Why the University of Adelaide Feels Like Australia’s Newest Go8 Star?

• 82nd: QS World University Rankings 2026
• 8th in Australia QS 2026
• 128th: Times Higher Education (THE) 2025
• 151–200: Shanghai Ranking (ARWU) 2024

Entering the world’s top 100 in its very first year as a merged institution is a strong result. The University of Adelaide is only going to grow from here.

Academic Requirements

Undergraduate:

Class 12 minimum 60–70% (CBSE/ISC/State Board). Higher for Engineering, Medicine, and Computer Science, typically 70–80%+

Postgraduate:

Relevant bachelor’s degree, minimum GPA 5.0/7.0 or ~60% overall

PhD:

Strong academic record, research proposal, and confirmed supervisor

English Requirements

• IELTS: 0, no band below 6.0
  
• TOEFL iBT: 79
• PTE Academic: 50

NOTE: If you do not meet the English requirement, the University of Adelaide’s on-campus English pathway programmes offer a direct route into your degree, with no need to leave Adelaide or start over and for Health, Medicine, and Law, scores are a bit higher.

Documents Required

• Certified academic transcripts and certificates
• Valid passport copy
• English language test results
• Personal statement (select programmes)
• CV (postgraduate applicants)
• Research proposal and supervisor confirmation (PhD only)
• Portfolio (Architecture and Design)

When to Apply?

• Intake: Semester 1
  Starts: February
  Apply By: November (prior year)
  
• Intake: Semester 2
  Starts: July
  Apply By: April

NOTE: No fixed application deadline. University of Adelaide reviews applications on a rolling basis. Apply at least 3 months before your start date. No application fee.

Tuition Fees

• Arts / Social Sciences / Education: AUD 33,000 – 38,500 (₹17.8L – ₹20.8L)
  
• Business / Commerce / Law: AUD 36,000 – 42,000 (₹19.4L – ₹22.7L)
  
• Engineering (Honours): AUD 42,000 – 49,000 (₹22.7L – ₹26.5L)
  
• Computer Science / IT / Cybersecurity: AUD 40,000 – 47,000 (₹21.6L – ₹25.4L)
• Nursing / Health Sciences: AUD 36,500 – 44,000 (₹19.7L – ₹23.8L)
  
• Medicine (MD pathway): AUD 55,000 – 75,000 (₹29.7L – ₹40.5L)
  
• MBA / Master of Business: AUD 38,000 – 52,000 (₹20.5L – ₹28.1L)
  
• Master of Computer Science / AI / Data Science: AUD 44,000 – 52,000 (₹23.8L – ₹28.1L)
  
• Master of Engineering: AUD 42,000 – 50,000 (₹22.7L – ₹27L)
  
• PhD (with scholarship): Often fully funded

Living Costs in Adelaide

Adelaide is one of Australia’s most affordable capital cities, much cheaper than Sydney or Melbourne. Total estimated cost is approx. AUD 20,000 – 27,000 (₹10.8L – ₹14.6L). The Australian Government requires you to show AUD 29,710/year (₹16L approx.) in financial capacity for your Student Visa, separate from tuition fees.

What Scholarships Can You Get?

Most scholarships are automatically assessed when you apply; no separate form is needed.

Global Academic Excellence High Distinction

50% off tuition for a full degree

Automatic high distinction average in your most recent qualification

Global Academic Excellence Distinction

• 25% off tuition
• Automatic — distinction average

International Merit Scholarship

• 15% off tuition
• Automatic — credit average

Continuing Student Scholarship

• 10–25% off tuition
• Automatic if you previously studied at the University of Adelaide, the University of Adelaide, or UniSA

Alumni Family Scholarship

• 10% off tuition
• Automatic — if a family member is an Adelaide / UniSA alumnus

Ashok Khurana Scholarship

• 50% off tuition + AUD 30,000 stipend
• Separate application — named scholarship specifically for Indian students

Australia Awards Scholarship

• Full funding — tuition, living, flights, OSHC
• Apply via dfat.gov.au/australiaawards — open to eligible Indian students

PhD Research Training Program (RTP)

• Full tuition + ~AUD 30,000/year stipend
• Competitive — apply through the University of Adelaide Graduate Research

NOTE for Indian Students: The Ashok Khurana Scholarship is a dedicated India scholarship, 50% off fees plus AUD 30,000 to cover living costs. It is one of the most generous India-specific awards at any Australian Go8 university. Check current eligibility and deadlines at adelaide.edu.au/scholarships.

You need an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) to study at the University of Adelaide.

Steps to Apply

1. Get your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from the University of Adelaide
2. Purchase OSHC — mandatory before applying
3. Create an ImmiAccount at homeaffairs.gov.au
4. Submit your application and pay AUD 2,000
5. Complete biometrics at a VFS centre if required
6. Travel to Adelaide once your visa is granted

 Adelaide’s Regional Bonus

Adelaide is classified as a regional area under Australian visa rules. This means you get 3 years on the Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) after graduation — one full year more than graduates from Sydney or Melbourne. More time to work, earn, and build your PR pathway.

The University of Adelaide has seven campuses, with the two main ones in Adelaide’s CBD. City East sits on the historic North Terrace, steps from the Lot Fourteen tech precinct and South Australia’s premier cultural institutions. City West sits next to the Royal Adelaide Hospital and the Adelaide BioMed City. Additional campuses at Waite, Roseworthy, Mawson Lakes, and Magill serve specialist programmes.

Adelaide is warm, safe, and easy to live in. It costs far less than Sydney or Melbourne, you get the same quality of life, world-class food and wine, beaches, national parks, 12 major annual festivals including WOMADelaide and the Adelaide Fringe, and a city that genuinely welcomes international students. The Indian student community here is large, well-established, and active.

University of Adelaide graduates enter one of Australia’s most exciting job markets. The Lot Fourteen innovation precinct right next to campus houses the Australian Space Agency, BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and dozens of tech startups. The Adelaide BioMed City, next to City West, is one of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest health and biomedical precincts.

UniSA, one of the University of Adelaide’s predecessor institutions, was consistently ranked 1st in Australia for graduate employability. That track record carries forward. After graduation, Adelaide’s regional classification gives you a 3-year post-study work visa, a full year more than Sydney or Melbourne graduates, plus bonus points toward permanent residency through South Australia’s state nomination programme.

Applying to a brand-new university while it is still evolving takes careful navigation.

My Study offers a free global education platform that provides end-to-end support from choosing the right programme and securing your scholarship to submitting your application and getting your visa approved.

1. Is the University of Adelaide the same as the University of Adelaide?

No, but it is built from it. The University of Adelaide is the new institution formed by merging the University of Adelaide and UniSA, officially opening on 29 January 2026. If you are applying now, apply to the University of Adelaide directly.

2. Is the University of Adelaide in the Group of Eight?

Yes. The University of Adelaide carries Go8 membership through the University of Adelaide’s long-standing status in the alliance.

3. Are scholarships automatically given at the University of Adelaide?

Yes, the merit-based scholarships (50%, 25%, and 15% tuition reductions) are automatically assessed when you apply. No separate application needed. Your academic average determines which tier you qualify for.

4. What is the Ashok Khurana Scholarship?

A named scholarship for Indian students offering 50% off tuition plus an AUD 30,000 stipend. One of the most generous India-specific awards at any Australian Go8 university. A separate application is required.

5. Why is studying in Adelaide better for PR than Sydney or Melbourne?

Adelaide is classified as a regional area. Graduates get 3 years on the post-study Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) instead of 2, plus additional points for PR through South Australia’s state nomination programme.