University of New South Wales
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UNSW Sydney Acceptance Rate 2026

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UNSW Sydney Acceptance Rate
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The University of New South Wales is a 7-year-old Australia-based public research university in Sydney. The university is a member of ‘Universitas21,’ along with 200 other universities from across the globe. The University of New South Wales ranking says that it is #19 in QS World University Rankings 2027 and #34 in Best Global Universities as per U.S. News. The stats for the University of New South Wales for 2026 in the table below reflect that-

  • Size- The University of New South Wales is among the largest Universities in Australia, with more than 86,000 students on campus in 2025-26. 
  • International Share- The international population is around 50% of the total student body. This means that around 1 in 2 students is international. There can be a high admission chance for Indian students due to large intakes of international students. 
  • New Intakes- Around 38% of the total population at the University of New South Wales are freshers.
Criteria 2025-26
Total Students 86,235
International Students 41,297
Domestic Students 44,938
International Student Share 47.9%
Students Commencing in 2025 32,883

Source: Annual Report 2025-26 

University of New South Wales Acceptance Rate 2026

The stats from the unofficial acceptance rate of the University of New South Wales in the table below reflect that-

Admission Chance- The acceptance rate below reflects that 1 in every 3 students can get selected at the University of New South Wales.

Rejection Rate- The majority of applications are rejected by the University of New South Wales, around 65 to 70%.

Selectivity- The selectivity is moderate to high. 

Criteria  Latest Figure
Total Students (2025) 86,235
Students Commencing (2025) 32,883
Undergraduate Intake (2024) 15,089
Overseas Undergraduate Students (2024) 5,704
Estimated Acceptance Rate Around 30-35%*

Note: The university's acceptance rate presented above may vary as taken from unofficial sources, and other stats are taken from the official 2025 report by the university.

University of New South Wales Acceptance Rate for International Students

The international student stats, as per the latest report for the University of New South Wales, reflect that-

  • Around 1 in every 2 students come from foreign countries.
  • There are around 120+ nationalities at the University of New South Wales campus. 

Criteria 

Stats

International Share

Nearly 48% International Students

Overseas Undergraduate

5,704 Overseas Undergraduate Admits

Intake Growth

International Intake Up 123% Since 2020

University of New South Wales Requirements for International Students

International students applying at UNSW must fulfill the eligibility requirements to opt for UG or PG programs. The entry requirements may vary as per the course levels. The basic requirements and English language requirements for international candidates are given below:

Requirements for UG admission:

  • Certificates of Secondary education qualifications/Higher education study/Diploma and other post-secondary studies/Foundation studies.
  • English language requirements

Requirements for PG admission:

  • Undergraduate degree in the required specialisation
  • English language requirements

English language requirements for international UG and PG students:

The University of New South Wales expects IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE scores from non-English-speaking international students to prove their proficiency. The English language test and the minimum score required are given below:

Entry Requirements

Minimum Score Required

IELTS

Minimum 6.5, (6.0 in each section)

TOEFL-iBT

Minimum 90 overall

PTE Academic

Minimum 64 overall

University of New South Wales Average GPA, SAT & ACT Scores

 The minimum score requirements for Indian-origin students to get enrolled at UNSW are given as follows:

Exam

Minimum Score

GPA

3.3

SAT

1090 - 1840

ACT

22 - 29

Tips to get selected at the University of New South Wales

The University of New South Wales follows a moderate selection criterion for admissions. Students can check the following tips to increase admission chances at the University of New South Wales-

  • Collect strong LORs- Build a positive profile in front of your academic counsellors and professors for high-value LORs. Collect subject experts’ views and LORs with a similar academic research background. 
  • Take Deadlines Seriously- Keep an eye on the official website for University information, course-specific requirements and deadlines. 
  • Portfolio- Keep your academic records above average and focus on your non-academic and academic profile equally.
  • SOPs- Understand and explain your academic and professional goals in your SOPs well. Choose your academic goals and academic program, and build your portfolio strongly around it for better placements. 
  • Course-Specific Needs- Cross-verify your course-specific eligibility and requirements from the official website well before application deadlines.

University of New South Wales Acceptance Rate Vs University of Melbourne Acceptance Rate

Comparing the University of New South Wales acceptance rate and the University of Melbourne acceptance rate reflects that-

  • Easier admission for Indian students- The University of Melbourne acceptance rate is really high, around 70-77%. So, it has easier admissions. 
  • High number of international students- Similar share of international students. 
  • Higher selectivity- UNSW is more selective due to a lower acceptance rate for students. 
Criteria University of New South Wales (UNSW) University of Melbourne
Estimated Acceptance Rate 30-35% 70-77%
Admission Chance Around 1 in 3 applicants Around 3 in 4 applicants
Rejection Rate 65-70% 23-30%
Selectivity Moderately Selective Moderately Selective to Less Selective
Total Students 86,235+ 55,000+
International Students 41,297 (47.9%) 26,680+ (46%)

 

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UNSW Sydney 
FAQs

Q:   Is UNSW worth it to enroll in?
A: 

Yes. According to QS World University Rankings 2024, the university ranked #19, also recognised as the Most Employable University by Australian Financial Review. The student experience at UNSW is unique. There are around 300 student-run clubs and societies at the university. UNSW is the place to be if a student wants to develop their professional abilities, take on new challenges in sports, or make friends who share their interests.

Q:   Is UNSW better than Sydney Uni?
A: 

UNSW is perhaps the best when it comes to placement programs and industry ties. Considering that both universities rank among the top in Australia and the globe, Sydney University is by no means inferior. Sydney University has greater alternatives for public transportation access and is in a more central position, having closer proximity to the CBD and the heart of Sydney, all within walking distance


Either university will provide students with a top-notch education, a sense of community, and professional contacts. So, the student must decide what they want from their university and get to work asking questions.

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Anubha

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Anubha Mittal is a Study Abroad Content Writer and Content Strategist with experience in creating research-driven higher education content for Indian students. She currently works as a Content Writer at Shiksha.com (InfoEdge India Ltd), ...

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UNSW Sydney
Location

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University CityKensington, New South Wales, Australia
Size of citySmall
Population of City15,004

UNSW Sydney
Contact Information

Address

High St Kensington, NSW 2052 Australia
Kensington ( New South Wales)

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