Lana Oconnell
The University of Wollongong (UOW) is an Australian public research university located in the coastal city of Wollongong, New South Wales. The university has a diverse student population, with students from various cultural and geographical backgrounds. In 2023, UOW had an enrolment of more than 33,000 students, including over 12,300 international students, making it a truly global institution. The university offers a range of scholarships and pathway programs to support international students and foster a multicultural community. With a rich history built on migration, UOW values the fresh perspectives, cultural richness, and global connections that international students bring to the campus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of students | 33,000+ |
| Number of international students | 12,300+ |
| Percentage of international students | 37% |
| Number of countries represented | 150+ |
| Number of campuses | 14 |
| Number of international campuses | 4 |
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What You'll Learn
International student enrolments at UOW in 2023
The University of Wollongong (UOW) is an Australian public research university located in the coastal city of Wollongong, New South Wales. As of 2023, UOW has a total enrolment of more than 33,000 students, including over 12,300 international students, and an alumni base of more than 176,000. The university offers courses across four faculties: the Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities; the Faculty of Business and Law; the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences; and the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health.
In 2023, UOW is expected to host a record number of international students, with enrolments surpassing the previous peak before COVID. The university is forecasting a 40% boost in international student enrolments compared to the previous record set in 2019. This increase is significant as international student enrolments at UOW had plummeted after the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, with the number of international students dropping from around 12,000 in 2019 to 5,000 by the start of 2022. The majority of UOW's international students are based at its Wollongong campus, with other students located across regional campuses in Australia and offshore campuses in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai.
The high number of international student enrolments at UOW in 2023 can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the university's reputation as a welcoming destination for international students, with a diverse community of students from over 150 countries. Secondly, the university's expansion of its global campuses and teaching locations, including the establishment of UOW Malaysia, UOW Dubai, and partnerships with international education institutions in China and Singapore. Additionally, UOW offers a range of scholarships and pathway programs specifically for international students, making it a more accessible and attractive option for those seeking to study abroad.
While the increase in international student enrolments is positive for the university, it also presents challenges. UOW has forecasted a $35 million revenue reduction in 2023 due to the Australian Government's migration policy changes, which have impacted international student numbers across Australian universities. Despite this, UOW remains committed to providing world-class education and research, both onshore and through its global campuses. The university recognises the value that international students bring, not just economically but also in terms of the cultural richness and global connections they contribute to the university community.
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UOW's revenue from international students
The University of Wollongong (UOW) is an Australian public research university located in the coastal city of Wollongong, New South Wales, approximately 80 kilometres (50 mi) south of Sydney. The university has a diverse student population, with individuals hailing from various parts of Australia and over 150 countries worldwide. As of 2023, UOW had an enrolment of more than 33,000 students, including over 12,300 international students, showcasing its global appeal and reach.
UOW's revenue stream is closely tied to its international student population, as income from these full-fee-paying students directly funds research and other critical activities. In 2024, UOW projected a $35 million revenue reduction due to a decrease in international student numbers. This challenge is not unique to UOW, as reports indicate that reverting to 2019 international student levels could result in an adverse impact of $11.6 billion on Australia's economy in 2025, risking a potential recession.
The decline in international student enrolments at UOW is primarily attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and Australian government migration policy changes. In 2020, enrolments took a significant hit, with the number of international students dropping to around 5,000 by the start of 2022. However, UOW is committed to fostering a welcoming environment for its international students and is taking proactive steps to rebuild its student pipeline.
UOW recognises the value that international students bring, not just economically but also through the cultural richness and global connections they contribute to the university community. The university offers a range of scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate international students, supporting their academic pursuits and enriching the overall campus experience. Additionally, UOW provides pathway programs, English courses, and career-ready qualifications through UOW College Australia, enhancing the accessibility and attractiveness of its academic offerings.
In conclusion, UOW's revenue from international students is a significant component of its overall financial picture. The university's ability to maintain its research activities and other critical endeavours relies on income from full-fee-paying international students. While UOW faces challenges due to fluctuations in international student numbers, the university remains committed to providing a world-class education and research experience for its diverse student body.
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International student scholarships
The University of Wollongong (UOW) has students from over 199 countries, enriching the university with their diverse perspectives, cultures, and global connections. UOW offers a wide range of scholarships for international students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These scholarships are based on academic achievement and study areas, including academia, leadership, community, and sports.
UOW College Australia, which has a formal alliance with UOW, offers a guaranteed pathway into the second year of UOW with up to 48 credit points. The college provides a range of pathway programs, English courses, and career-ready qualifications. 85% of UOW College students progress directly to UOW, which is an impressive statistic.
UOW is committed to supporting students facing financial challenges and educational disadvantages through equity scholarships and grant programs. These scholarships aim to make it easier for international students to move to Wollongong and access the benefits of a UOW education.
The university also has global campuses and teaching locations, including Malaysia, where it has been delivering programs for over ten years. UOW Malaysia offers a diverse range of programs, including business, communication, engineering, hospitality, health science, law, and social science.
Despite the challenges posed by recent Australian government migration policy changes, UOW remains dedicated to delivering world-class education and research, both onshore and through its global campuses.
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International student population by campus
The University of Wollongong (UOW) is an Australian public research university located in the coastal city of Wollongong, New South Wales. As of 2023, the university had a total enrolment of more than 33,000 students, including over 12,300 international students from over 150 countries. The university has a diverse student population, with international students accounting for more than 37% of the total enrolment.
The majority of UOW students are based at its Wollongong campus, which is the university's main campus. The Wollongong campus covers an area of 82.4 hectares with 94 permanent buildings and houses nearly 33,000 students, including both domestic and international students. In addition to the teaching and research facilities, the campus offers a range of amenities for students, including residences, food halls, cafes, restaurants, sports centres, and a swimming pool.
Beyond the main Wollongong campus, UOW has expanded into a multi-campus institution, with several regional campuses across Australia. These include campuses in Bega, Batemans Bay, Moss Vale, and Shoalhaven, as well as three campuses in Sydney: UOW Sydney Business School, UOW Liverpool, and UOW Sutherland. The South Western Sydney campus in Liverpool, which opened in 2017, is expected to continue expanding in the coming years.
Outside of Australia, UOW has established a global presence with campuses in Dubai, Hong Kong, and several cities in Malaysia. The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) was established in 1993 and was the first foreign university to open a campus in the United Arab Emirates. In Malaysia, UOW has been offering programs for over 10 years and acquired the university colleges of KDU in 2018, expanding its presence in the country. Additionally, UOW has partnerships with international education institutions in China and Singapore, further extending its global reach.
The University of Wollongong values its diverse and multicultural community, fostering an environment where students from various countries can thrive alongside their Australian peers. The international student population brings a wealth of cultural richness and fresh perspectives, enhancing the overall educational experience for all students.
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The impact of COVID on international student numbers
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted international student numbers at the University of Wollongong (UOW). Global travel restrictions resulted in much lower international student numbers than anticipated in 2020, with many students still learning remotely in 2022. The pandemic's financial implications, coupled with the decline in student numbers and a global investment downturn, created a challenging situation for the university.
In response to the pandemic, UOW implemented a range of measures to support the health and wellbeing of its students and staff, transitioning to remote course delivery. By early 2020, the university had established a Crisis Management Team and initiated expenditure controls to maintain financial resilience. Despite these challenges, UOW remained committed to delivering a positive remote learning experience for its students.
The impact of COVID-19 was particularly pronounced for international students, as reflected in the 2022 Student Experience Survey results. While UOW's overall satisfaction rating from international students increased from 69% to 73%, their SES results lagged behind their domestic peers at 78%. This disparity can be attributed to the unique challenges faced by international students during the pandemic, including remote learning and limited access to on-campus resources.
The reduction in international student numbers had a notable financial impact on UOW. Revenue from international full-fee-paying students directly funds research and other critical activities at the university. A forecasted $35 million revenue reduction for 2025 alone underscored the seriousness of the situation. UOW sought clarity from the government on international student caps for 2025 and 2026 to adjust its approach and rebuild its student pipeline.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, UOW remained committed to providing a world-class education and research experience for its students, both onshore and through its global campuses. The university recognised the invaluable contributions of international students, not just economically but also through the cultural richness and global connections they bring. As Australia's international education sector navigated policy changes and migration reductions, UOW continued to advocate for the importance of international students in shaping the country's future.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2023, there are over 12,300 international students at the University of Wollongong, Australia. This number is expected to increase by 40% in 2025.
International students make up over 37% of the student population at UOW. Students come from over 150 countries.
There are over 33,000 students enrolled at UOW, including both domestic and international students.
The majority of UOW's international students are based at its Wollongong campus, but students also study at campuses in South West Sydney, Sydney CBD, the NSW South Coast, Southern Highlands, and offshore in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai.
