Australian National University vs University of Sydney: Which Should You Choose?
Australian National University vs University of Sydney: which university should I attend? This is a question that many students ask themselves when they are deciding where to study.
Both the Australian National University and the University of Sydney have unique qualities, making it hard for prospective students to decide where to attend.
In this blog post, we will compare the two universities in terms of tuition fees, student population size, graduate employment rate, and more!
The Australian National University (ANU) is a public university in Canberra, the capital of Australia. Its main campus includes seven teaching and research colleges and several national academies and institutes.
ANU, the only institution founded by the Australian Parliament, was established in 1946. Canberra University College, founded in 1929 and joined with ANU in 1960, is its predecessor.
The Australian National University enrolls 10,052 undergraduate and 10,840 postgraduate students and has 3,753 personnel. As of 2018, the university’s endowment was valued at A$1.8 billion.
About University of Sydney (USyd)
The University of Sydney is a public research university in Sydney, Australia. The first institution in Australia and one of the world’s best universities was founded in 1850. It is one of Australia’s six sandstone institutions and one of the country’s most famous colleges.
The University of Sydney is located in the inner-city suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington. It has been ranked in the top 10 of the world’s most beautiful universities by the British Daily Telegraph and the American Huffington Post. The university offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees through eight academic faculties and university schools.
The University of Sydney is a member of the Group of Eight, CEMS, Pacific Rim Universities Association, and Commonwealth Universities.
Australian National University vs University of Sydney
The City and Cost of Living
Canberra is a cosmopolitan city with modern, vibrant qualities that exudes the laid-back and pleasant atmosphere of a larger country town. In many ways, living in Canberra is like having the best of both worlds. The following are some of the characteristics of this metropolis:
Ranked as having the highest quality of life in the world by Numbeo in the 2019 Quality of Life Index
Home to 410,300 residents
Ranked as Australia’s most liveable city in REA Group’s Life in Australia 2019 report
Sydney is one of the world’s most beautiful, safe, and liveable cities. Because of its low crime rate, you can walk around Sydney’s streets and use public transportation at any time of day or night. Sydney has recognized for its gorgeous beaches as well as its fantastic climate.
With the assumption of students with cheap to a moderate living style and shared house accommodation, the estimation of cost of living for both cities is below.
Canberra: from $AUD 597/week
Accommodation: from 218/week
Transport: from $AUD 25/week
Food: from $AUD 159/week
Personal: from $AUD 29/week
Clothing: from $AUD 140/week
Entertainment: from $AUD 26/week
Sydney: from $AUD 665/week
Accommodation: from 238/week
Transport: from $AUD 54/week
Food: from $AUD 159/week
Personal: from $AUD 36/week
Clothing: from $AUD 140/week
Entertainment: from $AUD 38/week
Source: cost of living calculator
ANU Vs USyd University Rankings
The Australian National University
#1 in Australia (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
#27 in the world (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
#2 in Australia (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
#54 in the world (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
#5 in Australia (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020)
#66 in the world (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020)
The University of Sydney
#3 in Australia (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
#38 in the world (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
#5 in Australia (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
#58 in the world (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
#1 in Australia (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020)
#4 in the world (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020)
Rankings by Subjects
The rankings are based on QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021 (Australia).
The Australian National University
Art & Humanities: #2
Life Science & Medicine: #8
Engineering & Technology: #5
Natural Sciences: #1
Social Sciences & Management: #3
Computer Science & Information System: #2
Art & Design: #9
Accounting & Finance: #5
Business & Management Studies: #6
Law & Legal Studies: #4
The University of Sydney
Art & Humanities: #3
Life Science & Medicine: #1
Engineering & Technology: #4
Natural Sciences: #3
Social Sciences & Management: #2
Computer Science & Information System: #3
Art & Design: #8
Accounting & Finance: #3
Business & Management Studies: #3
Law & Legal Studies: #3
Campus Locations
The Australian National University
The main campus of the Australian National University (ANU) is located in Acton, a suburb of Canberra that covers 358 acres (1.45 km2) and has university structures landscaped within.
Many university campuses are of historical importance, dating back to when the national capital was formed, with more than 40 structures on the Commonwealth Heritage List and several others on local lists.
The University of Sydney
The main campus has been ranked in the top 10 of the world’s most beautiful universities by The British Daily Telegraph and other sources, such as Oxford.
The university is located across two inner-city suburbs – Camperdown and Darlington.
Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) (Honours)
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Advanced Studies
Bachelor of Economics
Bachelor of Education (Health and Physical Education)
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Dentistry
Doctor of Dental Medicine
Engineering, Project Management, and Information Technologies
Bachelor of Advanced Computing
Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Aeronautical)
Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Biomedical)
Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Chemical and Biomolecular)
Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Civil)
Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Electrical)
Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Mechanical)
Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Mechatronic)
Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Software)
Bachelor of Project Management
Health Sciences
Bachelor of Applied Science (Diagnostic Radiography)
Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science)
Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise Physiology)
Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy)
Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy)
Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology)
Bachelor of Oral Health
Pharmacy
Bachelor of Pharmacy
Postgraduate Programs
Architecture, Design, and Planning
Master of Architectural Science (Audio and Acoustics)
Master of Architectural Science (High Performance Buildings)
Master of Architectural Science (Illumination Design)
Master of Architectural Science (Sustainable Design)
Master of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Master of Design (Design Innovation)
Master of Design (Design Innovation)
Master of Design (Strategic Design)
Master of Heritage Conservation
Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts
Master of Urban Design
Science
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Sydney Medical School
Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Medicine
Sydney Nursing School (Nursing and Midwifery)
Bachelor of Arts and Master of Nursing
The University of Sydney Business School
MBA
Usyd Vs ANU: Cost (Tuition Fee)
Estimation tuition fees for both universities are:
Australian National University: From $AUD 28,000 to 50,000 per year
University of Sydney: From $AUD 36,000 to 57,000 per year
Acceptance Rate and Admission
The Australian National University
The acceptance rate at the Australian National University is around 35%, which makes it highly competitive. The university’s seven academic colleges provide 56 undergraduate programs, 120+ postgraduate degrees, and various professional development opportunities.
Australian National University ATAR Requirements
If you were an Australian Year 12 student before 2020 and have not completed further education, you may be eligible for admission to ANU based on your ATAR or equivalent.
Those without an ATAR will need to have a qualification that can be considered comparable, such as a Year 12 certificate, diploma, associate degree, or pathway program.
The University of Sydney
The University of Sydney has an acceptance rate of 30%. This indicates that the university’s admissions process is extremely competitive. The University of Sydney remains a popular choice for both Australian and overseas students wanting to further their education in Australia.
To be considered, standard applicants must have a minimum GPA of 5 as determined by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Rural applicants must have a minimum UAC GPA of 4.5 to be considered.
Submit your application (select the ‘Apply now button on your course page)
Which University is For You?
The Australian National University is for You
The Australian National University is for you if you are looking for:
Lower cost of living, from the accommodation, and transport, to entertainment
Study in one of the best universities in Australia
Lower tuition fee
Study areas such as:
Natural Science (the best in the country)
Computer science and information technology
Art and Humanities
The University of Sydney is for You
The University of Sydney is for you if you are looking for:
Living in and experiencing the famous metropolitan city of Sydney
Study on one of the most famous and beautiful campuses in the world
Study areas such as:
Life Science and Medicine
Social Science and Management
Business
FAQs
Is ANU a good university?
ANU is one of the best universities in Australia. It has been consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the country, and it has an excellent reputation internationally.
The facilities and resources at ANU are world-class, and the faculty is renowned for their research excellence. If you’re looking for a top-quality education in Australia, ANU is definitely worth considering.
Is ANU prestigious?
The Australian National University has topped the list of Australia’s best universities and places 27th worldwide according to QS World University Rankings 2022.
According to the Good Universities Guide, ANU has 5-star ratings for student demand, staff qualifications, student: staff ratio, and student retention.
Is Australian National University in Sydney?
The Australian National University is in Canberra, the capital city of Australia.
Is it hard to get into Australian National University?
Yes. The Australian National University is a competitive university with an acceptance rate is 35%. Entry to most degrees requires ATAR scores of over 90+ (out of 100) or equivalent and meeting specific subject requirements for your chosen course.
Is ANU better than UNSW?
In general, ANU is considered to be somewhat superior to UNSW. However, it all depends on the area of study you want to pursue. Engineering (and hopefully commerce) at UNSW is excellent, and Sydney appears to have greater employment opportunities than Canberra (but also with a higher cost of living).
