The Most Difficult University to Get into in Australia, Ranked

Choose the university you think is the most difficult!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:26
Choosing the right university is a pivotal decision for prospective students, impacting future career paths and personal growth opportunities. Among the criteria often considered is the selectivity of the institution, which can be an indicator of prestige and academic rigor. Knowing which universities are the most difficult to get into can guide applicants in aligning their aspirations with realistic admissions expectations. This site enables users to vote on what they believe are the toughest universities in Australia to gain admission to, creating a community-powered ranking. Each vote helps to paint a clearer picture of the competitive educational landscape, providing insights that are beneficial for future students, educational professionals, and curious observers alike. This dynamic list reflects the collective opinion and experiences of individuals from various backgrounds.

What Is the Most Difficult University to Get into in Australia?

  1. 1
    39
    votes
    University of Melbourne
    Biatch at English Wikipedia · Public domain
    The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked as the top university in Australia and has one of the most selective admission processes in the country. It is known for its strong research programs and academic rigor.
    The University of Melbourne is one of Australia's oldest and most prestigious universities. It is recognized globally for its academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and vibrant campus life. Founded in 1853, the institution has a rich history and has consistently ranked as one of the top universities in Australia and the world.
    • Location: Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria
    • Rankings: Consistently ranks among the top universities globally
    • Academic Excellence: Offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines
    • Research Focus: Internationally renowned for its cutting-edge research and innovation
    • Campus Life: Vibrant campus with diverse student clubs, societies, and cultural activities
  2. 2
    25
    votes

    Australian National University

    Australian Parliament
    ANU is located in the capital city of Canberra and is renowned for its research and teaching excellence. It is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world and has a highly competitive admissions process.
    Australian National University (ANU) is a world-renowned research university located in Canberra, Australia. It is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and difficult universities to gain admission to in Australia. ANU offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, attracting top students from around the world.
    • Location: Canberra, Australia
    • Established: 1946
    • Rankings: Consistently ranked as one of the top universities in Australia and the world
    • Academic Programs: Offers over 200 undergraduate and postgraduate programs
    • Research Excellence: Internationally recognized for its research output and collaborations
  3. 3
    28
    votes
    The University of Sydney is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Australia. It is known for its strong academic programs and research output, and admission is highly competitive.
    The University of Sydney is a prestigious public research university located in Sydney, Australia. Established in 1850, it is considered one of Australia's leading universities and a member of the prestigious Group of Eight coalition. Known for its academic excellence and rich history, the University of Sydney attracts high-performing students from around the world.
    • Ranking: Consistently ranked as one of the top universities in Australia and the world.
    • Entry requirements: Competitive entry requirements, often requiring high academic achievements and strong performance in standardized tests.
    • Programs: Offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines.
    • Research: Renowned for its groundbreaking research across fields like medicine, science, engineering, humanities, and social sciences.
    • Campus: The university's main campus is located in the Camperdown and Darlington areas of Sydney, offering a vibrant and picturesque learning environment.
  4. 4
    10
    votes
    University of New South Wales
    J Bar · CC BY-SA 3.0
    UNSW is a leading research-intensive university in Australia and is known for its strong focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. Admission is highly competitive, especially for popular programs like engineering and business.
    The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is a prestigious and highly selective university located in Sydney, Australia. Established in 1949, it is recognized as one of Australia's leading research and teaching institutions, renowned for its commitment to innovation and academic excellence.
    • QS World University Rankings 2021: Ranked 44th globally, reaffirming its standing among the top universities worldwide.
    • Academic Programs: Offering a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines.
    • Research Impact: UNSW is known for its significant contributions to research in fields such as engineering, science, technology, and medicine.
    • Selectivity: Known for its competitive admission process, UNSW is often considered one of the most difficult universities to gain entry to in Australia.
    • Student Population: Over 60,000 students, including a diverse international student community from over 130 countries.
  5. 5
    7
    votes
    UQ is one of Australia's leading research universities and is known for its strong academic programs across a wide range of disciplines. Admission is highly competitive, especially for popular programs like medicine and law.
    The University of Queensland (UQ) is a prestigious public research university located in Brisbane, Australia. It is widely regarded as one of the most difficult universities to get into in Australia, known for its high entry requirements and competitive admission process.
    • Established: December 10, 1909
    • Campus Size: St Lucia campus: 114 hectares
    • Rankings: Consistently ranked in the top 50 universities globally
    • Total Enrollment: Approximately 54,000 students
    • Academic Faculties: Six faculties: Business, Engineering, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Medicine, Science
  6. 6
    14
    votes
    Monash is one of Australia's largest and most diverse universities, with a strong focus on research and innovation. It has a highly competitive admissions process, especially for popular programs like business and engineering.
    Monash University is one of the most prestigious and difficult universities to get into in Australia. It is a public research university located in Melbourne, Victoria. The university was established in 1958 and has since grown to become one of Australia's leading educational institutions with a strong international reputation.
    • Rankings: Consistently ranked in the top 100 universities globally.
    • Entry requirements: High academic standards and competitive entrance scores are required.
    • Diverse programs: Offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various disciplines.
    • Research focus: Recognized for its world-class research output across multiple disciplines.
    • Campuses: Has multiple campuses in Australia, including Clayton, Caulfield, Parkville, and Peninsula.
  7. 7
    14
    votes
    UWA is a research-intensive university located in Perth, and is known for its strong academic programs in the sciences and humanities. Admission is highly competitive, especially for popular programs like medicine and law.
    The University of Western Australia (UWA) is a highly prestigious and renowned university located in Perth, Western Australia. It is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in Australia and is known for its academic excellence, research contributions, and dedication to providing a world-class education. UWA offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various fields of study.
    • Location: Perth, Western Australia
    • Year of Establishment: 1911
    • Rankings: Consistently ranked among the top universities in Australia
    • Academic Excellence: Renowned for its high academic standards and quality education
    • Research Contributions: Active involvement in cutting-edge research and innovation
  8. 8
    8
    votes
    The University of Adelaide is one of Australia's oldest and most prestigious universities, with a strong focus on research and teaching excellence. Admission is highly competitive, especially for popular programs like medicine and business.
    The University of Adelaide is one of the prestigious and challenging universities to gain admission to in Australia. It is a leading educational institution renowned for its high academic standards and rigorous admission requirements.
    • Campus facilities: State-of-the-art infrastructure and modern teaching facilities
    • Location: Adelaide, South Australia
    • Rankings: Consistently ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide
    • Number of students: Over 25,000 students
    • Academic programs: Offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines
  9. 9
    3
    votes
    University of Technology Sydney
    J Bar · CC BY 3.0
    UTS is a leading research university in Australia, with a strong focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. Admission is highly competitive, especially for popular programs like engineering and business.
    The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is a prominent university in Australia known for its strong focus on practical, career-oriented education. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, preparing students for successful professional careers.
    • Location: Sydney, Australia
    • Established: 1988
    • Total enrollment: approximately 40,000 students
    • Campus size: City campus: 7 hectares
    • Ranking: Ranked around 140th in the world according to QS World University Rankings
  10. 10
    6
    votes

    Griffith University

    Griffith University
    Griffith is a research-intensive university located in Queensland, with a strong focus on sustainability and social justice. Admission is highly competitive, especially for popular programs like medicine and law.
    Griffith University is a prestigious institution located in Australia, renowned for its academic excellence and research contributions. Established in 1971, the university has grown to become one of the most sought-after educational institutions in the country. With its main campuses situated in South East Queensland, Griffith University offers a diverse range of programs across various fields.
    • Campuses: Five campuses across South East Queensland
    • Rankings: Ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide
    • Research Focus: Emphasis on comprehensive research programs
    • Programs: Wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs
    • Study Abroad: Offers opportunities for international study experiences

Missing your favorite university?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for difficult university

  1. Entry Requirements
    How high are the entry scores or Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) required for various courses at the university? The higher the scores, the more challenging it is to be accepted.
  2. Acceptance Rate
    What percentage of applicants are actually accepted into the university? Lower acceptance rates indicate higher selectivity and challenge in getting accepted.
  3. Reputation and Rankings
    A university's reputation and ranking locally and internationally can indicate how competitive it is. Top-ranked universities often have higher application numbers and lower acceptance rates.
  4. Application Pool
    The number of applicants vying for spots at the university can impact how difficult it is to gain acceptance; larger applicant pools with limited seats will make the process more competitive.
  5. Course Popularity
    Some courses may have more intense competition and higher entry requirements than others, making them harder to get into at a specific university.
  6. Selection Criteria
    Universities may have other selection criteria, such as aptitude tests, interviews, or portfolios, which can influence the difficulty of getting accepted.
  7. International Applicants
    The number of international applicants and the university's diversity policy can impact the acceptance rate and competition for spots.
  8. Scholarships and Financial Aid
    Availability of scholarships and financial aid can impact the competition for spots, as some students may apply to a specific university for the benefits it offers.
  9. Graduate Outcomes
    Universities with higher employability rates and successful alumni may attract more applicants, resulting in a more competitive application process.
  10. Student-to-Faculty Ratio
    A university with a lower student-to-faculty ratio may be more selective in its admissions process, as it indicates a higher level of personalized education.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult university to get into in Australia. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or university is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2702 views
  • 148 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each university once every 24 hours. The rank of each university is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most difficult university to get into in australia

Australia is home to some of the world's top universities, attracting students from all over the globe. However, getting admission to these institutions is not an easy feat. In fact, some universities in Australia are known for their highly competitive and rigorous admission processes, making them the most difficult to get into. The Australian National University (ANU) is often regarded as the most difficult university to get into in Australia. ANU is known for its exceptional academic standards and stringent admission requirements, including high ATAR scores and rigorous selection criteria. The university is highly selective, with only a small percentage of applicants gaining admission each year. Other highly competitive universities in Australia include the University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, and University of New South Wales. These universities are renowned for their academic excellence and world-class research facilities, making them highly sought after by students. Overall, gaining admission to any of these top universities in Australia requires dedication, hard work, and exceptional academic performance. Students who are up for the challenge will find themselves in a highly competitive and rewarding academic environment.

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