Curtin University: A Guide for International Students
Curtin University is a public university in Western Australia and its main campus is in Bentley, at a distance of about six kilometres from central Perth. It was set up by means of the Western Australian Institute of Technology Act 1966 and started to give its students instruction in 1967 as the Western Australian Institute of Technology. It then changed its name to Curtin University of Technology and was officially called Curtin University in 2017.
Curtin University provides undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes in a range of fields including business, law, health sciences, the humanities, science, engineering, computing and technology. The principal Perth campus is the largest and delivers the majority of the university's courses. The university also has international campuses in Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, Mauritius and Colombo.
For anyone who is intending to apply in 2026–27, the admission requirements, the tuition fees and the application dates will vary according to the course and the campus chosen. International students have the option of applying either directly to Curtin or via a registered Curtin agent. The university states that applications are entirely free and that the assessment usually takes around two weeks, though in some cases the process may take longer.
Curtin University Highlights
| Particular | Details |
| University Name | Curtin University |
| University Type | Public University |
| Established | 1966; teaching began in 1967 |
| Main Campus | Bentley, Perth, Western Australia |
| Country | Australia |
| Main Study Areas | Business, Law, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Engineering |
| International Campuses | Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, Mauritius and Colombo |
| Application System | Curtin Applicant Portal / Registered Curtin Agent |
| Application Fee | No application fee for international applications |
| Main Intake | Semester 1 and Semester 2, depending on course |
| Official Website | https://www.curtin.edu.au/ |
Curtin University Courses for 2026–27
Curtin University offers a wide variety of undergraduate, postgraduate and higher-degree-by-research programmes. The specific courses open to international students may differ depending on the campus and the intake. The university advises that people check the individual course page since it has the most up-to-date information on entry requirements, fees, course structure and application details.
Some popular study areas include:
| Study Area | Examples of Courses |
| Business | Business, Commerce, Accounting, Finance, Management |
| Computing | Information Technology, Computing, Computer Science |
| Engineering | Engineering, Civil Engineering and other engineering disciplines |
| Science | Bachelor of Science and science-related programmes |
| Health | Nursing, Health Sciences and other health programmes |
| Law | Bachelor of Laws and postgraduate law programmes |
| Arts and Humanities | Arts, Communication, Social Sciences and related subjects |
| Environment and Resources | Geology, Mining and related programmes |
| Postgraduate | Master’s programmes across business, technology, health, law and other fields |
| Research | Higher Degree by Research programmes |
Curtin University Fees 2026–27
Curtin University does not have a single tuition fee for all of its courses, the tuition fees for international students varying according to the course, the number of units chosen, the amount of study and the campus. The university indicates that the fees listed on the course pages are only indicative and may change every year.
For instance, the estimated first-year fee for the Bachelor of Science in 2026 is A$44,222, and that for the Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Commerce is A$43,982. However, these amounts are merely examples relating to particular courses and must not be regarded as the fees for all programmes offered at Curtin.
| Course Example | 2026 Indicative First-Year International Fee |
| Bachelor of Science | A$44,222 |
| Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Commerce | A$43,982 |
| Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Innovation | A$43,816 |
Curtin University Admission 2026–27
The process of admitting international students is primarily determined by the student's academic qualifications, their completion of the required courses, and their ability in English. It is not necessary for every international applicant to take a single entrance examination.
How to Apply to Curtin University
Students can follow these general steps:
- Select a course from the list of Curtin courses.
- Look at the entry requirements for that specific programme.
- Look at the English language requirement and the tests that are accepted.
- Get your school and ID documents ready.
- You can get it directly from Curtin or via a registered Curtin agent.
- Submit the necessary documents via the Applicant Portal.
- Take until the assessment of the application.
- If your application is successful, you will receive the offer letter.
- Take up the offer and carry out the enrolment steps required.
- Get the student visa and arrange your travel to Australia.
Curtin University Eligibility Requirements
Curtin University eligibility requirements vary by course, level of study and the applicant’s previous qualification. International students should check the specific course page before applying because some programmes may have additional subject, English language, portfolio or professional requirements.
| Study Level | General Eligibility | English Requirement |
| Undergraduate | A recognised secondary school qualification or equivalent that meets Curtin’s entry requirements | Depends on the course; many courses require IELTS Academic around 6.5 overall |
| Postgraduate | A recognised bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification relevant to the selected course | Depends on the course and programme |
| Research Programmes | Relevant university qualification and research background, where required | English requirement depends on the research programme |
| Professional/Specific Courses | Academic qualification plus any additional subject, portfolio, interview or professional requirements specified by the course | May be higher for some courses |
English Language Requirements
To gain admission, Curtin requires students to show that they have a sufficient level of English language ability, and the IELTS, together with other English tests and qualifications that are approved, may be accepted according to the particular course.
For a number of Curtin's courses the requirement is IELTS Academic 6.5 in total with a minimum of 6.0 in each section, but this requirement does not apply to all programmes. Indeed, some courses have more stringent English language requirements.
Students who at first fail to meet the English language requirement may still have the possibility of proceeding via Curtin English, provided that the conditions of the degree they have chosen are satisfied.
Curtin University Application Deadlines 2026–27
The application deadline varies according to the course, the campus, the term of entry and the individual circumstances of the applicant; for this reason students should not use a single deadline for the entire university.
For several Curtin Perth courses, the currently listed dates include:
| Intake | Application Status / Deadline |
| Semester 1, 2027 | Applications open; some courses list 28 January 2027 as the closing date |
| Semester 2, 2027 | Some courses list 1 March 2027 opening and 1 July 2027 closing |
Curtin University Rankings
Curtin University is included in the major international university rankings.
Curtin also achieves excellent results at the subject level. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Curtin is placed 4th in the world for Mineral and Mining Engineering and also holds strong rankings in fields such as geology, geophysics, Earth and marine sciences, nursing and architecture.
| Ranking | 2026 Result |
| QS World University Rankings | 183rd |
| Times Higher Education World University Rankings | 251–300 |
| QS Mineral and Mining Engineering | 4th globally |
Scholarships at Curtin University
Curtin University offers different scholarships to help students manage the cost of higher education. Scholarships are available for international students as well as domestic students, and they may be based on academic performance, financial circumstances, course, nationality or other eligibility conditions.
For international students, some of the scholarships currently listed by Curtin include:
| ScholarshipBenefit | |
| John Curtin Global Excellence Scholarship | 40% reduction in tuition fees for the duration of the course |
| Curtin Global Merit Scholarship | 20% reduction in tuition fees for the duration of the course |
| Global Future Leaders Scholarship | One-off tuition fee credit of A$10,000 |
| Curtin Global Talent Scholarship | One-off tuition fee credit of A$10,000 for eligible students |
| Global Scholars Program Scholarship | One-off A$15,000 tuition fee credit at Curtin Perth |
| Curtin English Scholarship | Up to A$7,496 tuition fee credit after completing an eligible Curtin English pathway |
Campus and Student Life at Curtin University
The main campus of Curtin is located in Bentley, which is about six kilometres from the centre of Perth. The Perth campus has an area of about 116 hectares and is where most of the university's courses are held. It contains teaching rooms, libraries, student services, recreation facilities and other facilities which are used for both academic and social activities.
International students have the opportunity to study at Curtin's overseas campuses which are located in Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, Mauritius and Colombo. The university thus achieves a greater international presence and offers a variety of study locations for students according to their programme.
If students need to find accommodation, Curtin gives information on on-campus options in Perth and Kalgoorlie. The prices for accommodation depend on the kind of room and the provider, so students should look at the most recent accommodation information before booking.
Career Opportunities After Curtin University
Curtin University provides career support to help students prepare for employment during and after their studies. Through UniHub, students can find part-time jobs, graduate positions, career resources, workshops and employer events. Curtin also provides career consultations and support with resumes, cover letters and interview preparation.
Many Curtin courses include industry placements, work-based learning, internships or practical projects, depending on the programme. These experiences can help students develop practical skills and understand workplace requirements before graduation.
Career Areas After Curtin University
| Study AreaPossible Career Areas | |
| Business and Commerce | Accounting, finance, marketing, management and business analysis |
| Computing and IT | Software development, IT support, data and technology roles |
| Engineering | Engineering, project management, technical and infrastructure roles |
| Health Sciences | Healthcare, health services, research and related roles |
| Science | Laboratory work, research, environmental and technical fields |
| Law | Legal services, compliance and related professional areas |
| Arts and Humanities | Communication, media, education, public and community services |
Documents Required for Admission at Curtin University
The specific list of documents varies according to the course and the applicant's academic background; typical documents may comprise:
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Passport or identity document
- English language test result, if required
- Course-specific documents
- Resume or CV for applicable programmes
- Portfolio for courses that require one
- Research proposal for applicable research programmes
- Previous university documents for postgraduate admission
Why Students Choose Curtin University
Curtin University has students from Australia and a number of other countries; the main campus in Perth provides a wide variety of courses, while its international campuses offer further places where one can study.
Students may consider Curtin based on factors such as:
- Wide choice of undergraduate and postgraduate courses
- Study options in business, engineering, computing, health, science, law and humanities
- International campuses
- Industry-focused learning opportunities
- Career and employment support
- Scholarships for eligible international students
- A large multicultural student community
- Perth location and campus facilities
Frequently Asked Questions at Curtin University
1. What year was Curtin University founded?
Curtin University was set up by means of the Western Australian Institute of Technology Act 1966 and started to give its students instruction as the Western Australian Institute of Technology in 1967; it then changed its name and was officially called Curtin University from 2017.
2. What will Curtin University's rank be in 2026?
Curtin University comes 183rd in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and is in the 251 to 300 group in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. Ranking positions vary from year to year since the various ranking systems employ different methods.
3. What is the cost of fees for international students at Curtin University?
Curtin University does not charge international students a single fixed tuition fee; the fees vary according to the course and the amount of study. For instance, the 2026 estimated first-year fee for the Bachelor of Science is A$44,222. Students are advised to look on their particular course page to find the most up-to-date fee.
4.How do international students go about applying to Curtin University?
International students have the option of applying directly to Curtin University or via a registered Curtin agent. To apply, they must choose a course, check the admission requirements for that course, prepare the necessary documents and then submit the application. The university says that international applications are free, even though the time taken to process them may vary.
5.Does Curtin University provide scholarships for international students?
Yes, Curtin provides a number of scholarships for eligible international students, such as the John Curtin Global Excellence Scholarship, the Curtin Global Merit Scholarship and the Global Future Leaders Scholarship. Since the amounts of the scholarships, the eligibility rules and the conditions vary, applicants are advised to look at the current scholarship information before they apply.