Top Undergraduate (UG) Courses in Australia for Indian Students in 2026 (Updated List)
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Choosing the right bachelor's degree in Australia shapes everything from your visa options, starting salary, and a shot at PR. This articlr breaks down the top undergraduate courses in Australia for Indian students in 2026, backed by QS subject rankings, average graduate salaries, and skilled-migration data.
Australia remains one of the top study-abroad destinations for Indian students choosing an undergraduate degree, and 2026 is no exception. With thousands of undergraduate courses across 25+ study areas, and more than 1.2 lakh Indian students currently enrolled in Australian universities, the challenge isn't finding a course; it's finding the right one.
The best undergraduate courses to study in Australia for Indian students in 2026 aren't just about brand-name universities. They're about which degrees open doors: strong graduate salaries, PR eligibility or and up to 6 years of post-study work rights.
Australia offers undergraduate courses popularly in fields of Engineering, IT, Business, Nursing, and others. Many Indian students apply to Australian universities for these courses plus many other specialised courses as well.
This article talks about the top UG courses in Australia for Indian applicants along with their subject rankings. You will also get QS subject rankings, university shortlists, entry requirements, and realistic salary and migration outcomes for each.
- Why Choose Australia for Your Undergraduate Degree?
- Top Undergraduate Courses in Australia for Indian Students in 2026
- Other Popular UG Courses for Indian Students in Australia
- Eligibility, ELP Requirements & Application Process for UG Admissions in Australia
Why Choose Australia for Your Undergraduate Degree?
Australia remains one of the world's most popular study destinations for Indian undergraduates, and 2026 makes an even stronger case for it. With over 20,000 undergraduate courses spread across different study areas, Australian universities offer both variety and consistency in outcomes.
A few reasons Indian students keep choosing Australia at the UG level:
- Post-study work rights: Graduates can stay and opt for post-study work in Australia for 2–6 years after finishing their degree, depends on course and location.
- PR pathways: Courses linked to the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) carry a real advantage for skilled migration later.
- Global rankings: Institutions like the University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, UNSW, Monash, and ANU consistently feature in QS World University Rankings.
- Cost: Tuition for international undergraduates typically runs AUD 20,000–45,000 a year, varying by course and city (Sydney and Melbourne cost more than Adelaide or regional campuses). Check the cost of studying in Australia before budgeting.
Top Undergraduate Courses in Australia for Indian Students in 2026
Simplifying the data numbers for you, we present the list of top choices of students planning their bachelor's from Australia.
1. Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering remains the most consistently popular UG course among Indian students in Australia. This is largely because of limited seats in Indian engineering colleges and Australia's strong industry-linked curriculum in design, manufacturing, and product development. Plus, majority of Mechanical Engineering colleges in Australia are popular and top ranked.
Salary & PR outlook: Graduates typically start between AUD 70,000–95,000. Mechanical Engineering features on the MLTSSL, giving it a clear PR pathway, provided the degree is accredited by Engineers Australia.
Top 5 Mechanical Engineering Universities in Australia
| Australian Universities Offering Mechanical Engineering | QS - Subject Rankings 2026 - Mechanical Engineering |
|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | #45 |
| UNSW | #46 |
| The University of Sydney | #56 |
| Monash University | #70 |
| RMIT University | #102 |
2. Business Administration (BBA)
Business Administration draws a steady share of Indian applicants who want an internationally recognised business foundation, often with a built-in pathway into a master's later. BBA colleges in Australia include top names; in some cases, BBA is not a standalone course; you may also find dual degree programs.
Salary & PR outlook: Starting salaries range AUD 60,000–85,000. PR eligibility depends on specialisation. Accounting and Business Analytics have stronger MLTSSL presence than general management.
Top 5 BBA Universities in Australia
| Australian Universities Offering Business Courses | QS - Subject Rankings 2026 - Business & Management |
|---|---|
| The University of New South Wales (UNSW) | #48 |
| Monash University | #57 |
| Australian National University | #85 |
| University of Queensland | #93 |
| Macquarie University | #114 |
3. Information Technology & Cybersecurity
IT continues to be one of the most in-demand fields, and several universities admit students from non-science backgrounds into IT bachelor's programs. Specialisations in Cybersecurity, Data Science, and Cloud Computing have grown fastest.
Salary & PR outlook: Graduates earn AUD 70,000–100,000 on average. IT roles are heavily represented on the MLTSSL, making this one of the stronger courses for long-term migration plans.
Top 5 IT & Cybersecurity Universities in Australia
| Australian Universities Offering Information Technology Courses | QS - Subject Rankings 2026 - Information Systems |
|---|---|
| The University of Melbourne | #31 |
| University of Sydney | #38 |
| ANU | #48 |
| Monash University | #51 |
| UNSW | #54 |
4. Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering has a large, well-established international student base in Australia, driven by ongoing infrastructure and construction demand.
Salary & PR outlook: Average starting salaries sit at AUD 70,000–90,000. Civil Engineering is on the MLTSSL, and demand is often higher in regional areas, which can also support regional migration benefits.
Top 5 Civil Engineering Universities in Australia
| Australian Universities Offering Civil Engineering Courses | QS - Subject Rankings 2026 - Civil Engineering |
|---|---|
| The University of New South Wales | #22 |
| UniMelb | #29 |
| University of Sydney | #31 |
| Monash University | #39 |
| Adelaide University | 51-100 |
5. Nursing
Nursing has grown fast in popularity, driven by Australia's ongoing shortage of registered nurses and clear pathways to stable employment. Nursing is the most popular course at University of Sydney because it ranks among top 20 year over year. Apart from USyD, there are other good Nursing universities in Australia that rank.
Salary & PR outlook: Starting salaries range AUD 65,000–80,000. Nursing is one of the most reliable courses for PR. This is because registered nurses get priority processing due to persistent demand, and the field isn't oversaturated like some others.
Top 5 Nursing Universities in Australia
| Australian Universities Offering Nursing Courses | QS - Subject Rankings 2026 - Nursing |
|---|---|
| The University of Technology Sydney | #16 |
| Monash University | #19 |
| University of Sydney | #19 |
| UniMelb | #29 |
| Griffith University | #30 |
6. Data Science & AI
A newer but fast-rising choice is Data Science and AI/Machine Learning programs that combine coursework with industry capstone projects, and are offered at both bachelor's and combined-degree levels at several top universities. Offered popularly at University of Melbourne, UNSW, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), the Australian National University, and Monash University.
Salary & PR outlook: Graduates typically start at AUD 85,000–110,000, among the highest of any UG stream on this list, with strong MLTSSL alignment for PR in Australia.
Top 5 Data Science & AI Universities in Australia
| Australian Universities Offering Nursing Courses | QS - Subject Rankings 2026 - Data Science & AI |
|---|---|
| The University of Melbourne | #31 |
| The University of Sydney | #38 |
| ANU | #44 |
| University of Technology Sydney | #45 |
| Monash University | #48 |
These are currently some of the most popular undergraduate courses in Australia. There are many others which must not be overlooked.
Other Popular UG Courses for Indian Students in Australia
Apart from the most popular ones, there are a few more undergraduate courses in Australia that Indian students can opt for:
- Education & Teaching
- Social Work
- Psychology
- Biomedical Science
- Creative Arts & Design
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Biotechnology
You can explore different fields of study available for undergraduate admissions in Australia and apply. Another course that has seen a continued appreciation in its rank is the Animation Courses available across top universities in Australia. Apart from these courses, applicants can also consider Diploma courses in Australia specifically designed for undergraduates.
Eligibility, ELP Requirements & Application Process for UG Admissions in Australia
Most Australian universities require a minimum of 65%–75% in Class 12, along with these standard documents:
- Class 12 transcripts and mark sheets
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letter of Recommendation (LOR), where applicable
- English proficiency scores (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or DET)
- For select programs: SAT scores
English Language Requirements for UG Courses in Australia:
The following are the ELP requirements for Indian students applying to Australia for UG courses:
- TOEFL iBT: 79-93
- IELTS: 6.5 band (overall)
- PTE: 58 overall
The admission requirements and minimum scores can vary per undergraduate course and university. So check everything before you start applying!
To sum up, while the traditional choices remain much the same as domestic courses, there is a trend when it comes to studying abroad. More and more students are exploring courses that are not offered at a degree level in India. But in the end, we believe that the top course is the course you wish to do…so think about what thrills you…analyse what kind of job you would want to do in future and then start searching. We only promise you one thing…whatever course you might have in mind, Australia has one just right for you.
Commonly asked questions
Minimum PTE score to get into Australian universities is from 50 to 58. Getting these scores does not guarantee you admission. The decision will include you eligibility fulfilmemt and character assessment with document verification.
To meet eligibility requirements, Indian students must provide proof of English language. Indian students who have learned English as their first language or completed their previous degrees in English are leave language requirements.
English Requirements for International Students
Students coming from non English speaking countries such as India, need to prove language proficiency through standardized English exams such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE. Students may provide either of following exam scores as mentioned below-
Programmes | IELTS Academic Score | TOEFL Score (IBT) |
|---|---|---|
Master of Professional Accounting | Overall 6.5 (no less than 6 bands) | Overall 79 - 93, with minimum scores: |
Master of Networking | Overall 6.0 (no less than 5.5 bands) | Overall 60 - 78 with minimum scores: |
Programmes | PTE Academic Score | CAE Score |
Master of Professional Accounting | Overall 58 (no less than 50) | Overall 176 (no less than 169) |
Master of Networking | Overall 50 (no less than 46) | Overall 169 (no less than 162) |
Please refer to the intended course page on the university website to check the exact limit on each course.
The University of Newcastle is amog the universities that does not publish official data on the acceptance rate. However, as per some unofficial sources, the University of Newcastle Australia acceptance rate is 87%. This makes Newcastle University Australia moderately selective in admissions. Please note that the data on acceptance rate given above is taken from an unofficial source, therefore, it is subject to vary.
The University of Western Australia ranks among the top MS universities in Australia. It offers low cost Masters programme in Data Science for international students.
This 18 months degree course at the university has primary stream as IT & Software. The University of Western Australia MS in Data Science fees for first-year is INR 25 L. Therefore, it is good to study Masters programme in Data Science at the UWA Australia.
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Aishwarya Bhatnagar is a specialised content curator with 8+ years of experience in EdTech content, particularly in studying abroad. She is a Study Abroad Expert at Shiksha.com (InfoEdge India Ltd) si
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