The University of Tasmania (UTAS) is the public university of the island state of Tasmania, with campuses in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie. It ranks 311th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Two things make UTAS stand out for international students: from 2027 it automatically takes 30% off tuition for every applicant whose grades qualify, and a graduate of a Tasmanian campus who then lives in Tasmania for two years may receive a second 485 visa for two more years. With a Russian school certificate, the route starts with Foundation Studies at the International Pathway College: a grade of 3 in five subjects and $15,270 (A$21,975) in 2027.
UTAS also has mainland sites in Sydney and a study centre in Melbourne for selected programs. Study there brings no regional visa benefit, so this profile focuses on the Tasmanian campuses. For other Australian options, see study in Australia.
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Hobart (Sandy Bay and the city), Launceston, Burnie (Cradle Coast); sites in Sydney and Melbourne |
| Status | public university, CRICOS provider 00586B |
| Ranking | QS World University Rankings 2027: 311th |
| Route from a Russian school certificate | Foundation Studies at the International Pathway College: grade 3 in five subjects, 8–9 months |
| Foundation, 2027 | $15,270 (A$21,975) |
| Bachelor's, 2027 | $27,070–34,720 (A$38,950–49,950) a year |
| Master's, 2027 | $27,420–35,410 (A$39,450–50,950) a year |
| Scholarships from 2027 | Merit 30% automatically; Aurora 50% by invitation; Access 20% |
| 485 visa | Tasmania: up to two extra years if you study and live on the island |
Who UTAS suits
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| An automatic 30% discount for the whole degree for strong applicants | Tasmania's job market is small, and some graduates later move to the mainland |
| A special Tasmanian rule: two extra years on the 485 visa even when living in Hobart | There are no direct flights from Moscow or Almaty; travel goes via mainland airports |
| Marine and Antarctic science, agriculture and maritime engineering at the Australian Maritime College | The regional benefit does not apply at the mainland sites |
| The pathway college has three intakes a year: February, June and October | Scholarships cannot be combined: 30% and 20% do not add up |
| Housing costs less than in Sydney or Melbourne, from $180 (A$255) a week in Launceston | The pathway college is run by a separate organisation, UP Education |
UTAS suits applicants who want a calm city, nature and a direct route to several years of work in Australia after graduating. If a big city matters more, see our overviews of universities in Melbourne and universities in Sydney.
Entry after Year 11: the International Pathway College
UTAS pathway programs for international students are delivered by the International Pathway College on the Sandy Bay campus in Hobart. The college is run by UP Education, and students who complete a program successfully move on to a UTAS bachelor's degree. Russia has its own row in the college's entry table:
| Program | Length | Russian certificate requirement | English | Fee, 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation Studies Program (Standard) | 8–9 months | grade 3 in five subjects | IELTS 5.5, no band below 5.0 | $15,270 (A$21,975) |
| University Pathway Program Fast Track | 4–5 months | grade 3 in three relevant subjects and grade 4 in two | IELTS 6.0, no band below 5.0 | $17,690 (A$25,450) |
| Graduate Certificate in Business – International (pre-master's) | — | diploma of incomplete higher education (at least two years) or higher | IELTS 6.0, no band below 6.0 | on the college website |
To complete the foundation year you need at least 50% in every unit, including English. Pathways into the Bachelor of Nursing need more: IELTS 6.0 for the standard program and 6.5 for Fast Track. Foundation students take English and mathematics and choose subjects for their future degree, such as economics, psychology, physics, chemistry and design.
The college offers a Pathway Scholarship of up to 25% of first-year fees under its 2026 terms and says the 2027 scheme will be published separately. Our guide to studying in Australia after Year 11 compares the foundation year with a year at a university at home.
Bachelor's fees for 2027
UTAS publishes the annual international fee and an indicative total for the whole program that includes annual indexation.
| Program | Length | Campuses | Year, 2027 | Whole program |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Business | 3 years | Hobart, Launceston; also a Melbourne study centre for international students | $27,070 (A$38,950) | about $85,340 (A$122,790) |
| Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology | 3 years | Hobart, Launceston | $27,770 (A$39,950) | about $87,540 (A$125,942) |
| Bachelor of Nursing | 3 years | Hobart, Launceston, Burnie, Sydney | $29,850 (A$42,950) | about $94,110 (A$135,400) |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Specialisation) with Honours | 4 years | Hobart | $30,550 (A$43,950) | about $131,660 (A$189,430) |
| Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science | 3 years | Hobart | $34,720 (A$49,950) | about $109,450 (A$157,467) |
Most bachelor's programs require IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5. Nursing asks for much more: 7.0 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing. Intakes are in Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July). Our guide to the cost of studying in Australia builds a first-year budget with housing and insurance.
Master's degrees
| Program | Length | Campus | Year, 2027 | Whole program |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Professional Accounting | 2 years | Hobart (and online) | $27,420 (A$39,450) | about $56,210 (A$80,873) |
| Master of Marine and Antarctic Science | 2 years | Hobart | $35,410 (A$50,950) | about $72,600 (A$104,448) |
A coursework master's needs a bachelor's degree (AQF level 7) or equivalent; the Master of Marine and Antarctic Science requires a relevant degree in biology, ecology or a related field. The base English level for master's study is IELTS 6.0 with no band below 6.0. Two-year programs meet the 92-week study requirement for the 485 visa if you complete them in Australia; online delivery does not suit a student visa. Our master's in Australia guide has more.
UTAS scholarships for 2027
| Scholarship | Value | How it is awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Tasmanian International Merit Scholarship | 30% for the standard length of the program, up to five years | automatically on application; school leavers need an ATAR 10 points above the course minimum |
| Tasmanian Aurora Excellence Scholarship | 50% for the whole course | by invitation after the offer: form, 300–500-word statement and interview; ATAR 90 equivalent; for Semester 1 2027, 14 September to 15 November 2026 |
| Tasmanian Access Scholarship | 20% for the whole course | automatically, for most programs except medicine, clinical psychology and some others |
You cannot hold two UTAS tuition scholarships at once: 30% and 20% do not combine into 50%, and only Aurora covers half the cost. The Merit Scholarship does not apply to International Pathway College programs or to online study. UTAS determines the equivalent of a Russian certificate for scholarship purposes, and the university makes the decision. For other options, see scholarships in Australia.
Student housing: 2027 rates
| Residence | City | Per week, 2027 | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christ College, John Fisher College | Hobart, Sandy Bay | $220 (A$316) | no |
| University Apartments | Hobart, Sandy Bay | $230 (A$327) | no |
| Hytten Hall | Hobart, city centre | $230–280 (A$330–396) | no |
| Hobart Apartments (studios) | Hobart, city centre | $260 (A$380) | no |
| Jane College | South Hobart | $410 (A$588) | included |
| Investigator Hall | Launceston, Newnham | $180 (A$255) | no |
| Newnham Apartments | Launceston, Newnham | $190 (A$275) | no |
| Inveresk Apartments | Launceston, Inveresk | $200 (A$284) | no |
Rates may change. For Hytten Hall in 2027, the university asks applicants to apply by 18 December 2026; Jane College takes applications directly.
Visa, the UTAS allocation and the Tasmanian 485 rule
The subclass 500 visa is lodged online in ImmiAccount after you receive the CoE, and Home Affairs (the Department of Home Affairs) decides. Conditions as at 1 October 2026:
- the charge starts at $1,740 (A$2,500);
- living costs of $20,650 (A$29,710) a year on top of first-year tuition, plus $1,390 (A$2,000) for travel, or parents' annual income of at least $61,060 (A$87,856);
- the Genuine Student questions are answered in English, up to 150 words each;
- biometrics on request in six Russian cities including Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and in Almaty in Kazakhstan.
UTAS's indicative allocation for 2026 is 2,250 new international students. In the Department of Education report with data as at 25 September 2026, UTAS held Priority 1 status: Home Affairs aims to start processing such applications within 1–4 weeks of lodgement (Priority 2: 5–8 weeks; Priority 3: 9–12 weeks), benchmarks based on 2025 lodgements. Status changes the speed, not the outcome. The National Planning Level for 2027 is 295,000 new international students, the same as in 2026. See our Australian student visa guide for details.
You can work up to 48 hours a fortnight during the semester. After a bachelor's or coursework master's degree, a graduate aged 35 or under can receive a two-year 485 visa. The second-visa rule then applies, and it is more generous in Tasmania than elsewhere:
| Where you studied | Where you lived for two years on the first 485 | Extra years |
|---|---|---|
| Hobart (Category 2) | anywhere in Tasmania | 2 years |
| Launceston or Burnie (Category 3) | anywhere in Tasmania | 2 years |
| Launceston or Burnie (Category 3) | a Category 3 area on the mainland | 2 years |
| Hobart or Launceston | a Category 2 area on the mainland (for example Perth or Adelaide) | 1 year |
| Hobart | a Category 3 area on the mainland | 1 year |
| Sydney or Melbourne | anywhere | no second visa |
You must live only in regional areas for the full two years before applying, and moving between categories leads to the shorter period, except for moves within Tasmania. Home Affairs decides on the 485 visa; see our guide to working while studying and the 485 visa.
Application plan
- Ten to twelve months ahead. Take IELTS Academic at a test centre and translate your certificate or degree with its transcript.
- Six to eight months ahead. Apply to UTAS or to the International Pathway College; Merit and Access are assessed from the same application.
- After the offer. If you are invited to apply for Aurora, submit the form and statement on time; accept the offer, pay the deposit and receive the CoE.
- Two to three months ahead. Arrange OSHC, lodge the subclass 500 application and apply for housing.
- Before departure. Plan your route to Hobart or Launceston through a mainland airport.
Lawful payment routes from Russia are covered in how to pay for studies abroad from Russia; applicants from Kazakhstan can use studying abroad from Kazakhstan.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the Sydney or Melbourne site for visa reasons. Only the Tasmanian campuses carry the regional benefit.
- Expecting scholarships to stack. Merit 30% and Access 20% together do not make 50%.
- Missing the Aurora window. For Semester 1 2027, applications close on 15 November 2026.
- Leaving the island straight after graduating. The second 485 needs two years living only in regional areas, and a mainland move can cut the extra period to one year.
- Taking IELTS online at home. Such results are not accepted for the visa.
FAQ
Can I enter the University of Tasmania after Year 11?
Yes, through Foundation Studies at the International Pathway College, which asks for a grade of 3 in five subjects of the Russian certificate and IELTS 5.5. The program lasts 8–9 months and its 2027 price is A$21,975. UTAS decides on progression to the bachelor's degree based on your results.
How much does UTAS cost in 2027?
Bachelor's degrees range from $27,070 (A$38,950) a year for business to $34,720 (A$49,950) for marine and Antarctic science. The Master of Professional Accounting costs $27,420 a year. The automatic Merit Scholarship reduces these amounts by 30%.
What does studying in Tasmania mean for the 485 visa?
A graduate of a Tasmanian campus who lives only in Tasmania for two years on the first 485 visa may apply for a second visa of two more years. Living in mainland regional areas can reduce that to one year. Home Affairs decides.
How do I get the 30% scholarship at UTAS?
No separate application is needed: the Tasmanian International Merit Scholarship is assessed from your course application. School leavers need a result 10 ATAR points above the course minimum; UTAS sets the equivalent for a Russian certificate and decides on the scholarship.
Which Tasmanian city is better for study?
Hobart is the main campus and the choice for marine, Antarctic and engineering programs. Launceston has cheaper housing and is home to the Australian Maritime College. For the 485 visa there is little difference: living in Tasmania gives two extra years from either city.
How do the international student caps affect a UTAS application?
The government's benchmark for UTAS in 2026 is 2,250 new international students, and in the September report from the Department of Education the university was at Priority 1. Processing usually starts within 1–4 weeks, but only Home Affairs can grant or refuse the visa.
Sources
- UTAS: Bachelor of Business (B3A), 2027, Bachelor of ICT (P3T), Bachelor of Nursing (H3O), Bachelor of Engineering (P4V), Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science (P3L), Master of Professional Accounting (C7S), Master of Marine and Antarctic Science (S7Z)
- UTAS: International scholarships, Merit, Aurora, Access
- UTAS International Pathway College: entry requirements by country, Foundation Studies, 2027 fees, Scholarships
- UTAS: Hobart accommodation, Launceston accommodation, QS 2027: UTAS
- Home Affairs: Student visa subclass 500, Processing priorities, Biometrics, 485 visa, Second 485 and the Tasmanian rule, Regional postcodes
- Department of Education: National Planning Level 2027, Visa Prioritisation Status
US dollar amounts use the ECB reference rate of 1 October 2026 (A$1 = $0.6950), rounded to $10. Information checked on 1 October 2026.
If you want to check whether to enter UTAS through the foundation year or directly and which discount to expect, send a request: document preparation and submission are provided under an agreement with StudyU, and the university makes the admission decision.
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.
Next steps
- Bond University: Admission, 2027 Fees and the Two-Year Bachelor's Degree
- Flinders University: Admission, 2027 Fees and Student Visa for International Applicants
- Studying in Australia for international applicants
- Universities in Melbourne for International Students in 2026–2027: Rankings, Fees, Campuses and How to Choose
- Universities in Sydney for International Students in 2026–2027: Rankings, Fees, Neighbourhoods and How to Choose
- Australian University Entry After 11 Years of School: Foundation, Diploma or a Year at a Home University
