About the university
The University of Canberra began as the Canberra College of Advanced Education in 1968 and became a university in 1990. It is a public university in Australia's capital, with its main campus in the suburb of Bruce. It is a mid-sized university of about 11,000 students, around 29% of them international.
UC is known for career-focused courses in IT, business, health, education, design and architecture. Its International Course Guide quotes the Good Universities Guide 2026 placing UC first in Australia for postgraduate full-time employment in both computing and information systems and business and management.
Indian students mainly look at its two-year master's degrees in IT and Systems, Data Science and Engineering, the 1.5-year MBA and the Master of Professional Accounting. Fees are lower than at most Sydney and Melbourne universities, and the High Achievers scholarship gives 20% off for strong students from any country.
Canberra is Australia's capital and is much smaller than Sydney or Melbourne, with many government and research employers. It suits students who want a quieter place to study.
- Roots
- Began as the Canberra College of Advanced Education in 1968; became the University of Canberra in 1990
- Type
- Public university
- Total students
- About 11,100 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- International students
- 29% (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 29.8 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Campuses
- Main campus at Bruce, Canberra; nursing is also taught at UC Sydney Hills, Castle Hill
- Intakes
- Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
=477 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
401–450 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
Master of Information Technology and Systems
- Fee / year
- A$42,000
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- February and August (Semesters 1 and 2)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or equivalent
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- A$42,000
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- February and August (Semesters 1 and 2)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or equivalent
- Postgraduate
Master of Business Administration
- Fee / year
- A$41,500
- Duration
- 1.5 years
- Intakes
- February and August (Semesters 1 and 2)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or equivalent
- Postgraduate
Master of Professional Accounting
- Fee / year
- A$41,500
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- February and August (Semesters 1 and 2)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or equivalent
- Postgraduate
Master of Engineering (Network Engineering)
- Fee / year
- A$42,000
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- February and August (Semesters 1 and 2)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or equivalent
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- A$36,000
- Duration
- 1.5 years
- Intakes
- February and August (Semesters 1 and 2)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or equivalent
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Information Technology
- Fee / year
- A$38,000
- Duration
- 3 years
- Intakes
- February and August (Semesters 1 and 2)
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no band below 6.0) or equivalent
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- A$38,000
- Duration
- 3 years
- Intakes
- February; August if places remain (Bruce and UC Sydney Hills)
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (7.0 in listening, reading and speaking; 6.5 in writing); PTE 63; TOEFL iBT 91; OET accepted
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (AUD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Information Technology and Systems | 2 years | A$42,000 | ≈ ₹27.3 lakh |
| Master of Data Science | 2 years | A$42,000 | ≈ ₹27.3 lakh |
| Master of Business Administration | 1.5 years | A$41,500 | ≈ ₹27 lakh |
| Master of Professional Accounting | 2 years | A$41,500 | ≈ ₹27 lakh |
| Master of Engineering (Network Engineering) | 2 years | A$42,000 | ≈ ₹27.3 lakh |
| Master of Public Health | 1.5 years | A$36,000 | ≈ ₹23.4 lakh |
| Bachelor of Information Technology | 3 years | A$38,000 | ≈ ₹24.7 lakh |
| Bachelor of Nursing | 3 years | A$38,000 | ≈ ₹24.7 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at University of Canberra with similar universities in Australia.
Scholarships
- Bachelor's and master's (coursework)
UC High Achievers Scholarship
Value: 20% off tuition fees
Eligibility: Commencing international students from any country with a GPA of 5.5 out of 7 (80% for bachelor's entry, 75% for master's entry, or equivalent). Assessed with your application; first come, first served. Not for nursing, graduate certificates or diplomas.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Bachelor's and master's
UC Merit Scholarship
Value: 10% off tuition fees
Eligibility: GPA of 5 out of 7 or equivalent. Open to students from certain regions only; check with UC whether India qualifies for your intake.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Bachelor's and master's
UC Excellence Scholarship
Value: 30% off tuition fees
Eligibility: GPA of 5.5 out of 7 or equivalent. Region-specific; course exclusions apply.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Bachelor's entry is based on an entrance rank; UC converts overseas Year 12 results, including Indian Class XII, through its academic entry requirements. The Bachelor of IT lists a selection rank of 60 and nursing 65.
- UC College diplomas in business, IT and health offer a pathway if you do not meet direct entry.
Postgraduate
- Most master's degrees accept a bachelor's degree in any field (IT and Systems, Data Science). The MBA needs a related degree, or an unrelated degree plus three years' work experience.
- The Master of Engineering needs a 4-year engineering degree or a 3-year degree accredited at Engineering Technologist level.
- Courses start in February and August. Tuition is paid in full at the start of each teaching period.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class XII mark sheets (bachelor's)
- Degree transcripts and certificate (master's)
- English test result
- CV and work experience letters where the course counts experience
- Financial documents for the student visa
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (master's) | 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 for the master's degrees on this page. |
| IELTS Academic (bachelor's) | 6.0 overall with no band below 6.0 for the Bachelor of IT; nursing asks for 7.0 (6.5 in writing). |
| PTE and TOEFL | Accepted as equivalents; nursing lists PTE 63 and TOEFL iBT 91 with band minimums. |
Accommodation and living costs
UniLodge runs more than 2,500 beds in four residences on or next to the Bruce campus, and UC's guide says all international students are guaranteed accommodation. Rates below are weekly, based on 48-week occupancy, include utilities and were accurate as of December 2025.
| Item | In AUD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Campus West | A$211–506per week | ≈ ₹13,683 – ₹32,890 |
| Weeden Lodge | A$216–376per week | ≈ ₹14,040 – ₹24,440 |
| UC Lodge | A$277–415per week | ≈ ₹18,005 – ₹26,975 |
| Cooper Lodge | A$277–477per week | ≈ ₹18,005 – ₹31,005 |
Campus and location
UC's main campus is in the Canberra suburb of Bruce, with residences and the University of Canberra Hospital on site.
- Four UniLodge residences with more than 2,500 beds.
- University of Canberra Hospital on campus, with capacity for 140 inpatient beds.
- More than 75 academic, cultural, social and sporting clubs and societies.
- UC Sydney Hills at Castle Hill also teaches nursing.
Careers and graduate outcomes
UC promotes its graduate employment results, and Canberra has many government, defence and research employers. See our Australia guide for post-study work visa rules.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate full-time employment, computing and information systems | 1st in Australia | Good Universities Guide 2026, quoted in UC's International Course Guide 2027 |
| Postgraduate full-time employment, business and management | 1st in Australia | Good Universities Guide 2026, quoted in UC's International Course Guide 2027 |
| Median graduate salary | A$72,400 | Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024, quoted in UC's International Course Guide 2027 |
Studying in Australia
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Australia. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in Australia
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FAQs
How much does a master's at the University of Canberra cost?
UC's International Course Guide 2027 lists 2026 annual fees of A$42,000 for the Master of IT and Systems and Master of Data Science, and A$41,500 for the MBA. Expect 2027 fees to be confirmed in your offer.
When are the intakes?
Semester 1 starts in February and Semester 2 in August. In 2027 teaching starts on 15 February and 9 August.
What IELTS score do I need?
Most master's degrees need IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0. The Bachelor of IT needs 6.0 in every band and nursing needs 7.0.
Is there a scholarship for Indian students?
The UC High Achievers Scholarship (20% off tuition) is open to students from all countries with a GPA of 5.5 out of 7, or 75% in a bachelor's for master's entry. It is assessed with your application.
Is accommodation guaranteed?
UC's international guide says all international students are guaranteed accommodation. Weekly rates in the four UniLodge residences ranged from about A$210 to A$506 in December 2025.
Sources
- University of Canberra: International Course Guide 2027 (opens in a new tab)
- UC: Master of Information Technology and Systems (2027) (opens in a new tab)
- UC: Master of Data Science (2027) (opens in a new tab)
- UC: Master of Business Administration (2027) (opens in a new tab)
- UC: Bachelor of Nursing (2027) (opens in a new tab)
- UC: international fees and costs (opens in a new tab)
- UC: High Achievers Scholarship (opens in a new tab)
- UC: 50 years of education (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: University of Canberra (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.canberra.edu.au (opens in a new tab)
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