About UNSW College
UNSW College empowers ambitious learners with the skills, confidence, and credentials to succeed at university and beyond.
- About us
- Our history
- Study with us
Your pathway to a world top 20 university
At UNSW College, we believe that a world-class education should be within reach for all. As the official pathway provider to UNSW Sydney, ranked among the top 20 universities globally and #2 in Australia (QS World University Rankings 2026), we've spent over 50 years creating opportunities for students to take their education to the next level and gain entry into their dream degree at one of Australia’s leading universities.
Whether you begin with a Diploma, Foundation Studies, Pre-Master’s, or Academic English, you’ll experience life as part of the UNSW community, but with additional 360° support tailored to you. Our programs are built to help you progress to university with practical help, expert guidance, and a strong focus on equity and opportunity.
No matter where you’re starting from, this is more than just a pathway. It’s your chance to join a proud tradition of opening access, expanding futures, and creating change through education.
A proud past. A future built on progress for all.
The story of UNSW College begins with a simple belief: that education creates access and opportunity for every learner to succeed.
In 1966, the UNSW Institute of Languages was founded with a clear vision: to make education a bridge to opportunity. Its mission was to help new arrivals and international students find their place in Australia through the power of language and learning. Within two years, classrooms in Kensington were alive with voices from around the world, each student bringing their own hopes and ambitions.
By the early 1970s, hundreds were studying English as a second language, and by 1975, the Institute had expanded to offer interpreting and translating programs that helped newly arrived professionals rebuild their careers and contribute to Australian society.
As the world changed, so did we. The growing demand for international education inspired a broader purpose. In 1989, UNSW launched Foundation Studies, Australia’s first program designed to prepare international students for university life. What began as an ambitious idea soon became a model adopted by universities across the country.
By the 1990s, as Asia’s economies flourished, UNSW’s leadership in international education strengthened. Foundation Studies expanded to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and China, giving students the chance to study world-class university content closer to home. With every partnership, our mission remained constant: to make quality education more accessible and future-focused.
In 2006, the Institute became part of UNSW Global Pty Ltd, later known as UNSW College, and moved to its dedicated Kensington campus. The years that followed brought new programs, new campuses and new opportunities. We introduced Diplomas in 2018, online programs in 2020, and the Pre-Masters Program in 2024, extending our reach to students pursuing both undergraduate and postgraduate study at UNSW Sydney, one of the world’s top 20 universities.
Today, UNSW College spans 22 international centres and has supported more than 125,000 students on their journey to university. From our beginnings as a language institute to our place as a leading higher education provider, we remain true to our founding purpose: to open doors and create pathways that change lives.
As part of UNSW Sydney, we continue to empower students to realise their potential, nurturing the next generation of thinkers, innovators and global citizens who drive progress for all.
Study with us
Whatever your academic goal, UNSW College is here to help you achieve it.
Study on our Sydney campus or at one of our partner locations, with programs designed to support your success at every stage.
Diploma
Duration: 12 months
Progression: Second Year at UNSW Sydney
Learn the same content as other first year UNSW Sydney students in this 12-month program. Upon successful completion, you’ll gain direct entry into second year in your Architecture, Business, Computer Science, Engineering, Media & Communications, or Science degree.
Foundation Studies
Duration: 4 – 16 months
Progression: First Year at UNSW Sydney
Foundation Studies offers three programs, Transition, Standard, and Standard Plus, which are tailored to different abilities and move at a pace that works for you – with the right support and flexibility to reach your study and career goals faster. Foundation Studies is the pathway to all UNSW bachelor’s degree programs.
Academic English
Duration: 5 – 30 weeks
Progression: Various pathways
Improve your English so you can reach your full potential. You’ll use real UNSW course material to improve your writing, speaking and reading skills to give better presentations, conduct better research and communicate clearly with teachers and students.
Pre-Masters
Duration: 15 weeks / 1 term
Progression: Master's degree at UNSW Sydney
The Pre-Masters program is designed to provide a pathway for students who require additional academic or English language support to meet the entry requirements for a master's degree at UNSW Sydney. Upon successful completion, students will receive guaranteed entry and up to 12 Units of Credit (one or two courses) toward their master's program at UNSW Sydney.
UNSW Global Pty Limited ABN 62 086 418 582 trading as UNSW College™.
Foundation Studies, Academic English and Pre-Masters Program
UNSW College delivers its Foundation Studies, Academic English, and Pre-Masters Program under CRICOS Provider Code 01020K; TEQSA Provider ID: PRV13020 (Institute of Higher Education).
Diplomas
UNSW College delivers its UNSW College Diplomas under CRICOS Provider Code 01020K; TEQSA Provider ID: PRV13020 (Institute of Higher Education). UNSW College delivers UNSW Diplomas on behalf of UNSW Sydney under CRICOS Provider Code 00098G; UNSW Sydney TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12055 (Australian University).
See https://unswcollege.edu.au/esos for more information. © 2025 UNSW Global Pty Limited.