Australian Catholic University

ACU is a dynamic institution famed for its teaching quality and research, fast-growing national and international presence, and mission to empower students with the skills to positively impact the world.

The university is in the top 100 young university in the world (THE Young University Rankings 2024).

With seven campuses across Australia including Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, and an international campus in Rome, Italy, ACU places its students at the centre of a vibrant network of scholars, partnerships and opportunities.

Students at ACU grow in a supportive environment which combines the theory of learning with the practice aspects of work. ACU is actively engaged with industry partners to give students plenty of opportunities for professional placements, work experience and meaningful community service.

ACU is committed to preparing students for life after university and this is highly regarded by students, who rate the university five stars for its learner engagement, skills development and starting salary (Good Universities Guide 2024).

When evaluated by the latest Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA), ACU ranked first or equal first for ten fields of research in Australia.

The university has been ranked first in Australia, and second globally, for its ongoing efforts to promote healthy living and wellbeing through world-class research and teaching (THE 2024 Impact Rankings). ACU is committed to fostering thriving communities, supportive campus environments and a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. Its multicultural campuses reflect a diverse student community and offer various extracurricular activities, providing students with a holistic and impactful higher education experience.

ACU programs are open for 2025 enrolments.

The Australian Catholic University (ACU) offers various courses across its four faculties:

Faculty of Education and Arts

ACU's Faculty of Education and Arts includes the National School of Arts & Humanities and the National School of Education. The faculty is an important producer of new teachers in Australia and attracts students who seek to tackle complex issues in fields such as education, teaching, international development, media, communications and design.

Faculty of Health Sciences

The Faculty of Health Sciences is a leading producer of nurses in Australia. Comprised of three schools - Allied Health, Behavioural and Health Sciences, and Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine – the faculty focuses on excellence, innovation and community impact, and is committed to improving the lives of others by providing world-leading healthcare. Study areas available include Allied Health, Nursing, Nutrition, Biomedical Science, Psychology, Public Health and Sport/Exercise Science.

Faculty of Law and Business

In the Faculty of Law and Business, students build knowledge and skills on a foundation that emphasises the ethical, social, and environmental duties of the modern business leader and lawyer. Most importantly, students learn through doing – all our courses have a strong practical component through community engagement, pro bono work and internships. The faculty delivers courses including accounting, finance, commerce, data analytics, HR, management, information technology, human resources, law, and marketing.

Faculty of Theology and Philosophy

The Faculty of Theology and Philosophy ranks globally for divinity and religious studies, as well as theology. Students learn to combine new skills with a sense of ethics and a thirst for truth and knowledge. The faculty is home to the School of Theology and School of Philosophy and provides professional consulting services to various Catholic organisations.

If students don't quite meet the entry requirements for an undergraduate course, or are looking for a more supportive transition to university study, they can consider a English or pathway programs.

Foundation studies

The Foundation Studies Program provides a pathway to ACU undergraduate degrees for international students who wish to study at university but do not have a recognised Year 12 qualification. Students study on campus and are immersed in the distinctive culture of the university throughout the course. Foundation students will become familiar with ACU facilities, resources and systems and with the academic expectations and assessment models used in undergraduate degrees at ACU.

Tertiary preparation program

The TPP (Health Sciences) is a pathway option for students who need to meet the English language or academic entry requirements for a number of degrees, including the Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Exercise & Sports Science or Bachelor of Exercise, Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Bachelor of Nutrition Science.

ELICOS

Students who need to improve their English before they begin a degree at ACU, gain confidence, or want to communicate better in the workplace can find what they need at the ACU English Language Centre.

The courses assist students to improve their overall English language ability in speaking, writing, listening and reading. Students will also be given the opportunity to increase their understanding of Australian culture through fun social activities in and out of the classroom.

Pathway and English programs at ACU are now open for 2025 enrolments. Prospective students can complete the form to receive access to the international guide and be contacted with personalized information about their study options.

Students can apply to study at ACU by:

• Using ACU's online application system
• Contacting an authorised education agent in their country

Academic entry requirements

For most undergraduate courses, students must have the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate to gain direct entry, from a recognised high school qualification.

To gain admission to one of our postgraduate degrees, students must hold the equivalent of an Australian bachelor's degree from a recognised university or institution with a pass average.

Individual courses may also have additional specific requirements.

There is a range of scholarships on offer for international students at ACU. Some popular international student scholarships include the following:

ACU International Student Scholarship

ACU International Student Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate and postgraduate international students who begin their education at the university and have demonstrated excellent academic merit in their previous studies. Applicants who are successful will receive a tuition fee waiver of 50 percent of the full-time fees for the minimum duration of their course (inclusive of RPL/Credit).

Global Excellence Scholarship

The Peter Faber Business School is global in its outlook and pursues academic excellence and sustainability. It will be awarding scholarships worth up to AUD 5,000 (a tuition waiver of up to AUD 2,500 per semester) to commencing undergraduate and postgraduate students of business and information technology programmes.

Visit the Scholarships page to view more scholarships on offer.

English language proficiency requirements

All courses and assessments offered at the ACU are delivered in English. It is mandatory for students to demonstrate their English language proficiency to the university to make the most of their studies.

If English is a student's first language, they must have completed their last year of Australian schooling (Year 12) or an alternative equivalent qualification.

If English is not a student's first language, they will need to demonstrate their proficiency with evidence, such as a recent assessment, qualification or test. This assessment, qualification or test result must have been completed within two years prior to the commencement of studies at ACU.

Students who wish to apply to ACU can undertake the following English language proficiency assessments:

• ACU English test
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Pearson Test of English (PTE)
• Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

What to do if you do not meet the requirements

If a student's level of assessed English does not meet the minimum score for their chosen course, they can study an English language course at ACU's English Language Centre to improve their skills.

Pathway and English programs at ACU are now open for 2025 enrolments. Prospective students can complete the form to receive access to the international guide and be contacted with personalized information about their study options.

THE Impact Rankings

ACU is among the top 200 universities worldwide in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024. The rankings measure the impact of the university on society, in line with its success in meeting the UN's sustainable development goals (SDGs). Most notably, the University has been ranked first in Australia, and second globally, for its ongoing efforts to promote healthy living and wellbeing through world-class research and teaching (THE 2024 Impact Rankings).

Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) Subject Rankings

ACU was noted for the following subjects in the ARWU Subject Rankings 2024:

• Top 50 worldwide for education
• Top 50 worldwide for nursing
• Sport And Exercise Science: Top 100 worldwide
• Psychology: Top 150 worldwide

ACS (Australian Computer Society) accreditation

The ACS (Australian Computer Society) has certified ACU's Bachelor of Information Technology, Master of Information Technology and the newly launched double degree in IT and business administration for the next three years.

Independent validation of the courses means ACU graduates can be confident their qualifications meet industry and ethical standards and prepare them for successful careers.

AACSB Accreditation

ACU has earned the prestigious AACSB accreditation – a mark of excellence achieved by less than 6% of business schools worldwide! This recognition highlights ACU's commitment to delivering world-class business education that empowers students and uplifts communities.