ANU Admissions for International Students 2026: Go8 Entry Requirements

The Australian National University (ANU) was founded in 1946 and is located in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. It’s the only university in the country which was created by the Parliament of Australia.

The Australian National University has over 10,000 trees on its campus and is one of Australia’s most Sustainable Campus networks and greenest university campuses. Just like the Ivy League, Oxbridge and Russel group, Australia also has its own group of top 8 prestigious universities, known as the “Group of Eight” OR “Go8”. ANU is one of these Universities.

The university has seven colleges:

• Arts and Social Sciences

• Asia and the Pacific

• Business and Economics

• Engineering and Computer Science

• Law

• Medicine, Biology and Environment

• Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

ANU considers these factors as “important”

• Academic Transcripts

• Co-curricular activities

• Statement of Purpose (SOP)

• English Proficiency Tests

International students need to apply individually to universities of their choice.

As an international student you will generally be selected on the basis of your performance in one of the following completed in 2022 (ie your ATAR or equivalent):

• Australian Year 12 qualification (either outside or in Australia)

• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

DEADLINES

ANU has two semesters. This is divided into Semester 1 and Semester 2. The table below shows when the classes at ANU will commence

• Semester 1 classes commence in February.

• Semester 2 classes commence in July.

Students who have completed their grade 12 and wish to commence their studies at ANU in February should apply during October/ November of the prior year.

Students who have completed their grade 12 and wish to commence their studies at ANU in July should apply during March/ April of that year.

A. Minimum Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not guarantee entry into the program. Subjects with minimum admission requirements is given below:

STREAM	DEGREE	IB Score	ISC SCORE	SUBJECTS
Politics, Philosophy and Economics	BA (Politics, Philosophy and Economics)	37	93	Assumed knowledge – Math
Accounting	BA. Accounting	29	84	Assumed knowledge – Math
Actuarial Studies	BA. Actuarial Studies	35	92	Advanced Math
International Business	Bachelor of International Business	29	84	Assumed knowledge – Math
Commerce	BCom	29	84	Assumed knowledge – Math
Economics	BA Economics	29	84	Assumed knowledge – Math
Statistics	BA Statistics	29	84	Advanced Math
Applied Data Analytics	Bachelor of Applied Data Analytics	34	90	Assumed knowledge – Math
Engineering	Bachelor of Engineering (honors)	31	87	Advanced Math, Assumed knowledge – Physics
Information Technology	B.Tech	29	84	Advanced Math
Biotechnology	B.Sc	29	84	Chemistry
Medical Sciences	B.Sc	31	87	Chemistry

B. GPA or Selection Rank

When an applicant qualifies ANU eligibility check rounds and meets the minimum requirements for their chosen program, they are moved to the Ranking stage. Applicants are ranked against all other eligible applicants to their chosen program. ANU will notify them about the outcome of their application through the assessment round and applicants, if successful, will receive an offer to study at ANU with all details about how to accept the offer.

Bonus Pro-Tip 1: Mastering the SAT for ANU Admissions

In the 2026 admissions cycle, the SAT serves as a vital academic "bridge" for international applicants aiming for the Australian National University (ANU). Unlike some Australian peers that issue automatic unconditional offers for a 1400+ score, ANU utilizes a more nuanced SAT-to-Selection-Rank conversion. A score of 1350–1470 typically places you in the middle 50% of admitted students, but for high-stakes programs like Law, PPE, or Advanced Computing, you should aim for a 1450+ SAT Score to remain competitive against the global applicant pool.

Crucially, the SAT at ANU is never a standalone ticket. Even with a perfect 1600, your admission is contingent upon meeting the mandatory Co-curricular and Service (CCS) requirement, where you must demonstrate at least two unique skills from categories like "Creative and Critical Thinking" or "Community Engagement." To maximize your chances for the 2026 intake, use your Digital SAT score to anchor your academic profile, but ensure your "Social Proof" (research papers, leadership, or volunteering) is equally robust. At ANU, the SAT proves your capability, but your CCS profile proves your fit for Australia’s national university.

C. Co – Curricular Activities

The Co-curricular and service requirement (CCS) is a mandatory section of the Australian National University (ANU) application that will ask you to demonstrate your involvement in activities outside the classroom during Years 10 to 12. These activities include sport, a paid job, volunteering, school clubs, creative competitions, student exchanges and more. Your co-curricular and service requirement (CCS) activities need to demonstrate at least two of the following skill groups:

• Community engagement

• Inclusion and awareness of diversity

• Communication

• Leadership

• Personal responsibility

• Teamwork

• Creative and critical thinking

Bonus Pro -Tip 2: ANU’s CCS requirement specifically looks for 'Creative and Critical Thinking.' Publishing a high quality research paper is the ultimate way to prove these skills to the admissions committee.

D. Statement of Purpose (SOP)

It is a crucial part of the application in which students describe their interest in the chosen field of study, their activities and their future plans. Especially in competitive courses like STEM where several students may be competing for admissions to limited seats, the SOP provides valuable insights into the students’ thought process and motivations. While evaluating good students with strong academic performance and comparative GPA, the SOP provides a good way to differentiate between them.

It needs to be unique, explaining their experiences, aspirations, motivation for studying a particular course and a short narrative of their lives beyond academics. SOP for Australian universities like ANU are majorly focused on the field of study. The students need to show enthusiasm in their chosen course and how they can make a revolutionary transformation in that subject/area.

E. English Proficiency

Amidst the procedure of how to get admission in ANU for international students, taking an English Language Proficiency Test is an essential requirement because every course in the university is carried out in English. These tests include TOEFL, IELTS and Cambridge Test in which TOEFL can be taken both online and offline.

TEST	SCORE
IELTS	An overall score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component of the test.
TOEFL	An overall score of 80, with a minimum of 20 in Reading and Writing and 18 in Speaking and Listening.
Cambridge C1 Advanced	An overall score of 176 with a minimum of 169 in all sub-skills.
PTE Academic	An overall score of 64 with a minimum score of 55 in each of the communicative skills.
Duolingo	110 plus recorded interview with Initial View. 115 or better for entry without recorded interview

Following the guidelines above will help you present your best self to ANU and maximize your admission chances.

Bonus Pro-Tip 3: The "Canberra Advantage"

In the 2026 admissions cycle, the Australian National University (ANU) offers a unique strategic edge through its location in Australia’s capital. As of January 2026, Canberra is officially classified as a Category 2 "Major Regional Centre". For international graduates, this is a massive draw: while students in Sydney or Melbourne typically receive two years of post-study work rights, ANU graduates are eligible for an additional year, bringing the total to three years on the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa.

This "extra year" is critical for profile building, allowing students more time to secure high-tier employment and gain the points necessary for Permanent Residency (PR) through the ACT’s specialized nomination streams. For parents concerned about ROI, the "Canberra Advantage" translates to 50% more international work experience and a significantly smoother migration pathway. When choosing a Go8 university, remember that the location of your degree is now just as influential as the degree itself in determining your long-term career trajectory in Australia.

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EZScholar is an expert university admissions consultant and test prep organization which works with bright and ambitious students seeking admissions to Ivy Leagues, Oxbridge, Stanford, MIT, UC Berkeley, University of Toronto and other top global universities. Our experts have helped thousands of students with their profile building, research papers, extracurriculars, co-curriculars, test prep and admissions essays. We provide students with personalized support for applications, essays, and SOPs to ensure their unique voice shines through. Our comprehensive test prep helps students achieve their best possible SAT scores and impress their dream university. Our Bespoke Research Paper program helps differentiate students' university applications, demonstrating a high level of academic curiosity and rigor.