Degree costs | Fee Payment | Other Study Costs | Refund Policy
Degree costs
Fee Payment
As an international student at the University of Adelaide, you will be required to pay appropriate fees for your degrees.
A deposit payment of AU $9,000 is payable when you accept your Offer of Admission. This payment is counted as credit towards your tuition fees in the first semester/trimester. After enrolment, you will be invoiced for the balance of your fees in that semester/trimester.
An invoice for the balance of the first semester/trimester tuition fees will be sent before the first day of the semester/trimester. Fees for subsequent semesters/trimesters will be due at the beginning of each semester/trimester.
If fees are not paid when they are due, and you have not consulted with Student Finance about financial hardship, or entered into an approved payment plan, your enrolment may be cancelled. Please see the Fee-Paying section of the web for more details.
Fees vary between Faculties and Schools (e.g. Engineering, Science, Commerce) and can also vary within Faculties and Schools as they are calculated according to the discipline of study.
Therefore, students undertaking a course (subject) from another discipline will be charged for that course at the rate applicable to that discipline. This may mean an increase or decrease in fees. Students planning to undertake courses in different programs are advised to check the fee commitment with the University Contact Centre prior to enrolling.
Other Study Costs
You should allow expenditure of at least A$500 per year in addition to the degree costs outlined above - this should cover the cost of textbooks and other basic study materials.
Depending on the degree you are studying, other costs may include:
- specialist equipment (e.g. laboratory coats, microscopes, stethoscopes)
- optional supplementary reading and academic program materials
- field trips
- research related expenses such as thesis preparation, printing and binding
You can also choose to join the Adelaide University Union (AUU), our peak student representative body.
By joining, students will assist the AUU to develop and implement the philosophy that life at university is so much more than textbooks and lectures.
In addition, students will be able to access a range of discounts covering gym membership, prices at commercial outlets on campus, textbooks and participation in a comprehensive range of activities of the Students' Association, Clubs Association and Sports Association.
The current semester membership fee for the AUU is $25.
Refund Policy
You should read the Refund Policy for International Students before accepting your Offer of Admission. The policy complies with all of the requirements for tuition fee refunds stipulated in the Education Services for Overseas Student (ESOS) Act 2000, associated Commonwealth regulations, and the ESOS National Code of Practice.
Affordable Adelaide | Living Expenses | Pre-Arrival Costs | Post-Arrival Costs | Other Costs | Managing Your Money
Affordable Adelaide
Adelaide is a more affordable city to live in than most other Australian capital cities. In particular, the costs of accommodation and transportation are significantly less than in Sydney or Melbourne.
Statistics show that it costs 24% more to live in Sydney, 21% more in Melbourne, 12% more in Perth and 8% more in Brisbane. **
** Statistics from the Economist Intelligence Unit, 2009.
Living Expenses
| Item | Cost ($AUD) |
|---|
| Rent+ | $98-268 |
| Food | $87-100 |
| Electricity, gas^ | $15-$28 |
| Transport | $15-20 |
| Telephone, postage | $23-32 |
| Other (clothes, entertainment, etc) | $40+ |
| Total | $290-475 |
(Source - Study Adelaide) + Accommodation costs can vary significantly based on location, type and arrangement. For example, centrally-located accommodation generally costs more than in outer suburbs. Similarly, students can lower their accommodation costs by sharing with other students - the lower end of the price range shown is mostly shared accommodation. ^ Gas and electricity often included in University-managed accommodation This should be viewed as a guide only for a single student. Costs can vary enormously from one student to another. These are basic living costs and do not include program tuition fees, costs for textbooks, other study related needs, running a car, medical expenses, or any luxuries. |
Pre-Arrival Costs
| Item | Cost ($AUD) |
|---|
| Tuition Fee deposit | $9000 |
| Overseas Student Health Cover | $390 - $1482* |
| Economy air travel | $800 - $2000 |
| Visa application charge | $540^ |
| Visa fee | $420 |
| Medical exam for visa | $300# |
| Refundable deposit for University managed rental accommodation (if applicable) | $500 |
* Total program length cover ($390 for 12 months, $1170 for 36-month single cover) based on 2010 rate and subject to change # Approximate cost for standard exam only - additional costs may be incurred if more comprehensive medical exams are required ^ Not applicable to AusAID scholarship holders |
Post-Arrival Costs
| All students | Cost ($AUD) |
|---|
| Rent in advance | Two weeks |
| Household setup (linen, groceries, etc) | $250 |
| Remainder of tuition fee | |
| For private accommodation options only | Cost ($AUD) |
|---|
| Refundable accommodation deposit | Four to six weeks' rent |
| Electricity and gas deposit and connection charges | $38 - $72 |
| Telephone connection charge (landline) | $59 - $299 |
| Furniture and household goods | $1000+ |
Accommodation is the largest variable cost - $90 is an average cost of shared private accommodation outside of the city centre, whereas $190 is for University-managed or rental accommodation often within the city centre. Please note that there can be very large set-up costs associated with private accommodation that are not applicable to University-managed accommodation.
The cost of study-related costs, such as textbooks and basic study materials are not included in tuition. Information about such study-related costs can be found here.
Other Costs
- Student visa - A student visa costs A$540. It allows you to enter, live in and leave Australia during your degree. (You are required to complete your degree before your visa expires – there is no provision for part-time study.)
- Overseas Student Health Cover - You will be required by the Federal Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to pay health insurance known as Overseas Student Health Cover before your student visa can be issued. You can use our provider of OHSC, or choose your own.
Managing Your Money
For information about money management after arriving in Adelaide, please read more information on financial matters.
