Study at the Australian National University (ANU)
Founded in 1946, the Australian National University (ANU) is 32nd in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Located in Canberra, Australia’s federal capital, ANU is a research-intensive institution of moderate size (about 24,000 students) emphasising quality of supervision and academic excellence over volume. It is the Australian university closest to government institutions, making it particularly attractive for political science, international relations, public law, and policy.
Why choose ANU
Three differentiators. Political and diplomatic anchor: Canberra hosts the federal Parliament, embassies, ASIO, and DFAT (foreign affairs ministry). ANU has trained Australia’s senior public servants, diplomats, and policy advisors for 75 years. Scientific excellence: ANU concentrates world-class research centres in astronomy (Mount Stromlo Observatory), nuclear physics, climate science, and evolutionary biology. Accommodation guarantee: ANU guarantees an on-campus room to every international student commencing first year, solving one of the biggest headaches for arriving 18-year-olds without local networks.
Programmes
- Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) — flagship programme, comparable to Oxford PPE
- International Relations — Coral Bell School of Asia-Pacific Affairs, global top tier
- Asian Studies — Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian with immersion options
- Science — physics, pure mathematics, astronomy, climate sciences
- Engineering — joint programmes with applied research
- Law — highly ranked JD with strong federal institutions formation
- Arts — anthropology, archaeology, history
Admission requirements
- Strong academic results recommended. International acceptance rate (~70%) remains reasonable
- IELTS Academic 6.5 to 7.0 depending on program, no sub-band below 6.0 or 6.5
- TOEFL iBT equivalent: 90–100+
- Application fee: AUD 150 per programme (up to 3 choices per application)
- Personal Statement + recommendation letters required for selective programmes
Tuition and cost of living
2026 international fees: AUD 39,100–53,000 per year by discipline. Sciences and engineering at the upper end. Canberra cost of living is notably more accessible than Sydney or Melbourne — budget AUD 22,000–28,000 per year, helped by the on-campus accommodation guarantee that avoids private rental price spikes. Smaller, calmer city — appreciated by students who want to focus on studies.
Application calendar
- Semester 2 2026 — deadline a date that varies by program
- Semester 1 2027 — deadline 15 December 2026
ANU processes applications on a rolling basis after the deadline until full. Apply early for flagship programmes (PPE, International Relations).
See our complete guide on Subclass 500 visa and the Australian system.
How YourDreamSchool supports you
Since 2011, YDS has supported students applying to ANU and the other Group of Eight universities. We help structure your Statement of Purpose, prepare you for IELTS, build your Subclass 500 visa application, and anticipate life on the ground. Book a free orientation call with a YDS coach, or contact us with any questions.