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Updated On 6th Aug 2025

Top 15 Sydney Universities In 2025: Admission Tips & Guide

The large and iconic city of Australia, Sydney, is home to a rich variety of universities, world leaders, niche institutions, and technical colleges. Whether it is an engineering course, business analytics, healthcare, creative arts, or humanities, Sydney has provided a good academic environment and attractive career prospects.

Sydney is consistently ranked as one of the most livable and student-friendly cities globally, with more than 60,000 International students visiting the city every year. It has institutions that are renowned for their excellence in areas such as research, teaching, industry collaboration, and graduate employability.

In this guide, we have broken down information according to fifteen leading Universities in the city, including admissions, costs, programs, and living expenses, among others, to enable Indian students to make informed choices.

Top Universities in Sydney

#	University	QS Rank 2025	Known For
1	University of Sydney	18	Medicine, Engineering, Law, Arts, Business
2	University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)	27	Engineering, Commerce, Data Science, Architecture
3	University of Technology Sydney (UTS)	61	IT, Design, Creative Industries, Engineering
4	Macquarie University	134	Linguistics, Finance, Media, Molecular Sciences
5	University of Wollongong (UOW)	189	Engineering, Earth Sciences, Education
6	Western Sydney University (WSU)	251–300	Nursing, Education, Environmental Science
7	Australian Catholic University (ACU)	501–550	Health Sciences, Education, Social Work
8	University of Notre Dame Australia	501–550	Health Sciences, Liberal Arts
9	Torrens University Australia (Sydney campus)	Not ranked	Business, Design, Tourism, Hospitality
10	Southern Cross University (SCU)	801–1000	Environmental Studies, Education
11	International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS)	Not ranked	International Business, Hospitality
12	Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School	Not ranked	Hotel & Tourism Management
13	Australian Institute of Music (AIM)	Not ranked	Music Performance, Entertainment Management
14	SAE Creative Media Institute	Not ranked	Animation, Film Production, Game Design
15	SAE Institute (other media campuses)	Not ranked	Audio Engineering, Creative Media

Admission & Eligibility Requirements for Sydney Universities

The eligibility criteria remain more or less the same whether you are taking an undergraduate or postgraduate course in Sydney, especially when you are joining some of the best institutions such as the University of Sydney, UNSW, Macquarie University, UTS, and many more.

Undergraduate Programs

Requirement Type	Average Criteria for Indian Students
Academic Qualification	70%–85% in Class 12 (CBSE, ISC, or State Boards)
Preferred Subjects	Required for STEM and Commerce programs (e.g., Math for Engineering, Economics)
English Proficiency	IELTS: 6.5 overall (no band < 6.0) \|\| TOEFL iBT: 79–90
Additional Requirements	Portfolio (for Design/Architecture), Interview (for some Arts programs)
Application Materials	Academic transcripts, passport, Statement of Purpose (SOP) if needed

Postgraduate Programs

Requirement Type	Average Criteria for Indian Students
Academic Qualification	Minimum 60%–70% in a 3 or 4-year Bachelor's degree from a recognized university
Relevant Background	Required for technical programs like IT, Engineering, Finance
English Proficiency	IELTS: 6.5–7.0 overall TOEFL iBT: 90+
Additional Requirements	SOP, 1–2 Letters of Recommendation (LORs), Resume/CV
Work Experience	1–2 years preferred for MBA and executive programs
Entrance Exams	GMAT/GRE is generally not mandatory, but may boost your profile

Azent Advice -

Math and science are typically required for a high school or undergraduate degree in engineering or Computer Science.
Health and nursing programs can require higher English proficiency (IELTS 7.0 and above) and have specific requirements.
Courses in business or MBA programs can require 1-2 years of work experience. Australian business schools typically do not require the GMAT, although it can be an added advantage in competitive programs.
The Duolingo English Test (minimum score 110) is also accepted at some universities.

Tuition & Living Costs in Sydney

Studying in Sydney offers access to world-renowned universities, but it's essential to plan your budget accordingly. This is a comprehensive analysis of the tuition fees and expenditure that Indian students are likely to incur every year.

Tuition Fees (Annual)

Tuition fees in Sydney vary by university and program type. Here's an approximate range for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs at popular institutions:

University	Undergraduate Fees (INR/year)	Postgraduate Fees (INR/year)
University of Sydney	₹18–25 lakhs	₹22–28 lakhs
University of New South Wales (UNSW)	₹17–23 lakhs	₹20–26 lakhs
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)	₹16–21 lakhs	₹18–24 lakhs
Macquarie University	₹14–19 lakhs	₹16–22 lakhs
University of Wollongong	₹12–17 lakhs	₹14–20 lakhs
Western Sydney University	₹10–15 lakhs	₹12–18 lakhs
Australian Catholic University (ACU)	₹9–12 lakhs	₹11–16 lakhs
University of Notre Dame Australia	₹10–14 lakhs	₹12–18 lakhs
Vocational Colleges (TAFE, etc.)	₹6–12 lakhs	₹6–12 lakhs

Living Expenses (Annual)

Living in Sydney is more expensive than in other Australian cities, but with thoughtful planning, it can be manageable. Here's a breakdown of average annual costs:

Living Expense	Estimated Cost (INR/year)
Shared Accommodation	₹5–8 lakhs
Food & Groceries	₹2–3 lakhs
Local Transport	₹60,000–₹90,000
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)	₹35,000–₹50,000
Personal Expenses	₹1–2 lakhs
Total (Approx.)	₹9–14 lakhs/year

Detailed Program Highlights & Comparisons

1. The University of Sydney

Strengths - Medicine research, high-impact engineering, business analytics strength Popular Programs - Master of Data Science, Master of Pharmacy, Master of Engineering Employers - NSW Health, BCG, google, EY International scholarships - Vice-Chancellor International, International Research Scholarships

2. University of New South Wales Sydney

Strengths - Engineering Pathways, Business & Finance, Architecture Popular Programs - Master of Engineering Science, MBA, Master of Finance Employers - Deloitte, PwC, Lendlease Scholarships - Nurture Fund by UNSW, Academic Excellence Entry Scholarships

3. UTS

Strengths - Digital degree based on projects, imaginative subjects Popular Programs - Master of Information Technology, Master of Design Innovation Employers - Atlassian, Nine Entertainment, IFC Scholarships - UTS international scholarship, dean Merit Award

4. University of Macquarie

Strengths - Finance, Actuarial science, Linguistics Popular programs - Master of applied finance, master of business analytics Employers - Goldman sachs, Macquarie Bank, Commonwealth Bank Scholarships - Macquarie President Scholarship

5. University of Wollongong

Advantages - Mining engineering, earth sciences, ecology of the region Popular programs - Master of Environmental Science, Master of Engineering Employers - BHP, Energy Australia, Shell Scholarships - UOW Vice-Chancellor International Merit scholarships

Scholarships, Part‑Time Work & ROI

Scholarships (Partial & Full)

University	Scholarship Name	Coverage
University of Sydney	Vice-Chancellor’s	Up to AUD 30,000
UNSW	Nurture & High Achiever	Tuition + stipend
Macquarie	President's Merit	Up to 50% tuition
WSU, ACU, UTS	Global Excellence	Up to 50% tuition
Vocational Colleges	Industry Awards	Varies

Part-Time Work -

Students can work up to 20 hrs/week during semesters
On-Campus Work Options - research assistant, admin, tutoring
Off-Campus Work Options - cafes, retail work- 3.5k to 6k/week

FAQ

What GPA is needed to get into top Sydney universities?

In Sydney, most leading universities demand 65 80 % in Class 12 to earn undergraduate level courses and 60 70 % of your bachelor course to get postgraduate programs. Contests can demand better scores.

What are the top 10 college rankings in Sydney?

Top Sydney universities in QS 2025 include the University of Sydney (18), University of New South Wales (27), University of Technology Sydney (61), Macquarie University (134), University of Wollongong (189), and Western Sydney University (251–300), followed by Australian Catholic University and University of Notre Dame Australia (both 501–550).

How do I compare universities for my course interest?

Compare QS ranking on subject basis, faculty, industry tie ups, research, internship, fees, and placements. Graduate salary statistics and alumni reviews are also just useful in coming up with sound comparisons.

What is the minimum IELTS score required?

The general requirement is a total of 6.5 in IELTS with no band to be below 6.0. In Medicine, Law and Nursing courses, the universities might insist on a 7.0 and above.

Is GMAT/GRE required for Master’s programs?

Most universities do not require GMAT or GRE in pursuing masters. But, certain MBAs or finance programs need GMAT, particularly, in case you are not a worker.