The University of Adelaide: Courses, Fees & Scholarships

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Published: 6 March 2024
Updated: 27 October 2025

The University of Adelaide is a member of the Group of Eight (Go8) – a group of eight leading research universities in Australia. Renowned for its excellent teaching and practical academic programs, Adelaide University offers international students an excellent academic environment, a wide range of academic programs and the opportunity to receive valuable scholarships.

In this article, let's explore with IDP an overview of the university, its strengths as well as the latest scholarships from the University of Adelaide to prepare for your plans to study in Australia.

1. About the University of Adelaide

Founded in 1874, the University of Adelaide is Australia's third oldest university and a prestigious member of the Group of Eight (Go8) – a group of eight leading research universities in Australia. The school is located in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia – which is famous for its high quality of life, safe and friendly environment and reasonable cost of living.

The university currently has more than 29,000 students, of which about 35% are international students from more than 100 countries, creating a multicultural and open learning environment. With the philosophy of "Make History", the University of Adelaide is committed to providing high-quality education, encouraging critical thinking, innovation and research that has a positive impact on the global community.

From January 2026, the University of Adelaide (UoA) will officially merge with the University of South Australia (UniSA) to establish a new school called Adelaide University (AU) – becoming one of the largest universities in Australia and among the top 8 universities in Australia (Go8).

This merger marks a major step forward in Australian higher education, combining the strengths of research, technology and innovation of the two universities, towards the goal of becoming a global pioneering education hub in areas such as AI, Health and renewable energy.

See more: Go8 - Top 8 most prestigious universities in Australia

1.1. Main campuses of the University of Adelaide, Australia

The University of Adelaide, Australia has four main campuses, each with its own unique characteristics, serving different fields of research and teaching.

North Terrace Campus: As the university's headquarters, located in the heart of Adelaide, the North Terrace campus is home to the majority of the university's faculties, lecture halls, main library and important research facilities. The campus features historic architecture mixed with high-tech buildings, including the Barr Smith Library, the Center for the Arts, the Institute for Medical Research, and the teaching buildings of the Faculty of Science, Business, Law, and Arts.
Roseworthy Campus: Located about 50km north of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus is a facility specializing in Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine and Sustainable Agriculture. The campus features an experimental farm, a veterinary hospital, and a state-of-the-art research center, allowing students to learn in a hands-on way.
The Waite Campus: Waite is home to the largest concentration of experts and research and teaching facilities in agriculture in the Southern Hemisphere. This campus is home to the fields of Food Science, Wine and Agricultural Science.
Melbourne Campus: Campus Melbourne is a campus established in partnership with the University of Adelaide College, which offers a number of academic programs for students who want to study in another major Australian centre.

The University of Adelaide's many campuses offer students a diverse and enriching learning experience.

1.2. Adelaide University's outstanding achievements

Ranked #8 in Australia., and #82 worldwide according to the QS World University Rankings 2026.
Ranked #128 worldwide (ranking of individual universities before merger) by Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
Adelaide University is a member of the Group of 8 and the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).
In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, Adelaide University has 16 subjects ranked in the top 100 in the world, including areas such as Environmental Science, Computer Science & Information Systems, and Petroleum Engineering, Mining Engineering.
In addition, the university is known for its successful alumni network, including five Nobel laureates and 110 Rhodes Scholars – a clear testament to the school's outstanding academic influence and prestige.

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2. Strengths of the University of Adelaide

As one of Australia's Group of Eight (Go8) universities, The University of Adelaide is renowned for its outstanding strengths in many academic fields, especially Science, Engineering, Biomedicine, Agriculture and Business.

According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, the university has 15 majors in the top 100 in the world, the most prominent of which are majors in the field:

Science & Engineering
Computer Science & Information Systems
Agriculture & Forestry
Nursing
Dentistry
Archaeology & Ancient History
Law & Social Sciences
Business, Accounting & Finance

If you are still wondering which major suits your abilities and future orientation, contact IDP for a free consultation to help you find the optimal study pathway at the University of Adelaide.

3. University of Adelaide Tuition Fees, Australia

The tuition fee at the University of Adelaide, Australia, will depend on the level of study (undergraduate or postgraduate) and the field of study you choose. This tuition fee is considered quite competitive compared to other universities in the Go8 group, but still ensures that it brings you a commensurate quality of training and facilities.

Level/Field of Study	Estimated Tuition Fees (AUD/year)
Undergraduate	From 47,000 - 57,000 AUD/year
Postgraduate Coursework	From 48,000 - 60,000 AUD/year
Estimated cost of living	About 480 - 530 AUD/year
Health Insurance (OSHC)	About 500 - 700 AUD/year

Note: The above tuition fees are for reference only. The exact fee will be updated by the school each academic year and may vary depending on the program, number of credits, and duration of study.

For detailed advice on tuition fees for each discipline, scholarships, and financial planning when studying at the University of Adelaide, you can contact IDP. IDP's consultants will help you compare costs, calculate your budget, and choose the most suitable study pathway for your study abroad journey in Australia.

See more: How much money do you need to study in Australia?

An outdoor practice session of students at The University of Adelaide

4. Scholarships at the University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide offers a variety of attractive scholarship programs for international students with excellent academic achievements. The university's scholarships are diverse in value, available to both undergraduate and postgraduate, helping you reduce your financial burden and gain access to a world-class educational environment.

Name of Scholarship	Level of Education	Value
Global Academic Excellence Scholarship (Vietnam)	Undergraduate and Postgraduate	50% discount on annual tuition fees
Global Citizens Scholarship	Undergraduate and Postgraduate	15% - 30% discount on tuition fees for the whole course annually
Alumni Scholarship	Undergraduate and Postgraduate	10% - 15% - 30% discount on tuition fees
Family Scholarship	Undergraduate and Postgraduate	10% discount on annual tuition fees
Articulation Partner Scholarship (International)	Undergraduate and Postgraduate	AUD 5,000 Annual Tuition Fee Discount (Up to 2 years)
Progress scholarship	University	10% or 25% discount on tuition fees for the entire course annually
Foundation Studies Program	Foundation	15% - 30% discount on tuition fee (one-time application)
Degree Transfer Program	Diploma	10% - 20% discount on tuition fee (one-time application)
Pre-Master program	MQP	15% - 20% discount on tuition fee (one-time application)

See more: Scholarships to study in Australia from 30 - 100% latest update

Join IDP to learn about your study pathway at the University of Adelaide

With top-notch teaching, an international learning environment and a wide range of attractive scholarship programs, the University of Adelaide is the ideal choice for those who want to equip their knowledge and develop their careers in Australia. Whether you're interested in Engineering, Business, Medicine, Science or Artificial Intelligence, Adelaide offers world-class learning pathways and global career opportunities.

Navigating your academic journey at the University of Adelaide with IDP

Choosing the right school and field of study is an important first step on your study abroad journey. With more than 56 years of global study abroad consultancy experience and an official partner of Adelaide University, IDP will help you:

Choose a major, choose a school that suits your future capacity and goals.
Stay up to date with the latest University of Adelaide scholarships, and support early applications to increase your chances of receiving a scholarship.
Instructions for making documents, applying for visas, choosing accommodation, and studying abroad insurance quickly and accurately.
Annual study abroad seminars—an opportunity for you to meet face-to-face with representatives of Australian universities and get updates on the latest admissions information and learn about scholarships.
Experience the IDP Live app with the exclusive Fastlane feature, which helps you receive your offer letter 2–3 times faster than the usual application method.

with IDP today!