University of New South Wales vs University of Queensland

University of New South Wales vs University of Queensland

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

Both UNSW and UQ are top members of Australia's Group of Eight research universities. UNSW tends to beat out UQ in world rankings; for example in QS rankings, UNSW is regularly included in the top 20 worldwide while UQ reaches the top 50-60. UNSW is extremely strong in Engineering, Technology, Law, and Business, whereas UQ is particularly strong in Biological Sciences, Environmental Science, Life Sciences, and performs extremely well in Engineering, Medicine and Health. In citation measures, research output, and prestige, UNSW frequently leads or closely rivals other Australian universities; UQ is also extremely well-regarded, particularly in science, health, and environmental fields.

General Information

UNSW, established in 1949, is of massive scale with several faculties and programs totaling many more than 200 postgraduate options; its Kensington campus is the primary base, with other campuses/sites. UQ, founded in 1909, has several campuses (St Lucia and other locations), and additionally provides an enormously large number of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. UQ has more students in total (including international and postgraduate) than UNSW just has undergraduates, but both have strong research and teaching capacity and are large institutions.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

It is difficult to get into UNSW: highly selective programs in Medicine, Engineering, and Law need extremely high entry scores/credentials; other programs have lower admission hurdles. No overall published acceptance rate for UNSW domestic + international exists; approximately 30-40% for most competitive courses. UQ has relatively more relaxed selectivity for most courses than UNSW; a lot of courses have wider ATAR bands and other criteria but some flagship courses (Medicine, Veterinary, etc.) remain highly selective. Admission requirements at both are ATAR (or equivalent), English language proficiency (for international students), and occasionally additional requirements (interview, portfolios etc.) based on degree.

Research Impact & Facilities

Both are very high research activity institutions. UNSW boasts premier research facilities (labs, institutes, industry collaborations), significantly strong in Engineering, Computer Science, Technology, Law, and Medicine. Its graduate outcome surveys rank UNSW undergrads amongst Australia's top-earning 3 years after graduation, and at the head of the Go8 group. UQ also has comparable research infrastructure, particularly in Biological Sciences, Medicine, Environmental Science, Agriculture and Health, with major research centres, grant funding, collaborations, etc. UNSW edges somewhat ahead on recent salary performance; UQ is not far behind in most categories.

Cost & Financial Aid

Fees and tuition differ according to program and whether domestic or international student. Both institutions have higher fees for international students; domestic students pay subsidized fees. Living costs in Sydney (for UNSW) tend to be slightly more expensive than Brisbane (for UQ). Both institutions provide scholarships, merit-based and need-based assistance, as well as bursaries; UNSW has prominent scholarships and financial aid. Public information indicates that UNSW's job and salary outcomes provide high return on investment for its graduates.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

UNSW graduates have great career outcomes: e.g., in recent Graduate Outcomes Surveys, rates of full-time employment and median salaries a few years post-graduation are among highest in Australia. Alumni enter Tech, Business, Law, Medicine, Research in large numbers. UQ graduates also do very well, especially in sciences, health, environment, research, and public service jobs. Alumni networks for both are strong globally and nationally.