University of New South Wales
Sydney, Australia • Founded 1949 • World Rank #45
Updated May 2026
Overview
Established in 1949, the University of New South Wales is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the metropolis of Sydney (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), New South Wales.
Officially recognized by the Department of Education and Training of Australia, University of New South Wales (UNSW) is a very large-sized coeducational Australian higher education institution. University of New South Wales (UNSW) 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 75-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.
UNSW 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, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Below are University of New South Wales's address, location data, and primary contact channels. These are the basics you'll want before scheduling a campus visit or sending a formal admissions enquiry.
Academic Details
The numbers behind University of New South Wales: student body, academic staff, and the recognising bodies validating its work. A baseline read for assessing institutional capacity and rigour.
Academic Structures
The departmental layout below shows how University of New South Wales groups subjects, faculties, and teaching units. Subject grouping reflects institutional priorities, research strengths, and historical evolution.
Unit 11 items
- Australian Defence Force Academy
- Australian Graduate School of Management
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Commerce and Economics
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of the Built Environment
- Faculty of the College of Fine Arts
- The Australian School of Business
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Department of Education and Training of Australia.
Fine Arts (College) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Art Education
- Design
- Fine Arts
Common Career Paths
- Artist
- Curator
- Art Educator
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Arts and Social Sciences (Faculty) 22 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anthropology
- Asian Studies
- Chinese
- Criminology
- Dance
- Development Studies
- Education
- English
- European Studies
- Film
- French
- Gender Studies
- German
- History
- Indigenous Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Theatre
- Women's Studies
- Writing
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Built Environment (Faculty) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Architecture
- Industrial Design
- Interior Design
- Landscape Architecture
- Rural Planning
- Town Planning
Engineering (Faculty) 14 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Petroleum and Gas Engineering
- Production Engineering
- Telecommunications Engineering
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Medicine (Faculty) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Community Health
- Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatrics
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Public Health
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science (Faculty) 26 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anatomy
- Archaeology
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry
- Coastal Studies
- Earth Sciences
- Ecology
- Environmental Management
- Food Science
- Genetics
- Geochemistry
- Geography
- Marine Science and Oceanography
- Materials Engineering
- Mathematics
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Neurosciences
- Pharmacology
- Physics
- Physiology
- Psychology
- Statistics
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Business (School) 10 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Actuarial Science
- Banking
- Business Administration
- Commercial Law
- Economics
- Finance
- Management
- Marketing
- Taxation
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
University of New South Wales's teaching programmes are listed below — search or scan by level. International student eligibility varies by programme — some require additional language or visa-pathway checks.
567 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Australia
Bachelor's Degree 141 programmes
Showing 10 of 141.
Honours Degree 95 programmes
Showing 10 of 95.
Master's Degree 184 programmes
Showing 10 of 184.
Doctorate 86 programmes
Showing 10 of 86.
Postgraduate Certificate 32 programmes
Showing 10 of 32.
Postgraduate Diploma 29 programmes
Showing 10 of 29.
How to apply to University of New South Wales
The standard application path for University of New South Wales, broken into five practical steps with the documents and channels you will need at each stage.
-
1
Research programmes at University of New South Wales
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. University of New South Wales runs 567 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
-
2
Review admissions criteria
Before applying to University of New South Wales, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for Australia.
-
3
Gather supporting documents
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with University of New South Wales's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
-
4
Lodge your application
Lodge your application through the official website (www.unsw.edu.au). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.
-
5
Confirm receipt and track progress
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +61 (0)2 9385 1000. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of New South Wales
Quick reference for University of New South Wales: founding, control type, student body, rankings, and recognition status in one place.
In what year was University of New South Wales established?
University of New South Wales was founded in 1949 (approximately 77 years ago).
What city is University of New South Wales in?
University of New South Wales operates from Sydney, Australia.
What is University of New South Wales's control type?
It is a public higher-education institution.
How big is University of New South Wales's student body?
University of New South Wales serves approximately 45,000-49,999 students.
Where does University of New South Wales stand in university rankings?
University of New South Wales holds rank #45 globally and #4 in Australia.
What programmes are available at University of New South Wales?
University of New South Wales offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
How many faculties does University of New South Wales have?
The institution comprises 11 academic units.
Is University of New South Wales officially recognised?
The institution holds recognition from Department of Education and Training of Australia.
Where can I learn more about University of New South Wales?
You can find University of New South Wales online at www.unsw.edu.au.
Members of Universities Australia
Faculty mobility within Universities Australia networks often signals shared standards. Faculty members frequently move between University of New South Wales and the institutions below over the course of careers.
Faculties at nearby universities
Universities near University of New South Wales often have cross-enrolment or visiting-student arrangements that let students take modules at the partner institution. Worth checking if subject coverage at University of New South Wales is narrow in your area.
Where Else to Study Natural Sciences & Mathematics
For students considering Natural Sciences & Mathematics, these Australia institutions deliver the discipline alongside University of New South Wales. Look beyond programme names to compare module content, assessment methods, and stated graduate outcomes.
Universities Compared with University of New South Wales
Yield rates (proportion of admitted students who enroll) cluster among peer institutions. High-yield universities signal strong applicant preference compared to peers at the same selectivity level.
Studying in Australia: guides and resources
Spotted something outdated or missing?
Help us keep this page accurate — it takes about 30 seconds.
