🌉University of Sydney

Sydney, Australia

QS World 2026 · #18

Australia's oldest university, strong across Law, Medicine and Architecture.

About Sydney

Founded in 1850, Sydney was Australia's first university and one of the first in the world to admit students regardless of religion. Its sandstone Quadrangle campus is one of the most recognisable university buildings in the southern hemisphere.

Why students choose it

  • Australia's oldest and most historic university
  • Strong across Law, Medicine, Engineering and Architecture
  • Central Sydney location

🎓 Free application support for Sydney

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to Sydney — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation. Application fees are typically waived through our university partnerships.

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Typical entry grades

AAA (A Level)  ·  IB 36

Top tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

AU$55,000+/yr

premium tier for Australia — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

English

Campus

city campus, Sydney

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or Sydney's financial aid office.

Most Group of Eight and other Australian universities offer international merit scholarships as a tuition-fee reduction for strong academic results, generally requiring a linked application alongside (or shortly after) your course application.

  • University international scholarships: e.g. 'International Undergraduate Scholarship' schemes offered by many Go8 and other universities — typically a percentage reduction on international tuition for high ATAR-equivalent/IB/A-Level results.
  • Australia Awards: Australian government-funded, mainly postgraduate and restricted to specific partner countries — not a general undergraduate route.

Scholarship percentages and slots vary significantly by university and course — check the specific university's international scholarships page, not just the government schemes.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Medicine

⏱️ Typical duration: 5–6 years where entered straight from school (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong); typically a 4-year postgraduate MD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

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Typical entry: Requires Chemistry + Biology · UCAT ANZ · Interview (MMI, most universities)

Law

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years for an undergraduate LLB (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia); typically a 3-year postgraduate JD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

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Engineering

⏱️ Typical duration: Often 4 years rather than the country's standard Bachelor's length, especially where the programme includes an integrated Master's (e.g. UK MEng) or an industry placement year

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics + Physics

Architecture

⏱️ Typical duration: Often longer than a standard Bachelor's — commonly a 3-year Bachelor's plus a further 2-year Master's for full professional accreditation

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Typical entry: Portfolio

Business

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years — Some degrees (e.g. Engineering) run 4 years — check the specific course.

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Typical entry: Mathematics helps but usually isn't required recommended

Durations are typical for Australia — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
February (Semester 1), July (Semester 2)
Typical deadline
Early December for the February intake
Note
Group of Eight universities recommend applying by October–November for on-time scholarship consideration.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0)

Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

See where Sydney ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free Australia University Shortlist Builder to see whether Sydney is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other Australia university that matches.

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More Australia universities

Sydney FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to Sydney as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into Sydney?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, Sydney expects around AAA at A Level or 36 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for Sydney's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on Sydney's own admissions page before applying.

How much does Sydney cost for international students?

International tuition at Sydney typically falls in the AU$55,000+/yr range (premium tier for Australia). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not Sydney's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for Sydney?

Sydney follows Australia's typical intake calendar: February (Semester 1), July (Semester 2), with applications generally due early december for the february intake. Group of Eight universities recommend applying by October–November for on-time scholarship consideration. Always verify the exact date on Sydney's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for Sydney?

Australia universities, including Sydney, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0). Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

What is Sydney known for?

Australia's oldest university, strong across Law, Medicine and Architecture. Founded in 1850, Sydney was Australia's first university and one of the first in the world to admit students regardless of religion. Its sandstone Quadrangle campus is one of the most recognisable university buildings in the southern hemisphere.

Can I apply to Sydney with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — Sydney accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free Australia University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against Sydney and every other Australia university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

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