The Complete Guide To University Of New South Wales (UNSW)

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) was established in 1949 with a distinct focus on the scientific, technological, and professional disciplines. Initially known as the New South Wales University of Technology, the institution underwent a rebranding to its current name in 1958, reflecting a broader scope of its academic pursuits.

UNSW is an amazing university that has made a lot of progress in research and education. It has become a household name thanks to its many contributions to society. For instance, UNSW’s Faculty of Law was founded in 1971 and is now one of the most prestigious law schools in the world! 

Total Student Population	63,000 students
Percentage of International Students	40%
Teaching Faculty-to-Student Ratio	1:36
Graduate Employability Rate	87.5%

1.2 UNSW Rankings 2025

The university enjoys a high international standing, and as of the latest assessments, UNSW proudly ranks #19 globally in the QS World University Rankings. This acclaim signifies UNSW’s enduring dedication to excellence in education, research, and its impact on a global scale.

UNSW also occupies the Top 20 for four subject categories in the QS World Ranking by Subject:

QS Subject Category	Ranking For 2025
Engineering – Mineral and Mining	#2
Engineering – Petroleum	#10
Law and Legal Studies	#12
Marketing	#20
Art History	#21 – 50
Accounting and Finance	#22
Architecture and Built Environment	#23
Social Sciences and Management	#23
Engineering – Civil and Structural	#24
Engineering and Technology	#25
Material Sciences	#27
Geology	#28
Geophysics	#31
Engineering – Electrical and Electronic	#32
Psychology	#32
Business and Management Studies	#35
Earth and Marine Sciences	#37
Environmental Sciences	#38
Economics and Econometrics	#40
Natural Sciences	#44
Sports-Related Subjects	#44
Arts and Humanities	#46
Computer Science and Information Systems	#46
Engineering – Mechanical	#46
Engineering – Chemical	#47
Library and Information Management	#47
Mathematics	#48
Chemistry	#49

2. Student Life & Living Cost

2.1 UNSW Campuses

UNSW has 4 campuses, where 3 are located close to each other, and a campus in Canberra. The Kensington, Paddington, and Randwick Campuses carry the majority of the courses in the university, whilst its Canberra campus offers courses catered to the Australian Defence Force personnel, apart from some courses for the public.

Kensington Campus

Key Highlights

• The Kensington Campus is the size of a small town, with most key facilities both learning and recreational, located within.
• Faculties that practice within the campus include Engineering, Business, Law & Justice, and Science.
• The campus is also a city within a city, with a range of cafes, restaurants, retail outlets, and even its own supermarket!

How To Get There
🗺️Located 12km from the Sydney CBD

• There are 2 light rail lines (L2 Randwick Line, L3 Kingsford Line) that can be used to get to the Kensington Campus. 
• There are shuttle buses available between the Kensington, Paddington, and Randwick Campuses from 7:30 am to 10:15 pm.
• Night shuttle buses are also available for students on demand.

Paddington Campus (UNSW Art & Design)

Key Highlights

• The university’s Art & Design Campus
• Houses studios, workshops, gallery spaces, and state-of-the-art digital production technology.
• Students can use the tools and technologies provided by UNSW’s Making Spaces on this campus to explore, design, and create.

How To Get There
🗺️Located within a 15 minute bike ride to Sydney CBD

• Paddington station is within a 20-minute walk from the Central and Museum train stations.
• There are shuttle buses available between the Kensington, Paddington, and Randwick (on demand) Campuses from 7:30 am to 10:15 pm.
• Night shuttle buses are also available for students on demand.

Randwick Campus

Key Highlights

• Home to the School of Clinical Medicine
• The school also oversees the number of regional clinical schools (4 city-based, 5 rural) located all around New South Wales that are associated with UNSW.
• The campus is associated with 4 teaching hospitals at Randwick: Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney Children’s Hospital, the Royal Hospital for Women, and Prince of Wales Private Hospital.
• The campus is also a key partner in the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct, which is set to become the largest co-located health precinct in New South Wales. 

How To Get There
🗺️A 15-minute rail ride away from Kensington Campus

• The L2 Randwick Light Rail Line is the nearest train station to the campus
• There are shuttle buses available between the Kensington, Paddington, and Randwick (on demand) Campuses from 7:30 am to 10:15 pm.
• Night shuttle buses are also available for students on demand.

UNSW Canberra at ADFA

Key Highlights

• The Canberra Campus is situated at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA)
• Caters primarily to defence personnel, but it also opens its doors to civilian students in postgraduate programs.
• Most Engineering and Computer Science degrees can be found at this campus, apart from the Kensington Campus.
• Non-technical courses such as Arts, Business, and Science are also offered on this campus.
• The courses here are unique as they can be segmented into Defence and Non-Defence courses, where Defence courses are catered to ADFA personnel.

How To Get There
🗺️5km from Canberra City Centre

• The campus can be accessed via tram and bus.

2.2 Learning Resources

2.3 Recreational Facilities

2.4 Student Activities

Student life at UNSW is buzzing with energy and excitement!  With a wide range of activities that cater to diverse interests, there’s always something happening to foster a strong sense of community. The Student Council, also known as ARC, plays a crucial role in this vibrant atmosphere, making sure that the student body’s voice is heard and their needs are met. 

2.5 Student Services

The University takes great pride in the comprehensive services it offers to support student welfare and success.

• Academic Support
• Counseling and Psychological Services
• Career Services
• Health Services
• International Student Support
• Legal and Advocacy Services

2.6 UNSW Accommodation and Costs

The advantage of having the main campuses located close to each other means centralized on-campus accommodations, as well as private rentals that are available in the area!

This is the case with UNSW since the Kensington, Paddington, and Randwick Campuses share several halls and apartments for their students. On the other hand, the Canberra campus has surrounding suburbs where students can find apartments and homestays. 

Kensington, Paddington, and Randwick Campuses

On-campus	Off-campus
UNSW Village (AUD 349 – 549.50/week)	Nearby towns – Surrey Hills, Darlinghurst, Kensington, Randwick, Zetland, Kingsford, Rosebery
Barker Street (AUD 369.20 – 897.20/week)
University Terraces (AUD 378 – 475/week)
Jacaranda Hall (AUD 472 – 624/week)
Cowper Street (AUD 325/week)
High Street (AUD 548.50 – 737.50/week)

Canberra Campus

On-campus	Off-campus
	Nearby towns – Campbell, Reid, Russell, Pialligo

Cost of Living in New South Wales

When it comes to living in New South Wales, you can expect to spend around AUD 478 – 1,150 per week. This estimate covers groceries, meals, local transportation, academic supplies, and personal spending.

The specific amount can change based on your choices, such as dining out, cooking at home, or using public transport or your vehicle.

3. Courses, Fees & Scholarships

3.1 Courses You Can Study At UNSW

Architecture, Planning & Construction Management	Architectural Studies. City Planning, Construction Management & Property, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture
Business & Commerce	Actuarial Studies, Commerce, Economics
Data & Technology	Advanced Computer Science, Cyber Security, Data Science & Decisions, Information Systems
Education, Teaching & Social Work	Primary Education, Secondary Education, Social Work
Engineering	Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, Software Engineering
Humanities & Social Sciences	Psychology,  Social Science, Politics Philosophy & Economics
Law & Criminal Justice	Law, Criminology & Criminal Justice
Media, Design & Fine Arts	Design, Fine Arts, Media, Communication
Medicine & Health Science	Medical Science, Medical Studies, Nutrition, Pharmaceutical Medicine
Science & Environment	Aviation, Environmental Management, Psychological Science, Exercise Science, Food Science

3.2 Course Fees At UNSW

We have also saved you the hassle and compiled the full list of UNSW’s detailed course fees into one article below. Check it out and share it!

Coming Soon!

3.3 UNSW Scholarships

These are some of the scholarships offered by UNSW to international students. Check out the full list here. (Coming Soon)

Scholarship Name	Details
International Student Award	Receive a 15% waiver to your tuition fees for every year of your course

*Malaysia is not included as part of the eligible countries stated in the International Student Award criteria. However, our study abroad consultants can link you with the next best options!

3.4 Popular Courses at the UNSW

Engineering Subjects

The Faculty of Engineering at UNSW is the place to be if you want to be part of the largest and most prestigious engineering faculty in Australia. The faculty prides themselves on offering a world-class education, with a focus on innovation and quality teaching.

The Engineering Faculty also has the Professors of Practice initiative and it is one of a kind, as it allows students to learn from industry professionals like Richard Hopkins, former Head of Operations for Red Bull Racing. Hopkins is just one of the seasoned experts who share their wealth of knowledge, preparing students for the competitive, fast-paced engineering sector.

Another notable highlight from the faculty includes their success in photovoltaic engineering, where Professor Martin Green and his team have successfully produced cutting-edge technologies such as the Passive Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) have significantly advanced the solar manufacturing industry in Asia. These advances have fostered sustainable practices and affirmed our commitment to enhancing global eco-friendliness.

The Engineering courses here also include 60 days of approved industry training to help students hone their professional competencies. Additionally, students are also offered a unique opportunity for our students to engage directly with industry projects or develop their initiatives through the faculty’s ChallENG program.

The course is accredited by Engineers Australia and the Washington Accord, which includes Malaysia’s Board of Engineers as part of its signatories.

Architecture

At the university’s School of Architecture, students won’t just be expecting education but also inspiration from industry leaders and award-winning architects from around the world. Not only will they be at the forefront of the industry projects, but they are experts that students will get to learn from as well. 

Pushing the envelope in architectural education the university has also recently invested in the state-of-the-art AUD 4.9 million ARC Next-Gen Architectural Manufacturing Centre. Here, students are empowered to revolutionize the world of architecture by incorporating cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning into their design processes.

That’s not all! Students also benefit from hands-on experience in the Design Futures Lab. Here, they have access to advanced design and fabrication tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers, and more. These resources are invaluable assets that also help students embrace and lead sustainable building practices in line with Australia’s goal for Net Zero buildings by 2030.

Upon completion of their studies Malaysian graduates planning to practice back home are required to pass the comprehensive Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia Part I, II, and III examinations, so do take note of that when considering studying this course!

Accounting

As Australia’s top Business School, UNSW’sd Business School offers an incredible foundation in the world of accounting. The curriculum is carefully crafted to be career-focused, giving students practical opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-life situations. Plus, students can gain work experience while studying, bridging the gap between theory and practice and building a strong industry network for success after graduation.

Exclusive only to the university’s Business School students (which includes Accounting!) is the Career Accelerator program. Tailored to empower students along their unique career paths, it offers internships, mentoring, and global opportunities.

The degree is also recognized and endorsed by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). That means your qualifications will be respected and valued across international borders, including in at home, here in Malaysia.

Law Studies

UNSW’s Law and Justice School is globally recognized for excellence in law and criminology education and research. With over 50 years of industry leadership, this faculty is an academic powerhouse and a hub for legal minds shaping the future of law. The school’s unique teaching tradition emphasizes lively discussions and debates, sharpening critical thinking skills crucial in legal practice.

Classroom experiences at UNSW Law and Justice are engaging, thanks to small class sizes that create an intimate and interactive learning environment. To enhance the educational experience, the UNSW Law & Justice Advisory Council, comprised of esteemed alumni in prominent positions, helps shape the course.

In addition to that, the Law and Justice School is integrated with research, advocacy, and education centers offering internships and clinical legal education, preparing students for dynamic legal careers.

Take note! Malaysian students completing their law degree at UNSW must pass the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) examinations to practice law in Malaysia.

Psychology

UNSW’s School of Psychology is truly remarkable for its outstanding research tradition. Faculty members have gained international recognition in their respective fields, contributing to a high citation rate for their publications. This sets it apart from other psychology departments in Australia.

Transitioning into university life can be a bit daunting, but at UNSW, they strive to make this shift easier through a peer mentoring program. In this collaborative environment, third-year students provide invaluable support to first-year students as they navigate their psychology courses.

There are also abundant postgraduate opportunities, whether you are interested in advanced research or clinical training. UNSW’s on-campus Psychology Clinic offers a wide range of low-cost services to the public, serving as a practical training ground for aspiring psychologists.

As a student at the university’s School of Psychology, students also have access to state-of-the-art facilities like the Future Minds Lab. This innovative research and applied lab is dedicated to exploring the fascinating realms of brain science, with features like VR rooms, brain stimulation devices, and cutting-edge neuroimaging technology.  Additionally, there are specialized laboratories equipped with electroencephalography (EEG) and eye-tracking technology.

3.5 Industry Partners

4. Entry Requirements & Intake Dates

4.1 UNSW Entry Requirements 2025

Minimum entry requirements for Foundation:

• SPM:  B in 4 academic subjects.
• IGCSE: B in 4 academic subjects.

Minimum entry requirements for Diploma:

• STPM: Total aggregate of 7 from all subjects presented on certificate*
• UEC: C7 Average in best 5 subjects

Minimum entry requirements for Degree:

• UEC: Overall Average of 2.75 from the best 5 subjects
• STPM: BCCC of Advanced Level subjects
• A-Level: AA
• SACE / WACE : ATAR 75
• IB: 26 points
• Foundation: Completion of Foundation
• Diploma: Completion of Diploma

Minimum language proficiency requirements (IELTS):

• Foundation: 5.5 Overall
• Diploma: 6.5 Overall
• Undergraduate: 6.5 Overall
• Postgraduate: 6.5 Overall

Some courses may require you to earn higher entry requirements and additional qualifications.

4.2 UNSW Intake Periods For 2025

• Foundation: March, August, November
• Diploma: February, June, September
• Degree: February, May, September
• Postgraduate: February, May, September

Please note that the intake periods may vary depending on the courses. For specific intake periods and dates, click here (Coming Soon!).

4.3 Admission Process For Studying In Australia

Have a little breather, you already made it this far!  

You might find these guides helpful to further your knowledge of universities in Australia and prepare yourself better for your study abroad journey: 

• Your Essential Study In Australia Guide For Malaysian Students
• Top 10 Benefits Of Engaging A Higher Education Consultant 
• Education Consultant: A Free Study Abroad Guide For

5. Student Testimonials & Alumni

Hear directly from those who have walked the halls of the University of New South Wales! Here are some testimonials from accomplished alumni and current students, sharing their personal experiences and the amazing impact studying here has had on their academic and professional journeys.

Holly Lin, Information Systems Student

Robert Makepeace, Engineering Graduate

Lucas Lee, Postgraduate Alumni, Master of Commerce

6. Conclusion

You’re making a great choice considering the University of New South Wales! Studying here offers academic excellence, innovative courses, and a vibrant campus life. Not only will you be challenged academically, but you’ll also have the opportunity to grow personally.

SEE OTHER UNI GUIDES

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