🏅 QS World Rank #29
Australian National University (ANU) — Full Profile & Ranking 2026
The only university created by Australia’s national parliament — QS World Rankings 2027 #29
The Australian National University (ANU) is a public research university in Canberra, Australia, founded in 1946 by an act of the Australian Parliament — the country’s only national university. In the QS World University Rankings 2027 (released June 2026), ANU ranked 29th in the world, one of nine Australian universities in the global top 100. Based in the national capital, ANU holds particular strength in international relations, public policy, and physics. This guide covers ANU’s colleges, undergraduate admission, tuition and scholarships, advice for applicants from Pakistan, and the questions prospective students ask most. Every figure is labelled with its year or source.
ANU Overview
Founded in 1946 by an act of the Australian Parliament, ANU is the country’s only university created directly by the national government, distinguishing it from the state-based Group of Eight universities such as Sydney and Melbourne. Its parkland campus sits in the heart of Canberra, close to Parliament House and national government institutions, giving particular relevance to its international relations and public policy programs. ANU is also internationally recognised for physics and the sciences.
ANU Rankings — QS World University Rankings 2027
ANU is ranked 29th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in June 2026, one of nine Australian universities in the global top 100 and just behind the University of Sydney (28th).
QS ranks universities using academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per faculty, student-to-faculty ratio, and measures of international faculty and students. This is a QS-specific result, not a universal ranking — Times Higher Education, U.S. News, and ARWU use different methods and can order the same universities differently.
Source: QS TopUniversities, QS World University Rankings 2027 (released 18 June 2026).
Colleges & Key Strengths
ANU is organised into colleges and schools, and is particularly known for:
- International Relations & Asia-Pacific Studies — ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
- Public Policy — Crawford School of Public Policy
- Physics & Astronomy — Research School of Physics
- Law — ANU College of Law
- Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) — a small, research-intensive program admitting purely on academic merit
For the full list of colleges and degrees, see ANU’s official website.
Explore Related Guides & Rankings
Admission Requirements
ANU admission details below were checked in October 2026. Confirm them on ANU’s admissions site before applying.
Undergraduate Admissions
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Application Method | Direct application to the university (no centralised national portal for international applicants) |
| Entry Basis | Secondary school results (e.g. A-Levels, IB, or local examination boards) |
| Application Window | ANU accepts applications across the year for its main intakes; reported deadlines for 2026–27 entry vary by source from October to December — confirm the exact date for your intended intake directly with ANU Admissions |
| Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) | A separate, more selective application for high-achieving students, assessed purely on academic merit |
| English Requirement | IELTS, TOEFL, or an approved equivalent for applicants whose prior education was not in English |
Graduate Admissions
Postgraduate applicants need a relevant Bachelor’s degree in most programs; deadlines and requirements vary by school.
Official source: ANU Admissions.
ANU Acceptance Rate
ANU’s overall acceptance rate is commonly estimated at around 35%, based on third-party aggregated admissions data rather than a single official university figure. Like most Australian universities, ANU assesses applicants per-course against secondary-school score requirements that vary by program and by year.
Figures are aggregated estimates; always check current entry requirements per course on ANU’s official admissions pages.
Practical Application Checklist
- Confirm your target intake and its exact application deadline directly with ANU Admissions
- Confirm your secondary school result’s entry-score equivalent for your chosen course
- Book an IELTS/TOEFL test early if your prior education was not in English
- If applying to the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours), prepare a stronger, merit-based application separately from standard undergraduate entry
- Your application is automatically considered for the ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship — no separate form is required
- Plan for the full cost of attendance, including living costs in Canberra
- Check Australian student visa (subclass 500) requirements
- Verify every date, fee, and requirement on ANU’s official website before submitting
Tuition & Costs
International undergraduate tuition at ANU is roughly AU$47,000–58,000 per year, varying by program, with some premium programs reported above AU$55,000. There is no single flat tuition figure, since ANU charges per program.
Source: ANU’s international student fee schedule, cross-checked against third-party fee aggregators, October 2026. Always confirm the exact fee for your specific program on ANU’s official fees page.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Chancellor’s International Scholarship — a tuition fee waiver covering 25% or 50% of tuition for the full duration of the degree, for high-achieving international applicants; no separate application is required, as eligible applicants are automatically considered when they apply for admission
- Need-based bursaries — available for postgraduate researchers and some undergraduates
Scholarship terms, values, and eligibility change year to year — confirm current offerings on ANU’s scholarships page. Funding is not automatic or guaranteed for every applicant.
ANU for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants apply directly to ANU as international students; there is no separate country-specific quota. Practical points:
- Intermediate/A-Level or equivalent results are assessed against ANU’s per-course entry requirements
- IELTS and similar English tests are available in major Pakistani cities, including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad
- Strong applicants are automatically considered for the Chancellor’s International Scholarship when they apply — no separate scholarship form is needed
- An Australian student visa (subclass 500) is required only after a formal offer; visa decisions are made solely by the Australian government, not by ANU
- Applicants do not need a paid agent to apply — applications are submitted directly through ANU’s online portal
- Always verify current deadlines, fees, and requirements on ANU’s official website before applying
Campus & Student Life
- ANU’s parkland campus sits in the heart of Canberra, close to Parliament House and national museums
- Proximity to government and diplomatic institutions is especially relevant to ANU’s policy-focused programs
- Clubs and societies cover academic, cultural, and sporting interests
- On-campus accommodation is available for domestic and international students
Research & Career Opportunities
- ANU is Australia’s most research-intensive university, with particular strength in international relations, public policy, and physics
- The Australian Public Service, DFAT, and major policy think tanks recruit ANU graduates, alongside international organisations such as the UN and World Bank
- ANU does not guarantee employment, salary, or visa outcomes after graduation
Notable Alumni
- Multiple Australian Prime Ministers and Governors-General
- Numerous senior Australian diplomats
Contact & Location
Australian National University
Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
Admissions email: study@anu.edu.au
Official website: anu.edu.au
Contact details can change year to year — check the official website for the most current information.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Australian National University is ranked 29th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027, released in June 2026.
Yes, ANU is the only Australian university established directly by an act of the national parliament.
Yes, ANU is widely regarded as a top Australian institution for international relations and Asia-Pacific studies.
ANU is best known for international relations, public policy, and physics.
ANU’s acceptance rate is commonly estimated at around 35%, based on aggregated third-party data; ANU does not publish one single official acceptance rate.
Yes. The Chancellor’s International Scholarship offers a 25% or 50% tuition fee waiver to high-achieving international applicants, with no separate application required.
Yes. Pakistani applicants follow the standard international process; IELTS testing is available in major Pakistani cities.
Check ANU’s official admissions and fees pages, since deadlines, charges, and entry requirements are set annually and can change.
Compare ANU With Other Top Universities
Disclaimer: This page is based on the QS World University Rankings 2027, ANU’s official admissions and fees 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 Australian National University before applying.