11 Best Universities In New South Wales For International Students 2025

New South Wales is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in Australia. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 11 universities and colleges in New South Wales, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 11 universities in New South Wales, University of New South Wales and University of Sydney are the top-performing schools in New South Wales.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in New South Wales. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in New South Wales.

Rank University Country Type
1 University of New South Wales Australia Public
2 University of Sydney Australia Public
3 University of Technology Sydney Australia Public
4 Macquarie University Australia Public
5 University of Wollongong Australia Public
6 Western Sydney University Australia Public
7 University of Newcastle Australia Public
8 Australian Catholic University Australia Public
9 Charles Sturt University Australia Public
10 University of New England Australia Public
11 Avondale University Australia Private

How do I get admission to the best universities in New South Wales?

Applying to the universities in New South Wales involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in New South Wales to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in New South Wales?

Tuition fees at New South Wales’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 20,800 AUD to 52,000 AUD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 20,800 AUD to 89,000 AUD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in New South Wales!

As we cover the best universities in New South Wales for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in New South Wales for International Students

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#2 in Australia
#2 in Oceania
#28 in World
Percentage of International Students
44%
Total Number of students - 48,077
International Number of students - 21,170

The University of New South Wales, also known as UNSW, has been a consistently top-performing institution in Australia. It belongs with other research-focused universities in the country in the so-called Group of Eight. Aside from this, the school’s excellent performance is also acknowledged globally. Students will surely get a top-notch quality of education with brilliant facilities and expert teachers.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#3 in Australia
#3 in Oceania
#29 in World
Percentage of International Students
35%
Total Number of students - 73,000
International Number of students - 25,532

The University of Sydney, founded in 1850, is one of the top universities in the world. It caters to around 73,000 students and offers degree programs in Arts, Sciences, Business, and Medicine. With more than 170 years in history, the university has built several campuses across Sydney and a research station to oversee the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#9 in Australia
#9 in Oceania
#134 in World
Percentage of International Students
26%
Total Number of students - 45,221
International Number of students - 11,944

The University of Technology Syndey is a research-intensive institute of higher education. It is located in Sydney’s inner-city suburb of Ultimo. Furthermore, it is recognized as the Land Down Under’s best young university.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#10 in Australia
#11 in Oceania
#143 in World
Percentage of International Students
30%
Total Number of students - 30,249
International Number of students - 8,951

Known to be one of the best higher education institutions in Australia, Macquarie University also belongs to the top 1% of universities all across the globe based on the major World University Rankings. It excels in both research and specialized teaching for the different subject areas it offers. With superb facilities and exceptional opportunities, the students will definitely have a great study experience at this university.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#11 in Australia
#12 in Oceania
#159 in World
Percentage of International Students
37%
Total Number of students - 34,554
International Number of students - 12,800

The University of Wollongong (UOW) is a public institute of tertiary studies. It is located in the Illawarra region’s famous city of “The Gong.” Moreover, UOW is known not just in Australia, but worldwide, for being a top center of learning that utilizes modernized techniques in education and research.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#21 in Australia
#23 in Oceania
#306 in World
Percentage of International Students
13%
Total Number of students - 48,450
International Number of students - 6,300

Western Sydney University (WSU) is a reputable Australian public university. It is based in Sydney’s Greater Western region. Furthermore, it is known as a leading center of excellence in the country. Other than that, WSU is also popular worldwide as it is included in various global rankings’ top 400 higher education institutes.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#22 in Australia
#24 in Oceania
#310 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 39,137

Founded back in 1965, the University of Newcastle has always presented excellence in both fields of research and teaching ever since. The school focuses on coming up with solutions to problems internationally. Its diverse community works on achieving this along with the university’s partnerships all over the globe.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#31 in Australia
#38 in Oceania
#672 in World
Percentage of International Students
13%
Total Number of students - 33,000
International Number of students - 4,300

Australia Catholic University is part of the top 2% of best universities in the world. It welcomes more than 33,000 students annually, including international students. The institution is composed of several campuses across Australia, plus one online and another one in Rome.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#34 in Australia
#41 in Oceania
#803 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 43,679

Charles Sturt University is a leading university in Australia and across the globe. Its primary goal is to equip students with adequate knowledge and necessary skills by providing cutting-edge programs lectured by qualified instructors and industry professionals. Because of this commitment, the institution has become one of the frontrunners in producing highly employable graduates.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#38 in Australia
#46 in Oceania
#1376 in World
Percentage of International Students
6%
Total Number of students - 25,230
International Number of students - 1,476

The University of New England, which you should not confuse with the one in the United States, started as a part of the University of Sydney. Since its independence in 1954, the institution has established itself to be a leading university. Hundreds of courses are being offered by its three faculties.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#41 in Australia
#64 in Oceania
#8444 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data

Associated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Avondale University offers a wide range of academic programs for undergraduate and graduate degrees. They have highly accredited programs and innovative educational facilities on the campus. Since they are a part of a Seventh-day educational system, they aim to foster their students’ spiritual and psychological growth while building their professions.

We know that choosing your dream school in New South Wales not an easy task. After all, you need to consider other factors like the cost of your education, school background, and population, as it can be overwhelming on your part.

So, to help you out further in weighing your school options for studying in New South Wales, make sure to visit our list of the best public universities in New South Wales! These articles will surely help you in deciding your next study destination!