---
url: 'https://kdinternational.com.au/study-in-canberra-anu-university-guide-en/'
title: 'Study in Canberra: ANU, University of Canberra and Costs'
author:
  name: هند العمري
  url: 'https://kdinternational.com.au/author/hind-alamri/'
date: '2026-10-04T14:00:00+00:00'
modified: '2026-10-04T14:02:07+00:00'
type: post
summary: 'Studying in Canberra for Saudi students: ANU vs University of Canberra, published scholarships, visa and living costs, and application deadlines.'
categories:
  - Australian cities
tags:
  - Australian National University
  - cost of studying in Australia
  - Saudi scholarship Australia
  - study in Canberra
  - UC scholarships
  - University of Canberra
image: 'https://kdinternational.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/kd-71-en-art-1.png'
published: true
---

# Study in Canberra: ANU, University of Canberra and Costs

*[اقرأ هذا المقال بالعربية](https://kdinternational.com.au/ar/?p=2656)*

### Key takeaways

- Canberra has over 480,000 residents and six tertiary providers, two of them in Australia’s top 10 and the world’s top 100.
- ANU ranked 29th globally and 4th in Australia in QS 2027, with an overall score of 87.6.
- The University of Canberra publishes international scholarships of 30% and 25% at GPA 5.5/7, and 10% at GPA 5.0/7.
- ANU charges an AUD 150 application fee, and Semester 1, 2027 applications close on 15 December 2026.
- The ACT hosts 20,000 international students from over 100 countries, with student transport discounts and more than 400 km of cycle paths.
- The student visa charge is AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026, with work allowed up to 48 hours per fortnight while classes are in session.

### In this article

- [What makes Canberra a study city?](#s-1)
- [ANU or the University of Canberra?](#s-2)
- [What do study and living cost in Canberra?](#s-3)
- [Deadlines wait for nobody](#s-4)
- [Canberra and the Saudi scholarship tracks](#s-5)
- [Who suits Canberra?](#s-6)
- [The takeaway](#s-7)

Canberra is Australia’s capital: a small city with large universities. More than 480,000 people live there, and it hosts six tertiary education providers including The Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Canberra, two of them in Australia’s top 10 and the world’s top 100 ([Study Australia](https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/life-in-australia/locations-in-australia/australian-capital-territory-canberra)). That combination is why it keeps appearing on Saudi students’ shortlists.

## What makes Canberra a study city?

The published figures capture the city’s character: more than 25% of ACT residents were born overseas, 20,000 international students come from over 100 countries, students receive discounts on public transport including buses and light rail, and the city has more than 400 km of interconnected cycle paths ([Study Australia](https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/life-in-australia/locations-in-australia/australian-capital-territory-canberra)).

On work, the government site notes the territory has one of Australia’s highest employment rates and the nation’s highest average income, with more than 60% of jobs in the private sector across more than 25,000 businesses, and growth in renewable energy, cyber security and space science ([Study Australia](https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/life-in-australia/locations-in-australia/australian-capital-territory-canberra)). Geographically it places students near Australia’s biggest snowfields in winter and the New South Wales south coast beaches in summer ([Study Australia](https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/life-in-australia/locations-in-australia/australian-capital-territory-canberra)).

What this means for a student arriving from Riyadh or Jeddah: a quiet city, short commutes, and big universities in a small place — without Sydney’s and Melbourne’s crowding, and without their breadth of options either. That trade-off is the first question to ask yourself.

## ANU or the University of Canberra?

|  | The Australian National University (ANU) | University of Canberra (UC) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ranking | 29th globally and 4th in Australia in QS 2027, score 87.6 | Among Australia’s top 10 universities for employment outcomes (GOS 2025) |
| Membership | Group of Eight research university | Public university focused on professional and applied programs |
| Location | Acton, central Canberra | Bruce, ACT 2617 |
| Application fee | AUD 150 per application | Check the university’s admissions page |
| Published international scholarships | Check the university’s scholarships page | Excellence 30%, High Achievers 25%, Merit 10% tuition reductions |

Sources: [ANU](https://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/anu-climbs-in-qs-world-university-rankings), [ANU international applications](https://study.anu.edu.au/apply/international-applications), and [University of Canberra](https://www.canberra.edu.au/future-students/study-at-uc/international).

### What the UC scholarship percentages mean

UC lists three merit-based scholarships for international students in undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees: UC Excellence Scholarships at a 30% tuition reduction for students from specified countries with a GPA of 5.5/7 or above, UC High Achievers Scholarships at 25% on the same GPA, and UC Merit Scholarships at 10% with a GPA of 5.0/7 or above ([University of Canberra](https://www.canberra.edu.au/future-students/study-at-uc/international)). Confirm that your country and your program are covered before counting a scholarship into your budget.

## What do study and living cost in Canberra?

### Tuition

There is no single number: fees differ between the two universities and between programs inside each one, are reviewed annually, and are published on each program page. Open your program page and write down the first-year fee exactly as stated — that is the figure your offer letter will carry.

### Published government costs

- The student visa application charge rose from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500 on 1 July 2026 ([Study Australia](https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/tools-and-resources/news/student-visa-application-charge-increase)).
- ANU charges an application fee of AUD 150 per application ([ANU](https://study.anu.edu.au/apply/international-applications)).
- OSHC is required for your whole stay, and work is allowed up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session ([Study Australia](https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/plan-your-move/your-guide-to-visas/student-visa-subclass-500)).

### Accommodation and living

ANU lists 18 student residences, catered and self-catered ([ANU](https://study.anu.edu.au/accommodation)), and each residence publishes its own rates, which change yearly. For living costs in Canberra generally, use the government cost of living calculator ([Study Australia](https://costofliving.studyaustralia.gov.au)) rather than circulating figures, and check the current financial capacity requirement for the student visa with the Department of Home Affairs before preparing bank statements.

The territory’s student transport discounts genuinely reduce the transport line in your budget ([Study Australia](https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/life-in-australia/locations-in-australia/australian-capital-territory-canberra)), and the long cycle network makes living near campus an economical choice rather than a luxury.

## Deadlines wait for nobody

ANU closes international applications for Semester 1, 2027 on 15 December 2026 and for Semester 2, 2027 on 15 May 2027, with earlier dates for the Crawford School of Public Policy: 31 October 2026 for Semester 1 and 15 April 2027 for Semester 2 ([ANU](https://study.anu.edu.au/apply/international-applications)). Every university runs its own calendar, so do not copy these dates across.

### How to apply from Saudi Arabia

- Choose the university and program, and note the entry and English requirements from the program page.
- Prepare documents with certified translation: transcripts, degree certificate, passport, English test result.
- Apply weeks before the deadline and pay the application fee where one applies.
- Ask which scholarships you are being assessed for and what keeps them running.
- On admission, accept the offer and pay to receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
- Build the visa file: OSHC, evidence of financial capacity, and the Genuine Student requirement.
- Book accommodation early, since on-campus places are limited at the start of each semester.

## Canberra and the Saudi scholarship tracks

If you are applying for a government scholarship, the decision starts from the approved institution list for your track. The Ar-Ruaad track requires an offer "from the top 30 institutions on the program’s list", final and unconditional ([Saudi Ministry of Education](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/path-arruaad/info-path_terms/)), and Okaz reported that applications opened for 30 universities in eight countries — Australia not among them — closing 15 November 2026 ([Okaz](https://www.okaz.com.sa/local/na/2263508)). The Emdad track covers "the top 200 universities and institutes worldwide", with a list showing 223 universities across 15 countries and eight fields ([Saudi Ministry of Education](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/path-emdad/)).

So the right move is simple: open your track’s list and search for the university and the field together. For detail, see [the full guide to Saudi scholarship tracks](https://kdinternational.com.au/ar/?p=2318) and [the Ar-Ruaad track guide](https://kdinternational.com.au/ar/arruaad-track-scholarship-australia/).

## Who suits Canberra?

It suits you if you want a large research university in a quiet, compact city, or if you are targeting public policy, cyber security, renewable energy or space science — the sectors the government site names as growing in the territory. It may not suit you if you want a dense big city or the wide Arab community, restaurants and mosques you would find in Sydney or Melbourne. Ask yourself about your lifestyle, not only about rankings.

## The takeaway

Canberra is a solid, unflashy choice: a capital city with a university inside the world’s top 30, a second university strong on employment outcomes, discounted transport and an active job market. First confirm that your university and field appear on your track’s list, then put the first-year fee and the closing date on one page, then [start your application with us](https://kdinternational.com.au/applynow/) or [contact us](https://kdinternational.com.au/ar/%d8%aa%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%b5%d9%84-%d9%85%d8%b9%d9%86%d8%a7/) to review your options before the deadline.

## Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to study and live in Canberra? 
Tuition varies by university and program and is published on each program page, so take the first-year figure from there. For living costs use the government calculator at costofliving.studyaustralia.gov.au, and add the AUD 2,500 visa charge plus any application fee.
  What is ANU’s world ranking? 
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, released in June 2026, ANU ranked 29th in the world after climbing three places, and 4th in Australia, with an overall score of 87.6. It is a member of the Group of Eight.
  What is the difference between ANU and the University of Canberra? 
ANU is a Group of Eight research university based at Acton in central Canberra. The University of Canberra is in the suburb of Bruce, focuses on professional and applied programs, and says it is among Australia’s top 10 universities for employment outcomes in the 2025 Graduate Outcomes Survey.
  Does the University of Canberra offer international scholarships? 
Yes — three merit-based awards: UC Excellence Scholarships at 30% tuition reduction for students from specified countries with a GPA of 5.5/7 or above, UC High Achievers at 25% on the same GPA, and UC Merit at 10% with a GPA of 5.0/7 or above, for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.
  What are ANU’s application deadlines? 
International applications close on 15 December 2026 for Semester 1, 2027 and on 15 May 2027 for Semester 2, 2027. The Crawford School of Public Policy has earlier dates: 31 October 2026 and 15 April 2027.
  Is Canberra approved for Saudi scholarship programs? 
Approval follows your track’s institution list, not the city. Ar-Ruaad requires the top 30 institutions on the program list, while Emdad covers the top 200 with a list of 223 universities across 15 countries — search for the university and the field together.
  Is student accommodation available in Canberra? 
ANU lists 18 student residences, both catered and self-catered, with rates published on each residence’s page and revised annually. Book early, because places are limited at the start of each semester.
  

## Official sources

- [Australian Capital Territory (Canberra)](https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/life-in-australia/locations-in-australia/australian-capital-territory-canberra) — Study Australia
- [ANU climbs in QS World University Rankings](https://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/anu-climbs-in-qs-world-university-rankings) — Australian National University
- [International undergraduate & postgraduate applications](https://study.anu.edu.au/apply/international-applications) — Australian National University
- [ANU accommodation](https://study.anu.edu.au/accommodation) — Australian National University
- [Study in Canberra — for international students](https://www.canberra.edu.au/future-students/study-at-uc/international) — University of Canberra
- [Student Visa Application Charge increase](https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/tools-and-resources/news/student-visa-application-charge-increase) — Study Australia
- [Student visa (subclass 500)](https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/plan-your-move/your-guide-to-visas/student-visa-subclass-500) — Study Australia
- [Cost of Living Calculator](https://costofliving.studyaustralia.gov.au) — Study Australia
- [الشروط الخاصة بمسار الرواد](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/path-arruaad/info-path_terms/) — وزارة التعليم السعودية
- [مسار إمداد](https://sites.moe.gov.sa/scholarship-program/paths/path-emdad/) — وزارة التعليم السعودية
- [«قبول» تفتح باب الابتعاث إلى 30 جامعة عالمية](https://www.okaz.com.sa/local/na/2263508) — صحيفة عكاظ

### Ready to start?

KD International helps you choose a university, prepare your admission and visa file, and answers your questions about Saudi scholarships and studying in Australia. [Apply now](https://kdinternational.com.au/applynow/) or [message us on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/966582357717).

*Last updated: 14 September 2026. Fees and requirements change; always confirm with the official source before deciding.*