Photo: Wikimedia Commons
About the university
ANU was founded by the Australian government specifically as a national research university, and it still feels that way — a compact, tree-lined campus in the capital where undergraduates study alongside some of the country's most-cited researchers.
Country
🇦🇺 Australia
City
Canberra, ACT
Founded
1946
Study levels
Foundation, Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate
Intakes
February, July
Approx. tuition
AUD 35k–55k/yr
Popular courses
What people actually study here.
Entry requirements & approximate costs
What it takes to get in, and to fund it.
Academic entry
Completed GCE A/Levels (or equivalent) with results the university considers comparable to its domestic entry standard. A foundation or diploma pathway is usually available where results fall short of direct entry.
English proficiency
IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is typical for undergraduate entry, often higher for competitive courses like medicine or law. Postgraduate courses commonly ask for 6.5–7.0. PTE Academic and other recognised tests are usually accepted as alternatives.
Approximate tuition
Roughly AUD 35,000–55,000 a year for most bachelor's and master's programmes; medicine, dentistry and some specialised degrees run higher. Figures vary significantly by course and change yearly, always confirm current fees on the university's own site.
These figures apply broadly across Australia's higher-education system, not just Australian National University, always confirm your specific course's exact requirements and fees on the university's own site.
Scholarships
Ways to lower the cost.
The Tuckwell Scholarship is one of Australia's most generous undergraduate programmes, alongside other merit-based international awards.
The vibe
What it actually feels like.
- Small by Group of Eight standards, which means lecturers who actually know your name by mid-semester.
- Canberra is a purpose-built capital — quiet, green, and built around the lake ANU borders.
- A heavy policy and diplomacy culture, thanks to nearby Parliament House and dozens of embassies.
For Sri Lankan applicants
Why Sri Lankan students consider it.
A compact, research-intensive campus in the national capital appeals to Sri Lankan students drawn to policy, international relations or a smaller cohort than Australia's bigger city universities.
Fun things to do
Life outside the lecture hall.
Kayak or run the loop around Lake Burley Griffin, a five-minute walk from campus.
Wander the National Gallery and National Museum of Australia — both free, both walkable from uni.
Join Bush Week, ANU's famously chaotic orientation carnival, every February.
Opportunities for international students
What's on offer if you're coming from abroad.
Application guidance
From application to visa-ready file.
- 1
Choose your course and confirm entry requirements
- 2
Submit an online application with certified transcripts and English test results
- 3
Receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) once accepted and tuition arrangements are confirmed
- 4
Begin your GTE statement and student visa documentation
Once you have an offer, the documentation process covers exactly what identification, academic and financial evidence your visa file will need next.
Related guides
Documentation, explained.
Student Visa Document Checklist for Sri Lankan Students
The short version. For the full explanation of each item, see our complete documentation process guide.
Student Visa Proof of Funds Explained
The single most common reason a student visa file stalls, explained in plain English.
Common Student Visa Documentation Mistakes
Most refused or delayed files aren't refused for one big reason. They're delayed by three or four small, avoidable ones.
Also in Australia
Other top Australia universities.
References & sources
Where this page comes from.
- Australian National University · official websiteVisit ↗
- International admissions pageVisit ↗
- Hero photograph · Wikimedia CommonsSource ↗
- The Kambri precinct, ANU's student hub · Wikimedia CommonsSource ↗
- The ANU School of Music · Wikimedia CommonsSource ↗
Course lists, scholarships and admissions details summarised here are illustrative. Always confirm the current, exact terms on the university's own official website before applying. Photography is freely licensed via Wikimedia Commons, not sourced from the university's own site.
Aiming for Australian National University? Let's make the money story match.
Campus photography & crest via Wikimedia Commons contributors. Course, admissions and scholarship details change. Always confirm current terms on the official site above before applying.