Curtin University is a large public university in Western Australia, with its main campus in Bentley, a suburb of Perth. It ranks 189th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and fourth in the world for Mineral and Mining Engineering in the QS subject rankings 2026. The Russian and Kazakh school certificates are not on Curtin's list of overseas qualifications for bachelor's entry, so school leavers start with a Curtin College diploma: Stage 1 costs $22,920 (A$32,900) in 2027, and Stage 2 is equivalent to first year and leads into second year. The first bachelor's year in 2027 costs $28,670–33,200 (A$41,146–47,652), depending on the program.
This profile covers the Perth campus. Curtin also runs campuses in Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Mauritius and Colombo, each with its own fees and visa rules; we describe Curtin Singapore separately. The other major university in Perth is the University of Western Australia, and the national overview is on study in Australia.
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| City and campus | Perth, Bentley campus; a second Australian campus in Kalgoorlie |
| Rankings | QS 2027: 189th; QS by Subject 2026: 4th in the world for Mineral and Mining Engineering; ARWU 2025: top 1% worldwide (Curtin's data) |
| Route after Year 11 | Curtin College Diploma Stage 1, then Stage 2 |
| Curtin College, 2027 | Stage 1 $22,920 (A$32,900); Stage 2 $25,710–31,290 (A$36,900–44,900) |
| Bachelor's, 2027 | first year $28,670–33,200 (A$41,146–47,652); MBBS medicine $70,220 (A$100,782) |
| Master's, 2027 | first year $29,130–38,190 (A$41,808–54,810) |
| Scholarships | 20% or 40% off for the whole course; one-off credits of A$10,000–15,000 |
| Visa | Student visa subclass 500, charge from $1,740 (A$2,500) |
Who Curtin suits
| Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Strong subject rankings in mining, geology, earth sciences and architecture | The school certificate is not accepted for direct bachelor's entry |
| 2027 indicative fees published, including whole-course totals | IT and engineering fees rose by about 10% for 2027 |
| Curtin College on the same campus, with entry to second year after the diploma | Curtin College is a separate Navitas-run provider with its own rules and contract |
| Perth is a Category 2 regional area, opening a possible second 485 visa | Perth is far from Sydney and Melbourne, with a smaller internship market |
| Several scholarships from 20% to 40% | Each scholarship has its own grade rules and eligibility list |
Students choose Curtin for applied engineering and geoscience, architecture, health and a business school accredited by EQUIS and AACSB, with an EFMD-accredited MBA. If Group of Eight status matters more, the Perth option is UWA; if you want a bigger city, compare Curtin with RMIT in Melbourne. Our shortlist for the whole country is in universities in Australia.
After Year 11: Curtin College diplomas
Curtin's 2026 list of recognised overseas qualifications includes neither the Russian nor the Kazakh certificate, so they do not lead directly into first year. The working route is Curtin College, the pathway college on the Bentley campus. Its diploma has two stages that together equal the first year of a Curtin bachelor's degree, and diploma graduates usually move straight into second year.
| Stage | Certificate requirement (Russia, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries) | Fee, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma Stage 1 (all streams) | completed certificate of secondary education | $22,920 (A$32,900), two study periods of A$16,450 |
| Stage 2: Commerce, Built Environment, Arts and Creative Industries, Computing | certificate with an average of 3.5 or higher | $25,710–29,200 (A$36,900–41,900) |
| Stage 2: Engineering, Health Sciences | certificate with an average of 3.8 and at least 3 in prerequisite subjects; physiotherapy, pharmacy and occupational therapy ask for more | $30,590–31,290 (A$43,900–44,900) |
Each stage takes two or three trimesters (8–12 months), with intakes in February, June and October. On top of tuition the college charges a $160 (A$225) enrolment fee and suggests budgeting up to A$300 for textbooks plus stream-specific items such as safety boots for engineering, lab coats for science and checks for health placements. With an average of 3.5 or higher you can start at Stage 2 and save time; with a lower average you start at Stage 1. Curtin College and Curtin confirm admission and progression under their own rules. For a comparison of pathway options, see studying in Australia after Year 11.
If your higher education falls short of Curtin's master's entry level, the college offers a Master Qualifying Program for $13,870 (A$19,900); its requirements list the Russian diploma of incomplete higher education.
Bachelor's fees for 2027
Curtin publishes an indicative first-year fee and a whole-course total for international students. Fees are reviewed each year, so the total is a calculation at the 2027 rate rather than a fixed price.
| Program | Length | First year, 2027 | Whole course, 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Commerce | 3 years | $28,670 (A$41,146) | $86,010 (A$123,438) |
| Bachelor of Applied Science (Architectural Science) | 3 years | $29,730 (A$42,664) | $89,180 (A$127,992) |
| Bachelor of Psychology | 4 years | $30,370 (A$43,578) | $121,460 (A$174,312) |
| Bachelor of Computing | 3 years | $31,430 (A$45,112) | $94,300 (A$135,336) |
| Bachelor of Information Technology | 3 years | $31,480 (A$45,182) | $94,450 (A$135,546) |
| Bachelor of Science (Nursing) | 3.5 years | $33,070 (A$47,464) | $115,760 (A$166,124) |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) | 4 years | $33,200 (A$47,652) | $132,820 (A$190,608) |
| Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery | 5 years | $70,220 (A$100,782) | $351,120 (A$503,910) |
For comparison, in 2026 the first year of the Bachelor of Computing cost A$41,012 and Engineering (Honours) A$43,320. Curtin's weekly living-cost guide, excluding rent, is A$15–55 for transport, A$80–280 for groceries and eating out, A$20–55 for phone and internet and A$80–150 for entertainment. A full budget template is in our guide to the cost of studying in Australia.
Master's programs
Graduates of Russian and Kazakh universities apply directly if their degree and English meet the course requirements. Indicative international fees for 2027:
| Program | Duration | First year, 2027 | Course total, 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Artificial Intelligence | 1 year | $29,130 (A$41,808) | $29,130 (A$41,808) |
| Master of Engineering Management | 1.5 years | $34,220 (A$49,112) | $51,330 (A$73,668) |
| Master of Information Systems and Technology | 2 years | $34,880 (A$50,054) | $69,760 (A$100,108) |
| Master of Business Administration | 1.5 years | $38,190 (A$54,810) | $50,920 (A$73,080) |
Coursework and research master's routes are explained in our master's in Australia guide.
Scholarships for international students
| Scholarship | Value |
|---|---|
| John Curtin Global Excellence Scholarship | 40% off tuition for the course duration |
| Curtin Global Merit Scholarship | 20% off tuition for the course duration |
| Global Future Leaders Scholarship | one-off tuition credit of $6,970 (A$10,000) |
| Curtin Global Talent Scholarship | $6,970 (A$10,000) for students who began at a Curtin global campus |
| Global Scholars Program Scholarship | $10,450 (A$15,000) for study across two Curtin campuses |
| Curtin English Scholarship | up to $5,220 (A$7,496) after a Curtin English pathway |
Grade thresholds, eligible courses and eligible countries are set in each scholarship's terms, and Curtin makes the award. See also scholarships in Australia.
Where to live
Housing next to the Bentley campus, including Vickery House, Erica Underwood House, Twin Dolphin Hall, Kurrajong Village, Zamia Apartments and Guild House, is managed by UniLodge, and St Catherine's College at Curtin operates separately. Bookings go through the Curtin Accommodation portal, where the operator shows rates and availability. For the first weeks Curtin points students to temporary housing and helps with private rentals.
Student visa subclass 500 and the caps
You apply online in ImmiAccount after receiving a CoE, and the Department of Home Affairs decides. As of 1 October 2026:
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| Charge | from $1,740 (A$2,500) for the main applicant |
| Funds | $20,700 (A$29,710) for a year of living costs + first 12 months of tuition + $1,390 (A$2,000) for travel; or parental income of at least $61,220 (A$87,856) |
| Genuine Student | answers in the form, in English, up to 150 words each, with supporting documents |
| English for the visa | IELTS 6.0; 5.5 when packaged with a foundation or 10+ weeks of English; 5.0 with 20+ weeks of English |
| Biometrics | on request: Moscow, St Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Rostov-on-Don, Vladivostok; Almaty for Kazakhstan |
Australia manages new international enrolments through processing order. The National Planning Level for 2027 is 295,000, the same as for 2026, as announced by the Department of Education on 3 July 2026. For offshore applications lodged on or after 14 November 2025, Ministerial Direction 115 applies: below 80% of a provider's indicative allocation the application gets Priority 1 (Home Affairs' guide, based on 2025 lodgements, is to commence processing within 1–4 weeks), from 80% Priority 2 (5–8 weeks), and above 115% Priority 3 (9–12 weeks). Priority changes speed, not the outcome. Curtin's 2026 allocation is 4,100 new overseas students, and as at 25 September 2026 the university held Priority 1 status. In a college-plus-university package, priority is set by the main CoE, usually the last course in the package, which here is the Curtin degree. Step-by-step detail is in our Australian student visa guide.
Work and the 485 visa
The student visa allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight during teaching periods. After a bachelor's or coursework master's degree, graduates aged 35 or under can receive a two-year 485 visa. Because Perth is a Category 2 regional area, a Curtin graduate who then lives only in designated regional areas for two years on the first 485 visa may qualify for a Second Post-Higher Education Work visa of one more year. Home Affairs decides; read more in work rights and the 485 visa.
Step-by-step plan
- A year before the start: take IELTS Academic and get the certificate, or the Year 10–11 transcript, translated into English.
- 5–6 months before: apply to Curtin College for Stage 1 or directly for Stage 2, depending on your average, and pick the target Curtin degree.
- After the offer: pay the first tuition instalment, the enrolment fee and OSHC, and receive the package CoE.
- 2–3 months before: lodge the visa, checking Curtin's MD115 status on the day, and book housing.
- After 8–24 months: complete the diploma and move into second year.
Legal payment routes from Russia are covered in how to pay for studies abroad from Russia; applicants from Kazakhstan can read study abroad from Kazakhstan.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up Curtin Perth and Curtin Singapore. Fees, entry rules and visas differ.
- Treating the course total as fixed. It is calculated at the 2027 rate, and later years can cost more.
- Starting at Stage 1 with a strong certificate. With an average of 3.5 (3.8 for engineering and health) you can go straight to Stage 2.
- Forgetting college extras. The enrolment fee, textbooks and stream equipment are separate costs.
- Assuming a scholarship is automatic. Value and eligibility depend on grades, program and the specific terms.
FAQ
Can I enter Curtin University after Year 11?
Not directly into a bachelor's degree, because the Russian and Kazakh certificates are not on Curtin's qualifications list. The route is a Curtin College diploma: Stage 1 with a completed certificate or Stage 2 with an average of 3.5 or higher. Curtin College and Curtin decide on admission.
How much does Curtin University cost in 2027?
The first bachelor's year costs $28,670–33,200 (A$41,146–47,652), and medicine $70,220. Master's degrees cost $29,130–38,190 for the first year. The Curtin College diploma costs $22,920 for Stage 1 and $25,710–31,290 for Stage 2.
How is Curtin Perth different from Curtin Singapore?
They are campuses of the same university with different fees, admission requirements and visas. Perth requires an Australian subclass 500 visa; Singapore requires a Student's Pass.
What scholarships does Curtin offer international students?
The John Curtin Global Excellence Scholarship (40%), the Curtin Global Merit Scholarship (20%), one-off credits of A$10,000 and A$15,000, and a credit after Curtin English. Each scholarship lists its own eligible countries and conditions, and Curtin decides.
Do the international student caps affect a Curtin visa?
As at 25 September 2026 Curtin had Priority 1 status; Home Affairs' guide for Priority 1 is to commence processing within 1–4 weeks of lodgement. The allocation only affects the queue; Home Affairs makes the visa decision.
How long does it take to graduate from Curtin after school?
Usually about four years for a three-year degree: 8–12 months of Stage 1, then Stage 2 in place of first year, then two years at the university. With an average of 3.5 or higher you can start at Stage 2 and save almost a year.
Sources
- Curtin: Overseas qualifications recognised by Curtin University 2026 (PDF), Curtin College pathway
- Curtin College: Academic entry requirements, International fees 2027, Diploma of Commerce
- Curtin course pages with 2026–2027 international indicative fees: Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Computing, Bachelor of Information Technology, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), Bachelor of Science (Nursing), Bachelor of Psychology, Architectural Science, MBBS, Master of Artificial Intelligence, Master of Information Systems and Technology, Master of Engineering Management, MBA
- Curtin: International Student Scholarships, Fees and charges (living costs), Accommodation, Reputation and rankings
- QS 2027: Curtin University
- Home Affairs: Student visa subclass 500, Genuine Student requirement, Processing priorities, Biometrics, 485 visa, Regional areas
- Department of Education: National Planning Level 2027, Visa Prioritisation Status
US dollar amounts use the ECB reference rate of 30 September 2026 (A$1 = $0.6968), rounded to $10. Information checked on 1 October 2026.
If you want to work through your route into Curtin, including which college stage to start at and which degree to choose afterwards, send a request: document preparation and submission are provided under an agreement with StudyU, and the university makes the admission decision.
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.
Next steps
- The University of Western Australia (UWA): Admission, Fees and Student Visa for International Applicants
- Studying in Australia for international applicants
- Curtin Singapore
- RMIT University (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology)
- Universities in Australia for International Students: How to Choose, 2027 Costs and Entry Routes
- Australian University Entry After 11 Years of School: Foundation, Diploma or a Year at a Home University
