Australia’s capital, Canberra, has a global reputation for excellence in education and research, in large part due to the concentration of world-class institutions there.
As a young, welcoming, vibrant city with a diverse cultural landscape, Canberra has so much to offer tertiary students. It’s one of the most sustainable cities in Australia and offers some of the shortest commute times, whether that be by car, tram, bus or bicycle.
If you need some help figuring out which institution is right for you, our guide below offers a snapshot of the diverse offerings across Canberra’s universities and TAFE.
The Australian National University (ANU)
Established: 1946
Location: The main ANU campus is in Acton, located conveniently near Canberra’s city centre.
Courses: ANU offers over 300 courses across its campuses; its law and
science programs are ranked among the top 25 in the world.
Student population: There are over 17,000 students at ANU. It is the most international university in Australia according to Times Higher Education Rankings 2023, with students from across 100 countries.
Graduate success rate: The Times Higher Education Global University Employability Rankings 2023–24 placed ANU first among Australia’s most employable graduates.
Global rankings and awards: ANU ranked 30 in the QS World University Rankings 2025. It achieved five stars from the Good Universities Guide in multiple fields of study, including medicine, psychology and science and mathematics. Its staff are also the most qualified in Australia – 95% are Masters or PhD qualified.
Overview:
- The ANU is a Group of Eight institution.
- It is the only university to be created by the Parliament of Australia.
- ANU is currently making waves in the Australian space sector with InSpace. This innovative institute is dedicated to space sustainability, growth and education in Australia, Asia and the Pacific.
- ANU’s Accommodation Guarantee for 2025 means all students who apply will be guaranteed an offer of accommodation for one of the on-campus residences or any other university-approved accommodation.
University of Canberra (UC)
Established: 1967
Location: The UC campus is located on the north side of Canberra in Bruce, near the town centre of Belconnen.
Courses: UC has over 200 courses at undergraduate, postgraduate and research levels. As of 2025, it is the number one university in Canberra for skills development and student support.
Student population: There is a diverse community of 18,000 students at UC from across Australia and internationally.
Graduate success rate: According to UC’s Graduate Outcomes survey results from 2023, 85% of undergraduates and 93% of postgraduates are employed full-time. UC has a strong focus on Work Integrated Learning, supporting students through hands-on industry experience and industry networking, and preparing them for future employment.
Global rankings and awards: In the THE Impact Rankings 2024, UC placed in the top seven universities in the world for reducing inequalities. UC is also ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide.
Overview:
- UC hosts the Vice-Chancellor’s International Poetry Prize each year. It celebrates the ongoing significance of poetry to cultures all over the world.
- In 2024, UC entered a partnership with CricketACT to nurture cricket talent in Australia and India, by running clinics and tournaments and creating opportunities for cultural exchange.
University of New South Wales (UNSW) – Canberra
Established: 1984 (in the ACT), a new university precinct is in development, due to open in 2027.
Location: UNSW Canberra has two campuses in the ACT—one at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Campbell and the other in Reid on the edge of the city centre.
Courses: UNSW Canberra offers dozens of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as many short courses to boost professional development.
Student population: UNSW teaches over 70,000 students across its many campuses in Australia. UNSW Canberra recently established the Canberra Community Circle – also known as a Yarning Circle – this is a space to learn, share, build respectful and caring relationships, pass on cultural knowledge and come together as a community.
Graduate success rate: According to the QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023, UNSW students have the highest median graduate salaries in the Group of Eight.
Global rankings and awards: UNSW is ranked 19th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2025. It also ranked sixth in Australia in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
Overview:
- UNSW is a Group of Eight institution.
- UNSW Canberra has state-of-the-art facilities and resources including the fastest two-stage gas-gun in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the largest indoor UAV flight laboratories in Australia. It recently launched a Bachelor of Cyber Security course.
- UNSW Canberra is establishing a new campus in Canberra’s CBD, due to open in 2027 – the new campus will incorporate cycle-ways, walking paths, green spaces and sustainable architecture. Once complete, it will welcome around 6000 students from Australia and overseas and a range of new online Masters programs and short courses will be offered.
- The new campus will feature Launch – a space for industry, university and government to innovate and collaborate on defence and security.
Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT)
Established: 1928
Location: CIT has multiple campuses across Canberra including Bruce, Gungahlin, Reid, Fyshwick and Tuggeranong. CIT Woden is due to open in 2025.
Courses: As Canberra’s TAFE, CIT offers apprenticeships and certificate-level training, as well as diplomas and graduate certificates.
Student population: In 2023, CIT delivered training to over 18,000 students from 75 countries, making it the most attended tertiary institution in Canberra.
Graduate success rate: CIT has an employability rating of 90%, almost 5% higher than the national average.
Global rankings and awards: In 2023, CIT won five awards at the ACT Training Awards, including ACT Large Training Provider of the Year and ACT VET Teacher of the Year.
Overview:
- CIT has several agreements with leading Australian universities which means your study at CIT can count towards a degree if you decide on that pathway.
- They provide almost 300 education and training courses that focus on the skills and knowledge you need for the workplace and further study.
- CIT maintains a strong link to a number of international organisations which provide opportunities for student and employee exchanges.
Australian Catholic University (ACU)
Established: 1991
Location: ACU Canberra is located in Watson, north of Canberra’s city centre. It is known as the Signadou campus.
Courses: ACU is well known for its excellence in nursing, education and training, social work and psychology programs.
Student population: At ACU Canberra, students enjoy an array of activities and services in a vibrant setting. There are many social and sports clubs, societies, exercise classes and free social events.
Graduate success rate: Between 91% to 99% of ACU graduates are employed in their chosen field, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, teaching, nursing and business management.
Global rankings and awards: ACU is ranked first in Australia and 24th worldwide for research quality according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025. It is also one of the top ten Catholic universities in the world.
Overview:
- Despite the name, you don’t need to be Catholic to study at ACU.
- ACU is in the top four universities in Australia for annual salary for international students and top three for international postgraduate students, according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023.
- ACU is first in Australia for energy efficiency, and all Australian campuses are 100% powered by renewable energy.
Charles Sturt University (CSU)
Established: 1989
Location: Canberra’s CSU campus is located in Barton, just south of the city centre.
Courses: CSU Canberra offers a niche set of courses including theology studies, customs and excise studies and policing.
Student population: CSU Canberra has a reputation for emphasis on student learning, quality teaching and research. Students enjoy face-to-face teaching, online courses and skills tutoring.
Graduate success rate: In 2024, 91% of CSU postgraduate students found full-time employment within four months of graduating.
Global rankings and awards: CSU achieved strong results within the latest Times Higher Education Impact Rankings sustainable development goals, including ranking in the top 2% for gender equality and the top 5% for climate action.
Overview:
- CSU was the first carbon-neutral university in Australia and is the largest regional university.
- CSU is considered Australia’s most experienced online university. It has a long history of online education and is a leader in the field of online learning within the country.
- CSU Canberra has links globally through their Centre for Customs and Excise Studies and School of Policing and Security.
