How to Study in Sydney for International Students

Sydney, one of the beautiful cities in Australia, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Sydney, New South Wales currently has 6 universities, from which 6 universities are a part of the public sector and 0 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Sydney you should definitely check out are University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, and University of Technology Sydney.

Being able to study in Sydney as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Sydney, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Sydney

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Sydney, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 23,400 AUD to 52,000 AUD, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 21,500 AUD and 89,000 AUD.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Sydney

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Sydney, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Western Sydney University 26,300 AUD - 33,100 AUD 21,500 AUD - 38,400 AUD
University of Technology Sydney 35,300 AUD - 47,200 AUD 43,000 AUD - 89,000 AUD
University of Sydney 45,000 AUD - 52,000 AUD 41,000 AUD - 59,000 AUD
University of New South Wales 41,300 AUD - 49,600 AUD 33,000 AUD - 48,300 AUD
Macquarie University 33,200 AUD - 42,000 AUD 26,400 AUD - 53,600 AUD
Australian Catholic University 23,400 AUD - 40,700 AUD 23,400 AUD - 32,400 AUD

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Sydney

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Sydney, check out the Cheap Universities in Sydney!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Sydney for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Sydney, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Sydney, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Sydney may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Sydney are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Sydney and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Western Sydney University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

University of Technology Sydney

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

University of Sydney

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Sydney

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Sydney have online applications available on their websites, like University of Sydney and University of New South Wales. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Sydney.

University of Sydney

University of New South Wales

University of Technology Sydney

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Sydney differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Sydney.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Sydney

If you’re going to study in Sydney, you will need to apply for a student visa in Australia

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Australia. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Subclass 500 .

To start your student visa application in Sydney, you will need to present the following:

  1. Confirmation of enrollment from the school
  2. Proof of English language proficiency
  3. Written statement providing the intent to genuinely study and not overstay
  4. Bank statement
  5. Proof of purchasing Overseas Student Health Cover
  6. Medical certificate

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Australia is 710 AUD.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Search for the nearest Australian consulate in your area.
  2. Gather your documents and apply online
  3. Check for status updates and wait for your visa outcome.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Sydney. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!