Sydney is home to some of the best universities in the world. If you’re looking for an excellent education, you should consider studying at one of these institutions.
This blog post will look at the top five universities in Sydney and discuss what makes them so unique. Keep reading to learn more!
Why Do You Choose to Study in Sydney?

Sydney is one of the most beautiful and welcoming cities in Australia. It’s also a great place to study, with world-class universities and plenty of opportunities to get involved in research and extracurricular activities.
According to QS Best Student Cities 2022, Sydney is the number 2 best student city in Australia and ranks eighth worldwide.
When choosing a university, there are many factors to consider. But if you’re looking for exceptional education, you can’t go wrong with one of these top five Sydney universities.
The Top 5 Sydney Universities
The University of Sydney
Founded in 1850, The University of Sydney is one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious universities. It’s also one of the largest, with over 60,000 students enrolled.
The University of Sydney is a research-intensive institution focused on interdisciplinary learning. It offers more than 200 undergraduate degrees and 160 postgraduate programs across various disciplines.
Why It’s Standout
The University of Sydney is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in Australia and the world. It was ranked 38th in the 2022 QS World University Rankings.
It’s also a member of the prestigious Group of Eight, an association of leading Australian research universities.
Rankings
- #3 in Australia (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
- #38 in the world (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
- and #5 in Australia (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
- #58 in the world (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
- #1 in Australia (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)
- #4 in the world (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)
Campus
The university is located in Camperdown and Darlington, two inner-city areas.
The main campus has been recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful colleges by The British Daily Telegraph and other publications, including Oxford.
UNSW Sydney
UNSW Sydney, also known as The University of New South Wales, was founded in 1949. It’s one of Australia’s leading research and teaching universities, with over 52,000 students enrolled.
UNSW Sydney offers more than 200 undergraduate programs and 280 postgraduate courses across various disciplines.
Why It’s Standout
UNSW Sydney is a world-renowned research institution. It’s one of the few universities in Australia to be ranked as a “Global University Employability Survey Top 100” employer.
The university is also home to some of the country’s best business and engineering programs.
Rankings
- #4 in Australia (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
- #43 in the world (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
- #6 in Australia (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
- #70 in the world (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
- #3 in Australia (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020)
- #32 in the world (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020)
Campus
The university is organized into seven faculties, which award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
The main campus is located in Kensington, Sydney, 7 kilometers (4.3 mi) from the CBD.
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Founded in 1886, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is one of the youngest universities in Australia. It’s also one of the most innovative, with a strong focus on industry partnerships and practical learning.
UTS has over 43,000 students enrolled in more than 200 undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Why It’s Standout
The university is ranked 1st in Australia and 11th in the world by the 2021 QS World University Rankings Young Universities (under 50), placing it among the top young universities globally.
The University of Technology Sydney is a member of the Australian Technology Network, the Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning, and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
Rankings
- #9 in Australia (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
- #133 in the world (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
- #9 in Australia (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
- #143 in the world (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
- #5 in Australia (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)
- #62 in the world (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)
Campus
The UTS City Campus is a cutting-edge facility near Central station and Railway Square in the city’s southern reaches. The UTS Tower is the heart of the city campus, and it faces Broadway.
The main campus is divided into five precincts. The city campus is in Broadway, Haymarket, and Blackfriars. Moore Park and Botany combine specialized resources with nearby business enterprises.
University of Wollongong
The University of Wollongong (UOW) is a research-intensive university with over 38,000 students enrolled across its campuses in Australia and South Africa.
Founded in 1951, UOW was the first university established in New South Wales Illawarra region.
Why It’s Standout
UOW has an excellent reputation for teaching and research, with strong industry partnerships.
The university is also known for its beautiful campus, which is set among rainforests, beaches, and coastlines.
Rankings
- #10 in Australia (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
- #185 in the world (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
- #16 in Australia (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
- #201-250 in the world (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
- #13 in Australia (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)
- #181-190 in the world (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)
Campus
The University of Wollongong has three campuses in Australia and one in South Africa.
The main campus is located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, about 80 kilometers (50 mi) south of Sydney.
The other Australian campuses are located in Canberra and Batemans Bay.
Macquarie University
Macquarie University is a research-intensive university located in Sydney, Australia. The university was established in 1964 and has grown to become one of the leading universities in the country.
Macquarie University is home to over 40,000 students from more than 130 countries.
The university offers more than 200 undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines.
Why It’s Standout
Macquarie University is ranked among the top two percent of universities worldwide by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022. The university is also ranked number 9 in Australia for graduate employability by the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022.
Rankings
- #13 in Australia (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
- #200 in the world (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
- #10 in Australia (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
- #192 in the world (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
- #9 in Australia (QS GE Rankings 2022)
- #98 in the world (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)
Campus
The main campus is in North Ryde, Sydney, covering over 360 hectares of land. The campus features world-class facilities, including a library, a gym, and a swimming pool. There are also plenty of green spaces for students to relax and unwind.
The campus is Australia’s largest high-tech campus, situated in Sydney’s northwest high-tech corridor. Its position has been beneficial in developing it as a relatively research-intensive institution. Macquarie Community Park and its adjacent industries are within proximity to the campus.
Bottom Line
Choosing the right university is an important decision. With so many great options available, it can be tough to narrow down your choices.
But if you’re looking for a top-ranked university in Sydney, these three stand out from the rest.
Whether you’re interested in research or practical learning, you’ll find a great fit at one of these universities.