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Australian National University

Canberra, Australia • Founded 1946 • QS 2027 #29

Updated May 2026 · Source: anu.edu.au · How we collect data

Overview

English Name: The Australian National University
Acronyms: ANU
Founded: 1946
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Rankings:
QS World University Rankings 2027 #29 Times Higher Education 2026 #73 = ARWU (Shanghai) 2026 #101-150 CWTS Leiden 2025 #262 SCImago 2026 #228
Motto: Naturam Primum Cognoscere Rerum
Daily life at Australian National University
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Established in 1946, the Australian National University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the medium city of Canberra (population range of 250,000-499,999 inhabitants), Australian Capital Territory.

Officially recognized by the Department of Education and Training of Australia, Australian National University (ANU) is a large-sized coeducational Australian higher education institution. Australian National University (ANU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 78-year-old Australian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 70-79% making this Australian higher education organization a moderately selective institution.

International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.

ANU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Where to find Australian National University, plus its phone, email, website, and social media links.

Address: Ellery Crescent, Acton
Postal Code: 0200
Phone: +61 (0)2 6125 5111
Fax: +61 (0)2 6125 5931

Academic Details

Australian National University's academic profile in numbers is listed below.

Academic Year: March to November
Recognition: Department of Education and Training of Australia
Admission Requirements: Secondary school certificate with matriculation or recognized foreign equivalent. Direct entrance to second year on completion of studies in another tertiary institution
Student Enrollment: 15,000-19,999
Academic Staff Range: 1,000-1,499
Campus Setting: Suburban
Memberships & Networks
Group of Eight (go8) Universities Australia Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU) Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL)

Academic Structures

Below is how Australian National University is organised academically — the schools, faculties, and units.

Unit 7 items
  • College of Arts and Social Sciences
  • College of Asia and the Pacific
  • College of Business and Economics
  • College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • College of Law
  • College of Medicine and Health Sciences
  • College of Science

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Department of Education and Training of Australia.

Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (Centre) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Economic and Finance Policy
  • Economics
  • Indigenous Studies
Arab and Islamic Studies (Centre) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Arabic
  • Islamic Studies
  • Middle Eastern Studies
Archaeological Research (Centre) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Archaeology
Arts and Technology (Centre) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Fine Arts
  • Technology
Contemporary Pacific (Centre) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Pacific Area Studies
Continuing Education (Centre) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Education
Cross-Cultural Research (Centre) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Anthropology
  • Cultural Studies
Democratic Institutions (Centre) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Institutional Administration
  • Political Sciences
Educational Development and Academic Methods (Centre) Faculty details available

Specialisations & Subjects

No specified subjects listed.

Epidemiology and Population Health (Centre) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Community Health
  • Epidemiology
Financial Mathematics (Centre) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Finance
  • Mathematics
Humanities Research (Centre) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Arts and Humanities
Immigration and Multicultural Studies (Centre) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Cultural Studies
  • Demography and Population
International and Public Law (Centre) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • International Law
  • Public Law
Mathematics and its Applications (Centre) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Applied Mathematics
Mental Health Research (Centre) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Health Sciences
Mind (Centre) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Psychology
Public Awareness of Science (Centre) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Administration
  • Natural Sciences
Resource and Environmental Studies (Centre) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Environmental Studies
  • Leisure Studies
  • Welfare and Protective Services
Science and Engineering Materials (Centre) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Materials Engineering
  • Natural Sciences
Study of the Chinese Southern Diaspora (Centre) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Demography and Population
Sustainable Energy Systems (Centre) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Energy Engineering
Theoretical Physics (Centre) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Physics
Visual Sciences (Centre) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Natural Sciences
Women's Studies (Centre) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Women's Studies
Demographic and Social Research (Institute) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Demography and Population
Archaeology and Anthropology (School) 4 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Development Studies
  • Indigenous Studies
Art (School) 9 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Art History
  • Ceramic Art
  • Fine Arts
  • Furniture Design
  • Glass Art
  • Painting and Drawing
  • Photography
  • Sculpture
  • Textile Design
History (School) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • History
Literature, Languages and Linguistics (School) 10 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Applied Linguistics
  • Classical Languages
  • Cultural Studies
  • English
  • Film
  • History
  • Linguistics
  • Modern Languages
  • Theatre
Music (School) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Music
Philosophy (School) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Philosophy
Politics and International Relations (School) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • International Relations and Diplomacy
  • Political Sciences
Sociology (School) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Sociology

Programs Offered

Australian National University's programme list, with search and degree-level grouping.

380 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Australia

Bachelor's Degree 55 programmes

Bachelor of Accounting
Accounting · 156 weeks
Bachelor of Actuarial Studies
Finance, Banking & Insurance · 156 weeks
Bachelor of Applied Data Analytics
Computer Science & IT · 156 weeks
Bachelor of Archaeological Practice
Social & Cultural Studies · 156 weeks
Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship
Social & Cultural Studies · 156 weeks
Bachelor of Arts
Humanities & Cultural Studies · 156 weeks
Bachelor of Arts (with Year in Asia)
Humanities & Cultural Studies · 208 weeks
Bachelor of Asia-Pacific Affairs
Politics & International Relations · 104 weeks
Bachelor of Asian Studies
Politics & International Relations · 156 weeks
Bachelor of Asian Studies (with Year in Asia)
Politics & International Relations · 208 weeks

Showing 10 of 55.

Honours Degree 57 programmes

Bachelor of Accounting (Honours)
Accounting · 52 weeks
Bachelor of Actuarial Studies (Honours)
Finance, Banking & Insurance · 52 weeks
Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Honours)
Computer Science & IT · 208 weeks
Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Research and Development) (Honours)
Computer Science & IT · 208 weeks
Bachelor of Applied Data Analytics (Honours)
Computer Science & IT · 52 weeks
Bachelor of Archaeological Practice (Honours)
Social & Cultural Studies · 52 weeks
Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship (Honours)
Library Science · 52 weeks
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Humanities & Cultural Studies · 52 weeks
Bachelor of Asian Studies (Honours)
Linguistics & Language Studies · 52 weeks
Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours)
Natural Sciences & Mathematics · 52 weeks

Showing 10 of 57.

Master's Degree 199 programmes

Doctor of Medicine and Surgery
Medicine · 208 weeks
Executive Master of Public Policy
Politics & International Relations · 52 weeks
Flexible Double Master Degree
Humanities & Cultural Studies · 156 weeks
Master's Degree in Flexible Double Masters
Humanities & Cultural Studies · 104 weeks
Juris Doctor
Legal Studies · 156 weeks
Master of Accounting
Accounting · 104 weeks
Master of Accounting (Advanced)
Accounting · 104 weeks
Master of Actuarial Practice
Finance, Banking & Insurance · 130 weeks
Master of Actuarial Studies
Finance, Banking & Insurance · 104 weeks
Master of Anthropology
Social & Cultural Studies · 104 weeks

Showing 10 of 199.

Doctorate 27 programmes

Doctor of Philosophy (Business and Economics)
Economics · 208 weeks
Doctor of Philosophy (John Curtin School of Medical Research)
Natural Sciences & Mathematics · 208 weeks
Doctor of Philosophy (Law)
Legal Studies · 208 weeks
Doctor of Philosophy (National Security College)
Politics & International Relations · 208 weeks
Doctor of Philosophy (Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics)
Physics & Astronomy · 208 weeks
Doctor of Philosophy (Research School of Chemistry)
Chemistry · 208 weeks
Doctor of Philosophy (Research School of Earth Sciences)
Earth Sciences & Geology · 208 weeks
Doctor of Philosophy (School of Maths Sciences)
Mathematics · 208 weeks
Doctor of Philosophy, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science
Natural Sciences & Mathematics · 208 weeks
Doctor of Philosophy, Clinical Psychology
Psychology · 208 weeks

Showing 10 of 27.

Postgraduate Certificate 33 programmes

Graduate Certificate in Science Communication
Natural Sciences & Mathematics · 26 weeks
Graduate Certificate of Accounting
Accounting · 26 weeks
Graduate Certificate of Actuarial Statistics
Mathematics · 26 weeks
Graduate Certificate of Applied Cybernetics
Engineering & Technology · 26 weeks
Graduate Certificate of Asia-Pacific Economies
Economics · 26 weeks
Graduate Certificate of Asian Affairs
Politics & International Relations · 26 weeks
Graduate Certificate of Climate Policy
Environmental Sciences · 26 weeks
Graduate Certificate of Demography
Social & Cultural Studies · 26 weeks
Graduate Certificate of Diplomacy
Politics & International Relations · 26 weeks
Graduate Certificate of Disaster Risk Science and Sustainability
Environmental Sciences · 26 weeks

Showing 10 of 33.

Postgraduate Diploma 9 programmes

Graduate Diploma of Applied Cybernetics
Engineering & Technology · 52 weeks
Graduate Diploma of Applied Data Analytics
Computer Science & IT · 52 weeks
Graduate Diploma of Computing
Computer Sciences · 52 weeks
Graduate Diploma of Economics
Economics · 52 weeks
Graduate Diploma of Environment
Environmental Sciences · 52 weeks
Graduate Diploma of International Affairs
Politics & International Relations · 52 weeks
Graduate Diploma of Professional Psychology
Psychology · 52 weeks
Graduate Diploma of Public Policy
Social & Cultural Studies · 52 weeks
Graduate Diploma of Science (Laboratory Based)
Natural Sciences & Mathematics · 52 weeks

How to apply to Australian National University

The application path for Australian National University, in five steps.

  1. 1
    Browse the programme catalogue

    Australian National University's catalogue includes 380 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.

  2. 2
    Check eligibility for your chosen programme

    Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Australian National University's admissions process.

  3. 3
    Get your documents ready

    Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.

  4. 4
    Apply through the official channel

    Submit your completed application through Australian National University's official website at www.anu.edu.au. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.

  5. 5
    Reach out and track your application

    Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at +61 (0)2 6125 5111. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.

Frequently Asked Questions about Australian National University

A short Q&A covering Australian National University's essentials — founding, location, and structure.

How old is Australian National University?

The institution opened in 1946 (approximately 80 years ago).

Where is Australian National University located?

Australian National University is located in Canberra, Australia.

Is Australian National University public or private?

It is a public higher-education institution.

What is the student enrolment at Australian National University?

Student enrolment at Australian National University is around 15,000-19,999.

What is Australian National University's ranking?

Australian National University holds rank QS 2027 #29.

What qualification levels does Australian National University offer?

Programmes at Australian National University cover bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

What is Australian National University's academic structure?

Australian National University is organised into 7 academic units across its disciplines.

Who recognises Australian National University?

The institution holds recognition from Department of Education and Training of Australia.

Where can I learn more about Australian National University?

Australian National University's official website is www.anu.edu.au.

Members of Universities Australia

These universities are also members of Universities Australia.

Where Else to Study Social & Cultural Studies

These universities in Australia also offer Social & Cultural Studies programmes, alongside Australian National University.

Universities Compared with Australian National University

These universities are of a comparable scale to Australian National University.

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