Non Award (One Year)

A meal at an average restaurant in Sydney will generally cost between $20-$50, excluding drinks. Food on campus is usually more affordable, with many options under $20. The average renter pays around $550 a week for a one-bedroom apartment around the Kensington campus. Sydney-siders typically spend $160 on groceries every week, and an average 10-12-minute public transport journey costs around $5.

As an international student, you can work for up to 48 hours every fortnight. As of 1 July 2025, the National Minimum Wage is $24.95 per hour before tax. UNSW encourages students to accumulate real-world work experience alongside their studies by working part time.

Sydney is ranked the #4 safest city in the world (The Economist Intelligence Unit's Safe Cities Index, 2021). At UNSW Sydney, there are security staff on campus 24/7 and safety services such as night shuttle buses to escort students to nearby stations after dark. At major events and in the busiest parts of the city, there are often police and security staff on-site and CCTV to keep people safe.

By showing your UNSW student card, you can get discounts on a range of products and services. When you arrive, you can sign up for Arc membership at UNSW to unlock exclusive perks, or sign up for programs like Student Edge or UNiDAYS to access discount codes and deals from thousands of retailers. You can also score discounted tickets to sporting events, concerts, art shows and other activities such as going to the movies, visiting the zoo or taking a jet boat ride on Sydney Harbour.

The beautiful landscapes and warm weather are among the top reasons international students choose to study in Sydney. Summer happens from December to February, when temperatures reach 30°C and above, and in winter, from June to August, the days remain sunny for the most part with average temperatures between 8.8–17°C. Sydney has over 100 beaches along the coastline, and from UNSW you can easily get to the famous Bondi Beach or Coogee Beach from campus in 30 minutes.