AUSTRALIA
University of Notre Dame Australia
private · Founded 1989 · Languages: en
In short
The University of Notre Dame Australia is a private Catholic university with campuses in Perth, Sydney, and Broome, offering personalized learning with small class sizes. It provides respected health science and medical programs and emphasizes faith-based values and student wellbeing.
Key facts
- Type
- Private
- Founded
- 1989
- Students
- 11,579
- International students
- 600
- Acceptance rate
- 70%
- Tuition (intl)
- €16–32k/yr
- Languages
- EN
- Location
- Australia
The University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA) is a private Catholic university founded in 1989 in Fremantle, Western Australia. With campuses in Perth, Sydney, and Broome, it serves approximately 11,500 students across programmes in business, education, health sciences, law, medicine, nursing, philosophy, and theology. UNDA is distinguished by its faith-based mission, small class sizes, and strong focus on student wellbeing. Its medical school (Notre Dame Sydney) is among Australia's respected graduate-entry medical programmes, and its nursing and health science courses benefit from extensive clinical partnerships across Perth and Sydney.
Why study here
- Small class sizes and high staff-to-student ratios provide a personalised, supportive learning environment.
- Highly regarded medical, nursing, and health science programmes with strong hospital clinical placements.
- Faith-based values and ethics woven throughout the curriculum prepare graduates for responsible professional practice.
- Campuses in dynamic cities: Fremantle/Perth (heritage precinct) and Sydney (Darlinghurst, near major hospitals).
- Strong career outcomes with dedicated careers services and alumni network across Australia's health and legal sectors.
- Broome campus serves as a unique base for Indigenous studies and community engagement in the Kimberley region.
Student life
UNDA's Fremantle campus is set in a beautifully restored heritage precinct in one of Perth's most vibrant neighbourhoods, with cafes, beaches, and the Indian Ocean a short distance away. The Sydney campus in Darlinghurst places students in the heart of a culturally rich and medically significant part of the city. Both campuses have active student associations, chaplaincy services, and support programmes rooted in the university's Catholic mission. Sports, clubs, and volunteer activities are central to campus life, reflecting UNDA's emphasis on community and service.
Fees
InternationalInternational student tuition at UNDA typically ranges from AUD 24,000 to AUD 50,000 per year (approximately €16,000–€32,000), depending on the programme. Medicine and law programmes are at the higher end.
HomeDomestic students in Commonwealth Supported Places pay income-contingent HECS-HELP student contributions; full-fee domestic places also available at higher rates.
LivingLiving costs in Perth are approximately AUD 1,500–€2,200/month; Sydney is higher at AUD 1,800–€2,500/month, covering housing, food, transport, and personal expenses.
International students must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their visa. Scholarship opportunities available to reduce costs.
Admissions
UndergraduateCompletion of secondary education equivalent to Australian Year 12 with specified subject prerequisites. ATAR or equivalent required for most programmes.
PostgraduateRelevant Bachelor's degree with minimum GPA (typically 5.0/7.0 or equivalent). Some programmes require professional experience.
Medicine (MD)Completed bachelor's degree (minimum 3 years) plus GAMSAT score; interview shortlist required. Very competitive.
IELTS Academic6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for most programmes; 7.0 for medicine and nursing
TOEFL iBT79–94 depending on programme
PTE Academic58–65 depending on programme
Rankings
QS Australia University Rankings 202428
Times Higher Education Australia 202435
University scholarships
Notre Dame International Excellence ScholarshipUp to AUD 5,000 (approx. €3,000) per year for high-achieving international students
Vice-Chancellor ScholarshipUp to AUD 10,000 (approx. €6,000) for outstanding academic achievement
Catholic Mission ScholarshipPartial tuition support for students from mission-partner countries
Accreditation
The University of Notre Dame Australia is established under the University of Notre Dame Australia Act 1989 (WA) and registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) as an Australian University. Its medical and nursing programmes hold professional accreditation with the Australian Medical Council (AMC) and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).
For international students
AustraliaStudent visa & funds
International students need the Student visa (subclass 500), which requires a Confirmation of Enrolment from a CRICOS-registered provider, Overseas Student Health Cover, and a health and character check. Since May 2024 applicants must show financial capacity of at least AUD 29,710 for one year of living costs, plus first-year tuition and around AUD 2,500 for travel. Since March 2024 all applicants must also satisfy the Genuine Student (GS) requirement, which replaced the former Genuine Temporary Entrant test.
Working while you study
Student visa holders may work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session — a cap re-introduced in July 2023 — and unlimited hours during official scheduled course breaks. Students enrolled in a master’s by research or a doctoral degree have no work-hour limit at any time. Work must not begin before the course start date.
After you graduate
Eligible graduates may apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) within six months of completing their studies. In the Post-Higher Education Work stream, bachelor’s and master’s (coursework) holders receive up to two years and master’s (research) or doctoral holders up to three years; regional study and the Australia–India trade agreement can add further time. The general age limit is under 35 at the time of application, rising to under 50 for research-degree holders.
English tests
- IELTSUG 6.0–6.5; PG 6.5–7.0; Group of Eight typically 6.5–7.0 with no band below 6.0
- TOEFL iBT79–100; UG 79–90, PG 90–100
- PTE Academic50–65; UG 58+, PG 65+
Main intakes
FebruaryJuly
Typical living cost
€1,600/month
Approximate all-in student budget; major cities run higher.
SourcesDepartment of Home Affairs — Student visa (subclass 500) · Study Australia — Student visa (subclass 500) work rights · Study Australia — Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) · IDP IELTS — Minimum IELTS scores for Australian universities · AECC — Cost of living in Australia for international students
Scholarships
for Australia
full fundingAustralian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia Awards)
ASEAN-Australia Awards Scholarships
Open to citizens of eligible ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor-Leste) applying for a master's degree by coursework or research at an Australian university. Applicants need a strong academic record, leadership potential, relevant work experience and English proficiency, and must meet Australian visa and health requirements. Exact terms are set each cycle by the Australian Government.
full
Funding
€120k
Max
Apr 30, 2027
Deadline
full fundingForrest Research Foundation (Minderoo Foundation)
Forrest Research Foundation Post-doctoral Fellowships
Open to early-career post-doctoral researchers of any nationality and from all academic disciplines. Applicants must be in the final year of their PhD or no more than two years past PhD completion at the time of taking up the fellowship, be proficient in English, and meet the employment-eligibility conditions of the host Western Australian university. Fellows must reside at Forrest Hall in Perth for the full term and commit to mentoring Forrest Scholars, undertaking ambassadorial duties and providing leadership within Forrest Hall.
full
Funding
€90k
Max
May 31, 2027
Deadline
full fundingUniversity of Melbourne
Hansen Scholarship at the University of Melbourne
Australian citizens, permanent residents or holders of an Australian temporary or permanent protection visa who are enrolled in an Australian Year 12 or IB programme, aged 16-20 at application, with a predicted ATAR of 90+ (or IB equivalent) and demonstrated financial hardship (e.g. a family receiving Centrelink benefits). Asylum seekers are eligible for full fee remission.
full
Funding
€65k
Max
Mar 31, 2027
Deadline
full fundingAustralian Government (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade)
Australia Awards Scholarships
Open to citizens of ~30+ eligible developing countries (mostly the Indo-Pacific), who are not married to/engaged to an Australian or NZ citizen, meet academic and English requirements, and commit to returning home for at least 2 years after study. Fields must align with the partner country's development priorities.
full
Funding
€60k
Max
Apr 30, 2027
Deadline
full fundingUniversity of Sydney
University of Sydney International Research Scholarship (USydIS)
For international students undertaking a postgraduate research degree (a master's by research or a PhD) at the University of Sydney. It covers tuition fees and a living-allowance stipend; applicants need a strong research background and a confirmed place and supervisor for their research project.
full
Funding
€45k
Max
Sep 30, 2026
Deadline
full fundingUniversity of Melbourne (School of Computing and Information Systems)
University of Melbourne CIS PhD Scholarship
Open to domestic and international students of all nationalities. Applicants must hold a Master of Computer Science from the University of Melbourne, apply for the Doctor of Philosophy – Engineering and IT (Computing and Information Systems) programme (DR-PHILEIT), and demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership, and research potential. A research proposal, a personal statement, and a letter of support from the proposed PhD supervisor are required.
full
Funding
€42k
Max
-19d left
Deadline
Frequently asked questions
What are the estimated tuition fees for international students at the University of Notre Dame Australia?
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International student tuition fees at UNDA typically range from AUD 24,000 to AUD 50,000 per year, depending on the program. Medicine and law programs are generally at the higher end of this range.
What are the living costs for students in Perth and Sydney?
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Living costs in Perth are estimated to be around AUD 1,500–AUD 2,200 per month, while Sydney is higher at AUD 1,800–AUD 2,500 per month. These estimates cover housing, food, transport, and personal expenses.
What English language proficiency is required for international students?
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For most programs, an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall (with no band below 6.0) is required. Medicine and nursing programs typically require a higher score of 7.0.
Does the University of Notre Dame Australia offer scholarships for international students?
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Yes, UNDA offers several scholarships for international students, including the International Excellence Scholarship (up to AUD 5,000 per year) and the Vice-Chancellor Scholarship (up to AUD 10,000), to help reduce costs.
What academic qualifications are needed for undergraduate and postgraduate studies?
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For undergraduate studies, students need a secondary education equivalent to Australian Year 12. Postgraduate applicants typically require a relevant Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA, and some programs may require professional experience.
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