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Universities in Sydney, Australia

2 universities in Sydney, Australia. Open a profile for programmes, fees and admission details.

  • Victoria University Sydney

    Sydney, Australia In an official register

    VU Sydney is the Sydney campus of Victoria University (VU), an Australian university based in Melbourne that has been teaching for more than 100 years. VU offers a number of its courses to international students at the Sydney campus, which, according to the university…

Sydney is Australia's largest city and one of the country's main destinations for international students who want a full degree taught in English. Fees and English requirements differ a lot between providers, so compare them early. Our directory lists five universities and higher education colleges in Sydney: a large public research university founded in 1949, the city-centre campus of a Melbourne-based university, a foundation college that prepares students for the University of Sydney and two private colleges with vocational and pathway courses.

How university study works in Australia

According to Study Australia, the government's study portal, universities and non-university higher education providers, including private institutes, offer bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. A bachelor's degree typically takes 3 years (4 years for an honours degree) and postgraduate study 1 to 2 years. Most undergraduate courses start in March, and mid-year starts are also available. The year usually has two semesters, but some providers now use three trimesters. All qualifications fit into the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), which has 10 levels.

What the schools offer

  • UNSW Sydney (University of New South Wales) was founded in 1949 and has its main campus in Kensington. Its faculties cover Arts, Design & Architecture, Business, Engineering, Law & Justice, Medicine & Health and Science. UNSW is moving to a new Flex-Semester academic calendar from 2028.
  • Victoria University Sydney is the Sydney campus of Victoria University (VU), on Sussex Street in the city centre. VU offers a number of its courses to international students there, taught in its own VU Block Model. The university states that students from more than 45 countries study at the campus.
  • Taylors College Sydney, in Waterloo, runs the University of Sydney Foundation Program and the High Achievers Preparation Program. Both are for international students only and are delivered on behalf of the University of Sydney.
  • Australian Pacific College (APC) offers 33 vocational courses, from certificates to graduate diplomas, with 15 university pathways. You can study in the Sydney CBD or near Manly Beach.

Macleay College completes the list. Check what qualification each course leads to before you enrol: a pathway programme, a vocational qualification or a degree.

Admission and English

Offers to UNSW are based on academic merit, and the university accepts a number of international qualifications, including some international high school certificates. Each provider sets its own English scores. At UNSW, undergraduate programmes in Engineering and in Arts, Design & Architecture generally ask for IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each subtest, and Business asks for 7.0 overall; the test must be no more than two years old. Taylors College also asks for an English test dated no more than two years before the course starts.

For a student visa you first enrol and receive a confirmation of enrolment (CoE) from the provider. You can combine a foundation or English course with a degree on one Student visa (subclass 500) when there is a clear progression from one course to the next; Study Australia calls this course packaging.

Costs

Tuition fees depend on the provider, the level of study and the location, according to Study Australia. As an example, Taylors College lists 2027 tuition of AUD 49,800 for the 12-month Standard Foundation Program, AUD 47,690 for the 9-month Intensive Program and AUD 32,240 for the 3.5-month High Achievers Preparation Program, plus an enrolment fee of AUD 370. It estimates living costs at about AUD 30,000 a year. From 1 July 2026 the student visa application fee is from AUD 2,500 unless you are exempt.

Adult Opal fares on Sydney's public transport are capped at AUD 50 a week, and eligible tertiary and TAFE students can access concession fares.

Practical tips

  • Check the English score for your faculty, not only the university's general minimum
  • Plan for a March start, or look for mid-year intakes
  • Student visa holders may work up to 48 hours a fortnight while their course is in session

Frequently asked questions

How long does a bachelor's degree take in Sydney?

Typically 3 years, or 4 years for a bachelor's honours degree, according to Study Australia. Postgraduate courses take 1 to 2 years.

What IELTS score do I need for a university in Sydney?

It depends on the university and the programme. At UNSW, Engineering asks for IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (at least 6.0 in each subtest) and Business 7.0 overall.

Can I start with a foundation programme?

Yes. Taylors College Sydney prepares international students for undergraduate study at the University of Sydney, and a foundation programme and a degree can be packaged on one student visa when one leads to the other.

Can I work while studying in Sydney?

Student visa holders may work up to 48 hours a fortnight while their course is in session.