Flinders University is a public research university based in South Australia with regional campuses, and it has around 27,000 students. It is well-known for fields of excellence in Medicine, Nursing, Psychology, Education, and Social Sciences. Admissions are moderately competitive with an acceptance rate of 62%. The graduation rate is decent, and Flinders graduates have median salaries of about AUD 70,000–75,000 annually a few years after graduation.
Adelaide's top government-owned university, the University of South Australia (UniSA), is home to about 37,000 students, making it one of the biggest in the state. With a 65% acceptance rate, admissions is highly competitive.Having high rankings in the fields of business, engineering, information technology, health sciences, and the creative arts, UniSA takes a strong applied and industry-focused approach. With an average salary of AUD 72,000 to AUD 78,000, graduates have good employability prospects because of UniSA's emphasis on work-integrated learning.
| Flinders University | University of South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.6 Out of 10 | 4.6 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 301 Times Higher Education 2026 # 387 QS World University 2026 # 301 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 301 Times Higher Education 2025 # 340 QS World University 2025 # 549 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 301 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 301 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 201 for Law by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 251 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 301 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 301 for Law by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -135 PG Programs -82 | UG Programs -140 PG Programs -47 |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-105 IELTS-6 PTE-50 TOEFL-72 | GMAT-500 IELTS-6 PTE-50 TOEFL-79 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 39000 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 25410 [For PG Program] | Average Tuition Fees 25102 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 27643 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 20192 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Overall employment rate (2018)- 92%; Median salary package- 47,120 USD (for UG) and 62,500 USD (for PG); Some of the Flinders graduate salaries are: Bachelors (99,000 USD); Bachelor of Science (35,000 USD); Others (46,000 USD). | Graduate Employability Ranking 2020: 301 – 500; Top paying degree along with their annual salary are: MBA – 128,000 USD; Masters in Finance – 81,000 USD; BBA – 73,000 AUD |
| application requirements | Academic transcripts; Financial and identity documents, work experience for required programs (along with a statement of the employer or a reference from the employer); Proof of English language proficiency. | 60% in best four subjects for UG; Letters of Recommendation; Personal Statement; Work Experience |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.1/10 Read 4 reviews | 7.5/10 Read 9 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 301 for Business by Times Higher Education 2023 | # 151 for Business by QS World University 2026 # 201 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 58/90TOEFL - 79/120 | IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 58/90TOEFL - 79/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -32571 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -43800 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Jun 7, 2024 (Application Deadline For 2024 Intake) | Sep 30, 2025 (Early Application Deadline for Spring 2026 Intake) Dec 2, 2025 (Equal Consideration Application Deadline for Spring 2026 Intake) Feb 28, 2026 (Orientation Week Date for Spring 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Flinders University | University of South Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1966 | 1991 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 29.9:1 | :1 |
| Male:Female | 37% Male, 0% Female | 0% Male, 0% Female |
| Location Facts | 3 campus locations in Adelaide- Bedford Park (main campus), Victoria Square and Tonsley; several other regional and interstate locations; Main campus is located south of the city of Adelaide; Student Hub offers 24/7 study spaces, and other student facilities such as retail, food, childcare, and sports. | University has 8 campuses: Adelaide – City East; Adelaide – City West; Magill at Eastern Suburbs, Mawson Lakes; Whyalla; Mount Gambier; Enterprising Spaces; UniSA Cancer Research Institute |
| Library | 5 libraries; Flinders Library System consists of over a million books and journals, large electronic collections, special collection, etc. | Important collections of library include Bob Hawke, Alexander Downer, Rosemary Crowley, De Lissa Association, Dr Basil Hetzel, Chris Hurford, etc. |
| Campus Life | 23 affiliated sports clubs; Flinders Health2GO (Allied health center for the community); Bedford Park campus acts as the venue for Plaza concerts; Flinders University Museum of Art (new gallery space at Bedford Park campus); Events such as Spring Fest, Festive at Flinders, etc., NVI- New Venture Institute (Australian business incubator for boosting local businesses); Flinders Café Alere; Flinders OneFitness (one of the best fitness center in South Australia). | University has the University of South Australia Student’s Association (USASA) ran democratically by its students; Some of the clubs are ETLAS, Hindu Society, Bangladeshi Student Society, Aviation Student Organization, etc. |
| Hostel | - | #Homestay - $11222 #Student Apartments - $8970 |
| Famous Alumni | Terence Tao (Fields Medalist, professor of mathematics at UCLA); Rodney Brooks (professor of robotics at MIT & former director of the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory); Mamoru Mohri (Retired astronaut, scientist & engineer); Carl Bridge (Australian historian, academic, and professor of Australian History at King's College London); Haydon Manning (Australian political scientist); Xavier Samuel (Australian Actor); Benedict Andrews (Australian theatre & film director); Mario Andreacchio (Australian film producer/director); Donald Brook (Australian artist, art critic & theorist; was an Emeritus Professor of Visual Arts in the Flinders University). | Beverley Bolin (architect); Tom Calma (social justice campaigner); Philip Corey (Journalist), Bob Day (former Family First Senator of South Australia); Glenn Docherty (Mayor of the City of Playford); Dana Wortley (member of Australian Senate) |
| City Life | Adelaide is South Australia’s capital city; 5th largest Australian capital city; 75% of South Australia’s population live in Adelaide; Unemployment rate was 8.2% (in 2019). Famous tourist attractions include North Terrace, Parliament House, State Library of South Australia, South Australian Museum, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide Botanic Garden, Adelaide Oval, Glenelg, Adelaide Festival Center, Victoria Square, Barossa Valley & Clare Valley, etc. | Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia; 547.6 thousand people were employed here full-time and 550 thousand were working as part-time in 2019; Unemployment rate was 6.3% |
| Weather |
Flinders University vs University of South Australia
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
University of South Australia (UniSA): Ranked in the 301–350 in World University Rankings 2026, UniSA has exceptionally strong programs in business, engineering, pharmacy, education, and social sciences. It is also a constituent member of Australian Technology Network (ATN), which is based on industry alliance.Flinders University: Ranked in the 301–350 in World University Rankings 2026,, Flinders is particularly famous for medicine, nursing, psychology, education, and social sciences. It is famous for student-led learning and innovation.
General Information
UniSA: A major public research university with more than 37,000 students, including some 6,500 international students. It operates several campuses in Adelaide and rural South Australia, including City West, City East, Magill, Mawson Lakes, and Whyalla.Flinders: A medium-sized public university with approximately 26,000 students, including some 5,000 international students. Its central Bedford Park campus lies immediately outside Adelaide city, with a concentration on research hospitals and medical teaching facilities.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
UniSA Moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 60–65%. Variable entry requirements, but it is popular with international students due to its applied learning and industry connections.Flinders Similarly accessible with an acceptance rate of approximately 65–70%. Highly regarded for being well-supported by services and international student pathways, particularly in health and social sciences.
Research Impact & Facilities
UniSA: Ranked as a research-active university (R2 equivalent) with significant strengths in pharmacy, materials science, health sciences, and business innovation. Recognized for applied research with close industry collaboration.Flinders: Research domain strengths in medicine, health sciences, psychology, education, and molecular biosciences. Houses the Flinders Medical Centre and research institutes with emphasis on health, defense, and biotechnology.
Cost & Financial Aid
UniSA: International student tuition fees are AUD $33,000–$39,000 annually, varying by program. Offers merit scholarships (up to 50% fee remission for high-achieving students).Flinders: Marginally cheaper, at AUD $30,000–$37,000 per year. Offers international scholarships like the Vice-Chancellor International Scholarship (50% tuition discount)
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
UniSA: Graduates from UniSA are highly employable within the fields of business, engineering, pharmacy, information technology, and education on the basis of UniSA's extensive industry-linked learning framework. Graduates are well-represented across sectors in South Australia and globally in business and applied sciences.Flinders: Flinders graduates do exceptionally well in health, education, social sciences, and psychology. Flinders' graduate network is strong in medical, social policy, and cultural fields, both in South Australia and nationally.
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