Adelaide University — Excellent Value, Research-Driven, Migration-Friendly
Founded in 1874, the University of Adelaide was Australia’s third-oldest university. It merged with the University of South Australia in January 2026 to form the new Adelaide University; new students from 2026 enrol at Adelaide University. Its Adelaide City Campus sits on North Terrace in the heart of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, with excellent transport links.
Ranked 79th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, Adelaide has distinctive strengths in wine and food science, health sciences and engineering. The university is especially popular among international students for its excellent value and favourable migration pathways.
Free Assessment →Adelaide University at a Glance
The merged Adelaide University has around 70,000 students across seven campuses (Adelaide City, Waite, Roseworthy, Magill, Mawson Lakes, Mount Gambier and Whyalla) and is a member of the Group of Eight. The University of Adelaide was the first in Australia to admit women on an equal basis to men — a pioneer in educational equality.
The university counts 5 Nobel laureates among its alumni, including Lawrence Bragg (the youngest Nobel laureate in physics). Recent growth areas include artificial intelligence, machine learning and autonomous vehicle research.
Key Facts
- Founded
- 1874 (Adelaide University from 2026)
- Location
- Adelaide, South Australia
- QS World Ranking
- 79th (2027)
- Total Students
- ~70,000 (merged)
- Campuses
- 7
- Nobel Laureates
- 5
Top Programmes at Adelaide
Adelaide has unique strengths across several fields:
Wine & Food Science
A global benchmark in oenology and food science. Located near the renowned Barossa Valley wine region, the university’s Waite Campus houses world-class wine research facilities.
Health & Medicine
A longstanding medical school with particular strengths in public health, dentistry and nursing. Adelaide is a major medical research hub, partnering closely with the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Engineering
Mining, chemical and civil engineering rank among the best in Australia. Strong ties to South Australia’s defence and aerospace industries provide excellent employment prospects in electrical and electronic engineering.
Music
The Elder Conservatorium of Music is one of Australia’s oldest and most distinguished music schools. Classical music and performing arts programmes are nationally leading, with graduates active on the global stage.
Admission Requirements Overview
Academic Requirements
Undergraduate entry scores vary by degree, with the most flexible entry thresholds in the Go8: published 2026 domestic ATAR cut-offs include 65 for Arts and 90 for Laws (Honours). Medicine and Dentistry use competitive selection (UCAT and interview), where 90 is the minimum eligibility score and successful applicants usually score higher. International requirements are set per degree, for example 95 for Psychology (Honours). Postgraduate entry typically requires a bachelor’s average of 60-75+, with some programmes accepting lower averages.
English Language
Most programmes require IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0). Medicine and education require 7.0+. TOEFL (79+), PTE (64+, 60+ in each skill) and equivalents are accepted. Adelaide also offers a Pre-Enrolment English Programme (PEP).
Application Tips
Adelaide is the most accessible Go8 university for entry, suitable for students with solid but not top-tier grades; every offer depends on the university’s assessment of the application. Scholarships for international students are available, and their names and amounts have changed with the merger, so check the university’s current list. Strongly recommended for students with migration plans, who can also factor in South Australia’s graduate state-nomination stream.
Campus and Student Life
The main campus on North Terrace is in the city centre, within walking distance of the train station, shopping and cultural venues (South Australian Museum, Art Gallery of SA). Beautiful heritage buildings create a distinguished academic atmosphere.
Adelaide is known as the “20-minute city” — beaches, hills and wine regions are all within a 20-minute drive from the CBD. Living costs are among the lowest of Australia’s major cities, ideal for student budgets.
With 130+ student clubs and societies, campus life is vibrant. Adelaide is a festival city, hosting world-class events including the Adelaide Festival, Adelaide Fringe (the world’s second-largest arts festival) and WOMADelaide.
Frequently Asked Questions
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