2012: The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is the first university in the world to be awarded the QS 5 Star plus badge for excellence. UNSW received a five star rating in all eight categories scoring over 900 points, only 73 points away from receiving the maximum points available.

As the first university in the world to receive this rating, UNSW is very proud to have achieved an outstanding result in such a prestigious evaluation.

UNSW scored highly in the2012 Good Universities Guideand was awarded the maximum five-star rating for thirteen key performance indicators, including:

• Student demand
• Research grants
• Research intensity
• Staff qualifications
• Cultural diversity of the student body
• Success in getting a job
• Graduate starting salary
• Positive graduate outcomes

UNSW is described by the The Good Universities Guide as "one of the heavyweights of Australian higher education...it's big, tough to get into and ... (offers) an intense, rich tertiary experience". For more information visit the Good Universities Guide web site.

UNSW is considered a world leader in scientific research, and its scientists are among the best in the world in DNA technology, quantum computing, bioengineering, weather prediction, wildlife  management, drug development, cosmology, psychology and mathematics. We are developing new medicines and materials, repairing the environment, turning plastic bags into steel...the list is endless.

International Relationships

Since 1949, we have developed a comprehensive international involvement in teaching, research and industry linkages. We are consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the Asian region and a major recipient of competitive research grants from Australian industry and government bodies. UNSW is a member of the Group of Eight (a coalition of Australia's leading research universities) and Universitas 21 (an active network of internationally competitive, research-intensive universities).

The primary objective has been to achieve outcomes that exceed the scope of capability of the individual members. Science offers and promotes international experience. Our students are encouraged to spend a session or two studying overseas.