | ANU, University of Canberra; campuses of UNSW, ACU and Charles Sturt | [ANU](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-australian-national-university) |
| Perth | University of Western Australia, Curtin, Murdoch, Edith Cowan; University of Notre Dame in Fremantle | — |
| Adelaide | Adelaide University, Flinders; campuses of Torrens and CQUniversity | [Adelaide University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-adelaide) |

On a tight budget, compare the same field of study in two or three cities. Tuition and rent add up over the whole degree, not just the first year.

## How much Australian universities charge {#section-5}

International tuition is set per program rather than per university. At UQ, the gap between the Bachelor of Arts and engineering for 2027 is around $9,000 a year. Universities publish an indicative annual fee, which rises every year.

| University | Program | Annual tuition | Fee year |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| University of Queensland | Bachelor of Arts | $33,770 (A$48,080) | 2027 |
| University of Queensland | Bachelor of Commerce | $39,900 (A$56,800) | 2027 |
| University of Queensland | Bachelor of Computer Science, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) | $42,810 (A$60,952) | 2027 |
| ANU | Bachelor of Arts | $35,940 (A$51,170) | 2027 |
| ANU | Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Computing | $40,490 (A$57,640) | 2027 |
| UNSW Sydney | Bachelor of Arts / Commerce / Computer Science, first year | $35,820 / 39,690 / 42,850 (A$51,000 / 56,500 / 61,000) | 2026 |
| University of Sydney | Business bachelor's degrees (range for the field) | $41,510–44,670 (A$59,100–63,600) | 2027 |
| Monash University | Bachelor of Commerce | $41,540 (A$59,140) | 2027 |
| University of Melbourne | Bachelor of Commerce, first year | $36,780–41,480 (A$52,360–59,052) | 2026 |
| ANU | Master of Computing (2 years) | $40,490 (A$57,640) | 2027 |
| University of Queensland | Master of Computer Science, Master of Commerce | $42,810 (A$60,952) | 2027 |
| University of Queensland | Master of Business Administration | $48,540 (A$69,112) | 2027 |
| UNSW Sydney | Master of Information Technology, first year | $44,250 (A$63,000) | 2026 |

How to read these figures:

- UQ, ANU and Monash amounts are indicative annual fees for a full-time load. At UQ that means 16 units and at Monash 48 credit points; a different load changes the amount. The University of Sydney's fee page gives a range for the whole field; the exact figure is on the course page.
- UNSW also publishes the cost of the whole degree. At 2026 rates, the Bachelor of Commerce comes to $126,780 (A$180,500) over three years and Computer Science to $135,210 (A$192,500).
- Universities add a Student Services and Amenities Fee, and students buy Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the whole visa period.

A full budget with rent by city is in our guide to the [cost of studying in Australia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-australia); grants and university discounts are covered in [scholarships in Australia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-in-australia).

## Entry routes: they depend on the qualification you hold {#section-6}

Australian schooling ends with Year 12, so universities compare a foreign school certificate with their own senior secondary certificate. An 11-year certificate, as issued in Russia and some other CIS countries, is often treated as insufficient for first-year entry. Each university decides for itself; there is no national rule.

| What you apply with | What universities say | Realistic route |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Russian school certificate (attestat) | UTS requires at least one completed full-time year of bachelor's study at a recognised university for applicants from Russia. ANU's list of school qualifications considered for admission does not include the Russian certificate | Foundation program or a university college diploma (see below) |
| Russian certificate with good grades | Trinity College (pathway to the University of Melbourne): average grade 4 for the Standard program, 5 for Fast Track. UQ College: grade 4 in the top four academic subjects. UNSW College diplomas: average 4.5 across the best four subjects | Foundation of 4–12 months (standard programs run 9–12) or a Diploma leading to second year |
| One year or more at a home university | UTS considers this profile for direct bachelor's entry | Direct first-year application, sometimes with credit |
| Bachelor's or specialist degree | The university assesses the foreign degree and converts the grade average to its own scale | Master's; where the background is a weak match, a Graduate Certificate or a longer master's |

The routes are covered in detail in our guides to [Australian university entry after 11 years of school](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-australia-after-11-years-of-school), [bachelor's degrees in Australia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-australia) and [master's degrees in Australia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-australia).

## English: the university and the visa set different bars {#section-7}

The university and the visa authority check English separately, and the university's requirement is almost always the higher one.

- University. The University of Queensland asks for IELTS Academic 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each band, TOEFL iBT 87 or PTE Academic 64 for its bachelor's and master's programs. Some programs set a higher requirement, so rely on your program page.
- Visa. The student visa minimum is IELTS 6.0. If your main course is preceded by at least 10 weeks of English language study (ELICOS) or by a foundation program, 5.5 is accepted; with at least 20 weeks of ELICOS, 5.0.
- Test format. Tests taken entirely online at home, such as IELTS Online or TOEFL iBT Home Edition, are not accepted for Australian visas. Since 21 January 2026, TOEFL iBT candidates must select "Taking TOEFL for Australia" when registering, or the score will not be valid for a visa.

## Visa and caps: why your choice of university affects processing speed {#section-8}

You apply for the Student visa (subclass 500) online through ImmiAccount once the university has issued a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). From 1 July 2026, the visa charge starts at A$2,500 (≈ $1,760). You must show A$29,710 (≈ $20,870) for a year of living costs, on top of the first year's tuition and travel costs. During study periods the visa allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight, with no limit in scheduled breaks.

One detail is rarely explained. The government sets a National Planning Level for new international students: 295,000 for 2027, the same as for 2026. It is a planning benchmark rather than a hard visa cap, and each provider receives an allocation from it. For applications lodged from 14 November 2025, Ministerial Direction 115 applies: processing priority depends on how far the provider of your main CoE has progressed towards its allocation for that calendar year. Once a threshold is reached, applications move to the second or third priority group. In practice, apply early to popular universities rather than in the last month before the start date.

Every applicant is also assessed against the Genuine Student requirement: in the application you answer questions in English about why you chose the course and the country, up to 150 words each. According to Home Affairs, as of March 2026 Australian Biometrics Collection Centres operate in Russia in Moscow, St Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Rostov-on-Don and Vladivostok, and in Kazakhstan in Almaty. The process is explained step by step in our [Australian student visa guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-australia-student-visa), and post-study work in [working while studying and the 485 visa](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-working-while-studying-and-485-visa-australia).

## Choosing a university: eight checks before you apply {#section-9}

1. The program's CRICOS code. Without one, the course does not qualify for a student visa. It is shown on the program page.
2. Length and the 485 visa. The Temporary Graduate visa requires at least 92 weeks of CRICOS-registered study completed in Australia over no less than 16 months. A one-year master's alone does not meet this.
3. Prerequisites. Engineering, IT and commerce often require a specific level of mathematics. For UQ's Bachelor of Commerce, the prerequisites are Mathematical Methods and English.
4. A pathway for your qualification. Check whether the university has its own college, foundation program or diploma and what school grades they require.
5. Start dates. The main intake is February or March, the second one July. At UQ, the 2027 semesters start on 22 February and 26 July; UNSW admits students into three terms. Not every program opens mid-year.
6. The full cost of the degree. Multiply the annual fee by the number of years and allow for annual increases.
7. City and campus. Confirm where your particular program is taught.
8. Professional accreditation. If you plan to work as an engineer, accountant or psychologist, the program must be recognised by the relevant professional body.

## Common mistakes when choosing a university {#section-10}

- Choosing by overall rank without checking the program, its length and its accreditation.
- Using prices from old articles: fees are reviewed every year, and the University of Adelaide and UniSA became one university in 2026.
- Treating the A$29,710 visa figure as a realistic Sydney living budget. It is the minimum threshold for the visa.
- Applying at the last minute without considering how visa processing priority tracks each university's allocation.
- Sitting an at-home version of an English test that the visa authority does not accept.
- Confusing a university's pathway college with the university itself: a college offer leads to the degree only if you meet the progression conditions.

## FAQ {#faq}

### How many universities are there in Australia?

Study Australia lists 42 universities: 36 public and 6 private. Degrees are also awarded by private higher education institutes and some TAFE colleges registered with TEQSA.

### Which Australian universities rank highest?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, the national top ten are UNSW Sydney (19th in the world), the University of Melbourne (=22), the University of Sydney (28), ANU (29), Monash (31), the University of Queensland (=40), UWA (=77), Adelaide University (79), UTS (=87) and RMIT (=119). For a particular field, check the subject ranking.

### Can I enter an Australian university straight after an 11-year school system?

Usually not: you first need a preparation year or a year of university study at home. The common route is a foundation program (standard programs take 9–12 months) or a diploma that leads into the second year of the degree.

### How much does a year at an Australian university cost?

For 2027, a bachelor's year at UQ or ANU costs A$48,080–60,952 ($33,770–42,810) and a master's year A$57,640–69,112 ($40,490–48,540). Housing, food and transport are extra; the visa requires evidence of A$29,710 per year for living costs.

### Do I need my degree recognised before applying?

No separate recognition procedure is needed for study. The Australian Department of Education states that each education institution assesses overseas qualifications for admission. You will need certified translations of the degree and its transcript.

### Where do Russian citizens give biometrics for an Australian student visa?

At Australian Biometrics Collection Centres run under contract with Home Affairs. As of March 2026 there are six in Russia: Moscow, St Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Rostov-on-Don and Vladivostok. Home Affairs tells you whether to attend in person or whether you can use the Australian Immi App.

### How do I choose a university on a limited budget?

Start with the program, not the institution. Compare the same field at two or three universities and cities on the cost of the whole degree and on rent, and include universities outside the Go8. After school, consider a diploma: it counts as the first year, so the path to the degree is shorter than through a foundation program.

## Sources {#section-12}

- [Study Australia: list of Australian universities](https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/plan-your-studies/list-of-australian-universities) — checked September 28, 2026
- [Study Australia: Australia's education system](https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/plan-your-studies/australias-education-system) — checked September 28, 2026
- [Study Australia: Student visa subclass 500 and the fee from 1 July 2026](https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/plan-your-move/your-guide-to-visas/student-visa-subclass-500) — checked September 28, 2026
- [Home Affairs: Student visa subclass 500](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500) — checked September 28, 2026
- [Home Affairs: Student visa processing priorities](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/visa-processing-priorities/student-visa) — checked September 28, 2026
- [Home Affairs: biometrics](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/biometrics) — checked September 28, 2026
- [Home Affairs: meeting the 485 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 for 2027](https://www.education.gov.au/managed-system-international-education/announcements/national-planning-level-2027-announced) and [Study Australia: 2027 settings](https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/tools-and-resources/news/australia-confirms-international-education-settings-for-2027) — checked September 28, 2026
- [Department of Education: recognition of overseas qualifications](https://www.education.gov.au/international-education/recognise-overseas-qualifications) — checked September 28, 2026
- [TEQSA: National Register](https://www.teqsa.gov.au/national-register) — checked September 28, 2026
- [Group of Eight: about the Go8](https://www.go8.edu.au/about/the-go8) and [ATN: members](https://atn.edu.au/about-us/) — checked September 28, 2026
- [QS: top universities in Australia](https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/world-university-rankings/top-universities-australia) — checked September 28, 2026
- [Adelaide University: transitioning students from the University of Adelaide and UniSA](https://adelaide.edu.au/students/transitioning-students/) — checked September 28, 2026
- [University of Queensland: Bachelor of Commerce](https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/programs/bachelor-commerce-2336?student_type=international) and other UQ program pages — checked September 28, 2026
- [ANU: Bachelor of Arts 2027](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2027/program/barts), [Master of Computing 2027](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2027/program/7706xmcomp), [recognised school qualifications](https://study.anu.edu.au/apply/undergraduate-program-indicative-entry-requirements) — checked September 28, 2026
- [UNSW: Bachelor of Commerce](https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/undergraduate/bachelor-of-commerce?studentType=International) and [Master of Information Technology](https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/postgraduate/master-of-information-technology?studentType=International) — checked September 28, 2026
- [University of Sydney: international tuition fees](https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/fees-and-loans/international-student-tuition-fees.html), [Monash: Bachelor of Commerce](https://www.monash.edu/study/courses/find-a-course/commerce-b2001?international=true), [University of Melbourne: Bachelor of Commerce fees](https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/undergraduate/bachelor-of-commerce/fees/) — 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
- [Trinity College Foundation Studies: entry requirements](https://www.trinity.unimelb.edu.au/pathways-school/who-can-apply/entry-requirements), [UQ College: Standard Foundation Program](https://uqcollege.uq.edu.au/study/pathways-uq/foundation-program/standard-foundation-program), [UNSW College: entry requirements](https://www.unswcollege.edu.au/study/entry-requirements) — 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.

Shortlisting programs for your qualification, requirement checks, document preparation and application submission 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

- [Adelaide University (formerly the University of Adelaide and UniSA)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-adelaide)
- [UNSW Sydney (University of New South Wales)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-unsw)
- [The University of Melbourne](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-melbourne)
- [The University of Queensland (UQ)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-queensland)
- [Studying in Australia for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-australia)
- [University of Sydney](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-university-of-sydney)

Updated: September 2026