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

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)

Image credit: Australian Catholic University (acu.edu.au)
  • 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

Image credit: Charles Sturt University (www.csu.edu.au)
  • 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

Image credit: Macquarie University – Macquarie campus (www.mq.edu.au)
  • 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

Image credit: Southern Cross University – Coffs Harbour campus (www.scu.edu.au)
  • 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

Image credit: The University of Newcastle – Newcastle City campus (www.newcastle.edu.au)
  • 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

Image credit: The University of Sydney – Camperdown/Darlington campus (www.sydney.edu.au)
  • 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)

Image credit: University of New England – Armidale campus (www.une.edu.au)
  • 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)

Image credit: University of Technology Sydney – Ultimo campus (www.uts.edu.au)
  • Campus: Ultimo
  • Study areas: Design, technology, science, engineering
  • Research: AI, innovation, sustainability
  • Visit website – https://www.uts.edu.au/

9. University of Wollongong

Image credit: University of Wollongong – Innovation campus (www.uow.edu.au)
  • 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

Image credit: UNSW Sydney – Kensington campus (www.unsw.edu.au)
  • 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

Image credit: Western Sydney University – Parramatta South campus (www.westernsydney.edu.au)
  • 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.