UNSW Sydney
Admission criteria and entry schemes
You will be considered for admission to undergraduate courses at UNSW on the basis of your performance in one or more of the following:
- Australian Year 12 studies
- tertiary or post-secondary qualifications
- overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian studies
- one of the pathway schemes listed below.
Some courses also have additional selection criteria such as an audition or interview. When assessing your application, UNSW may take any or all of your qualifications or attempts at study into account.
To be offered a place in a course you must meet the course entrance requirements and be selected in competition with other eligible applicants.
Undergraduate applicants
Australian Year 12 students
Admission to all undergraduate courses at the University is subject to selection on the basis of ATAR or equivalent. For some degree courses and first-year subjects, it is assumed that through your senior secondary or other equivalent studies you will have achieved a level of knowledge of the subject area that is considered desirable for successful university-level study.
Selection rank adjustments
Selection Rank, which is your raw ATAR plus any additional adjustment factors you may be eligible for. Our adjustment factor schemes are designed to recognise the range of backgrounds and circumstances of our students and take these into consideration when assessing your application. They also help us recognise your unique skills and talents. UNSW awards adjustment points across the following categories.
Equity adjustments
The ACCESS Scheme is an Educational Access Scheme (EAS) that aims to assist students who have not undertaken university or other study at diploma level or above and who have experienced long-term educational disadvantage, with their educational performance affected by circumstances beyond their control during Year 11 and/or Year 12 or equivalent.
The scheme is available for entry to all undergraduate courses. Eligibility for the scheme does not guarantee admission but does allow successful applicants with an ATAR or equivalent below the course lowest selection rank to compete for a place.
UNSW EAS applications are processed centrally through UAC.
Elite athlete and performer adjustments
The Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL) Adjustment Factors Program recognises excellence in sport, academic pursuits, music and leadership achievements by awarding up to five adjustment factors to eligible applicants. Student may be eligible for up to five points.
EAPL adjustment factors are not available for admission to the 428000 Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine, 426000 Double Law, and Co-op scholarship degrees.
UNSW also offers an EAPL Support Program, which offers students flexible study arrangements and support, enabling them to continue their elite sporting commitments while studying at UNSW.
Subject adjustments
HSC Plus is designed to reward strong performance in Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (Year 12) subjects relevant to UNSW undergraduate degrees. Domestic students who complete an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate and perform well in subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree may have their selection rank for that degree increased by up to five points.
The Academic Achievement Awards are provided to encourage academically gifted Year 12 students from eligible NSW and ACT high schools to undertake undergraduate study at UNSW. As well as a $5,000 (tax exempt) award, your selection rank will be increased by three points for all UNSW preferences, except 428000 Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine and Co-op scholarship degrees.
Criteria that may apply in addition to the ATAR
Some courses have additional selection criteria such as an audition or interview. Additional selection criteria are specified in the course descriptions.
Assumed knowledge
For some degree courses and first-year subjects, it is assumed that through your senior secondary or other equivalent studies you will have achieved a level of knowledge of the subject area that is considered desirable for successful university-level study. Assumed knowledge is specified in the individual course descriptions.
If you do not have the level of assumed knowledge, you are not prevented from enrolling but you may be at a considerable disadvantage. If you have not achieved the recommended level of assumed knowledge, you are strongly advised to undertake a bridging course or other appropriate preparation.
Where a specific degree lists a Year 12 subject as assumed knowledge, the requirements are expressed as the minimum if there is more than one level for that subject.
Other admission options
Faculty schemes
UNSW has pathways for admission, which may allow applicants to receive an offer to a course even though they have an ATAR or equivalent below the published lowest selection rank. They are:
UNSW Gateway early conditional offer scheme
UNSW Gateway is an early conditional offer scheme for students in Years 11 and 12 who attend Gateway schools, with priority given to students who are identified by UAC as eligible for SEIFA consideration. This pathway significantly adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree, provides you with an early conditional offer to UNSW and automatically prioritises you for a UNSW equity scholarship. As a Gateway student, you will also be invited to participate in the Gateway program which provides academic support and enrichment opportunities from high school through to the end of your first year of university. For more information, visit the UNSW website.
Limited ATAR
UNSW accepts the Limited ATAR for admission to all programs, except for 428000 Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine or 429750 Bachelor of Vision Science/M Clinical Optometry. You must be at least 20 years old on 1 March in the year you complete your HSC studies. You must also complete between 5 and 9 units of ATAR courses, including at least 1 unit of English.
If you have undertaken at least three-quarters of a standard full-time study load (0.75 full-time equivalent) of degree-level studies in one degree at a recognised university, your tertiary studies will be taken into account.
Transferring from another course or university
Special Consideration for Applicants with Tertiary Studies (SCATS)
If you have been excluded or suspended from UNSW or another tertiary institution, UNSW will not consider you for admission unless you provide evidence of academic rehabilitation (eg by subsequently successfully completing one semester or term of university study or one year of study at AQF diploma level or above). You must also submit a SCATS application to explain the circumstances surrounding your suspension/exclusion and outline why you consider you will now succeed in your course.
If you are applying to the University with tertiary qualifications (either from UNSW or another institution) and have experienced long-term educational disadvantage that has affected your tertiary and/or secondary academic performance, you may have your circumstances taken into account. Circumstances that may be considered include severe personal or family illness/disability and other circumstances beyond your control. You must submit a SCATS application along with a written statement describing these circumstances and documentation to support your claims.
Requirements for Special Consideration for Applicants with Tertiary Studies
If you hold a completed AQF advanced diploma, diploma, associate diploma or in some cases Certificate IV, you can be considered for admission to UNSW.
If you do not hold qualifications that allow you to compete for university entrance, you may seek admission to the University on the basis of your performance in one of the following programs:
Enabling course options
University Preparation Program
If you are 21 years of age or over on 1 March in the year you start your undergraduate study at UNSW, you may qualify for admission to UNSW on the basis of your performance in the University Preparation Program (UPP). The UPP provides an avenue of entry to many degrees at UNSW for people who do not hold qualifications that would allow them to compete for university entrance. It is specifically designed for older students who are seeking admission to an undergraduate degree after a period away from formal study. This qualification is valid for five years.
Tertiary Preparation Certificate
If you are 21 years of age or over on 1 March in the year you start your undergraduate study at UNSW and have completed the TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC), you will be considered for admission. The TPC is not accepted for admission to 428000 Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine, 429740 Bachelor of Vision Science or 429750 Bachelor of Vision Science/M Clinical Optometry. If you hold a TPC and seek admission to a course with assumed knowledge in Mathematics, you should have completed Apply Mathematical Skills for Further Study and Calculus. This qualification is valid for five years.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
If you will be at least 21 years of age on 1 March in the year you start your undergraduate study at UNSW, you may qualify for admission to UNSW by undertaking the STAT – Multiple Choice and Written English. Your STAT results with a minimum score of 157 in the STAT Multiple Choice and 150 in the STAT Written English may be accepted for admission in some undergraduate courses. STAT test results are valid for three years. For more information, visit the UNSW website.
Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia with overseas qualifications must meet UNSW’s English language proficiency standards. If you hold overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications from countries where English is not the sole language of instruction and assessment, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency.
UNSW provides two entry schemes and pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. You can apply even if you have not completed your HSC or if you aren’t sure whether you will achieve the required ATAR for entry into your preferred course of study.
UNSW Indigenous Preparatory Program (Pre-Program)
The Pre-Program in business, education, law, medicine and social work programs is a three-week residential program that involves participation in lectures, tutorials, group work, social activities, exams and assessments. Throughout the program you will be assessed on your commitment, attitude and aptitude towards your studies and your ability to participate academically in your selected discipline.
UNSW Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS)
IAS is a one-day entry program that involves submission of an application to Nura Gili. As part of the application you will be invited to visit Nura Gili, where you will speak with faculty and Nura Gili staff about your aspirations for university studies and complete a written and/or numeracy task. Consideration is given to an applicant’s relevant life, work, educational and training experience as preparation for study.
For further information, visit the Nura Gili website or call Nura Gili on (02) 9385 3805.
Postgraduate applicants
The general requirement for admission to postgraduate coursework programs is completion of a recognised bachelor degree. Admission requirements vary depending on the course you wish to enter.
To see whether additional requirements specific to individual courses apply, check the course descriptions on UAC’s course search.
Overseas qualifications and English language proficiency
If you hold overseas qualifications from countries where English is not the standard language of instruction you must provide evidence of English language proficiency.
You may have to submit additional material as part of your application depending on which course/s you apply for. To see whether special requirements apply, check the UAC course descriptions via UAC’s course search.
General information for UNSW Sydney
