Macquarie University is a public research institution in Sydney, New South Wales, with approximately 45,000 students. It is highly ranked for courses in Business, Finance, Actuarial Studies, Linguistics, Medicine, and Engineering. Macquarie has close industry connections, especially through its Sydney technology and business precinct location, and is famous for graduate employability. Admission is moderately selective with good pathways for domestic and international students. The graduation rate is roughly 54%, and median salaries are reported by the graduates of around AUD 75,000–80,000 within a few years of graduation.
The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) is a leading Group of Eight (Go8) research-focused university, located in Sydney, with around 65,000 enrolled students. UNSW is globally ranked and sits regularly within the top 50 institutions across the world, with noted strengths in Engineering, Business, Computer Science, Law, and Medicine. Entry is more competitive, with greater standards. Graduation rates are approximately 60%, while UNSW graduates have median incomes of about AUD 85,000–90,000, indicative of its high standing and international graduate network.
| Macquarie University | University of New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5 Out of 10 | 6.6 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 138 QS World University 2026 # 133 QS World University 2025 # 178 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 20 QS World University 2026 # 19 QS World University 2025 # 52 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 176 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 301 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 | # 25 for Engineering by QS World University 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 63 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -236 PG Programs -115 Doctorate Programs -4 | UG Programs -124 PG Programs -117 Doctorate Programs -43 |
| Exam Score | GMAT-620 IELTS-6.5 PTE-58 TOEFL-83 | GMAT-660 IELTS-6.5 PTE-64 TOEFL-72 |
| Cost to Study | Hostel + Meal - 28349 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 31898 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 33009 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 3180 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Graduate employability rankings: #100-110; | Graduate Employability rankings: #27, |
| application requirements | recognized high school degree, 50% minimum in high school/bachelors, English must be a core subject | Fulfill country and program-specific requirements, |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Macquarie Graduate School of Management | Australian Graduate School of Management |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.9/10 Read 20 reviews | 7.9/10 Read 13 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 121 for Business by QS World University 2026 # 126 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 33 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 98 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| application | - | # 46 Admissions |
| exam scores | IELTS - 7/9PTE - 66/90TOEFL - 94/120 | IELTS - 7/9PTE - 65/90TOEFL - 94/120 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Mar 17, 2025 (Term 2 Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) Jun 9, 2025 (Term 3 Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) Sep 1, 2025 (Term 4 Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) | Aug 1, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Sep 1, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Oct 1, 2025 (Round 3 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Nov 1, 2025 (Round 4 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Dec 1, 2025 (Round 5 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Feb 1, 2026 (Round 6 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Macquarie University | University of New South Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1964 | 1949 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 44:1 | 11:1 |
| Male:Female | 53% Male, 47% Female | 47% Male, 53% Female |
| Location Facts | The campus spans over 126 hectares with an open space & is located in the center of Australia’s largest high-tech precinct with over 300 companies located on/around the campus. Only a few kilometers away from Sydney Central business district, the university has its own metro station. | Located in the suburbs of Kensington, seven kilometers away from center of Syndey. Two other campuses located in Paddington and Canberra. |
| Library | 1,189,409: Physical items; | e-books collection: 831,449; |
| Campus Life | Over 140 clubs and societies, 7 museums and collections, around 130 student groups, buddy programs, on-campus cafe, and restaurants and athletic activities | 300 clubs and societies, has its own religious center, aquatic center, a roundhouse, a variety of shops and food joints on-campus. |
| Hostel | #Rooms(Studio Room) - $10785 #Rooms(Single Bedroom) - $11402 | #Transportation (per month) - $160 #Accomodation (per month) - $2740 |
| Famous Alumni | Anthony Field (musician), Jim Soorley (politician), Lauren Jackson (basketball player), Tanya Plibersek (member of Australian parliament), Ian Thorpe (Australian swimmer), Adam Hills (comedian). Overall alumni network of 164,000 students. | Scott Morrison (Australian PM), Lucy Turnbull (Former Lord mayor of Syndey), Campbell Newman (Former Premier of Queensland), Marise Payne (Minister of Foreign Affairs), Raj Reddy (former Co-chair of US president’s IT), Rebel Wilson (Actress), Mehreen Faruqi (Australian Senator) |
| Weather |
Macquarie University vs University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Macquarie University: Ranked 138 in QS 2026, Macquarie is internationaly known for linguistics, philosophy, accounting & finance, earth sciences, and business. It has cognate research strength in cognitive science, environmental studies, and medical sciences.
UNSW Sydney: Ranked 20 in QS 2026, UNSW is one of Australia's elite Group of Eight (Go8) universities. It is a world leader in engineering, computer science, law, finance, business, and medicine. Especially famous for entrepreneurship, innovation, and STEM research.
General Information
Macquarie University: A public research university in North Ryde, Sydney, with approximately 45,000 students, of which 12,000+ are international students. Recognized for its industry collaborations with Optus, Cochlear, and CSIRO, and its on-campus Macquarie University Hospital.
UNSW Sydney: A publicly-funded research university in Kensington, Sydney, with 65,000+ students, including over 20,000 international students. UNSW has a high global reputation and is a founding member of the Group of Eight (Go8) and Universitas 21
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Macquarie: Moderately selective with an acceptance rate of 54%.
UNSW: Highly competitive with an acceptance rate of 60%, particularly selective for law, engineering, business, and medicine.
Research Impact & Facilities
acquarie: Research-focused with impact in health, business, cognitive science, and environmental sustainability. Has Macquarie University Hospital and cooperates with multinational corporations.
UNSW: Australia's leading research university, #1 nationally in industry-funded research. World-class research in renewable energy, quantum computing, climate science, engineering, medicine, and AI. Location of the UNSW Torch Innovation Precinct.
Cost & Financial Aid
Macquarie: Fees for international students are AUD $38,000–$50,000/year. Scholarships include the Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship (partial tuition remissions).
UNSW: Fees are higher, around AUD $42,000–$55,000/yr, depending on program. Scholarships are competitive, such as the UNSW International Scientia Coursework Scholarship and Australia's Global University Award.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Macquarie: Graduates are well-suited in finance, IT, consulting, healthcare, and education, specifically in Sydney's business centers. Famous for its employable accounting and business graduates.
UNSW: Has Australia's highest-ranked graduate employability (top 50 worldwide). Alumni prevail in engineering, law, business, and research innovation. Active culture of entrepreneurship with numerous startup founders coming from UNSW.
