🏅 QS World Rank #40
The University of Queensland (UQ) — Full Profile & Ranking 2026
Home of the Gardasil vaccine breakthrough — QS World Rankings 2027 (joint #40)
The University of Queensland (UQ) is a public research university in Brisbane, Australia, founded in 1909 and a member of the Group of Eight. In the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published June 2026) it is joint 40th in the world. This guide covers programmes, entry, scholarships, advice for applicants from Pakistan and the questions applicants ask most. Every figure is labeled with its year or ranking edition.
UQ Overview
UQ was founded in 1909 and is one of Australia’s Group of Eight research-intensive universities. Its main St Lucia campus sits beside the Brisbane River.
It is known for biotechnology, agriculture, medicine and environmental science, and for the research behind the Gardasil cervical cancer vaccine.
UQ Rankings — QS World University Rankings 2027
UQ is joint 40th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in June 2026.
This is a QS-specific result, not one universal ranking. Times Higher Education, U.S. News and ARWU use different methods and can order universities differently.
Source: QS TopUniversities (QS World University Rankings 2027, 18 June 2026).
Key Strengths & Programs
UQ is known for:
- Biotechnology and molecular bioscience — Institute for Molecular Bioscience
- Agricultural and food science
- Medicine and health sciences
- Environmental science
- Business — UQ Business School
- Vaccine research — the technology behind Gardasil was developed at UQ
See the official website for the full list.
Explore Related Guides & Rankings
Admission Requirements
International applicants apply directly or through a pathway. Confirm all details on UQ’s official pages.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Apply with secondary school results assessed against the Australian system. Students who do not meet direct entry can look at the UQ College foundation pathway. |
| Postgraduate | A relevant Bachelor’s degree is usually needed |
| English | An accepted English test is needed. Check the score for your programme. |
| Competitive programmes | Medicine and some health and science programmes have extra requirements |
| Documents | Transcripts, identification, English evidence and programme-specific documents |
Official source: UQ — Study.
UQ Acceptance Rate
UQ does not publish one acceptance rate that applies to every programme. The old “about 30%” figure on this page was not tied to a source and has been removed.
Practical Application Checklist
- Choose your programme and read its entry and language requirements
- Check the application deadline for your intake
- Book an English (or other required) language test
- Prepare transcripts, identification and any required documents
- Apply and accept your offer
- Meet the visa or residence-permit conditions for your destination
- Plan funding for tuition and living costs
- Verify every date, fee and requirement on UQ’s official website before submitting
Tuition & Costs
UQ international fees depend on the programme and year, with medicine at the top. The old “AU$45,000 to AU$75,000” range was not tied to a year or source, so check the fee for your programme on the official UQ page. Brisbane living costs are extra, so budget for rent, food and transport as well.
Source: UQ — Study. Fees, dates and rules change each year.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- UQ International Excellence Scholarship: a 25% reduction in tuition fees per semester for the full programme. It is for international undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students starting in 2027, is assessed automatically and is competitive.
- UQ College High Achievers Diversity Scholarship: a 20% foundation-program fee reduction (AU$4,988 or AU$7,256 depending on the program) for students from eligible countries with 80% or above, for September 2026 entry. Check whether Pakistan is on the current list.
- Other aid: compare options in our fully funded scholarships for 2027 guide
- No guarantee: you cannot hold several UQ scholarships, and awards are competitive
Sources: UQ scholarships and UQ College scholarships.
UQ for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants follow the standard Australian international process:
- Entry: check your qualification against UQ’s requirements, or look at the foundation pathway
- English: prepare an accepted test. Our IELTS preparation guides can help.
- Scholarships: the International Excellence Scholarship is assessed automatically
- Visa: an Australian student visa is required and its rules change
- Budget: plan for tuition plus Brisbane living costs
Campus & Student Life
- UQ’s main St Lucia campus sits along the Brisbane River, with sandstone buildings beside modern research facilities
- Other campuses include Gatton and Herston
- Brisbane has a subtropical climate and a large student population
- Colleges, societies and clubs cover culture, sport and academic interests
Research & Career Opportunities
- UQ is research-intensive, with notable work in biosciences, agriculture and health
- Brisbane and Queensland have strong resources, health, agriculture and education sectors
- Australian graduate work rights depend on your visa and the rules at the time
- UQ does not guarantee employment, salary or visa outcomes
Notable Alumni
- Peter Doherty, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1996, graduated in veterinary science from UQ
- Quentin Bryce, a former Governor-General of Australia, graduated in law from UQ
- Ian Frazer, co-inventor of the technology behind Gardasil, is a UQ researcher (he is not a UQ graduate)
Contact & Location
The University of Queensland
St Lucia, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
Official website: uq.edu.au
Frequently Asked Questions
The University of Queensland is joint 40th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026.
Yes. The technology behind the Gardasil cervical cancer vaccine was developed at UQ by Ian Frazer and Jian Zhou.
Yes. UQ’s agriculture and food science programmes are well regarded in Australia. Check subject rankings for the latest position.
UQ is best known for biotechnology, agricultural science and medicine.
It depends on the programme and year. Check the official UQ page for your programme.
Yes. The UQ International Excellence Scholarship gives a 25% tuition reduction for eligible students starting in 2027, assessed automatically.
Yes. Pakistani applicants follow the international route and should check entry, English and visa requirements.
UQ does not publish one overall rate. Selectivity varies by programme.
Yes. UQ is a member of Australia’s Group of Eight research-intensive universities.
Check UQ’s official course and scholarship pages. Fees, deadlines and rules can change.
Compare UQ With Other Top Universities
Disclaimer: This page is based on the QS World University Rankings 2027, UQ’s official pages, and other publicly available sources, last checked in October 2026. Fees, rankings, deadlines, and admission rules change, and no admission, funding, visa, or employment outcome is guaranteed. Always verify current details directly with the university before applying.