About the university
UNSW Sydney began in 1949 as the New South Wales University of Technology, set up to train engineers and scientists for a growing post-war economy. That technical start still shapes it: engineering, computer science, business and law are among its strongest areas, and it is a member of the Group of Eight. In 2027 it is ranked 19th in the world by QS and =75th by Times Higher Education.
The main campus is in Kensington, about 7 kilometres south-east of Sydney's city centre and close to Coogee beach, with a light rail line to the city. UNSW Art & Design is at Paddington, and UNSW Canberra teaches engineering and other courses in partnership with the Australian Defence Force Academy. UNSW has also opened a campus in Bengaluru, which has its own courses and fees separate from the Sydney programmes on this page.
UNSW runs three ten-week terms a year instead of two semesters, so many programmes accept students in Term 1 (February), Term 2 (May/June) and Term 3 (September). This gives Indian students more start dates, but the pace is faster. The university has announced a new academic calendar from 2028, so course lengths may change for later intakes.
Half of UNSW's students are international and Sydney has a large Indian community, especially in the western suburbs. Fees and rent are high, but the university offers a 20% fee award to all Indian students starting in 2026 or 2027, and its graduates are well known to Sydney employers in technology, finance and engineering.
- Founded
- 1949, as the New South Wales University of Technology
- Type
- Public research university; member of the Group of Eight
- Total students
- About 55,900 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- International students
- 50% (THE 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 37 to 1 (THE 2027 data)
- Campuses
- Kensington (main) and Paddington in Sydney, UNSW Canberra, and a campus in Bengaluru with its own courses
- Intakes
- Three terms a year (Term 1, 2 and 3); a new academic calendar starts in 2028
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
19 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
=75 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
Master of Information Technology
- Fee / year
- A$63,000
- Duration
- 2 years (as little as 1 year with recognised prior learning)
- Intakes
- Terms 1, 2 and 3
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each subtest)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- A$61,000
- Duration
- 1–2 years
- Intakes
- Terms 1, 2 and 3
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each subtest)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- A$62,000
- Duration
- 1.7 years
- Intakes
- Terms 1, 2 and 3
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (6.0 in each subtest)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- A$62,000
- Duration
- 1–2 years
- Intakes
- Terms 1, 2 and 3
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (6.0 in each subtest)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- A$62,000
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- Terms 1, 2 and 3
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (6.0 in each subtest)
- Postgraduate
Master of Professional Accounting
- Fee / year
- A$62,000
- Duration
- 1.7 years
- Intakes
- Terms 1, 2 and 3
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (6.0 in each subtest)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- A$60,500
- Duration
- 1 year full time
- Intakes
- Terms 1, 2 and 3
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each subtest)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- A$59,000
- Duration
- 1 year full time
- Intakes
- Terms 1, 2 and 3
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (6.0 in each subtest)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (AUD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Information Technology | 2 years (as little as 1 year with recognised prior learning) | A$63,000 | ≈ ₹41 lakh |
| Master of Engineering Science | 1–2 years | A$61,000 | ≈ ₹39.6 lakh |
| Master of Commerce | 1.7 years | A$62,000 | ≈ ₹40.3 lakh |
| Master of Finance | 1–2 years | A$62,000 | ≈ ₹40.3 lakh |
| Master of Financial Analysis | 1 year | A$62,000 | ≈ ₹40.3 lakh |
| Master of Professional Accounting | 1.7 years | A$62,000 | ≈ ₹40.3 lakh |
| Master of Public Health | 1 year full time | A$60,500 | ≈ ₹39.3 lakh |
| Master of Laws (LLM) | 1 year full time | A$59,000 | ≈ ₹38.4 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at UNSW Sydney with similar universities in Australia.
Scholarships
- Bachelor's, master's and UNSW College diplomas
International Student Award
Value: 20% off tuition fees for every year of the programme
Eligibility: All Indian students starting in 2026 or 2027. Can be combined with other international scholarships.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Bachelor's and master's
International Scientia Coursework Scholarship
Value: Full tuition fees, or A$20,000 a year towards tuition
Eligibility: Assessed on academic merit, leadership, activities and motivation. Separate application by the published round deadline.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Bachelor's and master's
Australia's Global University Award
Value: A$10,000 for one year
Eligibility: Outstanding academic results; considered automatically when you apply. Limited number.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Students moving from a UNSW Foundation programme
UNSW College Award
Value: A$10,000 for one year
Eligibility: Completed a UNSW Foundation programme and continuing to a UNSW bachelor's degree; considered automatically.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- UNSW calculates your CBSE score as the average of English or Hindi plus your best four other subjects. The minimum for each degree is shown on its page or available from UNSW's India team.
- Some degrees assume knowledge of mathematics (for example computer science, engineering and commerce) and sometimes physics or chemistry.
- CBSE English Core grade C1 meets the English requirement for most degrees (B2 for business). The Indian School Certificate needs 70% in English (80% for business).
- If you do not meet direct entry, UNSW College Foundation and Diploma programmes lead into the bachelor's degrees.
Postgraduate
- Master's degrees need a recognised bachelor's degree; many accept related or unrelated fields, and recognition of prior learning can shorten some programmes to 1 year.
- Business and law master's degrees ask for IELTS 7.0; engineering, IT, science and health ask for 6.5.
- Some programmes are at capacity for 2026 intakes; UNSW says applications for all 2027 intakes are open. Apply early, especially for Term 1.
- Accept your offer and pay the first payment to receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (bachelor's)
- Degree transcripts and certificate (master's)
- English test result taken within 2 years of your start date (IELTS must be the Academic test, not the online version)
- CV and statement where the programme asks for them
- Financial documents for the student visa
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Engineering, science, health and design: 6.5 overall. Business and law: 7.0 overall. Usually 6.0 in each subtest. The IELTS Online test is not accepted. |
| PTE Academic | 64 overall for engineering, science, health and design; 65 for business and law. |
| TOEFL iBT | 90 overall for engineering, science, health and design; 94 for business and law. |
| CBSE / ISC English (bachelor's) | CBSE English Core grade C1 (B2 for business), or ISC English 70% (80% for business). Not accepted for education, law (except criminology) and some health degrees. |
Accommodation and living costs
UNSW has residential colleges and university-managed apartments on and near the Kensington campus, and students also rent rooms in suburbs such as Kingsford, Randwick and Maroubra. Sydney is Australia's most expensive city for rent. The costs below are our estimates built from the figures in our Australia study guide.
| Item | In AUD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared house or flat in SydneyOur estimate; suburbs close to campus cost more | A$350–500per week | ≈ ₹22,750 – ₹32,500 |
| Student accommodation or on-campus roomOur national estimate; Sydney is usually at the top of this range | A$1,600–2,800per month | ≈ ₹1 lakh – ₹1.8 lakh |
| Public transportThe L2/L3 light rail links Kensington with the city | A$100–220per month | ≈ ₹6,500 – ₹14,300 |
| Living costs you must show for the visaDepartment of Home Affairs requirement | A$29,710per year | ≈ ₹19.3 lakh |
Campus and location
Kensington campus is a compact, busy campus in Sydney's eastern suburbs, between the city centre and the beaches of Coogee and Maroubra. Sydney has Australia's largest economy and a large Indian community, especially around Parramatta and Harris Park.
- Kensington hosts engineering, computer science, business, law, science and medicine.
- UNSW Art & Design is at Paddington, closer to the city.
- UNSW Canberra teaches engineering and other courses in Australia's capital.
- The light rail runs from campus to Central station and the city in about 20 minutes.
- UNSW has a campus in Bengaluru with separate courses, admissions and fees.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Sydney is Australia's main centre for finance, technology and professional services. Graduates can apply for post-study work rights; outcomes depend on your course, experience and English, and figures describe rules, not promises.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Post-study work for Indian master's graduates | Up to 3 years (Temporary Graduate visa, under AI-ECTA) | Study Australia / Department of Home Affairs |
| Work allowed during the course | Up to 48 hours a fortnight in session; unlimited in breaks | Department of Home Affairs |
| National minimum wage | A$26.44 an hour from 1 July 2026 | Fair Work Commission |
| International students at the university | 50% | THE World University Rankings 2027 data |
Studying in Australia
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Australia. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
Why does UNSW have three intakes?
UNSW teaches in three terms a year, so most programmes accept students in Term 1, 2 or 3. A new calendar begins in 2028, which may change course lengths for later intakes.
What IELTS score does UNSW need?
6.5 overall for engineering, IT, science, health and design, and 7.0 for business and law, usually with 6.0 in each subtest. PTE 64 or 65 and TOEFL iBT 90 or 94 are the equivalents.
Is there a scholarship for every Indian student?
The International Student Award gives 20% off tuition for each year of study to Indian students starting in 2026 or 2027. It can be combined with other UNSW scholarships.
Can I use my CBSE English marks instead of IELTS?
For most bachelor's degrees, yes: CBSE English Core grade C1 (B2 for business) is accepted. Master's applicants usually need a test or another accepted route.
How much is the Master of Information Technology?
The 2026 indicative first-year fee is A$63,000. Fees are reviewed each year, so check the programme page.
Does UNSW have a campus in India?
Yes, UNSW has opened a campus in Bengaluru. Its courses, fees and admissions are separate from the Sydney programmes listed here.
Sources
- UNSW: Master of Information Technology (opens in a new tab)
- UNSW: Master of Engineering Science (opens in a new tab)
- UNSW: Master of Commerce (opens in a new tab)
- UNSW: Master of Public Health (opens in a new tab)
- UNSW: Bachelor of Computer Science (opens in a new tab)
- UNSW: English language requirements (opens in a new tab)
- UNSW: scholarships for students from India (opens in a new tab)
- UNSW: international tuition fees (opens in a new tab)
- Times Higher Education: UNSW Sydney (WUR 2027) (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings (opens in a new tab)
- Study Australia: Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) (opens in a new tab)
- Department of Home Affairs: Student visa (subclass 500) (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.unsw.edu.au (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details