The University of South Australia is Adelaide's largest university and one of the youngest in Australia's top 350. It is best known for business, engineering, health sciences and design, with an applied, industry-linked approach. Choose it for a practical degree in one of Australia's most affordable capitals, with regional visa benefits.
Adelaide, Australia
Official website: unisa.edu.au
#340
Top 40 worldwide under 50 years old (QS)
EQUIS and AACSB accredited
100% at or above world standard (ERA)
A$32,000 – A$42,000
International students, undergraduate and coursework master's
A$18,000 – A$24,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on unisa.edu.au before you apply.
Master of Information Technology
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Feb, Jul
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Master of Data Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Feb, Jul
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Master of Business Administration
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Feb, Jul
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Master of Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Feb, Jul
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Master of Management
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Feb, Jul
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Bachelor of Nursing
Bachelors DegreeDuration
36 Months
Intake
Feb, Jul
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 94
Adelaide's largest university — over 37,000 students across six campuses.
Merging with the University of Adelaide to form Adelaide University from 2026.
UniSA Business — dual-accredited, with a widely recognised MBA.
Australian Centre for Precision Health — a major population-health research hub.
Graduates join BAE Systems, Santos, SA Health, Deloitte and Adelaide's defence and space firms.
Graduates can stay and work in Australia for up to three years, longer because Adelaide counts as regional.
Nursing and health graduates enter SA Health hospitals, which recruit heavily from UniSA.
IT and data graduates work at Adelaide's Lot Fourteen innovation district and government agencies.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
City West and City East campuses sit at either end of North Terrace in Adelaide's centre, with Mawson Lakes for engineering and IT and Magill for education and arts in the suburbs.
Adelaide is a planned city ringed by parkland, with rent well below Sydney and Melbourne. Beaches are 20 minutes away by tram, and the wine regions an hour's drive.
Confirmation of Enrolment from UniSA
Proof of funds for fees and living costs
IELTS or equivalent English test result
Overseas Student Health Cover for stay
Genuine Student statement
Health examination, if requested
Applications are rolling for both semesters. For a February start, apply by late November to leave time for your offer, deposit and visa; for July, apply by late April. Nursing and some health programmes have fixed earlier deadlines listed on their course pages.
UniSA has two main intakes: Semester 1 in February and Semester 2 in July. Most undergraduate and coursework master's programmes admit for both. Check the course page, and note that from 2026 new students enrol through the merged Adelaide University.
You need a Student visa (subclass 500). After you accept your offer and pay the deposit, the university issues a Confirmation of Enrolment. You then apply through ImmiAccount with proof of funds, Overseas Student Health Cover and a Genuine Student statement.
Information technology, data science, the MBA, engineering and management are the most applied-for programmes. Master's entry usually needs a bachelor's degree with a pass or credit average (around 55-60% for Indian degrees) and IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0; nursing requires 7.0.
Yes. UniSA offers merit scholarships for international students that reduce tuition by a set percentage, with higher awards for top applicants, and eligibility varying by country and programme. Most are assessed automatically on application. Check the scholarships page for current awards and closing dates.
