11 Cheapest Universities in New South Wales for International Students

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In New South Wales, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in Australia without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in New South Wales, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 11 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in New South Wales, make sure to read more!

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Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in New South Wales for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in New South Wales ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Charles Sturt University 20,800 AUD - 32,200 AUD 32%
Australian Catholic University 23,400 AUD - 40,700 AUD 23%
Avondale University 26,100 AUD - 34,800 AUD 15%
Western Sydney University 26,300 AUD - 33,100 AUD 14%
University of Wollongong 26,600 AUD - 37,400 AUD 13%
University of New England 26,900 AUD - 31,600 AUD 12%
University of Newcastle 29,200 AUD - 42,700 AUD 5%
Macquarie University 33,200 AUD - 42,000 AUD -9%
University of Technology Sydney 35,300 AUD - 47,200 AUD -16%
University of New South Wales 41,300 AUD - 49,600 AUD -35%
University of Sydney 45,000 AUD - 52,000 AUD -48%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 30,400 AUD for universities in New South Wales.

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1. Charles Sturt University

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.

2. Australian Catholic University

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.

3. Avondale University

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.

4. Western Sydney University

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.

5. University of Wollongong

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.

6. University of New England

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.

7. University of Newcastle

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.

8. Macquarie University

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.

9. University of Technology Sydney

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.

10. University of New South Wales

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.

11. University of Sydney

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.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in New South Wales for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in New South Wales ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Charles Sturt University 20,800 AUD - 33,300 AUD 32%
Western Sydney University 21,500 AUD - 38,400 AUD 30%
Australian Catholic University 23,400 AUD - 32,400 AUD 24%
Avondale University 26,100 AUD - 78,200 AUD 15%
Macquarie University 26,400 AUD - 53,600 AUD 14%
University of New England 26,900 AUD - 33,900 AUD 12%
University of New South Wales 33,000 AUD - 48,300 AUD -7%
University of Newcastle 34,300 AUD - 57,800 AUD -12%
University of Wollongong 39,600 AUD - 78,900 AUD -29%
University of Sydney 41,000 AUD - 59,000 AUD -34%
University of Technology Sydney 43,000 AUD - 89,000 AUD -40%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 30,600 AUD for universities in New South Wales.

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1. Charles Sturt University

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.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Charles Sturt University should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 20,800 AUD to 33,216 AUD annually for their master's degree.

2. Western Sydney University

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Western Sydney University. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Western Sydney University is 21,420 AUD to 38,400 AUD.

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.

3. Australian Catholic University

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.

The tuition fee at Australian Catholic University for incoming international master’s students is 23,400 AUD to 32,320 AUD. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Avondale University

Another affordable university to consider in New South Wales is Avondale University.

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.

The tuition fee in Avondale University for master’s program for foreign students starts from 26,056 AUD.

5. Macquarie University

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Macquarie University has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 26,400 AUD yearly.

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.

6. University of New England

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.

7. University of New South Wales

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.

8. University of Newcastle

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.

9. University of Wollongong

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.

10. University of Sydney

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.

11. University of Technology Sydney

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.


Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get admission to affordable universities in New South Wales?

Applying to cheap universities in New South Wales requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in Australia for a more comprehensive guide!

2. What can I study at Best affordable universities in New South Wales?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in New South Wales. For example, one of the best affordable schools in New South Wales is the Australian Catholic University, which offers Accounting and Finance, Applied Public Health, and Arts to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Australian Catholic University offers Health Professional Education, Teaching, and Business Administration (Executive).


It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in New South Wales, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in New South Wales as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on affordable institutions in New South Wales for international students was helpful!