Are you dreaming of studying in Australia but worried about the cost? The cost of education is a significant factor for many students when choosing a university abroad. Affordability plays a crucial role in making higher education accessible and sustainable for international students. In this guide, we will explore the cheapest universities in Australia for Bachelor degree, helping you to find affordable options without compromising on the quality of education. Some of them are Level 1 Universities as well. Lets get started:
Top 10 Cheapest Universities in Australia for Bachelor Degree 2024
1. University of Southern Queensland (USQ)
Location: Main campus in Toowoomba, Queensland; additional campuses in Springfield and Ipswich
Programs: Over 140 degrees including bachelor’s, master’s, PhDs, and diplomas in business, law, health, engineering, and IT.
Intakes:
- Trimester system: February, July, and November
- Semester system for nursing courses: Two semesters per year
Tuition Fees: From AUD 25,000 per year
Course Options:
- Bachelor of Nursing: AUD 32,640 per year
- Bachelor of IT: AUD 29,000 per year
- Bachelor of Human Resources: AUD 32,000 per year
- Bachelor of Education: AUD 26,000 per year
Notable Features:
- Offers multiple scholarships
- Partnership with the Cotton Research and Development Corporation and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, securing a $13 million investment.
- Celebrates approximately 400 graduates across various disciplines.
- Offers multiple scholarships and no application fees.
- Average tuition: Around AUD 25,000 per year
- Established in 1967, enrolling about 24,000 students each year.
English Requirement:
IELTS: Minimum overall score of 6.0 for most programs; some programs require a minimum of 6.5 to 7.0.
PTE: Minimum score of 59 for most programs; some programs require a minimum of 65 to 70.
Bachelor of Nursing: Requires an IELTS score of 7.0 or PTE score of 65
2. Kaplan Business School Australia (KBS)
Location: Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
Tuition Fees: From AUD 20,800 per year
Course Options:
- Bachelor of Business with specializations in Accounting, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Management, Marketing
- Bachelor of Information Technology
Application Fee: AUD 300
Notable Features:
- Specialized in Business and IT courses.
- Established in 2008.
- Awarded Business School of the Year 2023.
English Requirement:
Academic IELTS: Overall 5.5 (minimum 5.0 in writing) for undergraduate programs.
PTE (Pearson Test of English Academic): Academic Score of 46 for undergraduate programs.
TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 46 for undergraduate programs
Learn More ⇒ Best Level 2 Universities in Australia
3. Federation University of Australia (Fed Uni)
Location: Main campus in Ballarat, Victoria; additional campuses in Berwick and Brisbane
Programs: Courses in science, arts, IT, engineering, and more
Tuition Fees: From AUD 26,000 per year
Course Options:
- Bachelor of IT: AUD 26,000 per year
- Bachelor of Professional Accounting: AUD 27,000 per year
- Engineering programs: Starting from AUD 31,000 per year
Notable Features:
- Fourth oldest university in Australia (founded in 1870).
- Offers 400 programs in various fields.
- High graduate employment rates in Victoria.
- International student population: ~9,000.
English Requirement:
IELTS: Overall score of 6.0, with no band less than 6.0 for business and general science programs. Other programs may have different requirements.
PTE Academic: Overall score of 50.
TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 60-78.
4. University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC)
Location: Queensland, about 2 hours from Brisbane
Programs: Business, science, IT, engineering, arts, and more
Tuition Fees: From AUD 25,000 per year
Notable Features:
- Established in 1996.
- Recognized as the second-ranked public university in Australia and top in Queensland for overall educational experience.
- 18% of students are international.
- Offers various academic prizes for high-achieving students.
English Requirement:
IELTS (Academic): Minimum overall score of 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each subtest.
TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 76 with a minimum score of 18 for writing.
Pearson Test of English (PTE): Overall score of 50 with no subscore less than 50.
C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency: Overall score of 169 or above with no less than 162 in each skill.
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5. Charles Darwin University (CDU)
Location: Main campus in Darwin, Northern Territory; additional campus in Sydney
Programs: Science, IT, health, and engineering
Tuition Fees: From AUD 28,000 per year
Notable Features:
- Established in 2003 through a merger of three institutions.
- 30% of students are international.
- Awarded 5-star ratings for undergraduate full-time employment outcomes and starting salaries.
- No registration fee.
- Median starting salary of $61,400 for undergraduate students.
English Requirement:
IELTS: Minimum overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0.
PTE: Minimum overall score of 50 with no score lower than 50.
TOEFL: Minimum overall score of 60 with a minimum writing score of 21.
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): Minimum overall score of 169, with no skill below 169.
Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency: Minimum overall grade of B2.
6. Torrens University (TU)
Location: Multiple campuses across Australia including Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne
Programs: Business, design, health, hospitality management, IT, engineering, arts, and more
Tuition Fees: From AUD 27,000 per year
Course Options:
- Bachelor of Business in Entrepreneurship, International Hotel and Resort Management
- Bachelor of Business Information Systems
- Bachelor of Community Services
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Bachelor of Health Science
Notable Features:
- Private university established in 2013.
- Registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).
- Fastest growing university in Australia.
English Requirement:
IELTS: Minimum Overall Score 6.0 with no band less than 5.5.
PTE Minimum overall score of 50 with no score lower than 42
TOEFL: Minimum overall score of 60 with a minimum writing score of 18
Cambridge English Scale: Minimum overall score of 120 with a minimum score of 162
7. Melbourne Institute of Technology (MIT)
Location: Melbourne and Sydney
Processing Fee: AUD 250
Tuition Fees: AUD 27,012 – 35,016 per year
Course Options:
- Bachelor of Business (Accounting, Marketing, Business Analytics)
- Bachelor of Data Analytics
- Bachelor of Networking (Cyber Security, Software Engineering)
Notable Features:
- Established in 1996.
- First non-university higher education institution accredited by Engineers Australia.
- Offers personalized support services to enhance student engagement.
English Requirement:
IELTS: Overall score of 6.0, with no band less than 5.5.
PTE Academic: Overall score of 50, with no score less than 46.
TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 60-78, with minimum scores of Readings 12, Listening 11, Speaking 17, and Writing 20.
8. Victoria University (VU)
Location: Melbourne and Sydney
Tuition Fees: From AUD 28,000 per year
Course Options:
- Bachelor of Business
- Bachelor of Information Technology
- Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Sport Science
- Bachelor of Community Development
- Bachelor of Health Science
- Bachelor of Environmental Science
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
Notable Features:
- Established in 1916.
- 28% of students are international.
- Holds the 70th position among the world’s top 100 universities under 50 years old.
- Received high ratings in multiple research areas.
English Requirement:
IELTS (Academic Module): Overall score of 6.0, no band less than 6.0
TOEFL Internet: Overall score of 67, section scores no less than 12 (Listening), 18 (Speaking), 15 (Reading), 21 (Writing)
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Minimum overall score of 50, no section less than 50
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): Overall score of 169, no band less than 169
9. Australian Catholic University (ACU)
Location: Multiple Campus Location including Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane.
Programs: Degrees in education, health, arts, business, and theology
Tuition Fees: From AUD 30,000 per year
Course Options:
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Bachelor of Psychological Science
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science
- Bachelor of Information Technology
- Bachelor of Biomedical Science
Notable Features:
- Established in 1991.
- Privately owned by the Catholic Church.
- Encourages international students to pursue research courses.
- Awarded over $2 million in Australian Research Council grants.
English Requirement:
IELTS: Minimum overall score of 6.0, with no individual score less than 6.0 for most undergraduate programs. Specific programs may require higher scores (e.g., Education courses need 7.0 in Reading and Writing, and 7.5 in Listening and Speaking)
PTE: Minimum overall score of 50, with no communicative skill below 50 for most programs. Higher scores required for specific courses (e.g., Education courses need at least 65 in Reading and Writing, and 73 in Listening and Speaking)
TOEFL: Minimum total score of 60, with specific minimum scores in each section (e.g., 21 in Writing, 18 in Speaking, 12 in Listening, and 13 in Reading)
CAE: Overall score of 169, with a minimum of 169 in all tests for most programs; higher scores may be required for specific courses
10. Charles Sturt University (CSU)
Location: Various campuses in New South Wales
Programs: Business, IT, science, education, and more
Tuition Fees: From AUD 27,520 per year
Course Options:
- Bachelor of Business
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary)
- Bachelor of Information Technology
- Bachelor of Nursing
Notable Features:
- Established in 1989.
- First certified carbon neutral tertiary institution in Australia.
- Offers various scholarships, grants, and bursaries to support students.
English Requirement:
IELTS: Minimum overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 5.5.
PTE (Pearson Test of English): Minimum overall score of 54 with at least 46 in all communicative skills.
Cambridge English Advanced Exam (CAE): Minimum overall score of 169 with no less than 162 in any component.
Final Thoughts
Studying in Australia doesn’t have to drain your savings. These universities prove that you can get a world-class education without the world-class price tag.
These Top 10 cheapest universities offer a range of affordable options for international students looking to study in Australia. Choosing the right university is a critical step in your journey to study abroad. By considering tuition fees, available programs, and notable features, you can find an institution that fits your academic goals and budget.
Money-Saving Tips for International Students Studying in Australia
- Look for scholarships: Many universities offer scholarships specifically for international students.
- Consider regional areas: Universities outside major cities often have lower living costs.
- Part-time work: Student visas allow you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term time.
- Shared accommodation: Cut living expenses by sharing a flat with other students.
More About Cheapest Universities in Australia for Bachelor Degree
Some of the most affordable universities include the University of Southern Queensland, Federation University Australia, Melbourne Institute of Technology, Kaplan Business School and Charles Darwin University.
The average annual tuition fee for international students ranges from AUD 20,000 to AUD 45,000, depending on the university and program. However, more affordable options can be found in the AUD 18,000 to AUD 25,000 range.
Not necessarily. Many affordable universities in Australia still maintain high educational standards and are accredited by the same bodies as more expensive institutions. It's important to research the specific program and university rankings.
Yes, many universities, including affordable universities, offer scholarships for international students. These can be merit-based, need-based, or specific to certain countries or fields of study.
Generally, regional areas have a lower cost of living compared to major cities like Sydney or Melbourne. You can expect to save 20-30% on accommodation and daily expenses in regional areas.
While they may not offer as wide a range as some larger universities, most affordable universities still provide a diverse selection of programs across various disciplines. It's best to check each university's offerings directly.
Yes, it's possible to transfer between Australian universities. You'll need to meet the transfer requirements of the new university, which often include maintaining a certain GPA in your current studies.
Yes, degrees from accredited Australian universities, regardless of their cost, are generally well-regarded and recognized internationally.
Most universities have active social media presences, student blogs, and virtual campus tours. You can also reach out to current international students through university-sanctioned platforms or online forums to get first-hand experiences.