The University of New South Wales was established in 1949 and since this time it has become a comprehensive, research intensive university with a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and research training. UNSW has also developed a strong reputation within the international community as one of Australia’s leading Universities. For a full history of UNSW please click here.

UNSW is an active member of Universitas 21, an international alliance of 17 leading universities in 10 countries. The alliance provides UNSW access to a framework for international collaboration, and exchange of expertise and experience.

UNSW is also a member of the Group of Eight, a consortium of Australia's leading research intensive universities.

UNSW has an outstanding cohort of postgraduate research students drawn from within Australia and internationally and many of our graduates have become world leaders in their respective fields of endeavour.

We invite you to join our world renowned research community.

UNSW is one of Australia's major research institutions, attracting top national competitive research grants and with extensive international research links.

A commitment to research-led teaching provides exceptional postgraduate research opportunities, and UNSW has a strong reputation for commercial innovation.

At UNSW a unique relationship between teaching and research is promoted and the basic values of pure and applied research are highly valued.

A comprehensive overview of UNSW research objectives, policies and achievements for 2005 can be found in the Research and Research Training Management Report.

UNSW has a reputation for significant national or international contributions in research, to see a full list of our research strengths please click here.

UNSW has developed a strong reputation for high quality, student-focused education which is internationally recognised.

Through the commitment of its staff and students it has built a reputation based on merit. This is reflected by such criteria as excellent research track record, high entry requirements, high Australian ranking, prestigious alumni, and high quality staff and teaching.

UNSW enjoys the reputation of Australia's leading international university with one of the largest on-campus enrolment of international students and over 200 sister university partnerships around the world. UNSW has 9,000 international students from over 120 different countries.

UNSW has recognised strengths in science and technology, and has developed a wide range of cooperative arrangements with industry and business, via our Schools, Faculties and through NewSouth Innovation (UNSW's business and consulting company).

UNSW has more than 140,000 graduates worldwide, many holding senior positions in industry, leading blue-chip companies and government.
UNSW Alumni include MP and musician Peter Garrett; industry leaders Wal King, CEO of Leighton Holdings and Bob Mansfield, Chair of Telstra; Pat O'Shane, Australia's first indigenous magistrate; international cricketers Geoff Lawson and Mark Taylor; Paula Dawson, holographic artist; George Miller, filmmaker; and the former New South Wales Premier, Bob Carr. The University values its ongoing relationship with its graduates and operates successful graduate networks both domestically and internationally.

UNSW has two campuses in Australia, the main campus is located in Sydney and another in Canberra.

The Kensington Campus which is located in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, 10 minutes from a number of east coast beaches such as Bondi and Coogee. The Kensington Campus is also close to the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Close to the city, UNSW is well served by a number of express transport service that connect to all areas of Sydney. Click here to link to get more information about transport to and from UNSW


UNSW's College of Fine Arts (COFA), is one of Australia's premier university art and design schools. COFA is located in Paddington, the heartland of Sydney's arts community. A free bus service operated by UNSW travels every 10 minutes to connect the two campus'. For further details on this service including timetable please click here.

The second campus The Australian Defence Force Academy (UNSW@ADFA) is located in the national capital in Canberra and is a centre for higher education for the Australian Defence Force.

Within the Academy, The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has established a college, known as UNSW@ADFA (formerly University College), responsible for conducting academic programs and research. UNSW@ADFA offers opportunities for graduate study and research in Arts, Business, Engineering, Science, and Technology.

UNSW offers a wide range of cultural and sporting activities. There are over 200 clubs and societies on campus which span social, cultural and sporting activities.

The University Union offers cultural activities; School music and drama groups perform frequently; free concerts are provided by the Australia Ensemble; and a close association with the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) complements UNSW's cultural strengths.