Top 10 Universities in Sydney Australia for International Students in 2024



Universities in Sydney, Australia have a superb global reputation as they consistently rank in the top 100 global universities, especially in the QS World Rankings. Degrees from colleges in Sydney, Australia provide students with unparalleled knowledge as well as outstanding career opportunities.

Added to the fact that there are institutions of high academic standards in Sydney is the fact there are also job vacancies in Australia. This makes the country a great choice to study abroad, as post-study opportunities are many. According to a report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), total job vacancies in Australia stood at over 400000 in November 2022.

And here’s another thing to know about Sydney – more than half of the top 100 companies in Australia have their headquarters in this beautiful city. In other words, Sydney has great job opportunities and high demand for skilled graduates.

If you are planning to pursue higher education in this city, then you’ve made the best choice.

Here’s a list of universities in Sydney – ranked as the best in terms of Education, syllabus, and campus life.


What are the benefits of studying at the top colleges in Sydney?

The Australian state of New South Wales (NSW), of which Sydney is the capital, is the home to over 208,000 international students. Of the 2 lakh plus students, a significant majority choose the capital city of Sydney for their global education and employment opportunities. Studying in Sydney colleges offer the following benefit to students.

  • High Graduate employment rate:The University of Sydney is 1st in Australia and 4th in the world on the graduate employability ranking as per QS Graduate Employability Rankings. On average, 95% of the graduates from universities in Sydney, Australia have secured respectable jobs in their careers. The city of Sydney was also ranked 9th in the list of best student cities in the world in 2023.
  • Worldwide recognition: Degrees from these colleges are recognized worldwide giving an edge to the students in the job market.
  • Internships with the study: Top universities of Sydney offer paid 3-6 month internships with the top industries in the field helping students to get a taste of the real world.
  • Various Scholarship opportunities: Sydney universities encourage foreign students to enroll in their courses. To make it easy, they award various scholarships both fully-funded and partly funded to help with their finances.
  • Placement opportunity: All top 10 universities in Sydney have Career help centers, job events, workshops, and programs like Job Smart Edge, Professional Engagement Program, etc that help students secure placement in the industry.
  • Salary: Graduates from these universities earn an average of $56000 to $60000 per year after their graduation.


How much does it cost to study in Sydney?

The cost to study in Sydney varies depending on the university, the course chosen, and the lifestyle choice of the students.

As per the data from Study Australia the moderate range of expenses yearly is as follows

  • Tuition fee – 31,000 to $82000
  • Accommodation – $30000 to $60000
  • Transport $3800 to $9800
  • Food $8000 to $20000
  • Personal $2000 to $5000
  • Entertainment $7300to $12800
  • Clothing $800 to $2100


What are the scholarship options for the best universities in Sydney?

General and subject-specific scholarships are offered to foreign students who prove their academic excellence or need financial aid. Both in-house scholarships and external scholarships are provided by Sydney universities. Students who fulfill the required criteria can apply for the following best scholarships.

  • VU Sydney Global Excellence Scholarship
  • Sydney Scholars Awards worth $6000
  • Australia Awards Scholarships
  • Dili International School Scholarship
  • UTS Vice-Chancellor’s International Undergraduate Scholarship
  • Study Abroad Excellence Scholarship etc.

The complete list of scholarships can be checked here.

What are the best universities in Sydney for international students?

The Times Higher Education has ranked universities based on their performance in 5 categories: Teaching, Research, Citations, Industry Income, and International Outlook. Here is the list of universities in Sydney Australia for international students that have topped the ranking.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024

S. No Name of the University World Ranking
1 The University of Sydney 60
2 The University of New South Wales 84
3 University of Technology Sydney 148
4 Macquarie University 180
5 Swinburne University of Technology 201-250
6 La Trobe University 251-300
7 Western Sydney University 301 – 350
8 Australian Catholic University 401-500
9 Charles Darwin University 401-500
10 Victoria University 401-500

Source: THE


1.The University of Sydney:

Source: The University of Sydney

The University of Sydney, often called Sydney Uni, is a level 1 university in Australia Sydney. It is the oldest in Australia and was founded in 1850. It is also one of the six universities called the “Sandstone Universities”. This university has 6 renowned colleges affiliated with it and eight faculties and schools with more than 70000 students studying in them. It is also one of the top medical universities in Australia.

Why is it good to study here?

The University of Sydney is one of the top 50 universities in the world and 1st in the list of universities in Sydney Australia for international students. More than 100+ majors and minors are offered at this university. Functioning as an efficient university for over 170 years, the University of Sydney has molded itself into teaching an extensive curriculum with around 8100 high-class faculty. In addition, 200+ clubs and societies actively operate on campus to give students a good social life. It also offers several in-house general and faculty scholarships for students to make their education more affordable.

Fees

Here is a table showing typical annual tuition fees of different streams for international students. All amounts are in AUD.

Stream Bachelors Degree Courses Masters Degree Courses
Architecture 46,500 43,500 – 45,500
Arts and Social Sciences 45,000 – 49,500 45,000 – 47,500
Business 49,500 51,000 – 54,000
Engineering and Computer Science 53,500 51,000
Law 49,500 51,000 – 54,000
Sciences 49,500 – 53,000 50,500 – 54,000

Eligibility

  • Year 12 Completion
  • IELTS score of 7.0 or TOEFL – IBT score of 96 or PTE with a score of 68

Some courses may require certain tests to be mandatory.

Courses offered & admission process

The University offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees in the following disciplines

  • Arts
  • Commerce
  • Science
  • Economics
  • Psychology
  • Business
  • Management

And much more.

Eligible Students applying directly can apply via UAC or through an authorized agent for the course chosen by them. Along with the application, certified copies of transcripts, English language certificates, and other supporting documents should be submitted with a non-refundable Application Processing Fee of $AUD150. The admission decisions and offer letter, if selected, will be sent to the students within 4 to 6 weeks of application.

2. The University of New South Wales:

Source: UNSW

UNSW has been successfully producing Nobel Laureates, world-leading academics, and champions of the industry since its inception in 1949, making it another one of the level 1 universities in Australia Sydney. UNSW has 4 campuses – Kensington, Paddington, Sydney CBD, and Canberra. And a secret heritage is listed, and it’s a beach-side Sandstone Mansion Campus located on Gordon’s Bay called CliffBrook House!

Why is it good to study here?

With more than 60000 foreign students studying at UNSW, its college in Sydney Australia gives priority to supporting students from overseas. Their well-designed support systems include academic workshops, UNSW technology systems and programs, Career and professional development, and also mental health support services. Moreover, the graduate employability rate is nearly 94% at UNSW with graduates earning an average of 1,00,000 AUD to 1,50,000 AUD after their studies.

Fees

Here is a table showing typical annual tuition fees of different streams for international students. All amounts are in AUD.

Stream Bachelors Degree Courses Masters Degree Courses
Physical Sciences 46,885 31,000 – 46,000
Humanities and Law 40,000 – 45,000 15,000 – 50,000
Engineering ~ 48,000 45,000 – 48,000

Eligibility

Students should have completed Grade 12 and have an English language proficiency score of 7.0 overall at IELTS or 94 overall at TOEFL iBT or 65 overall in PTE.

Courses offered & admission process

Aside from the 280 postgraduate degrees UNSW also has 140 undergraduate degrees in Arts, Design, Law, Medicine, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Business.

The admission process is done in 3 simple steps

  • Choosing your course
  • Preparing the required documents
  • Applying online with an application fee of 125 AUD or through an agent

After the application process, students can track the status of their applications through their accounts. Normally, it takes two to three weeks for the admission committee to assess your application and finalize the decision.


3. The University of Technology Sydney:

Source: UTS

The University of Technology Sydney Was established in the year 1988 and rose to fame quickly now has over 44,000 students currently studying in it with 10,000 students from international countries. UTS has consistently ranked among the top 50 universities by QS World Universities Ranking and it is one of the largest colleges in Sydney, Australia for international students.

Why is it good to study here?

University of Technology Sydney has three intakes every year giving the students ample opportunities to apply for admissions. One of the most generous scholarship programs in Australia is offered by this university, where around $12 million is awarded each year as scholarships. With the help of various programs like the Career Action Plan at UTS, UTS CareerHub workshops, Professional Mentoring Program, etc, the graduates are placed at top positions across the world with an average salary of $62,600 – $98,400.

Fees

The fee for undergraduate study can range anywhere from $35,000 – $55,000 per year.

Eligibility

  • Grade12 Completion
  • IELTS score of 6.5 or TOEFL – IBT score of 79 – 93 or PTE with a score of 58 – 64

Courses offered & admission process

The University of Technology offers more than 500 Bachelor, Master, and short courses and research programs on various fields of study such as Analytics and Data Science, Business, Communication, Design, Architecture and Building, Education, Engineering, Health, etc.

The application for the courses can be submitted on UTS online application form or through the post with the necessary documents. The application processing time is usually 1 to 2 weeks depending on the volume of applications received. The final results will be sent to you in writing at your address.


4. Macquarie University:

Source: MQU

Macquarie University is a popular public university that has over 40000 students from over 140 countries in the world.

Why is it good to study here?

Macquarie University is one of the top 200 universities in the world. For the flexibility of students, they also offer Double degree and Combined bachelor + master degree programs that can be campus-based or online. They also offer around $6 million worth of scholarships each year to encourage incoming students.

Fees

The estimated range of annual fees lies between $35800 to $77500 based on the field of study.

Eligibility

  • Overall Academic IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT score of 83 or PTE score of 58
  • Completion of Grade 12

Courses offered & admission process

Maquire university provides diplomas, Bachelor’s, and Masters’s degrees, and Ph.D. programs in various fields. Some of the popular courses offered at MQ University are Business, Education, Engineering, Law, Science, etc.

To get into this top college in Sydney, Australia for international students:
If you complete all the eligibility requirements, you can apply for your desired course at the university website or via UAC, or through an agent. The application shall be accompanied by necessary evidence of your qualification. Once applied, the results will be announced after a few weeks.



5. Swinburne University of Technology:

Source: Swinburne University

The Swinburne University of Technology was established in 1908. Primarily located in Melbourne, Australia, Swinburne University of Technology has 5 campuses including Sydney and an international campus in Malaysia. The Sydney campus offers masters courses in Information Technology, Construction and Infrastructure Management and Data Science.

Why is it good to study here?

Swinburne University has more than 110 years in the field of teaching and creating professionals, making it one of the top colleges in Sydney Australia for international students.
Their Work Integrated Learning guarantees real industry experience with their bachelor degrees in the form of 6 and 12-month paid work placements, internships, or industry-linked projects. Moreover, Swinburne’s career-focused initiatives also help students to build soft skills and increase their employability.

Fees

For international students attending the Sydney campus, tuition fees range from AUD 28,200 to AUD 40,600.

Eligibility

  • Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field from an esteemed institution
  • IELTS overall score of 6.5 or PTE Academic score of 58 and above or TOEFL iBT score of 94 and above

Courses offered & admission process

Swinburne University offers Postgraduate courses at the Sydney campus in the following areas:

  • Master of Business Management (MBA)
  • Master of Information Technology
  • Master of Information Technology (Professional Computing)
  • Master of Construction and Infrastructure Management
  • Master of Data Science

The admission process is as follows

  • Choose your course
  • Prepare the required certified copies of transcripts, English language test results, and references
  • Apply for the course on the Online Application System before the deadlines

Due to heavy competition, the application review process takes 8 weeks to complete. The results will be intimated on your mail ID.

6. La Trobe University:

Source: Latrobe

La Trobe University was founded in 1964 and has seven campuses across the states of Victoria and New South Wales. The Sydney Campus is a close-knit campus with over 1000 students studying in it.

Why is it good to study here?

Personal attention to each student at the Sydney campus is possible because of the small size of classes. Moreover, scholarships like La Trobe International Scholarships and La Trobe Progression Scholarships are awarded based on the Weighted Average Mark achieved by the students. Additionally, campus life is made enjoyable by Orientations, seminars, tours, and social events. Students are provided necessary support with Peer learning advisors (PLAs), Smarthinking – an online tutoring service, and Free counseling.

Fees

The fee for each course varies significantly. The approximate range can be said to be $32,000 to $45000.

Eligibility

  • To get into this university in Australia Sydney
  • Completion of Year 12 with 65% and above
  • 6.0 overall score in IELTS or an Overall score of 50 at PTE or an Overall score of 64 in TOEFL

Courses offered & admission process

A range of postgraduate and undergraduate degrees are available at the Sydney Campus in the fields of accounting, business, management, information technology, and health care.

To apply for the courses, students can contact an authorized education agent or apply through the online application form. Ensure to apply within the deadline along with the necessary documents if applying directly. It is suggested to apply 2 weeks before the deadline to avoid any last-minute mishaps. The final decision will be taken by the admission panel and will be intimated via email.


7. Western Sydney University:

Source: WSU

Founded in 1989, Western Sydney University was recently ranked 31 in the top 50 young universities worldwide by Times Higher Education’s Young Universities Ranking. WSU is one of the largest universities in Australia with 13 campuses in different parts with 49200 students including 6300 international students.

Why is it good to study here?

A modern curriculum and intensive teaching methods distinguish WSU from other universities. Along with their studies, students are allowed to work up to 40 hours to support themselves. Western University also provides various scholarships like Western Sydney International Scholarship worth $6000 for graduate students. Furthermore, their Global Mobility, internship, and work-placement programs enable students to connect with and work in more than 400 destinations across the globe making it one of the best universities for foreign students to gain exposure.

Fees

Here is a table showing typical annual tuition fees of different streams for international students. All amounts are in AUD.

Stream Bachelors Degree Courses Masters Degree Courses
Physical Sciences 33,000 – 39,000 34,000 – 38,000
Humanities, Business and Law ~ 30,000 ~ 35,000
Engineering ~ 36,424 ~37,000
Architecture and the Built Environment 36,424 ~37,000

Eligibility

  • Overall Academic IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT score of 82 or PTE score of 58
  • Completion of Grade 12

Courses offered & admission process

Western Sydney University offers 133 Undergraduate and Honors courses and 20 advanced courses.

The admission process is carried through Western university’s International Application System. Students can choose their courses and ensure that they qualify for the criteria. Ensure you apply before the deadlines along with the required documents. After the application is submitted, students can track the application process on the official website.


8. Australian Catholic University:


Source: ACU

Australian Catholic University is one of the young universities founded in the year 1991 and now has more than 33,000 students including 4,300+ international students enrolled from more than 90 countries. Australian Catholic University has 7 campuses around Australia with North Sydney being a popular destination.

Why is it good to study here?

Students gain up to 220 hours of workplace and community experience during their study period at ACU. Moreover, it has ranked top 2 in Australia for overall undergraduate employment. They have more than 200 international partners providing students with ample opportunities for industry exposure. In addition, The North Sydney campus of ACU has a vibrant student life with many social events, student societies, and sports groups.

Fees

Here is a table showing typical annual tuition fees of different streams for international students. All amounts are in AUD.

Stream Bachelors Degree Courses Masters Degree Courses
Biomedical Sciences and IT 26,000 – 30,000 32,000 – 37,000
Humanities, Business and Law 27,000 – 31,000 32,000 – 42,000
Education and Teaching 27,000 33,600

Eligibility

Before applying for a degree, students are expected to have completed Grade 12 of high school with an IELTS overall score of 6.0 or a TOEFL score of 60 and above, or a PTE score of 50 and above. Some courses strictly require IELTS and do NOT consider other tests.

Courses offered & admission process

Australian Catholic University offers 100 + Undergraduate, Research, and Postgraduate degree programs and diplomas in various disciplines such as Allied health, Business, Creative arts, Global studies and international development, Humanities, and social sciences, Information technology, Law and criminology, and more.

The admission process is as follows

  • Choosing the course and checking the eligibility criteria and deadlines
  • Apply for the course through the online application system or authorized agent or in person on campus
  • Submitting supporting documents such as transcripts and completion certificates
  • Waiting for the offer letter in case selected


9. Charles Darwin University:


Source: CDU

Another college featured in this list of universities in Sydney Australia for international students is Charles Darwin University. It has its main campus in Casuarina and 4 campuses and 7 study centers spread across Australia with CDU Sydney being a popular campus. Although the CDU has a history dating back to 1989, It is one of the newfound universities as it was formally established in the year 2003.

Why is it good to study here?

CDU Sydney campus offers high-class learning and research facilities, small class sizes, and easy access to teaching staff to ensure the best academic results possible. Despite being established in the 21st century, CDU is already in the top 400 World universities. Moreover, CDU offers various scholarship options for foreign students such as Vice Chancellor’s International High-Achievers Scholarship, CDU Global Merit Scholarship, CDU International College Pathway Scholarship, etc. In addition, 94% of undergraduates and 97% of postgraduates are at work after their studies with an average salary of $56,400 to $93,600 which is high in comparison to other universities.

Fees

According to the student’s choice of course, the annual fee for full-time study ranges from AUD 27,000 to AUD 38,000.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply to the courses, Grade 12 completion with an average score of 60% – 75% is required. Additionally, an English language proficiency score of 6.0 overall at IELTS or 60 overall at TOEFL iBT, or 50 overall on PTE is also mandatory.

Courses offered & admission process

Some of the course out of the 300+ courses offered at CDU includes UG and PG degrees on

  • Computer Science
  • Law
  • Engineering
  • Commerce
  • Arts
  • Business Administration
  • Science etc

Overseas students can apply to the courses via the online portal – Studylink. Students have to create an account and apply for their desired courses and there is no application fee for online mode. If there are any difficulties faced while applying online, students can also apply through authorized agents. The admission decision will be based on academic scores and it will be announced after a few weeks of application.



10. Victoria University:


Source: VU

Primarily having campuses in Melbourne and Sydney, Victoria University is a research-based University in Australia. Established in the year 1916, this university gained “University Status” in the year 1990. VU has also partnered with 300+ universities across the world with their largest partners being Sunway University College in Malaysia and Liaoning University in China.

Why is it good to study here?

Six colleges in Sydney, Australia, 1 polytechnic institution, and seven research centres, all offering a wide variety of courses to students come under the banner of Victoria University. More than 40000 students are studying at this university with over 3700 students from foreign countries. VU has been rated in the top 5 for employability skills. Moreover, the courses are offered in a hybrid model (online and offline) which makes it easy for students to pursue their education.

Fees

The fee for the courses ranges from $12,320 to A$25000 per semester depending upon the level of study.

Eligibility

To study Bachelor’s degree the eligibility criteria is

  • IELTS score of 6.0 or TOEFL score of 67 or PTE score of 50-57
  • Completion of Year 12

Courses offered & admission process

Victoria University offers Undergraduate, Graduate courses, short courses, and diplomas that are Full-time or part-time in the following majors

  • Arts & Humanities
  • Business
  • Computer studies
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Health and biomedicine
  • Law
  • Sports etc.,

Admission to courses at VU Sydney can be done directly by the student on the Education Centre of Australia (ECA) website or through an agent from their country. The supporting documents such as certified copies of academic transcripts, evidence of your English language proficiency, etc., shall be submitted along with the application. They are processed within 4 to 6 weeks of application and the results and offer letter if selected will be communicated via email.


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Date added
20.11.2023

Filed under:

Global Ed

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