Admission criteria and entry schemes

Admission is on the basis of the ATAR or equivalent in a recognised secondary qualification such as the NSW HSC, IB Diploma or GCE A levels. See the full list of recognised secondary qualifications.

If you have completed more than one secondary qualification, we will consider the better of the qualifications or attempts for the same qualification. If you are a domestic onshore student who has completed another recognised secondary qualification, such as the NSW HSC and ATAR, then we will not recognise the SAT or ACT for admission.

Entry schemes

The University of Sydney’s entry schemes help you to make the most of your ATAR by recognising your circumstances, special high school achievements and other abilities and activities.

Equity schemes

MySydney Entry and Scholarship Scheme

If you are residing in low socio-economic area you may be eligible for adjustment factors; an $8,500 per year scholarship for the duration of your undergraduate degree; and a range of additional support.

To be eligible, you must:

• be a domestic student
• live at an address listed in the bottom 25 per cent of the Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) in either:
  • Index of Education and Occupation (IO) or
  • Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD)
• be applying as a new University of Sydney student. 

This scheme is available for semester 1 or 2. High school students and non-recent school leavers will both be eligible for the scheme. If you apply while at high school or in the 12 months after, you have to have completed your Year 12 studies at a school in Australia to be eligible.

You will be automatically considered for this scheme based on the residential address provided in your UAC application. Only the first address you enter in UAC will be used to determine your eligibility for the scheme. If you’re eligible and have a University of Sydney course listed as a preference in UAC, you will receive an email notification from the University of Sydney. 

Find out more about the MySydney Entry Scheme.

Educational Access Scheme (EAS)

The University of Sydney’s Educational Access Scheme (EAS) is for students who have experienced long-term educational disadvantage that has impacted their studies during years 11 and 12. You may be eligible for up to 10 adjustment factors.

The scheme is only open for entry to undergraduate courses offered through UAC, excluding Medicine, Dentistry and Oral Health courses.

To be eligible, you must:

• be a domestic student
• have experience significant education disadvantage that has impacted your studies in Year 11 and/or 12 (or equivalent).

You are not eligible for this scheme if you:

• have a record of previous tertiary studies (if this is you, see the Special Consideration for Admission Scheme).

This scheme is available for Semester 1 and 2. The number of adjustment factors awarded depends on course demand, availability of courses and the severity of educational disadvantage.

To be considered, apply to UAC’s Educational Access Scheme (EAS) when you submit your UAC undergraduate application. Students are also encouraged to submit an application to the University’s equity scholarships through our single scholarship application form.

Find out more about the Educational Access Scheme.

Regional and Remote Entry Scheme

If you are residing in a regional or remote area, or attending a regional or remote school, you may be eligible for adjustment factors and a global mobility scholarship for eligible exchange programs, valued at up to $5,000.

To be eligible you must be:

• a domestic student
• residing, at the time of your UAC application, in a regional or remote area*
• a recent school leaver who attended a regional or remote school*

* Classified as meeting one of the following Australian Statistical Geography Standards (ASGS):

Remoteness Area Values must be ASGSI = Inner Regional, ASGSO = Outer Regional, ASGSR = Remote, or ASGSV = Very Remote

The ASGS utilises geocoding technology to assign each school and individual street address an Australian Statistical Geography Standard Remoteness Area Value.

The scheme is available for Semester 1 and 2 intakes. You are a recent school leaver if you completed Year 12 (or equivalent) the year immediately before admission to your course or, if you have not undertaken any tertiary study, the two years immediately before admission.

No separate application is required. Your eligibility is based on the residential address, or high school entered in your UAC undergraduate application. If you’re eligible and have a University of Sydney course listed as a preference in UAC, you will receive an email notification from the University of Sydney.

Find out more about the Regional and Remote Entry Scheme.

Merit schemes

Academic Excellence Scheme

If you perform well in eligible English and mathematics subjects, you may be eligible for adjustment factors.

To be eligible, you must:

• be a domestic student
• have completed the NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) or other Australian state or territory Year 12 qualification, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, in the year prior to admission
• have achieved one of the required results in English or mathematics.

This scheme is available for the Semester 1 and 2 intakes. This includes students studying outside of Australia. If you complete your Australian Year 12 qualification or IB in 2026, the Academic Excellence Scheme will apply to Semester 1 2027 and Semester 2 2027.  

No separate application is required, you will automatically have adjustment factors added if you are eligible.

Find out more about the Academic Excellence Scheme.

Future Leaders Scheme

If you are a Year 12 student attending a high school in Australia and you receive the highest ATAR or IBAS in your Year 12 cohort, you may be eligible for adjustment factors.

To be eligible, you must:

• be a high school student in Australia
• receive the highest ATAR or IBAS in your school.

Both domestic and international students are eligible for this scheme. Multiple students from a single school can be selected for this scheme if:

• students achieve the same highest ATAR or IBAS, or
• the school has both HSC (or interstate equivalent) and IB students – the top students from each will be selected.

No separate application is required; you will automatically have adjustment factors added if you are eligible. 

Find out more about the Future Leaders Scheme.

Elite Athletes and Performers Scheme

If you are an elite athlete or performer and your training or competitive commitments have affected your studies, you may be eligible for up to five adjustment factors, through the Elite Athlete and Performer Scheme (EAPS).

To be eligible, you must:

• be a domestic student
• be able to demonstrate that your sporting or performance commitments have impeded your performance in the NSW HSC or equivalent secondary or tertiary qualification recognised for admission (this can be in Australia or overseas).

This scheme is available for the Semester 1 intake only.

EAPS applications are processed centrally through UAC for further consideration by the University of Sydney. To be considered, submit the Elite Athlete and Performer Scheme (EAPS) through UAC before 5pm 30 October 2026.  

• How to apply for UAC's Elite Athlete and Performer Scheme
• Eligible courses and adjustment factors at the University of Sydney

Faculty schemes

Portfolio Admissions Pathway

The Portfolio Admissions Pathway awards adjustment factors for some architecture, design and planning degrees. To be eligible you must be a domestic student. This scheme is available for the Semester 1 and 2 intakes. High school students and non-recent school leavers are both eligible for this scheme. To apply, you will need to submit a portfolio of design work, personal statement and a letter of recommendation before the deadline.

Find out more about the portfolio admissions pathway.

Creative Arts Special Admission Scheme (CASAS)

For some courses, the Creative Arts Special Admission Scheme (CASAS) gives domestic high school students who apply through UAC a chance to receive an early offer of admission prior to the release of ATARs (or equivalent). Eligible applicants are assessed on a combination of academic performance and audition/portfolio requirements.

Find out more about CASAS for music or visual arts.

Course prerequisites

Mathematics course prerequisites

The following courses have a mathematics prerequisite:

• Bachelor of Engineering Honours (including combined degrees)
• Bachelor of Advanced Computing (including combined degrees)
• Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) and Master of Pharmacy Practice
• Bachelor of Pharmacy and Management (Honours) and Master of Pharmacy Practice.

For Semester 2 2026 commencing cohorts only: students are eligible for the Academic Excellence Scheme if they achieved a Band 3 or higher in Mathematics Advanced in their Year 12 studies and are applying for the courses where the mathematics prerequisite was removed. They will also be eligible to receive an additional 1 point towards their selection rank through the Academic Excellence Scheme. If eligible, this will be automatically applied.

If you are applying for a coures with a mathematics prerequisites, you will have to meet this prerequistie (as a domestic or international student) if you are applying:

• with an Australian Year 12 state or territory secondary education qualification, such as the NSW HSC, undertaken in or outside Australia
• with the IB Diploma or GCE A Levels, undertaken in Australia.

as well as:

• all domestic students applying on the basis of higher education study
• all domestic students applying on the basis of approved preparation programs or other qualifications accepted by the University. Some exceptions are made for Gadigal Program applicants.

Depending on your level of maths background and the program of study you plan to enrol in, you may need to complete an online preparation course, bridging course, or enrol in first-year maths units of study.

Mathematics support available to students

• There are recommended preparation courses which include a Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) or a Mathematics Extension Bridging Course that you can undertake prior to commencing, depending on their background and the requirements of your chosen degree.
• Upon commencement, you can meet with a Learning Success Advisor for tailored assistance and advice with your studies and access further support via The Learning Hub for supplementary group-based sessions (both staff and peer-led).
• A comprehensive explanation of how you can access support and what support is available, can be found on this webpage – Mathematics learning support for commencing students

Find out more about the mathematics course prerequisites.

NESA prerequisites for teaching degrees

The New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) requires students entering the below teaching degrees to achieve a minimum of three Band 5s in their NSW HSC, one of which needs to be English (Standard or Advanced or English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD) or equivalent):

• Bachelor of Education (Health and Physical Education)
• Bachelor of Education (Primary)
• Bachelor of Music (Music Education)

Additionally, the Bachelor of Education (Primary) requires students to achieve Band 4 in Mathematics Standard (or equivalent) or higher.

For equivalent requirements for other Australian Year 12 qualicications, refer to the UAC website.

Assumed Knowledge

Most University of Sydney courses have assumed knowledge. This means that before starting your course, you are assumed to have completed relevant subjects in your NSW HSC or equivalent, or to have reached a certain level of knowledge. While this is not a prerequisite for admission, without this knowledge you may experience difficulties in your university studies. Some courses also require the study of certain units (eg mathematics, chemistry or physics) during your first year.

If you do not have the assumed knowledge for your course, we strongly recommend that you undertake the relevant bridging course(s). Bridging courses introduce the fundamentals of the subject, to help you reach a point where you can follow lectures and participate in tutorials and lab classes.

Bridging courses are offered in the following subjects:

• Mathematics Advanced
• Mathematics Extension 1
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Biology

For subject equivalencies and information about enrolling in bridging courses, visit the University of Sydney website.

Inherent Course Requirements

Some courses in areas such as education, health, medicine and veterinary medicine have inherent requirements that you need to consider when choosing your course. These are not admission criteria, but requirements that you will need to be able to meet in order to successfully complete your course, such as working with children, patients or animals, or completing fieldwork tasks.

Learn more about inherent course requirements. 
 

If you have completed at least one full-time year of study at bachelor degree level or higher at a recognised tertiary institution, you can apply to transfer into most of our undergraduate degrees. Your application will be assessed based on your ATAR (or equivalent) or university results – whichever gives you the best chance of receiving an offer. Your university results will only be considered if you have completed at least one year of full-time university study (or part-time equivalent). 
Full-time study is considered to be the achievement of 48 credit points or more at the University of Sydney or the equivalent at another tertiary institution.

Please note – depending on the course you are applying to – you may still be required to satisfy course prerequisite(s) and other admission requirements, as outlined in the respective course description and admission criteria. See the “applicants with recent secondary education (within the past two years)” of this page for more information on course prerequisites, assumed knowledge and inherent course requirements.

Learn more about transferring from another university.

Current University of Sydney students

If you are currently enrolled in a University of Sydney bachelor's degree and you intend to apply for another University of Sydney degree, you will need to apply directly to the University for an internal transfer.

Learn more about how to transfer courses as a current student.

Failure and exclusion

A record of failure at tertiary study means you will be less competitive for a place than those with a successful academic history. If you have been excluded from study at any university, you will not be considered for admission at the University of Sydney unless:

• you have successfully completed at least one semester of study at degree level after the exclusion, or
• your application for special consideration has been approved (see below).

If you have been excluded from a University of Sydney course, there is a two-year waiting period before you can apply for special consideration for entry to that course.

Special Consideration for Admission Scheme for applicants with tertiary study

You may apply for the Special Consideration for Admission Scheme if you:

• have a record of failure at tertiary study
• have been excluded from tertiary study, or
• believe that your tertiary studies have been affected by circumstances beyond your control, and
• have an ATAR (or equivalent qualification) that is close to the entry requirement of your preferred course.

This pathway is only available for Semester 1 undergraduate entry.

Find out more about the Special Consideration for Admission Scheme.

Other entry schemes

MySydney Entry and Scholarship Scheme

If you are residing in low socio-economic area you may be eligible for adjustment factors, an $8,500 per year scholarship for the duration of their undergraduate degree; and a range of additional support.

To be eligible, you must:

• be a domestic student
• live at an address listed in the bottom 25 per cent of the Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) in either:
  • Index of Education and Occupation (IEO) or
  • Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD)
• be applying as a new University of Sydney student.

This scheme is available for Semester 1 or 2. High school students and non-recent school leavers will both be eligible under the scheme. If you apply while at high school or in the 12 months after, you have to have completed your Year 12 studies at a school in Australia to be eligible.

No separate application is required. You will automatically be considered for this scheme based on the residential address you enter in your UAC application. Only the first address you enter in UAC will be used to determine your eligibility for the scheme.  If you’re eligible and have a University of Sydney course listed as a preference in UAC, you will receive email notification from the University of Sydney. 

Find out more about the MySydney Entry Scheme.

Regional and Remote Entry Scheme

If you are residing in a regional or remote area, or attending a regional or remote school, you may be eligible for adjustment factors and a global mobility scholarship for eligible exchange programs, valued at up to $5,000.

To be eligible you must:

• be a domestic student
• be residing, at the time of your UAC application, in a regional or remote area*
• be a recent school leaver who attended a regional or remote school*

* Classified as meeting one of the following Australian Statistical Geography Standards (ASGS):

Remoteness Area Values must be ASGSI = Inner Regional, ASGSO = Outer Regional, ASGSR = Remote, or ASGSV = Very Remote

The ASGS utilises geocoding technology to assign each school and individual street address an Australian Statistical Geography Standard Remoteness Area Value.

The scheme is available for Semester 1 and 2 intakes. You are a recent school leaver if you completed Year 12 (or equivalent) the year immediately before admission to your course or, if you have not undertaken any tertiary study, the two years immediately before admission.

No separate application is required. Your eligibility is based on the residential address, or high school entered in your UAC undergraduate application. If you’re eligible and have a University of Sydney course listed as a preference in UAC, you will receive an email notification from the University of Sydney.

Find out more about the Regional and Remote Entry Scheme.

Elite Athletes and Performers Scheme

If you are an elite athlete or performer and your training or competitive commitments have affected your studies, you may be eligible for up to five adjustment factors, through the Elite Athlete and Performer Scheme (EAPS).

To be eligible, you must:

• be a domestic student
• be able to demonstrate that your sporting or performance commitments have impeded your performance in the NSW HSC or equivalent secondary or tertiary qualification recognised for admission (this can be in Australia or overseas).

This scheme is available for the Semester 1 intake only.

EAPS applications are processed centrally through UAC for further consideration by the University of Sydney. To be considered, submit the Elite Athlete and Performer Scheme (EAPS) through UAC before 5pm 30 October 2026.  

• How to apply for UAC's Elite Athlete and Performer Scheme
• Eligible courses and adjustment factors at the University of Sydney

Portfolio Admissions Pathway

The Portfolio Admissions Pathway awards adjustment factors for some architecture, design and planning degrees. To be eligible you must be a domestic student. This scheme is available for the Semester 1 and 2 intakes. High school students and non-recent school leavers are both eligible for this scheme. To apply, you will need to submit a portfolio of design work, personal statement and a letter of recommendation before the deadline.

Find out more about the portfolio admissions pathway.

We may consider the results of a completed diploma or advanced diploma, including vocational education and training (VET) qualifications at that level if it was accredited by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) or an overseas equivalent at the time you were enrolled, and is accepted by the faculty your chosen degree belongs to. You can check AQF accreditation with the provider or look for an AQF accreditation symbol on your transcript of results or award certificate.

If you will be younger than 21 at the first census date of your prospective admission, you will also need to have completed the HSC or an equivalent acceptable secondary education qualification before your diploma will be considered.

If you are applying for a course with course prerequisites and additional admission criteria – such as an interview, audition or portfolio – these factors will also be taken into account. See the "applicants with recent secondary education (within the past two years)" on this page for more information on course prerequisites, assumed knowledge and inherent course requirements.

Find out more about applying with a vocational education and training (VET) qualification.

To be eligible for admission into one of our undergraduate degrees, you need to have completed one of the below qualifications recognised by the University:

• A secondary education qualification
• Higher education study
• Vocational education and training (VET) study (Diplomas and advanced diplomas)
• An approved preparation program, through the Mature-age Entry Scheme.

You also need to meet the specific course’s admission criteria, which can be found in the respective course description. Depending on the course you are applying to – you may still be required to satisfy course prerequisite(s) and additional admission requirements, as outlined in the respective course description and admission criteria. See the “applicants with recent secondary education (within the past two years)” of this page for more information on course prerequisites, assumed knowledge and inherent course requirements. Also refer to our domestic admission guide or the course page on our website for course entry scores.

Explore our admission pathways and entry schemes.

Tertiary Preparation Certificate Entry Scheme

You can apply for some undergraduate courses with the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation also known as the Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC) offered through TAFE. You must:

• be a domestic student applying for an undergraduate course
• be 18 years or older by 31 July in the year of proposed admission to the University
• have completed a Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation of at least 12 months in duration, which results in a tertiary entrance score (TES) that can be mapped to an ATAR.

You are not eligible to apply through this scheme if you have completed either of the following:

• a diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree (AQF Level 5 or 6 qualification or overseas equivalent), or
• one or more years of full-time study (or part-time equivalent) in a bachelor’s degree (AQF Level 7 or the overseas equivalent) or higher qualification at a recognised tertiary institution.

Find out more about the Tertiary Preparation Certificate Entry Scheme

STAT Entry Scheme

You can apply for certain undergraduate courses with the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). To be eligible to apply, you must:

• be a domestic student
• have completed Year 12 without obtaining an ATAR (or equivalent) or left school without a Higher School Certificate (or equivalent) 2 or more years before the year of proposed admission
• be 18 years or older by 31 July in the year of proposed admission to the University
• have completed both the multiple-choice and written English sections of the STAT.

You are not eligible to apply through this scheme if you have completed either of the following:

• a diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree (AQF Level 5 or 6 qualification or overseas equivalent), or
• one or more years of full-time study (or part-time equivalent) in a bachelor’s degree (AQF Level 7 or the overseas equivalent) or higher qualification at a recognised tertiary institution.

Find out more about the STAT Entry Scheme 

Mature age entry scheme

If you are over the age of 21 and do not have a qualification we recognise for admission, you can apply for certain undergraduate courses with a university preparation program.

To be eligible, you must:

• be a domestic students
• be at least 21 years old on 1 March of the year you will commence study at the University of Sydney
• have completed an eligible preparation course within the previous two years.

You are not eligible to apply through this scheme if you have any of the following:

• an ATAR of 70 or above (or equivalent in an eligible secondary education qualification)
• a diploma or advanced diploma or associate degree (AQF Level 5 or 6 qualification or overseas equivalent)
• one or more years of full-time study (or part-time equivalent) in a bachelor level (AQF Level 7 or the overseas equivalent) or higher qualification at a recognised tertiary institution.

Find out more about the Mature-age Entry Scheme 

The University is committed to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to succeed in their higher education journey.

The Gadigal Entry Program

The Gadigal Entry Program is an Indigenous student pathway that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander to study at the University of Sydney.

Through the Gadigal Entry Program you will have the opportunity to apply for a Gadigal early conditional offer, receive adjustment factors, access to an academic skills program before commencing University, ongoing academic and personal support throughout your degree, and receive up to $5,000 global mobility award for eligible exchange programs.

Year 12 and post-high school applicants are eligible to apply.

To be considered for entry through the Gadigal Entry Program:

1. submit your UAC application
   1. select the option to self-identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
2. select at least one University of Sydney course preference
3. if you satisfy the eligibility criteria, you will see the Gadigal Entry Program alert on the UAC home page – click ‘Apply’ or ‘Review your application’ to open the Gadigal application form within UAC
4. complete the additional Gadigal Program application form.

Find out more about the Gadigal Program.

Extended Bachelor’s Programs

The Extended Bachelor’s Programs provide dedicated pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to study some of our humanities, science and health degrees.

The Extended Bachelor’s Programs include an additional year of study and allow Indigenous students to undertake studies in an academically and culturally supported environment.

All students commencing in one of the Extended Bachelor’s Programs in 2027 will be automatically awarded the Extended Bachelor's Program Scholarship worth up to $8,500 per year.

To be eligible, you must be commencing one of the four Extended Bachelor Programs at the University of Sydney:

• Bachelor of Arts (Extended)
• Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science (Extended)
• Bachelor of Science (Extended)
• Bachelor of Science (Extended) (Health).

Find out more about the Extended Bachelor's Program.

The University of Sydney accepts military ranks for entry into bachelor degrees.

Postgraduate coursework

The Juris Doctor is the only University of Sydney postgraduate course offered for admission through UAC. Admission to the Juris Doctor requires a bachelor’s degree from any discipline other than Law. Domestic students are assessed on the better of a combination of a secondary school leaving qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate and completed tertiary study or completed tertiary study by itself. Applicants are ranked by merit and offers for available places are issued according to the ranking. Where students have completed more than one degree, results from the best degree will be used.

First Nations applicants will be assessed under the Gadigal Program pathway. In addition to your UAC application please submit a postgraduate Gadigal application form.

English language proficiency

Depending on your qualifications and country of origin, you may need to provide evidence of English language proficiency. Applications without the required proof will not be considered.