Australian National University

The Australian National University (ANU) is Australia’s national research university located in Canberra (est. 1946). It’s research-intensive, strongly connected to government and national research infrastructure, and known for producing influential research and graduates who go on to leadership roles in Australia and overseas.

Why choose ANU (top reasons for international students)

• World-class research environment — excellent for students who want research opportunities, industry collaborations, or to pursue a PhD.

• Strong policy & national links — being in Australia’s capital gives access to government institutions, think-tanks and national labs (useful for public policy, international relations, economics and science students).

• High graduate outcomes and reputation — ANU frequently ranks among Australia’s top universities and is well-recognised by global employers.

• Diverse international community — more than half the student body is international in many subject areas, and ANU provides tailored support for overseas students.

Rankings — quick snapshot

• Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026: ANU is in the global top ~70s (THE lists ANU among the leading Australian institutions).

• QS World University Rankings 2026: ANU sits in the global top ~30s (ANU is regularly ranked in the top 50 worldwide by QS).

Campus locations & facilities

• Main campus (Acton) — central Canberra campus where most teaching, student services, libraries and colleges are located.

• Other ANU sites & facilities — Mount Stromlo Observatory, Kioloa Coastal Campus (field station), Siding Spring Observatory and several national research units and farm/field sites. ANU publishes detailed campus maps and facility pages.

Types of courses & study levels

ANU offers the full range of award levels:

• Undergraduate — Bachelor and honours programs.

• Postgraduate coursework — Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Master’s (coursework & research).

• Research degrees — MPhil and PhD.

• Non-award and short courses — professional development and single unit study.
  Use ANU’s Programs & Courses search to explore specific degrees, majors and specialisations.

Mode of learning (on-campus / online / blended)

• On-campus (face-to-face) is the default for the majority of programs.

• Blended / intensive-blended delivery options exist for selected programs (intensive on-campus blocks + remote study) — useful for students working part-time or professionals.

• Online delivery: ANU provides some fully online programs and units (check the program page for delivery mode).

Number of programs offered (course counts)

ANU’s program search lists courses by level; recent counts on the ANU course search indicate roughly:

• Undergraduate courses: ~95 entries

• Postgraduate coursework: ~210 entries

• Research degrees & other listings: several dozen (research degrees ~55, non-award units ~44 in the searchable index).
  This reflects the breadth across colleges (Arts & Social Sciences, Asia & the Pacific, Business & Economics, Engineering & Computer Science, Law, Medicine & Health, Science, etc.).

Highlights & student support

• Research strength: ANU is particularly strong in social sciences, public policy, earth & planetary science, physics/astronomy, and international affairs.

• Small classes & expert staff: Many units are taught by active researchers and senior academics — good for students who want close academic mentoring.

• Student services: Orientation, international student advisors, visa/immigration guidance, accommodation help, academic skills and career services are available.

• Unique facilities: national observatories, coastal and field stations, specialist research labs and close ties to Canberra’s policy institutions.

Scholarship

1. Australian National University Chancellor’s International Scholarship

This is the signature scholarship program for most international students at ANU. It’s highly competitive but easy to apply for, as students are automatically assessed.

Overview

• Value: 25 % or 50 % reduction in tuition fees for the duration of the program.

• Who is it for: Eligible international students who receive an unconditional offer at ANU.

• Number of awards: ~200 per year.

• Applicable levels: Undergraduate, Master’s by coursework, Graduate Certificate/Diploma.

Eligibility

Every international student who applies and is offered admission is automatically assessed. No separate scholarship application is required. Conditions include:

1. Overseas student status per Education Services for Overseas Students Act.

2. An offer of admission to an eligible program (some degrees excluded, e.g., Medical and Defence programs).

3. Must not hold a 995 visa (unless enrolling in an eligible postgraduate program).

4. Must enroll full-time and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Tip: Apply early and ensure your offer is unconditional to maximize your chances.

2. Terrell International Undergraduate Scholarship

Awarded to high-achieving students in their second year and beyond. Named after Professor R.D. Terrell for his contributions to education and international student support.

• Value: 25 % or 50 % tuition fee reduction (remaining duration of the program).

• Eligibility: Must be an international student currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree at ANU and achieve outstanding grades in your first year.

• Number of awards: ~4

• Selection: Academic merit (GPA in first-year results).

Important: The scholarship is continuation-based — only those with excellent academic performance in their first year are considered.

3. Law International Partners Scholarship

Designed to attract top-performing postgraduate students to study law.

• Value: 100 % tuition waiver (one academic year).

• Courses: Master of Laws (LLM).

• Eligibility: International student with a minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0 from a relevant degree and admission to the LLM program.

These awards are highly competitive and awarded based on academic merit. Applications usually occur close to the LLM application timeframe.

4. Postgraduate Research and PhD Scholarships

ANU offers a comprehensive suite of scholarships for international research students. These are among the most competitive opportunities, as they often cover tuition, stipend, and allowances.

University Research Scholarship

• Value: ~$38,000 per year stipend + tuition fee waiver (3.5 years)

• Eligibility: Strong academic track record with Honours level or equivalent, full-time enrolment in a research degree.

• Merit: GPA equivalent to H1 (Australian system) – typically top 5 % of applicants.

China Scholarship Council – Australian National University Scholarship

• Full tuition, stipend, stipend released fortnightly.

• Available to Chinese nationals, with joint selection by ANU and the CSC.

• Requires admission to a PhD program and an agreement to return to China upon completion.

Other postgraduate research scholarships

• Various school-specific awards (e.g., Energy Research Supplementary Scholarship worth AUD 10,000 for energy-related PhD research).

• Many external sponsorships available, often tied to industry collaboration or national research programs.

5. External Scholarships for ANU Students

In addition to university-funded awards, ANU supports numerous external scholarships, often funded by governments or partner organisations:

• Australia Awards (DFAT): Offers full tuition and living stipends for eligible students from many developing nations.

• New Colombo Plan: Provides international exposure opportunities (specific to Australian students — international students can join ANU but must be aware of eligibility).

Many external scholarships require early application directly with the sponsor organisation — ANU provides support and endorsement letters once awarded.

Tips to Maximise Your Chances

• Apply early: Most scholarships have rolling rounds and are assessed shortly after admission is confirmed.

• Focus on academic excellence: Merit-based awards often require top-tier grades, strong references, and research proposals.

• Submit a strong research proposal: For PhD/Research scholarships, the research proposal is often the deciding factor.

• Engage with faculty: Contact your prospective supervisor early — some scholarships are linked to specific research projects.

• Avoid fake offers: ANU cautions students against third-party “scholarship agencies” offering “guaranteed” grants for a fee.