Complete List of Universities in New South Wales (NSW)
New South Wales has 11 universities, and many of them are ranked among the best in the world by well-known university ranking lists like QS World University Rankings, Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings

Table of Contents
- Public Universities in New South Wales
- 1. Australian Catholic University (ACU)
- 2. Charles Sturt University
- 3. Macquarie University
- 4. Southern Cross University
- 5. The University of Newcastle
- 6. The University of Sydney
- 7. University of New England (UNE)
- 8. University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
- 9. University of Wollongong
- 10. UNSW Sydney
- 11. Western Sydney University
- Private University Presence in NSW
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Whether you’re thinking about studying, doing research, or just looking into your choices, here’s a full guide to the main universities in NSW, plus a note about an important private university.
Public Universities in New South Wales
Each of the following universities has one or more campuses across NSW and offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
1. Australian Catholic University (ACU)

- Campus: North Sydney
- Study areas: Education, health sciences, theology, business, arts
- Research: Focused on social justice, health, and education
- Visit website – https://www.acu.edu.au/
2. Charles Sturt University

- Campus: Port Macquarie (and others across regional NSW)
- Study areas: Agriculture, IT, communication, teaching, policing
- Research: Regional development, environment, health
- Visit website – https://www.csu.edu.au/
3. Macquarie University

- Campus: Macquarie Park, Sydney
- Study areas: Business, engineering, media, law, medicine
- Research: Health, data science, sustainability
- Visit website – https://www.mq.edu.au/
4. Southern Cross University

- Campus: Coffs Harbour (plus Lismore and Gold Coast)
- Study areas: Marine science, education, health, arts
- Research: Plant science, environment, community health
- Visit website – https://www.scu.edu.au/
5. The University of Newcastle

- Campus: Newcastle City, Callaghan
- Study areas: Engineering, medicine, architecture, business
- Research: Energy, health, environment, education
- Visit website – https://www.newcastle.edu.au/
6. The University of Sydney

- Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
- Study areas: Arts, law, medicine, science, engineering
- Research: Global health, robotics, humanities
- Visit website – https://www.sydney.edu.au/
7. University of New England (UNE)

- Campus: Armidale
- Study areas: Teaching, agriculture, psychology, business
- Research: Rural health, agriculture, education
- Visit website – https://www.une.edu.au/
8. University of Technology Sydney (UTS)

- Campus: Ultimo
- Study areas: Design, technology, science, engineering
- Research: AI, innovation, sustainability
- Visit website – https://www.uts.edu.au/
9. University of Wollongong

- Campus: Innovation Campus (Wollongong), others in NSW and abroad
- Study areas: IT, engineering, business, education, law
- Research: Smart infrastructure, health, energy
- Visit website – https://www.uow.edu.au/
10. UNSW Sydney

- Campus: Kensington
- Study areas: Engineering, science, business, law, arts
- Research: Quantum computing, climate, innovation
- Visit website – https://www.unsw.edu.au/
11. Western Sydney University

- Campus: Parramatta South (plus multiple campuses across Western Sydney)
- Study areas: Health, social sciences, business, IT
- Research: Urban planning, education, sustainability
- Visit website – https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/home
Private University Presence in NSW
The University of Notre Dame Australia
- Campus: Sydney (Broadway and Darlinghurst)
- Study areas: Medicine, education, law, arts
- Visit website – http://www.nd.edu.au/
Even though it’s based in Western Australia, the University of Notre Dame has a big presence in Sydney and offers many undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Conclusion
Whether you want a top research university or a local university close to the community, NSW has lots of higher education choices. From Sydney to regional towns like Armidale and Port Macquarie, there’s something for every kind of student and career goal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many universities are there in New South Wales?
There are 11 public universities based in NSW, plus a private university (The University of Notre Dame Australia) with a campus presence in Sydney.
Which is the best university in NSW?
That depends on your field of study. However, The University of Sydney, UNSW Sydney, and Macquarie University consistently rank highly in global rankings like QS and Times Higher Education.
Do NSW universities accept international students?
Yes. All major universities in NSW accept international students and offer dedicated support services, scholarships, and visa assistance.
Do these universities offer online study options?
Most NSW universities offer flexible online and distance learning programs, especially for postgraduate, part-time, or remote students.