Why Study at UNSW@ADFA?

What is the Australian Defence Force Academy?

Situated in Canberra, the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) is an institution run jointly by the Navy, Army and Air Force in conjunction with the University of New South Wales (UNSW). The Academy offers students combined military and leadership training with a fully recognised degree from UNSW with the best teacher-to-student ratio in the country.

UNSW is one of Australia's most respected Universities. The Canberra campus is known as UNSW@ADFA. The UNSW campuses have an international reputation for outstanding academic programs and world-class research outcomes. UNSW@ADFA's academic staff, are some of Australia's best qualified in their respective fields and encourage and foster high-quality outcomes. As such students can be assured that their UNSW degree is of the highest standing. UNSW@ADFA is comprised of five academic schools, offering degrees in a wide range of disciplines taken from Humanities and Social Sciences, Business, Engineering and the Sciences. Inside this guide, prospective applicants will find detailed information on each of the undergraduate degrees offered by UNSW@ADFA.

Further study and research opportunities can also be found at UNSW@ADFA. Opportunities exist for military and civilian students to undertake postgraduate programs at Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma levels as well as Masters and Doctoral degrees. For military personnel, this is at the discretion of the service of which you are a member. When you are enrolled as an undergraduate at ADFA, you are employed by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and referred to as a Midshipman if you're pursuing a Navy career and an Officer Cadet if you're pursuing an Army or Air Force career. Graduation from ADFA is based upon your successful completion of both your academic and military studies.

ADFA is the only university in Australia where you are paid to study. You will earn a salary of up to $18,900 a year in your first year, increasing to around $31,000 in your fourth year. In addition, the ADF will pay your entire tuition fees and most of your textbook costs.

Whilst you are employed by the ADF, your dental and medical care costs are also covered. When you graduate from UNSW@ADFA, you do so with a degree just as though you were studying at the Sydney campus of UNSW. Best of all, you are guaranteed a job as an Officer in the ADF. All Officers sponsored through ADFA have to complete a Return Of Service Obligation (ROSO) which guarantees employment for a period of time in the ADF.

The ADFA lifestyle

Life at ADFA does not just involve academic studies. Regular social events are also held both on and off campus, including formal mess dinners, sporting social functions and other social gatherings. Living in Canberra provides you with an enormous variety of social opportunities such as museums, galleries, restaurants and bars.

When it comes time to relax, the accommodation at ADFA provides everything you need to feel right at home. The rooms are comfortable and private with common areas, lounges and the Cadets' Mess complex where you can unwind. In short, ADFA offers a huge range of opportunities that simply can not be found at any other university. It is little wonder that most graduates say that the years that they spent at ADFA were some of the best of their lives.