University of Sydney vs UNSW

University of New South Wales vs University of Sydney

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) continues to be ranked 20th in the world in the 2026 QS World University Rankings. It is the third consecutive year that it has maintained its position in the top 20, while it is also the second-highest-ranked university in Australia after the University of Melbourne. The University of Sydney has been ranked jointly at 25th place globally in the same QS rankings, with a slightly lower position from 18th in 2025. In terms of subjects, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) achieves outstanding results in various fields of study, especially in the areas of engineering and sustainability, while the University of Sydney sets the trend in terms of academic and employer reputation, the number of times the published research has been cited, and the measures adopted for sustainability, thus ranking 7th worldwide in sustainability.

General Information

Both UNSW and the University of Sydney are two of the eight universities that initiated Australia’s Group of Eight, the association of the top-performing research universities in the country. UNSW, established in 1949, is a large public research university located in Sydney that is usually associated with its creativity and the good prospects it offers its graduates to find a job. The University of Sydney, founded in 1850, is often known as the oldest university in Australia and has been able to maintain its vitality due to its leading research reputation and high global academic standing.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

The statistics on acceptance rates for the University of New South Wales and the University of Sydney are quite difficult to find, and these figures are not usually mentioned by the major sources in their global rankings. Nonetheless, both universities are perceived as two of the toughest competitors in Australia in terms of admission, especially in the popular subjects/fields of study, which is a clear indication of their high academic standards and their solid international reputations.

Research Impact & Facilities

UNSW has state-of-the-art research facilities like the Lowy Cancer Research Centre, the Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, etc and has also set up a cyber-security centre together with Canberra. It is lauded for research innovation and international collaborations. The University of Sydney spearheads research excellence by investing in a biomedical accelerator and world-class research, which enables it to perform well in academic citations and meet the growing demand for sustainability.

Cost & Financial Aid

The data on tuition fees and financial aid, etc., for these universities, as available from the sources (located), is very limited. In general, the domestic and international fees for both universities are always indicative of the public university fees in Australia. They also have a number of scholarships and other assistance programs available, but for more precise information, one may have to seek the help of the university’s own financial aid office or check their website.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

Great career opportunities await UNSW graduates as a result of the university’s innovation and focus on industry relevance. The university has among the highest employer reputation ratings of all Australian universities. The University of Sydney’s alumni benefit from a world-renowned brand and solid professional networks, especially in the fields of research, healthcare, humanities, and governance, as a result of the university’s strong positions in employer and academic reputation.