🏅 QS World Rank #79
The University of Adelaide — Full Profile & Ranking 2026
Home to five Nobel laureates and the Southern Hemisphere’s top wine science institute — QS World Rankings 2027 #79
The University of Adelaide is a public research university in South Australia, established in 1874 and a member of Australia’s Group of Eight. In the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published June 2026) it is 79th in the world. Important update: in January 2026 the University of Adelaide merged with the University of South Australia to form Adelaide University. This guide explains what that means for applicants, plus programmes, scholarships, advice for applicants from Pakistan and common questions.
the University of Adelaide Overview
The University of Adelaide was formally established on 6 November 1874. It is known for its sandstone North Terrace campus in the city centre and its Waite campus, which specialises in viticulture, oenology and agriculture.
Merger update: the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia merged on 5 January 2026 to create Adelaide University, which opened for its first intake in February 2026. Reporting states that the two older institutions’ founding Acts were repealed after 31 March 2026. Applicants should therefore check which institution names, degrees and entry rules apply to the intake they want. The QS 2027 position quoted on this page is the one carried by this page’s title, so confirm in the QS table which entity it refers to.
the University of Adelaide Rankings — QS World University Rankings 2027
This page’s ranking position is 79th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in June 2026. Because of the 2026 merger, check the QS table to confirm which institution name that entry uses.
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
The University of Adelaide is known for:
- Wine and viticulture research at the Waite campus, which is shared with the Australian Wine Research Institute
- Agriculture and plant science
- Medicine and health sciences
- Engineering and physics, linked to the Bragg family’s Nobel Prize in Physics (1915)
- Defence and space-related research in South Australia
- A compact, student-friendly city
Claims such as “the Southern Hemisphere’s top wine science institute” are the university’s own positioning and are not a ranking. This page does not quote subject ranks.
Explore Related Guides & Rankings
Admission Requirements
Admission rules depend on whether you apply to Adelaide University or a programme from the earlier institution. Confirm all details on the official pages.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Application | Online application with academic transcripts, identification and English evidence |
| Undergraduate entry | Assessed from your final school results, with international qualifications converted to the Australian system |
| Postgraduate entry | Assessed from your previous degree results and the programme requirements |
| English | IELTS, TOEFL or another accepted test unless exempt |
| Visa | Student visa required |
| Merger check | Confirm the institution name, campus and degree code for your intake |
the University of Adelaide Acceptance Rate
The university does not publish one acceptance rate for international applicants, so this page does not quote one.
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 the University of Adelaide’s official website before submitting
Tuition & Costs
The official scholarship page we could read lists percentage reductions only and no fee figures, so this page does not quote an international tuition amount. Fees depend on the programme and year, and may differ under Adelaide University. Check the official fee pages.
Fees, dates and rules change each year.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Adelaide Academic Excellence Scholarship (50%): the university’s international scholarship page lists a 50% tuition fee reduction for international students starting undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degrees. Places for high-distinction-average students are limited and an application form is required. The older name “Global Academic Excellence Scholarship” did not appear on the page we read, so check which name and terms apply to your intake.
- Other funding: see our guide to fully funded scholarships for 2027 and check the official scholarship listing.
Source: Adelaide international scholarships. Terms change each year.
the University of Adelaide for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants follow the standard international process:
- Results: check the entry page for your board and level
- English: prepare IELTS or TOEFL. Our IELTS preparation guides can help.
- Merger: confirm the institution and programme code before you apply
- Visa: an Australian student visa is required
Campus & Student Life
- The North Terrace campus is in Adelaide’s cultural precinct in the city centre
- The Waite campus in Urrbrae focuses on viticulture, oenology and agriculture
- The university also runs the National Wine Centre on North Terrace
- Adelaide is a smaller, lower-cost city than Sydney or Melbourne, though costs still need budgeting
Research & Career Opportunities
- The university is research-intensive, with strengths in agriculture, wine, health and engineering
- South Australia has growing defence, space and food and wine industries
- Graduates also work in health, education, law and finance
- No institution guarantees employment, salary or visa outcomes
Notable Alumni
- William Lawrence Bragg shared the 1915 Nobel Prize in Physics and was associated with the University of Adelaide
- William Henry Bragg shared the 1915 Nobel Prize in Physics and was a professor at Adelaide
- The university reports five Nobel laureates. Check its Nobel laureates page for the full list
Contact & Location
The University of Adelaide (now part of Adelaide University)
North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
Official website: adelaide.edu.au
Frequently Asked Questions
This page’s position is 79th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026. Check the QS table for the institution name it uses after the 2026 merger.
Yes. The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia merged on 5 January 2026 to form Adelaide University, which opened for its first intake in February 2026.
It has been a Group of Eight member. Because of the merger, check the Group of Eight website for the current membership.
It is best known for wine and viticulture research, agriculture, medicine and engineering.
The university states five. The Bragg family’s 1915 Nobel Prize in Physics is one well-known part of that history.
The official page lists the Adelaide Academic Excellence Scholarship, a 50% tuition reduction with limited places and an application form.
Yes. Pakistani applicants apply as international students with results, an English test if required and the listed documents.
The pages we could read give no fee figure, so check the official fee pages for your programme and intake.
The university does not publish a single acceptance rate for international applicants, so we do not quote one.
Check the University of Adelaide’s official pages at adelaide.edu.au. Fees, deadlines and rules can change.
Compare the University of Adelaide With Other Top Universities
Disclaimer: This page is based on the QS World University Rankings 2027, the University of Adelaide’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.