University of Technology Sydney vs University of Sydney

University of Technology Sydney vs University of Sydney

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

Both UTS and University of Sydney are among Australia's leading universities. UTS is ranked in the top ~ 90 worldwide in QS 2025/2026 and very strong in applied fields (Engineering, IT, Design). University of Sydney ranks much higher in most of the world rankings (top ~ 25 in most QS rankings) and excels in traditional research areas like Medicine, Law, Arts, and basic sciences. UTS excels in technology-focused, design, innovation fields; University of Sydney demonstrates strength across a wide range of academic fields.

General Information

UTS has 51,038 students in 2024, 35,453 of whom are undergraduates; it offers approximately 130 undergraduate programs and numerous postgraduate programs. University of Sydney is very long established, huge student base over several campuses, various undergraduate and graduate courses across a wide range of fields. UTS campus is new, urban, highly embedded in Sydney CBD with several precincts. University of Sydney campuses (Camperdown, Darlington, and others) mix old historic architecture with huge research centers.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

UTS does not actually release a complete university-wide acceptance rate in most sources; several third-party sources estimate acceptance at ~ 19% for several programs, although that could well vary significantly by course. University of Sydney's admission is competitive and overall acceptance rate is 30%. Admission to most UTS courses involves strong secondary school results (ATAR) and English language proficiency; the same goes for the University of Sydney, in its requirement of high marks for Medicine, Law, etc., and prioritizing academic prowess, although depending on the course, admission requirements are different.

Research Impact & Facilities

UTS is designated as a research-led public university with numerous research institutes and centres. It has strong applied research capabilities, extensive industry connection, numerous state-of-the-art labs and innovation hubs. University of Sydney is among the top research universities in Australia with high research funding, high citation impact, best labs in medicine, sciences, humanities, etc., and international collaborations. University of Sydney's profile in foundational research generally beats UTS in most indicators, although UTS usually tops or excels in applied / industry-focused research.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sydney living expenses are steep for both universities. Both universities have scholarships, grants, and financial assistance. UTS has good job outcomes which can justify cost for most students. University of Sydney has strong scholarship opportunities and a significant funding, thus frequently better positioned to financially assist students.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

UTS graduate employability: ~ 77.5% of Australian-resident graduates are in full-time work 4 months after graduation. University of Sydney graduates overall enjoy extremely good job opportunities, especially from high-demand courses (Medicine, Law, Engineering, Business).