University of Western Australia: Rankings, Admissions, Tuition & Scholarships Guide for International Students

The University of Western Australia, known as UWA, is a leading research university in Perth and a member of the Group of Eight coalition of Australia's major research-intensive universities. Established in 1911 by an act of the Western Australian Parliament, it is centred on the Crawley campus beside the Swan River and enrolled nearly 29,500 students in 2023, including almost 8,000 international students from 117 countries. This guide covers exactly what University of Western Australia international students need to know: current QS rankings, admission requirements, tuition costs, scholarships, campus life, and Australia's post-study work visa.

Quick facts snapshot

• Founded: 1911
• Location: Crawley, Perth, Western Australia
• Setting: Riverside urban campus a short distance from Perth's city centre
• Total enrollment: about 29,400 students (2023), with almost 8,000 international students from 117 countries
• Membership: Group of Eight, Australia's coalition of research-intensive universities
• Acceptance rate: not officially published
• Primary intakes: Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)
• QS World University Ranking 2026: #77 globally

Rankings and global reputation

UWA ranks #77 in the QS World University Rankings 2026, with 13 subject areas in the world's top 50. As a Group of Eight member, it sits among Australia's leading research universities, and its strengths include mining and earth sciences, marine science, health, and agriculture. Research linked to UWA contributed to the discovery that Helicobacter pylori causes stomach ulcers, work recognised by the 2005 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded to Barry Marshall, a UWA professor, and Robin Warren. Applicants comparing University of Western Australia tuition fees and ranking with other Group of Eight universities should note that UWA is typically priced below the largest east-coast institutions.

Academics and signature programs

UWA offers programs across arts, business, education, engineering, law, medicine and health, and science, and it uses a flexible degree structure in which many undergraduates complete a broad first degree before specialising through a professional master's for fields such as medicine, law, and architecture. Undergraduate teaching includes large first-year lectures and smaller tutorials, and research strengths in oceans, energy, and resources give graduate students strong industry connections. All teaching is in English.

Admissions and international eligibility

UWA does not publish an acceptance rate, so applicants should focus on the entry requirements for their specific course, which are assessed against equivalency to the Australian secondary school system. Competitive professional programs such as medicine and dentistry have selection steps beyond standard admission, and some courses require prerequisite subjects.

English language requirements

• IELTS Academic: minimum overall score of 6.5 for most courses
• Some courses require higher scores, with overall bands in the 7.0 to 7.5 range for programs such as health and education
• Other English tests are accepted at published equivalents
• Check your course page for both the overall and sub-score requirements

Application checklist

Applicants submit certified transcripts, proof of English proficiency, and identity documents, and may need a personal statement or portfolio for selected courses. They then apply for an Australian student visa with an Overseas Student Health Cover policy. SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT scores are not typically required for standard entry.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

International tuition at UWA for 2026 is expected to fall roughly between AUD 33,000 and AUD 48,000 per year on average, with undergraduate fees in the range of about AUD 38,800 to AUD 52,500 and a typical three-year bachelor's degree totalling roughly AUD 116,000 to AUD 158,000. Medicine, dentistry, and some laboratory-intensive courses cost more.

Estimated living costs in Perth

• Perth is generally a little cheaper than Sydney or Melbourne, though rent has risen sharply in recent years
• Australian student visa applicants must show sufficient funds for living costs
• Public transport, with student concession fares, links the campus and the city
• Part-time work is permitted within current student visa limits
• Perth's climate is sunny and dry, and beaches are close

Scholarships for international students

The UWA Global Excellence Scholarship supports high-achieving undergraduate and postgraduate international students, with up to AUD 48,000 over four years for eligible undergraduate courses and up to AUD 24,000 over two years for eligible postgraduate courses. UWA lists more than 30 international scholarships in 2026. Values, eligibility, and deadlines change, so check the current scholarships listing before applying.

Campus life and student support

The Crawley campus is known for its grounds, historic buildings, and riverside setting, and it has residential colleges and a wide range of clubs. International students can use orientation programs, welfare support, and visa advice. Perth is one of the most isolated major cities in the world, which suits students who enjoy a relaxed lifestyle but may feel remote to those who want frequent travel.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Western Australia's economy is anchored in resources, energy, agriculture, and a growing technology and health sector, and UWA's careers service supports internships, employer events, and graduate recruitment. Engineering, geoscience, and health graduates can find strong regional demand.

Australia's Temporary Graduate visa

Graduates of an eligible Australian degree can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), which allows them to live and work in Australia for a period that depends on their qualification. It can provide practical experience and a route toward skilled migration, but conditions change frequently, so confirm current rules with the Department of Home Affairs.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

International students must hold Overseas Student Health Cover for the length of their visa, and should budget for the visa application fee, flights, and initial accommodation. Prepare documents for the genuine student assessment and arrange housing before you arrive, because demand peaks near each semester start. UWA's international office runs pre-departure information and an orientation program.

Weighing UWA against east-coast Group of Eight universities

UWA offers a top-100 global ranking, a beautiful campus, and generally lower fees and living costs than Sydney or Melbourne, but Perth has a smaller job market for some fields and is a long flight from most of the world. The right choice depends on course strength, budget, and career goals.

Planning your application timeline realistically

Start gathering documents several months ahead of your intake, since visa processing and document certification take time. Apply for scholarships early and confirm course prerequisites.

A realistic three-year budget

At the published range of roughly AUD 38,800 to AUD 52,500 per year, undergraduate tuition for a three-year degree comes to about AUD 116,400 to AUD 157,500, in line with the AUD 116,000 to AUD 158,000 totals quoted for most bachelor's degrees. The Global Excellence Scholarship of up to AUD 48,000 over four years equates to about AUD 12,000 per year, which is a meaningful reduction but not a full waiver. Living costs, Overseas Student Health Cover, and visa fees are additional, so plan for the whole cost.

Living and settling in around the Crawley campus

The Crawley campus lies a short distance from central Perth beside the Swan River, and students can live in the university's residential colleges, in private rentals nearby, or in shared houses in surrounding suburbs. Because Perth's rental market has been tight in recent years, arrange housing early, ideally before you arrive, and ask the international office about first-year accommodation options.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• What is the exact fee for my course and intake, and how often does it rise?
• Does my course require prerequisite subjects or a selection step beyond the standard offer?
• Is my scholarship automatic, or do I need a separate application, and what grades keep it?
• How does the flexible degree structure affect my path to a professional master's?
• What accommodation is available for first-year international students?
• How does the university support students who want internships in Western Australia's resources and health sectors?

Who UWA suits best

UWA suits students who want a top-100 research university in a sunny, relaxed city, especially in earth sciences, marine science, health, or engineering, and who are comfortable being far from other major Australian cities. It may suit less well students who want the largest job market of Sydney or Melbourne.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your course and check any prerequisite subjects or selection steps.
2. Confirm the English requirement for your course and book a test if needed.
3. Apply online with certified transcripts and identity documents, plus any portfolio or statement required.
4. Accept your offer and pay any required deposit.
5. Arrange Overseas Student Health Cover and apply for your Australian student visa.
6. Book accommodation, then complete enrolment and orientation before the semester begins.

What to expect in your first months

Australian universities expect students to take responsibility for their own learning, with lectures supported by tutorials, readings, and assessments spread across the semester. The first weeks are usually spent on orientation, enrolment, and settling into housing. Perth's warm, sunny weather and outdoor culture suit students who enjoy the beach and parks, and student clubs and the international office can help newcomers build a routine.

Frequently asked questions