Australian National University
Admission criteria and entry schemes
Admission to all ANU courses is on a competitive basis, taking into account all relevant academic qualifications. Course intakes are determined by the number of places available and the number of eligible applicants seeking entry to those courses.
The qualifications outlined in the sections below will be considered when assessing your application. If you have completed an approved tertiary preparation course or pathway scheme, you will be assessed on the results of that scheme alone, unless you have undertaken subsequent study.
Also refer to UAC’s general information about university admission criteria.
Undergraduate applicants
Australian Year 12 students
If you are a 2024 Australian Year 12 student and wanting to apply for an undergraduate degree starting in 2025, you will be required to meet our co-curricular or service requirement in addition to meeting the academic requirements for your preferred ANU program.
Check if you meet the co-curricular or service requirement
Selection rank adjustments
Selection rank adjustments may allow Year 12 applicants to receive an offer to a program even though they have an ATAR below the lowest selection rank. Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules.
Equity adjustments
ANU participates in the Educational Access Scheme (EAS), which helps current and recent Year 12 students (with no tertiary study) who display good academic potential but have experienced serious long-term disadvantage in their educational preparation for tertiary entrance. ANU EAS applications are processed centrally through UAC.
Elite athlete and performer adjustments
ANU is an Elite Athlete Friendly University and will consider applications for admission from applicants who are recognised as elite athletes and registered with a state institute/academy of sport or national sporting organisation as recognised by the Australian Sports Commission’s Australian Institute of Sport.
ANU Elite Athlete Friendly University Entry Scheme
Criteria that may apply in addition to the ATAR
Courses in design, visual arts and music performance streams have additional selection criteria.
Bachelor of Philosophy courses and Bachelor of Health Science require selection criteria in addition to achieving the minimum selection rank.
Additional selection criteria for ANU programs
Other admission options
If you are a 2024 Australian Year 12 or a November session International Baccalaureate student, you can now apply for admissions, campus accommodation and scholarships in one single, free application.
We’ve made it easier for 2024 domestic school leavers to choose ANU by making applications simpler than they have ever been. You will be considered for admission, guaranteed accommodation, and over 200 scholarships all in one application.
ANU domestic undergraduate applications
Applications close Monday 13 May 2024.
Special consideration
If your previous academic performance at tertiary level has been adversely affected by circumstances beyond your control, you may be eligible to submit a ‘Request for Special Consideration (Admission)’ form to the Domestic Admissions Manager at ANU. This is in addition to applying for admission through UAC. Applications for special consideration must be received by the change of preference closing date for January Round 1 and June Round 1 offers.
Note: To apply for special consideration you must have completed at least one year of full-time tertiary study. Applicants with no tertiary study may apply through the Educational Access Schemes administered by UAC, or 2024 Australian Year 12 and International Baccalaureate students apply direct at ANU by Monday 13 May 2024.
Limited ATAR/ACT Year 12 (20 years old and over)
To be eligible to apply for admission in 2024 on the basis of an ACT or interstate Year 12 post-school package, you must be 20 years of age by 1 March 2024. Not all interstate packages are acceptable.
For admission to undergraduate courses at ANU, the following qualifications from an approved institution will be considered when assessing your eligibility:
- completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level 5 or higher including associate degree, diploma or advanced diploma (except for admission to law courses)
- successful completion of at least one year’s full-time study load (1.0 FTE) in a single bachelor course study.
A selection rank determined by the assessment of the above tertiary-level studies will supersede the ATAR or equivalent achieved during secondary studies. If you have achieved only part of the above, the ATAR or equivalent achieved in your secondary studies will take precedence.
Note: The definition of what is considered a standard full-time study load can vary between universities.
Present and former ANU students
If you are currently enrolled in an ANU course, or if you are on approved leave and you would like to transfer to another ANU course at the same level, you must apply directly to ANU for an internal program transfer.
Details about transferring between ANU courses
ANU alumni, students who have withdrawn from the University without completing their degree, and students who have been dismissed for non-enrolment or academic progress reasons, must apply for readmission through UAC.
Special consideration
If your previous academic performance at tertiary level has been adversely affected by circumstances beyond your control, you may be eligible to submit a ‘Request for Special Consideration (Admission)’ form to the Domestic Admissions Manager at ANU. This is in addition to applying for admission through UAC.
Applications for special consideration must be submitted by the change of preference closing date for January Round 1 offers.
Note: To apply for special consideration you must have completed at least one year of full-time tertiary study. Applicants with no tertiary study must apply through the Educational Access Scheme administered by UAC, or 2024 Australian Year 12 and International Baccalaureate students apply direct at ANU by Monday 13 May 2024.
Failure or exclusion
Applicants with a record of failure are less competitive for a place than those with a successful academic history. Applicants apply to the University after the expiration of the period of exclusion. Periods of exclusion may be up to 5 years according to the ANU Academic Progress Rule, or indefinitely according to the ANU Discipline Rules. Applicants must disclose details about their exclusion in their application and demonstrate that they have successfully completed an assessable qualification for admission to ANU, following the exclusion decision.
ANU accepts all completed VET qualifications at AQF level 5 or higher (excluding law courses). Alternatively, if you are over 18 years of age, you can also apply for admission on the basis of the NSW TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate. All other certificate-level qualifications are not assessed for entry to ANU and will not contribute to your selection rank. If you are unsure if your qualification can be assessed for admission, contact the ANU Domestic Admissions Office.
Note: Application through entry schemes is not available for courses in design or visual arts.
Applicants without an ATAR need to have a qualification that can be assessed as equivalent, such as a Year 12 certificate, diploma, associate degree, or a pathway program.
If you were an Australian Year 12 student prior to 2024 and have not completed further study, admission to ANU is based on your ATAR or equivalent.
Employment experience
Students may be considered for admission to the ANU on the basis of work experience. ANU will consider work experience that meets the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) scale, with a minimum skill level of 2 and with a minimum duration of five years’ work experience or higher. Employment experience is not considered for all courses.
For more information, contact the ANU Domestic Admissions Office or visit the ANU website.
Special Adult Entry Scheme (21 years old and over)
If you are over 21 years of age, have not completed tertiary study in the last two years, and do not otherwise meet the academic requirements for entry to ANU, you can apply for admission on the basis of the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). To be eligible for STAT assessment by ANU you must complete both the Written English and Multiple Choice tests.
ANU Special Adult Entry Scheme
Enabling course options
ANU accepts a number of external preparation courses.
There are commonly accepted overseas secondary qualifications that ANU may take into consideration. Check your overseas secondary qualification.
Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia with overseas qualifications should contact the ANU Domestic Admissions Office for information about eligibility for admission before submitting an application through UAC.
Note: The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and American College Test (ACT) alone are not acceptable for admission to ANU. You must also submit a copy of your USA high school transcript and diploma to UAC when you apply.
English language proficiency
All applicants to ANU must meet the ANU English language proficiency requirements. If you hold overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications from countries where English is not the standard language of instruction, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency.
We acknowledge the pressures that may prevent Indigenous Australians from accessing educational opportunities. At ANU, we are committed to the advancement of Australia's Indigenous peoples.
The following schemes offer priority entry for Indigenous students and pathway options for entry to ANU. We also offer a number of scholarships for Indigenous students and assistance with obtaining accommodation.
Applying to ANU as a school leaver
You can apply for admission, campus accommodation and multiple scholarships in one free application: ANU domestic undergraduate applications.
As an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student, you are eligible for priority admission. This means that if you meet the admission criteria for your ANU program of choice and declare your Indigenous heritage you will be given preference.
You may also be eligible for adjustment factors which increase your ANU selection rank. Adjustment factors are added based on high achievement in particular Year 12 subjects or music, elite athlete status or difficult circumstances you've faced.
Postgraduate applicants
The basic admission qualification for graduate courses is completion of a recognised bachelor degree. Admission criteria vary depending on the course you’re interested in.
If you hold overseas qualifications from countries where English is not the standard language of instruction you must provide evidence of English language proficiency. Refer to ANU's policy on English language proficiency requirements and ANU English language proficiency requirements.
For any special requirements, check the individual course descriptions via the UAC course search.
Previous ANU students
If you have previously been enrolled at ANU in a graduate coursework program that is now being offered through UAC, you will need to re-apply for admission through UAC, unless you are currently on approved program leave. If you are on leave, log in to your student system to enrol in courses for the coming academic session. If your leave has expired/has been ongoing for more than two years, re-apply for admission via UAC.
Students who are currently enrolled in an ANU graduate coursework program who wish to commence another such program may be able to apply for a program transfer: transferring between ANU courses
You may have to submit additional material as part of your application process depending on which course/s you apply for. Check the individual course description to see whether special requirements apply.
General information for Australian National University
Location
ANU Student Central
Di Riddell Student Centre
154 University Avenue, Canberra ACT 2600