UC appears in some lists of the world's top 500 universities.
The University of Canberra is ranked #614 in the world, based on a composite of QS, Times, ARWU, and Webometrics rankings. In Australia, UC is ranked #27 out of 42 universities.
The University of Canberra (UC) is an applied university in Australia's capital city. UC offers an alternative study destination in Canberra to ANU. It became a university in 1990 and is located in the central suburb of Bruce.
Website: canberra.edu.au | Campuses: Canberra (Bruce) [ACT]
UC World Ranking
Global Ranking: 614
The University of Canberra is ranked #614 in the world. It has top 500 placements in QS and Times Higher Education, reflecting a potentially inflated research reputation for a relatively small uni.
QS ranking: 403
Times Higher Education: 450
ARWU: 850
Webometrics: 754
Australia Ranking
Australia Rank: 27
UC is the 27th-ranked university in Australia. It trails ANU in Canberra but ranks ahead of the Australian Catholic University.
Above: Swinburne (24), Murdoch University (25), ECU (26)
Below: ACU (28), UniSQ (29), CQUniversity (30)
Is University of Canberra Good?
The University of Canberra (UC) offers accessible and practical programs in areas like healthcare, information technology, and teaching. The central suburban location in Bruce, between Civic and Belconnen, keeps students close to Canberra’s city resources.
Accessible, practical courses
Student facilities
Accommodation
The campus has strong local attendance and features sports facilities such as gyms, multi-sport courts, and fields. Partnerships with groups like the ACT Brumbies allow students to gain hands-on experience in professional-grade settings. Accommodation options are plentiful.
Satisfaction: 77.0%
The University of Canberra reviews indicate satisfaction levels of 75.7% for bachelor degrees and 78.2% for postgraduate students, slightly below national averages. Uni Reviews provides individual ratings and comments.
How Many Students?
Students: 16,753
The University of Canberra had a total of 16,753 students in 2024, making it the 36th largest university in Australia. UC is the 2nd biggest uni in the Australian Capital Territory.
- International students: 4,290 (26%)
- Postgraduate students: 5,978 (36%)
- Gender ratio: 59% Female : 41% Male
- On-campus students: 14,897 (89%)
Biggest strength: Health (23% of enrolments here vs 18% nationally).
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance Rate: 80%
The University of Canberra acceptance rate is 80%. Among students with an ATAR that qualifies for university, 20% are unable to be admitted into their preferred degree.
Required ATAR: 60
It is easy to get into UC, with a minimum ATAR of 60 on average. At the time of publishing, the ATAR threshold was 60 for Arts, Bachelor of Business, and Science degrees.
Can I Attend UC Online?
Opportunities to study online at the University of Canberra (UC) are limited. About 192 bachelor and 1,664 postgraduate students study online, making up around 11% of enrolments. Popular fields at University of Canberra Online include Management and Commerce, and Health. UC remains primarily a campus-based institution, though flexible study options are available.
UC Review
Independent review by Australian Universities. Discover what it’s like to study at the University of Canberra (UC) — a compact uni located centrally in Australia's capital city.