UNSW Sydney
UNSW Sydney is a public research university founded in 1949 and ranked #1 in Australia and #19 globally (QS 2027), serving domestic and international students across seven faculties with 300+ undergraduate and 600+ postgraduate programs, plus industry research partnerships and 19 spinout companies.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1949
- HeadquartersKensington, Australia
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What UNSW Sydney does
UNSW Sydney (University of New South Wales) is a public research university established in 1949 and headquartered in Kensington, Sydney, Australia. The university operates as a statutory entity under the University of New South Wales Act 1989 (NSW), governed by the UNSW Council and overseen by the Commonwealth Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). It is a member of the Group of Eight (Go8) Australian research universities and the Universitas 21 international network. The institution offers more than 300 undergraduate and 600 postgraduate programs across seven faculties—Arts, Design & Architecture, Business, Engineering, Law & Justice, Medicine & Health, and Science—plus the UNSW Canberra campus at ADFA. UNSW serves approximately 5,001-10,000 employees and a large student body through campuses in Sydney, Canberra, and (from August 2026) Bengaluru, India.
The university's revenue model is anchored in tuition fees (Commonwealth Supported Places for domestic students, full fees for international students), government research funding (notably AU$5 million from the ARC Industrial Transformation Research Programme for solar panel recycling research), and industry partnerships. Its research capabilities span clean energy and photovoltaics (birthplace of modern photovoltaics), silicon quantum computing (through its Silicon Quantum Computing partnership), medical research (Kirby Institute), conservation science (Wild Deserts project), and educational technology. UNSW operates the Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, Australia's largest shared analytical facility with 25 labs and 400+ instruments. The university has produced 19 spinout companies, ranking #1 in Australia for startup creation through university-developed technology for the fourth consecutive year, with recent product innovations including the AusculPatch wearable sensor, ultrasonic coffee brewing technology, and certified world-record 10.7% efficiency antimony chalcogenide solar cells.
UNSW's strategic positioning is reinforced by recent QS World University Rankings 2027 results: #1 in Australia, #19 globally (the only Australian university in the top 20), #1 in Australia for employment outcomes (97.4/100), #1 in Australia for sustainability (98/100), and #1 globally for social impact in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026. The university is executing an aggressive international expansion strategy, including a joint venture with Eruditus for its Bengaluru campus (UNSW 51% / Eruditus 49%), a Centre of Excellence in AI and Innovation with Deloitte India, strategic AI research partnerships with AMP, and the launch of Applied Degrees through UNSW College—the first such work-blended bachelor's degrees offered by a Go8 university. Its go-to-market combines direct-to-student enrollment (UAC for domestic, direct application for international) with industry partnerships, online postgraduate programs, and executive education through AGSM.
UNSW Sydney firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UNSW Sydney
- Legal name
- University of New South Wales
- Website
- https://unsw.edu.au
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1949
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- UNSW Sydney is a public research university founded in 1949 and ranked #1 in Australia and #19 globally (QS 2027), serving domestic and international students across seven faculties with 300+ undergraduate and 600+ postgraduate programs, plus industry research partnerships and 19 spinout companies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UNSW Sydney industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education and Research
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools (EDAHAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Research Universities with Engineering/Polytechnic Emphasis (EDAHAAAD), Technical Universities with Energy, Materials & Sustainability Focus (EDAHAEAL)
Keywords
Where UNSW Sydney is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kensington
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices3 records
Markets served
UNSW Sydney business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition Fees: Domestic and international student tuition fees for undergraduate, postgraduate coursework, and higher degree research programs.
- Government Research Funding: ARC (Australian Research Council) and other government grants for research activities, including the ARC Industrial Transformation Research programme funding of AU$5 million for solar panel recycling.
- International Partnership Revenue: Revenue from international partnerships such as the Eruditus joint venture for India campus operations where UNSW holds 51% stake.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | International Student Scholarships - Up to 20% tuition fee reduction |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
UNSW Sydney product offering
Product offeringCore offering
UNSW Sydney delivers higher education and research services: more than 300 undergraduate and 600 postgraduate programs across seven faculties, higher degree research (PhD and Masters by Research), professional development short courses and microcredentials, and industry co-designed Applied Degrees. The university also conducts research across clean energy/photovoltaics, quantum computing, medical and health sciences, climate adaptation, and AI, and licenses technology and research outcomes through industry partnerships and 19 spinout companies.
Product overview
UNSW Sydney is a comprehensive research university offering a broad portfolio of educational products and research services. The core offerings include undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs across seven faculties, professional development courses, and short programs. Key product lines include: UNSW College Applied Degrees (industry-crafted bachelor's degrees in Business Management, IT Cyber Defence & Networking, and IT Software Development); photovoltaic solar research and recycling services; quantum computing research partnerships; and the Deloitte India AI Centre of Excellence. The university also conducts substantial research output including solar cell technology, wearable health sensors (AusculPatch), and AI-powered energy management systems. UNSW has ranked #1 in Australia for startup and spinout companies, demonstrating significant enterprise and commercialization activities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- UNSW Business School: Business school offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive education programs
- AGSM
- UNSW Canberra
- UNSW College
- UNSW Foundation Studies
- Nura Gili
- UNSW Founders
- Kirby Institute
- Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre (MWAC)
Products and services
- UNSW Sydney Degree Programs
- UNSW College Applied Degrees
- Higher Degree Research Programs
- Professional Development and Short Courses
- AGSM MBA and Executive Education
- UNSW College Pathway and Foundation Programs
- ARC Hub for Photovoltaic Solar Panel Recycling
- Silicon Quantum Computing Research Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 97.4/100 employment outcomes score (QS 2027)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use UNSW Sydney
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
UNSW Sydney technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability5 records
Feature6 records
UNSW Sydney partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Eruditus (Edtech Company)coreJoint venture partnership for India campus operations where UNSW holds 51% stake and Eruditus holds 49%. UNSW managing academics while Eruditus handles operations. Campus in Bengaluru approved by UGC, commencing August 2026. Part of National Education Policy internationalisation initiative.
- Deloitte IndiacoreStrategic collaboration to establish Centre of Excellence in AI and Innovation at UNSW's Bengaluru campus from April 2026. Provides students access to Deloitte's AI labs, cyber simulation environments, and emerging technology platforms. Focus on applied research and experiential learning.
- Australian Government (ARC)coreAU$5 million funding from ARC Industrial Transformation Research programme to establish ARC Hub for Photovoltaic Solar Panel Recycling and Sustainability - Australia's first dedicated solar module recycling research facility.
- AMPmajorStrategic AI research partnership in financial services aimed at delivering practical and responsible solutions to help Australians retire with greater financial confidence. Leverages UNSW strengths across AI, data science, business, law, and technology.
- Canopus Networksminor$433,000 Australian Government grant partnership to develop and commercialize AI-powered cloud security solutions.
- Wild Deserts Conservation Partners (Ecological Horizons, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Taronga Conservation Society Australia)majorMulti-institutional conservation research collaboration led by UNSW Sydney for rewilding Australia through the Wild Deserts project. Involves releasing burrowing bettongs and western quolls into Sturt National Park with predator control strategies.
- Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC)coreLongstanding research partnership in silicon-based quantum computing. Demonstrated 11-qubit quantum processor achieving 99.99% single-qubit and 99.9% two-qubit fidelities. Won KCA Best Industry-Research Collaboration Award. SQC is a key UNSW spinout company.
- Aussie Solar BatteriesmajorTwo-year research partnership (through December 2026) under Federal Government-funded Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) initiative. Develops AI-enabled energy management systems for virtual power plant deployment across Australian solar networks.
- Arizona State UniversityminorInternational collaboration with Arizona State University and UNSW Sydney to redesign refractory alloys for aerospace and defense using AI and 3D printing.
- Monash UniversityminorResearch collaboration on SmartCraneLift.AI - AI-powered crane lift planning system for construction safety and efficiency. UNSW contributed to development over more than a decade alongside Technical University of Munich.
- World BankminorWorld Bank-supported training workshops delivered by UNSW High Performance Architecture team in Tanzania to build global climate resilience through heat-mitigation strategies.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
UNSW Sydney competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ETH Zurich: Top global technical research university with comparable strengths in photovoltaics, quantum science, and engineering-led commercialization. Competes with UNSW for the same international STEM talent pool and global research ranking position.
- University of Queensland: Go8 peer with comparable research output, commercialization activity, and Asia-Pacific international student recruitment overlap. Competes with UNSW for global rankings positioning and Australian research grants.
- Australian National University: Go8 research-intensive university with similarly strong global rankings positioning and a comparable emphasis on interdisciplinary research. Competitor for HDR candidates, research funding, and international recognition in the same rankings tables.
- University of Western Australia: Go8 member and research-intensive peer, sharing the same Australian public-university structure and competing for international enrolments from Asia. Matches UNSW on research breadth and commercialization activity.
- University of Adelaide: Go8 peer with overlapping STEM and research strengths. Competes with UNSW for international students, research funding, and commercial partnerships, particularly in engineering and applied science disciplines.
- Monash University: Largest Australian university by enrolment and a Go8 peer, overlapping on the same seven-faculty model and competing for the same international student base in Asia and India. Also pursues international branch campuses and major industry research partnerships.
- University of Sydney: Sydney-based Go8 peer and UNSW's closest geographic competitor, with overlapping program mix, similar student demographics, and comparable research strengths. Directly competes for international enrolments and the same employer-recognition premium.
- Arizona State University: Large US public research university named as an explicit UNSW research partner on AI-driven refractory alloy design. Like UNSW, ASU has invested heavily in innovation commercialization, online scale, and applied-industry degree pathways, making it a structurally comparable global peer.
- University of Melbourne: Australian Group of Eight co-member and UNSW's principal domestic rival, competing head-to-head for top students, faculty, and global ranking position. Like UNSW, it is a comprehensive public research university with a strong international student pipeline and an extensive spinout record.
- National University of Singapore: Top Asian research university that competes with UNSW for the same international student pool across Southeast Asia and for global QS ranking standing. Comparable engineering and applied-science strengths, and similar positioning in industry-linked research commercialization.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
UNSW Sydney social profiles
Digital presenceUNSW Sydney financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UNSW Sydney leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
UNSW Sydney subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
UNSW Sydney funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UNSW Sydney M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about UNSW Sydney
What does UNSW Sydney do?
UNSW Sydney delivers higher education and research services: more than 300 undergraduate and 600 postgraduate programs across seven faculties, higher degree research (PhD and Masters by Research), professional development short courses and microcredentials, and industry co-designed Applied Degrees. The university also conducts research across clean energy/photovoltaics, quantum computing, medical and health sciences, climate adaptation, and AI, and licenses technology and research outcomes through industry partnerships and 19 spinout companies.
Is UNSW Sydney a public or private company?
UNSW Sydney is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was UNSW Sydney founded?
UNSW Sydney was founded in 1949. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is UNSW Sydney based?
UNSW Sydney is headquartered in Kensington, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does UNSW Sydney make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition Fees are the primary driver. The others are government Research Funding and international Partnership Revenue.
Who are UNSW Sydney's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ETH Zurich, University of Queensland, Australian National University, University of Western Australia, University of Adelaide, Monash University, University of Sydney, Arizona State University, University of Melbourne and National University of Singapore.
Does UNSW Sydney have an API?
No public API is recorded for UNSW Sydney.
What industry is UNSW Sydney in?
UNSW Sydney's product category is Higher Education and Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAAAF, Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools, with a secondary code of EDAHAAAD, Public Research Universities with Engineering/Polytechnic Emphasis. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.