Study at the Australian National University
Join Australia's national university, internationally recognised for academic excellence, groundbreaking research, innovation, and preparing future global leaders in the heart of Canberra.
Australia's National University
The Australian National University (ANU), founded in 1946 by the Australian Parliament, is Australia's only university created by federal legislation. Located in Canberra — Australia's capital city — ANU is a research-intensive university consistently ranked among the world's top 30 and is the highest-ranked university in Australia.
With approximately 22,000 students from over 120 countries, ANU offers a distinctive educational experience combining world-leading research with intimate class sizes. The university is renowned for its contributions to public policy, science, engineering, humanities, and the arts — and has deep connections with the Australian government, national institutions, and embassies.
ANU has produced Nobel Laureates, Prime Ministers, High Court Justices, and global leaders across every field. Its beautiful 145-hectare campus is set beside Lake Burley Griffin, combining modern research facilities with native bushland in one of the world's most liveable cities. The Kambri precinct provides a vibrant student hub with dining, retail, and cultural spaces.
Academic Programmes
7 colleges covering science, engineering, business, law, health & humanities
ANU College of Engineering, Computing & Cybernetics
Acton Campus
ANU College of Business & Economics
Acton Campus
ANU College of Science
Acton Campus
ANU College of Health & Medicine
Acton Campus
ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences
Acton Campus
ANU College of Asia & the Pacific
Acton Campus
ANU College of Law
Acton Campus
Investment in Your Future
Canberra offers lower living costs than Sydney or Melbourne
Undergraduate
- arts social sciences: AUD 41,000–45,000/year
- business commerce: AUD 47,000–50,000/year
- engineering computing: AUD 50,000–54,000/year
- science: AUD 48,000–52,000/year
- law: AUD 47,000–50,000/year
- health medicine: AUD 50,000–78,000/year
Postgraduate
- masters coursework: AUD 45,000–55,000/year (varies by programme)
- mba: AUD 91,000+ total
- juris doctor: AUD 47,000–50,000/year
- research masters: AUD 47,000–54,000/year
- phd: AUD 47,000–54,000/year (most funded via RTP or scholarships)
- medicine mchd: AUD 78,000+/year
Living in Canberra
- accommodation: AUD 200–500/week (on-campus residences or private rental)
- meals: AUD 80–150/week
- health insurance oshc: AUD 600–700/year (compulsory for international students)
- transport: AUD 30–50/week (Canberra buses are free for students in some zones)
- books supplies: AUD 500–1,000/year
- personal expenses: AUD 60–120/week
- total living estimate: AUD 20,000–28,000/year
Tuition fees are indicative for international students (2024–2025 academic year) and are subject to annual review. Canberra offers a lower cost of living than Sydney or Melbourne. Always verify current fees on the ANU website.
Funding Your ANU Education
From full tuition + living allowance to college-specific awards
ANU Chancellor's International Scholarship
Full tuition fee waiver for the duration of the degree + AUD 25,000 annual living allowance
Eligibility: Exceptional international students with outstanding academic records applying to ANU undergraduate or postgraduate coursework programmes
ANU's most prestigious scholarship. Extremely competitive. Automatic consideration upon admission application.
ANU International Excellence Scholarship
25%–50% tuition fee reduction for the degree duration
Eligibility: High-achieving international students admitted to ANU programmes
Merit-based. Automatic assessment upon admission application. Multiple tiers based on academic achievement.
Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship
Full tuition fee waiver + living stipend (AUD 35,000+/year tax-exempt) + OSHC + thesis allowance
Eligibility: International PhD and research Master's students with outstanding research potential
Australian Government funded. Covers tuition, living, and health insurance. ANU allocates substantial RTP places.
ANU College-Specific Scholarships
AUD 5,000–25,000 per year tuition reduction
Eligibility: International students admitted to specific colleges (Engineering, Business, Science, etc.)
Multiple college-level awards. Some require separate applications, others are automatic.
New Colombo Plan Scholarship (Inbound)
Various — government-funded for eligible partnership students
Eligibility: Students from Indo-Pacific countries studying at ANU
Australian Government initiative supporting regional education partnerships.
ANU HDR Fee Remission Scholarships
Full tuition fee waiver for higher degree by research students
Eligibility: International research students with strong academic and research backgrounds who narrowly miss RTP
University-funded tuition waivers for competitive research applicants. Combined with other living stipends.
How to Get In
Deadlines: Semester 1 (February): closes mid-December. Semester 2 (July): closes late May. Some programmes have earlier closing dates.
- Completed secondary education equivalent to Australian Year 12 (ATAR equivalent)
- Meet programme-specific academic requirements
- English language proficiency: IELTS 6.5 overall, minimum 6.0 in each band (standard); some programmes require 7.0+
- Prerequisite subjects for some programmes (e.g., Mathematics for Engineering/Science)
- Apply via ANU Apply Online portal
- Certified academic transcripts and certificates
- Personal statement (selected programmes)
- Portfolio (Art, Design, Music programmes)
- Interview (Medicine — MChD)
- Passport copy and English test evidence
ANU assesses international qualifications against Australian equivalents. The university publishes detailed country-specific entry requirements. Pathway programmes (ANU College) are available for students not meeting direct entry. Medicine (MChD) is a postgraduate programme at ANU. Check the ANU admissions website for specific requirements.
Life at ANU
145 hectares beside Lake Burley Griffin in Australia's capital
Kambri Precinct
ANU's vibrant student hub opened in 2019 — featuring dining venues, student services, shops, cultural spaces, a cinema, gym, and the iconic Marie Reay Teaching Centre.
Libraries & Learning
The Chifley and Menzies libraries hold extensive research collections. 24/7 study spaces, digital labs, and quiet zones support deep academic work.
Student Clubs & Societies
Over 200 clubs and societies covering academic interests, sports, culture, politics, arts, sustainability, and international student groups through ANUSA and PARSA.
Sports & Recreation
ANU Sport facilities include a fitness centre, swimming pool, tennis courts, ovals, and a wide range of social and competitive sport programmes.
Research Institutes
Home to national research centres including Mt Stromlo Observatory, Research School of Physics, John Curtin School of Medical Research, and the ANU Supercomputer.
Residential Halls
Seven residential halls on campus offering catered and self-catered options with pastoral support, social programmes, and academic mentoring for a close-knit community.
Canberra & Nature
Canberra is Australia's most liveable city — clean, safe, and green. ANU's campus borders native bushland, Lake Burley Griffin, and is minutes from national institutions.
Innovation & Startups
ANU's innovation ecosystem includes the Griffin Accelerator, CBR Innovation Network partnerships, and strong ties to government and defence research.
Career Outcomes
Research Strengths
Astronomy & Space Science
ANU's Mt Stromlo and Siding Spring Observatories are world-leading facilities. Research in dark matter, galaxy evolution, and space debris tracking.
Climate & Sustainability
Leading global research in climate science, renewable energy policy, environmental governance, and the science of climate change through multiple institutes.
Quantum Science & Computing
Pioneering quantum computing and quantum optics research. ANU is part of Australia's quantum technology ecosystem and hosts major quantum research groups.
Cybersecurity & AI
National leadership in cybersecurity research through partnerships with defence and intelligence agencies. Strong AI and machine learning programmes.
Public Policy & Governance
ANU's Crawford School is the leading public policy school in the Asia-Pacific. Deep links with Australian Parliament, government departments, and international organisations.
Medical & Health Research
The John Curtin School of Medical Research is world-renowned. Research in immunology, genomics, neuroscience, and population health.
International Student Support
Over 8,000 international students from 120+ countries
- International Student Services (dedicated support team)
- Pre-departure information sessions and online guides
- Airport pickup and welcome service
- International Orientation programme
- Academic Skills & Learning Centre (free workshops and tutoring)
- English language development support
- Counselling and wellbeing services
- ANU Careers service with international student focus
- Student visa compliance support and guidance
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) assistance
- International student mentoring and buddy programmes
- Global Programmes — exchange with 200+ partner universities
Your Path to ANU
Expert guidance from enquiry to enrolment
Programme Selection
We help you navigate ANU's 7 colleges, identify the best programme for your background, and understand the unique opportunities of studying at Australia's national university.
Application Strategy
Expert guidance on ANU's competitive admissions — personal statement writing, prerequisite planning, document preparation, and meeting semester deadlines.
Scholarship Guidance
Identify and maximise your chances for the Chancellor's International Scholarship, Excellence Scholarship, RTP, and college-specific awards. Many are assessed automatically.
Research Supervision
For PhD applicants, we help identify supervisors at ANU's world-leading research schools (astronomy, quantum, policy), craft proposals, and navigate RTP applications.
Visa & Accommodation
Australian student visa (subclass 500) guidance, OSHC arrangement, ANU residential hall applications, and guidance on Canberra's affordable housing market.
Pre-Departure & Arrival
Comprehensive pre-departure briefing, airport pickup coordination in Canberra, MyWay card setup, bank account guidance, and ongoing support after arrival.
Apply to ANU
Free expert guidance — no hidden fees
Hear From ANU Students
“ANU's computing programme is rigorous and research-driven. The small class sizes mean you get real attention from world-class researchers. Canberra is also much more affordable than Sydney.”
“My RTP scholarship covers everything — tuition, living, insurance. ANU's climate research is globally recognised and the access to government policy-makers is unmatched anywhere.”
“Studying PPE at Australia's national university, literally next to Parliament House, is an experience you can't get anywhere else. The international community at ANU is incredible.”
Frequently Asked Questions
ANU is ranked #30 globally (QS 2025) and #1 in Australia. As Australia's national university, it has unique connections to government, embassies, and national institutions. It excels in research, public policy, science, engineering, and humanities. Small class sizes, generous scholarships, and Canberra's affordable lifestyle make it distinctive.
Undergraduate fees range from AUD 41,000–78,000/year depending on programme (arts: ~AUD 41,000–45,000; engineering: ~AUD 50,000–54,000; medicine: ~AUD 78,000+). Postgraduate coursework ranges from AUD 45,000–55,000/year. The MBA is AUD 91,000+ total. Fees are reviewed annually.
ANU offers the Chancellor's International Scholarship (full tuition + AUD 25,000 living), International Excellence Scholarship (25–50% tuition reduction), Research Training Program (full funding for PhD), and college-specific awards. Most are automatically assessed on application.
Standard requirement is IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0. Some programmes (Law, Medicine, Clinical Psychology) require IELTS 7.0+. TOEFL iBT (min 80, with sub-scores), PTE Academic (min 64), and Cambridge English are also accepted.
ANU has seven on-campus residential halls offering catered and self-catered options (AUD 200–500/week). Options include Burgmann College, John XXIII, Ursula Hall, and newer residences. Off-campus rentals in Canberra suburbs are also affordable compared to Sydney or Melbourne.
Canberra offers a lower cost of living, less congestion, and a safe, green environment. As Australia's capital, it provides unique access to embassies, national institutions, government agencies, and policy organisations. The city is compact, bike-friendly, and surrounded by nature.
Educational Hub provides free expert guidance including programme selection, application strategy, scholarship identification (Chancellor's, Excellence, RTP), document preparation, SOP writing, visa support, OSHC, accommodation guidance, and pre-departure briefing. We support you from enquiry to arrival in Canberra.
ANU graduates are among the most employable in Australia — ranked #1 nationally for employability. Over 90% find employment within 4 months. The university has deep connections to government, research agencies, and international organisations. Alumni include 2 Prime Ministers and 6 Nobel Laureates.