UNSW Sydney is Australia's top university in the QS World University Rankings 2027, placed 19th in the world. The Russian school certificate does not appear in UNSW's list of qualifications for bachelor's entry, so Russian school leavers need a Group of Eight Foundation program, most conveniently at UNSW College, or a year of full-time university study. The first bachelor's year costs an international student $35,820–43,200 (AUD 51,000–61,500) at 2026 rates. Citizens of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus cannot receive the 20% International Student Award because their countries are not on the eligible list.
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| City and campus | Sydney; main campus in Kensington |
| Rankings | QS 2027: 19th in the world, 1st in Australia; THE 2026: 79th in the world, 5th in Australia |
| Russian certificate | not listed; routes are a Group of Eight Foundation or a year of university study |
| UNSW College Foundation, 2027 | $30,660 (AUD 43,650) Standard; $34,240 (AUD 48,750) Standard Plus |
| First bachelor's year, 2026 | $35,820–43,200 (AUD 51,000–61,500) |
| English | IELTS Academic 6.5, no band below 6.0; some programs higher |
| Calendar | three terms a year; new Flex-Semester calendar from 2028 |
| Compulsory non-tuition fee | $700 (AUD 1,000) a year |
| Key scholarship | International Scientia: full tuition or $14,050 (AUD 20,000) a year; Term 1 2027 applications close 30 October 2026 |
Entry after a Russian or CIS school
The school qualifications list shown on UNSW bachelor's pages includes certificates from dozens of countries but not Russia, so the certificate alone does not give you an admission basis. UNSW accepts other bases instead.
| Route | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UNSW College Foundation | completion with the required result | UNSW's own program; a $7,020 (AUD 10,000) award on progression |
| Another Group of Eight Foundation | ANU, Monash, Adelaide, Melbourne, UQ, Sydney or UWA | UNSW accepts only Group of Eight Foundation programs; valid for five years |
| NCUK International Foundation Year | aggregate of three subject modules | international applicants only |
| University study | at least 0.75 of a full-time year in one degree | assessed on tertiary results or your school equivalent, whichever is higher; less than 0.75 is not assessable |
| UNSW College Diploma | the required diploma GPA | entry with credit |
Unlike Adelaide, one semester at a home university is not enough: UNSW assesses university study only from 0.75 of a full-time year in a single degree.
UNSW College programs
| Program | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Transition Program | $20,510 (AUD 29,200) | $21,060 (AUD 29,980) |
| Standard Foundation Program | $29,990 (AUD 42,700) | $30,660 (AUD 43,650) |
| Standard Plus Foundation Program | $33,570 (AUD 47,800) | $34,240 (AUD 48,750) |
Foundation students also pay a 2027 Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) of $270 (AUD 386) per program. If your English is short, the University English Entry Course runs 10–20 weeks at $490 (AUD 695) a week in 2027. See also studying in Australia after Year 11.
Tuition fees
UNSW charges per course, so program pages show an indicative first-year fee and an estimate for the whole degree. The full-degree estimate includes about AUD 1,000 a year of study costs and an assumed annual increase; actual increases may be higher.
| Program | First year, 2026 | Whole degree (UNSW estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts | $35,820 (AUD 51,000) | $112,380 (AUD 160,000) |
| Bachelor of Commerce | $39,680 (AUD 56,500) | $126,780 (AUD 180,500) |
| Bachelor of Computer Science | $42,850 (AUD 61,000) | $135,210 (AUD 192,500) |
| Bachelor of Science | $42,850 (AUD 61,000) | $136,270 (AUD 194,000) |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) | $43,200 (AUD 61,500) | $186,480 (AUD 265,500) |
| Master of Information Technology | $44,250 (AUD 63,000) | $91,660 (AUD 130,500) |
| Master of Commerce | $43,550 (AUD 62,000) | $67,430 (AUD 96,000) |
| Master of Engineering | $42,850 (AUD 61,000) | $89,210 (AUD 127,000) |
Also budget for:
- A compulsory non-tuition fee of AUD 1,000 a year (pro rata) for lab kits, equipment and field trips; textbooks are extra.
- Living in Sydney. UNSW puts living costs anywhere from under AUD 30,000 to over AUD 70,000 a year depending on suburb and lifestyle; the visa minimum is AUD 29,710.
- Arrival costs such as a rental bond and furniture.
For payment routes from Russia see how to pay for studies abroad from Russia; for comparisons see the cost of studying in Australia.
Calendar: terms now, Flex-Semester from 2028
UNSW currently teaches in three terms (Term 1, 2 and 3), and most programs admit students in any of them. From 2028 the university moves to a new Flex-Semester Academic Calendar. Degree structures and requirements stay the same, but total study length may vary depending on whether you start before 2028.
If you start in 2027, check the duration note on your program page: it affects your visa length and budget. UNSW also notes that some programs are full for 2026 intakes and closed to new overseas students, while all 2027 intakes are open.
English requirements
| Program group | IELTS Academic |
|---|---|
| Most bachelor's and master's programs | 6.5, no band below 6.0 |
| Some bachelor's and master's programs | 7.0, no band below 6.0 |
| Social Work (Honours) | 7.0, no band below 7.0 |
| Education (Bachelor of Education, Master of Teaching) | 7.5; writing and reading 7.0, speaking and listening 8.0 |
UNSW accepts IELTS One Skill Retake but not IELTS Online; TOEFL iBT Home Edition counts only in its TOEFL for Australia version. Results must be no older than two years at program start.
Scholarships for Russian and CIS citizens
The main limitation is the International Student Award: 20% off tuition for the whole program for students starting in 2026 or 2027, but only for citizens of listed countries. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan are listed; Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus are not.
| Scholarship | Value | Who |
|---|---|---|
| International Scientia Coursework Scholarship | full tuition or $14,050 (AUD 20,000) a year for the minimum program length | students starting a bachelor's or coursework master's in Term 1 2027; competitive |
| International Student Award | 20% of tuition each term | citizens of listed countries; 500-word statement required |
| Australia's Global University Award | $7,020 (AUD 10,000) once, in the second term of year one | see the scholarship page |
| UNSW College Award | $7,020 (AUD 10,000) once | UNSW College Foundation graduates progressing to a bachelor's |
| UNSW Business School International Scholarship | $3,510 (AUD 5,000) a year for the minimum program length | Business School starters in Term 1 2027; undergraduates straight from school |
| UNSW Business School International Pathways Award | $10,540 (AUD 15,000) for one year | after UNSW Foundation (Commerce stream) or an approved partner pathway |
| UNSW Law & Justice International Award | $7,020 (AUD 10,000) for one year | LLB, JD or LLM starters in Term 1 2027 |
For Term 1 2027 you submit one combined application (PUCA1029) in the Scholarship Application Online portal. It opened on 6 July 2026 and closes at 11:59pm AEST on 30 October 2026. International Student Award outcomes arrive by email within two days of an offer, or within two weeks if you upload the statement later, and the award can be combined with other UNSW scholarships. See also scholarships in Australia.
How to apply
- Choose program and route: Foundation for school leavers, a year of university for current students, direct entry for graduates.
- Check the program page for the international entry score, subject prerequisites and English.
- Prepare documents: certificates and transcripts with certified translations, English results, passport.
- Apply through the UNSW portal and, for scholarships, submit PUCA1029 by 30 October 2026.
- Accept the offer, pay, arrange Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
- Apply for the subclass 500 student visa.
Apply early in the cycle so program caps do not block you.
Accommodation
UNSW offers residences and colleges on the Kensington campus. Applications for 2027 housing have not opened yet; you can register an expression of interest in the portal without payment, and UNSW will notify you when applications start. Prices for 2027 are not yet published. Because rent is Sydney's largest cost after tuition, decide on housing as soon as you receive an offer.
Visa and post-study work
- Student visa (subclass 500): online via ImmiAccount after your CoE; charge from $1,760 (AUD 2,500) since 1 July 2026. Home Affairs tells you whether and where to give biometrics.
- Funds: first-year tuition, travel and $20,870 (AUD 29,710) for a year of living costs for one student.
- Work: up to 48 hours per fortnight during study; no limit for research master's and PhD students after their course starts.
- 485 visa: 2 years after a bachelor's or coursework master's, 3 years after a research master's or PhD, for applicants 35 or under (under 50 for research degrees); charge $4,040 (AUD 5,750).
Visa decisions belong to Home Affairs. See the Australian student visa guide and working while studying and the 485 visa.
Who UNSW suits
| Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|
| 1st in Australia and 19th in the world in QS 2027 | High fees: first bachelor's year from AUD 51,000 |
| Strong engineering, IT, business and science | International Student Award closed to Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus |
| Three intakes a year | 2028 calendar change can affect duration |
| Own UNSW College pathway with an AUD 10,000 progression award | University study counts only from 0.75 of a year |
| Access to Australia's largest job market | Sydney living costs exceed the visa minimum |
UNSW suits strong applicants in engineering, computing, business and science who can fund a high budget. For other Group of Eight options, compare it with the University of Sydney and ANU, and read our guides to universities in Sydney, universities in Australia and studying in Australia.
Costly mistakes
- Applying after one semester at a home university. UNSW needs at least 0.75 of a full-time year in one degree.
- Choosing a non-Group of Eight Foundation. Only Group of Eight programs and NCUK IFY are accepted.
- Counting on the International Student Award with a Russian, Kazakh or Belarusian passport. Those countries are not eligible.
- Missing 30 October 2026, the combined scholarship deadline for Term 1 2027.
- Ignoring the calendar change. Study length may differ from the standard duration.
FAQ
Can I go to UNSW straight after Year 11 in Russia?
No. You need a Group of Eight Foundation program, most conveniently UNSW College, or at least 0.75 of a full-time year in one university degree.
How much is UNSW College Foundation?
In 2027 the Standard Foundation Program costs AUD 43,650 and Standard Plus AUD 48,750, plus a SSAF of AUD 386 per program.
What English score do I need?
IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0 for most programs; some require 7.0 and education programs 7.5. IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, IELTS Online is not.
Which scholarships are open to Russian citizens?
Awards without citizenship limits: the International Scientia Coursework Scholarship, Business School and Law & Justice awards, the Global University Award and the UNSW College Award. The International Student Award is closed to Russia.
How many intakes are there?
Currently three terms a year, though not every program admits in each term. From 2028 UNSW switches to the Flex-Semester calendar.
How does StudyU help with UNSW?
Under a service agreement we help choose the program and route, prepare applications, documents, the scholarship application and the visa file. UNSW decides on admission and scholarships; Home Affairs decides on the visa.
Sources
- UNSW program pages for international students: Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Computer Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), Bachelor of Science, Master of IT, Master of Commerce, Master of Engineering
- UNSW: Accepted qualifications, English language requirements, Cost of studying in Australia, Accommodation: apply now, Rankings and reputation
- UNSW Scholarships: International Student Award, eligible countries (PDF), Scholarships for Term 1, 2027
- UNSW College: Fees, Entry requirements
- Home Affairs: Student visa (subclass 500), Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), Study Australia: visa charge increase
Dollar amounts are converted at the ECB reference rate of 28.09.2026 (AUD 1 = $0.7024) and rounded to the nearest $10.
If you want to know which route into UNSW — Foundation, a year of university or a master's — fits your profile and budget, send us an application.
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.
Next steps
- Australian University Entry After 11 Years of School: Foundation, Diploma or a Year at a Home University
- Working While Studying in Australia and the 485 Graduate Visa in 2026: Hours, Pay, Tax and Post-Study Stay
- Scholarships in Australia for International Students in 2026–2027: What Is Actually Available
- Cost of Studying in Australia in 2026–2027: University Fees, Living Costs, Visa and a First-Year Budget
- How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026
- Studying in Australia for international applicants
