The University of Sydney and Macquarie University are prestigious Australian universities located in Sydney, Australia. However, they offer very different programs for students to complete their degrees.
The University of Sydney vs. Macquarie University:
Sydney Uni ranked higher than Macquarie, based on QS World University Rankings 2022. However, it is slightly easier to get into Macquarie due to the higher acceptance rate. What about the study area and programs that you are interested in?
This blog post will tell you about the differences so that you can make a better decision on which one is right for you.
About the University of Sydney
The campus is a public institution in Sydney, Australia. It was established in 1850, making it one of the oldest institutions in Australia and one of the world’s best universities. One of Australia’s six sandstone colleges is also one of its most renowned learning institutions.
It is located in Camperdown and Darlington, inner-city areas. It has been ranked the finest 10 in the world’s most beautiful universities by the British Daily Telegraph and the American Huffington Post.
The university offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through eight academic faculties and university schools.
It is a member of the Group of Eight, CEMS, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities, and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
About Macquarie University
Macquarie University is a public research university located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, in the suburb of Macquarie Park. It was the third institution in Sydney’s metropolitan area, founded by the New South Wales government in 1964.
Macquarie University is one of Australia’s most generous scholarship providers, offering generous scholarships to overseas students every year.
On the university’s campus, several high-technology firms operate. This is done to encourage interaction between academics and business. It also allows students to connect with industry ties to help them succeed in their future jobs.
The City and Cost of Living for international students
The QS Best Student Cities ranking provides an overview of the best places to live and study worldwide based on various standards, including affordability, attractiveness, and student feedback.
According to QS Best Student Cities 2022, Sydney is Australia’s second and the world’s eighth-best student city.
As for the cost of living, it depends on the living style and the choice of accommodation.
With the assumption of students with cheap to moderate living styles and shared house accommodation, the estimation of the cost of living for both cities is below.
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
QS World University Rankings
University Rankings | USYD | Macquarie |
QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022 | 3 | 13 |
Times Higher Education / THE 2022 | 5 | 10 |
QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022 | 1 | 9 |
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 GE Rankings 2022)
- #4 in the world (QS GE Rankings 2022)
- 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
Macquarie University
- #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)
- Art & Humanities: #7
- Life Science & Medicine: #13
- Engineering & Technology: #17
- Natural Sciences: #11
- Social Sciences & Management: #11
- Computer Science & Information System: #11
- Art & Design: –
- Accounting & Finance: #8
- Business & Management Studies: #11
- Law & Legal Studies: #9
Rankings by Subjects
Rankings by Subject 2021 (Australia).
Rankings by Subjects | USYD | Macquarie |
Art & Humanities | 3 | 7 |
Life Science & Medicine | 1 | 13 |
Engineering & Technology | 4 | 17 |
Natural Sciences | 3 | 11 |
Social Sciences & Management | 2 | 11 |
Computer Science & Information System | 3 | 11 |
Art & Design | 8 | – |
Accounting & Finance | 3 | 8 |
Business & Management Studies | 3 | 11 |
Law & Legal Studies | 3 | 9 |
The University of Sydney
Campus Locations
The Sydney university is located across two inner-city suburbs – Camperdown and Darlington.
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.
Some of the australian university Undergraduate, Foundation and Diploma Programs
Architecture, Design, and Planning
- Bachelor of Architecture and Environments
- Bachelor of Design Computing
- Bachelor of Design in Architecture
- Bachelor of Design in Architecture
Arts and Social Sciences
- 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
Sydney University’s acceptance rate is 30%. This indicates that the university’s admissions procedure is highly competitive. Nevertheless, the Sydney Uni remains a popular choice for Australian and overseas students wanting to pursue higher education in Australia.
Standard applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 5, as determined by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). To be considered, rural students must earn at least a 4.5 UAC GPA.
Application
- Choose a course
- Check your eligibility
- Gather your documents
- Check your finance
- Submit your application (select the ‘Apply now’ button on your course page)
Macquarie University
Macquarie university’s main campus is located 16 kilometers (9.9 mi) northwest of the Sydney CBD and has a main campus covering 126 hectares of rolling lawns and natural bushland.
Macquarie Campus is Australia’s largest high-tech campus, situated in Sydney’s northwest high-tech corridor. Macquarie Community Park and its adjacent industries are within proximity to the campus. It’s position has been beneficial in developing it as a relatively research-intensive institution.
The university currently comprises 35 departments within four faculties. Here are some of the Macquarie degree:
Undergraduate Programs
Business
- Actuarial Studies
- Business Analysis
- Commerce
- Finance
- Business Administration
- Management
- Economics
- Human Resources
- International Business
- Marketing
- Accounting
Science
Education
- Adult Education
- Early Childhood
- Indigenous Education
- Secondary Education
- Primary Education
Environment
- Conservation
- Earth Sciences
- Geology And Geophysics
- Animal Behaviour
- Climate Change
- Ecology
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Science
- Geographic Information Science
- Marine Biology
- Urban Planning
- Sustainability
- Bachelor Of Social Science (Urban Studies)
- Bachelor Of Social Science (Urban Studies)
- Bachelor Of Arts (Urban Studies)
- Bachelor Of Planning
- Bachelor Of Planning
- Bachelor Of Arts (Urban Studies)
Society, History, and Languages
Law, Security, and Intelligence
Media, Creative Arts, and Communication
- Creative Writing
- Communications
- Music
- Journalism
- Dance
- Film
- Media
- Bachelor Of Media And Communications With A Major In Journalism And Non-Fiction Writing
- Bachelor Of Arts (Journalism And Non-Fiction Writing)
Health and Medical Sciences
- Chiropractic
- Cognitive And Brain Sciences
- Physiotherapy
- Public Health
- Medical Science
- Psychology
- Speech And Hearing
Engineering and IT
Others
Postgraduate Programs
Business
- Finance
- Management
- Commerce
- Economics
- Business Analysis
- Human Resources
- Actuarial Studies
- Business Administration
- Marketing
- International Business
- Accounting
Science
Education
Environment
Society, History, and Languages
Law, Security, and Intelligence
Media, Creative Arts, and Communication
Health and Medical Sciences
Engineering and IT
Others
Cost (Tuition Fee)
Estimation tuition fees for both universities are:
- Sydney Uni: From $AUD 36,000 to 57,000 per year
- Macquarie University: from $AUD 33,200 to 76,800 per year
Acceptance Rate & Admission
Macquarie University
Macquarie University is a competitive institution with an acceptance rate of 40%.
To be eligible to apply for an undergraduate program, you must have one of the following:
- A recognised secondary (high school) qualification.
- A recognised university foundation course.
- A recognised two- or three-year diploma.
- At least one year of a university degree from a recognised institution.
Macquarie University
- Step 1: Research your course options. Find courses that interest you by searching our undergraduate courses.
- Step 2: Check the entry requirements
- Step 3: Submit your application
- Apply online
Apply straight to Macquarie University via dedicated international education online application manager.
- Apply through UAC International
If you are an international applicant currently completing:
- an Australian Year 12 qualification.
- the International Baccalaureate (IB)
- the New Zealand NCEA Level 3 qualification.
You can apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) – UAC International.
- Apply through an authorised agent
You may submit your application form through one of Macquarie University’s nominated representatives in your country.
Which University is for You?
The University of Sydney is for you if you are looking for:
- Study in one of the most famous and beautiful campuses in the world
- Higher university rankings
- Higher rankings in most subjects
- Study areas such as:
- Life Science and Medicine
- Social Science and Management
- Computer Science and System Information
- Business
- Law and Legal Studies
Macquarie University is for you if you are looking for:
- Study in a high-tech campus with links to several technology companies
- Easier entry (higher acceptance rate)
- Study area such as:
- business
- finance, accounting, and actuarial studies
- health
- medical sciences
FAQs
Is Macquarie University good?
Macquarie University is one of Australia’s top universities, regarded as one of the world’s best by the Economist Intelligence Unit. In addition, Macquarie graduates are among the most desired professionals globally.
What is Macquarie University known for?
Macquarie is recognized for its renowned finance, accounting, and actuarial studies programs. It is also a leader in numerous academic disciplines, including science, engineering, and linguistics. Study areas include business. Education and teaching are two of them.
What does the University of Sydney specialize in?
Medicine and health; architecture, design, planning; education and social work; engineering and IT; law are just a few of the professional degrees available in these areas.