Fees and costs
Calculate your study costs
Calculate your study costs
UNSW provides a range of services to ensure you understand our fee structure, as well as support from our staff if you need any help along the way. From scholarships and financial assistance, you have a range of options to help get you started.
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MostÌýundergraduate degreesÌýofferÌýCommonwealth Supported PlacesÌý(CSPs) that subsidise the cost of the degree. The remaining cost is called theÌýstudent contribution. YouÌýcanÌýpay the student contribution upfront, but often people who are eligible choose to take a HECS-HELP loan that they repay later.Ìý
To see currentÌýstudent contributionÌýcosts, visitÌý.
LimitedÌýCSPsÌýare available forÌýpostgraduateÌýdegrees. Find out which degrees offerÌýPostgraduateÌýCommonwealth SupportÌýor visitÌýUnderstandÌýCommonwealth Supported PlacesÌýfor more information.
In some situations, you might need to calculate your tuition costs using individualÌýcourse fees. For example, you might not have aÌýCSP, you want to study part-time, or you might want to include courses from different UNSW faculties in your degree. For more information, visitÌý.
Studying overseas is a big investment and one that involves a lot of research and planning.
At UNSW, tuition fees are calculated based on the courses (subjects) you select, rather than on the degree (program) you choose. Since UNSW’s flexible degree structure allows you to choose from a range of courses in different faculties, your actual tuition fees will depend on the specific courses you pick within your degree.
Visit the degree finder to see the indicative annual tuition fees and indicative tuition fees to complete a program for a particular degree
For more information on other study-related expenses, please visitÌý.
AnÌýÌýcosts A$150. You canÌý.
If you are in Australia on a student visa you will need to pay for health insurance through the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme and maintain insurance for the duration of your visa.
All international students must be covered by health insurance from the date they arrive in Australia until the date they depart, regardless of when they start or complete their program. It is your responsibility to ensure your health insurance policy matches your arrival and departure dates.
The only exception is for students from Belgium, Norway and Sweden who are covered by CSN or Kammarkollegiet. These students will need to provide proof of official health insurance cover from their home government provider.
The five registered OSHC providers areÌýÌý(UNSW’s preferred health cover provider), BUPA Australia Health, Allianz, nib and Australian Health Management.
Medibank OSHC will pay benefits towards your medical and hospital treatment, medically necessary ambulance transport and most prescription medicines. Be aware that there may be some exclusions for pre-existing conditions and you may have to serve a waiting period to receive some services. Some services are not covered by Medibank’s policies. These include optical, physiotherapy, dental and some pharmaceuticals. If you want to be covered for these expenses, you will need to take out additional insurance.
Some programs and courses have costs, which are additional to the tuition fees, for expenses like laboratory kits, equipment and field trips. Textbooks are not considered compulsory, but we recommend budgeting around A$1,000 per year for books.
An estimate of your total costs (tuition and other study-related costs) will be shown on your Confirmation of Enrolment Form (CoE) that will be issued on acceptance of an offer of admission to UNSW.
Sydney is a wealthy city, but there are many ways to keep costs down.
You can shop at the cheaper supermarkets like Aldi, cook your own lunch or dinner, orÌýchoose from the manyÌýcheap restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs. To get an idea ofÌýcosts, see our estimates below.
Cost estimates*^
You will need at least A$25,000 a year as an international student.^ In addition, we recommend that you have at least A$4,000 when you arrive to cover the initial costs of books, rental bond and furniture. These estimates don't include large household items such as a refrigerator or car.Ìý
Weekly cost (AUD) |
On Campus Accommodation |
On Campus Accommodation |
Shared House/Unit |
1 Bedroom Unit |
Rent |
A$391 - A$580 |
A$349 - A$624 |
A$240 - A$285 |
A$575 - A$700 |
Groceries and eating out |
A$30 - A$155 |
A$100 - A$275 |
A$100 - A$275 |
A$100 - A$275 |
Utilities (gas, electricity) |
$0 |
$0 |
A$40 |
A$40 |
Phone and internet |
A$7 - A$15 |
A$7 - A$15 |
A$25 - A$35 |
A$25 - A$35 |
Transport to uni |
$0 |
$0 |
A$50 |
A$50 |
Lifestyle spendingÌý | A$50 | A$50 | A$50 | A$50 |
Weekly total |
A$478 - A$800 |
A$506 - A$964 |
A$505 - A$735 |
A$840 - A$1,150 |
Total estimate for one academic year |
A$21,032 - A$35,200 |
A$22,264 - A$42,416 |
A$22,220 - A$32,340 |
A$36,960 - A$50,600 |
*ÌýLiving costs are indicative only and will vary based on the location, number of people you live with, the condition of the housing and your lifestyle. On-campus accommodation costs will vary depending on the type of the accommodation and the catering offered. This is calculated on a 44-weekÌýacademic year. There is an 8-week summer break from December to February, so if you stay in Australia during the break, you need to calculate for an extra 8 weeks of living expenses.
^The Australian government provides separate guidance on living costs which must be evidenced as part of the Student Visa application process. You can find up-to-date information at the .
Food (AUD) |
|||
Milk (1 litre) |
A$2.00 |
Chicken breast (1kg) |
A$11.00 |
Bread (loaf) |
A$4.50 |
Potatoes (1kg) |
A$3.00 |
Can of tuna |
A$2.70 |
ApplesÌý(1kg) |
A$4.50 |
Soap (100g) |
A$1.50 |
Deodorant |
$6.00 |
Entertainment (AUD) |
|||
Restaurant meal |
´¡$20–A$50 |
Tea/coffee |
A$4.40 |
Movie ticket |
A$22.00 |
Soft drink |
A$4.00 |
UNSW offers a range of scholarships for international students. Discover what options are available to you.
The easiest way to find yourÌýtuition feeÌýis to search for your degree in Degree Finder.Ìý
Tuition fees are calculated by the Units of Credit (UOC) you study and the faculty that offers the courses. An indicative first year fee and indicative fee to complete the degree are provided on our Ìýfor your reference.
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Please bear in mind that some programs may incur extra costs for field study, practical exercise or the use of lab or equipment. Costs for textbooks are not included in the indicative fees on degree pages.Ìý
An estimated total cost will be given on your e-Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) once you accept our offer.
You could use our Indicative Fee Calculator above to work out a future year program cost. For information about living expenses, please visitÌý.
An AUD $150 non-refundable application processing fee will incur for each online application you submit. Payment can be made by credit card only, using our secure online payment service. You may ask someone else to pay the fee for you with that person's permission.
Applications for admission to an honours year program, diploma programs, postgraduate research programs, programs offered at UNSW Canberra, and postgraduate domestic applicants will not incur an application processing fee.
We know the pandemic has changed the way we live and study dramatically. Online degrees offer you another option to gain world-class education while you can’t travel overseas.Ìý
We work to make sure the online experience is as great as possible without compromising the quality of education. That means a considerable amount of time and resources are spent to move our content online and to deliver the exceptional learning experience even when you are an ocean away.
Whether you need a hand completing your application or you’d like to enquire about financial assistance, we’re here to help. ClickÌýÌýto know more about our financial aid for international students.
If you have any questions about fees at UNSW, contact us below. We're here to help.