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Before applying to UNSW, you should check that your qualification can be accepted for assessment.

This could be your high school qualification or a foundational course, or even a UNSW Pathways program. Find out how you can set yourself up for success below.

Accepted qualifications for undergraduate study

There are several admission pathways to an undergraduate degree at UNSW, including high school qualifications, UNSW College Foundation Studies program, UNSW College Diploma, recognised prior study or university transfer.

  • Admission to UNSW will be based on your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) that you receive after completing your Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (such as the HSC).Ìý

    Here’s a list of qualifications that UNSW considers for entry:

    • NSW HSC and Interstate Year 12 QualificationsÌý
    • International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
    • GCE A-Levels
    • New Zealand NCEA Level 3
    • Overseas secondary qualifications considered equivalent to Australian studiesÌý

    If you have two secondary qualifications, your most recent one will be considered. Qualifications older than 5 years will not be considered.

    If the qualification you've completed isn't listed above, please select the International Qualifications section below.

  • UNSW recognises qualifications from across the globe. Select your country from the list below to see what qualifications we accept.

    If you hold an overseas secondary qualification from a country where English is not the standard language used in education, please check ourÌýEnglish language requirements.

  • There's more than one way to obtain a Selection Rank and gain entry to UNSW, including high school qualifications, university preparatory programs, VET courses or other university study.

    Also, if you're a veteran, we want you to bring your difference and for our veterans there's alternative entry options to secure your enrolment at UNSW outside of just an ATAR. You should submit evidence of all the qualifications that you have. These will be assessed individually and your highest ranked qualification that is accepted by UNSW will be used for the purposes of entry.

    Certificate IV

    Prospective students who have completed a Certificate IV may apply for entry to UNSW.

    Generally, AQF accredited Certificate IV qualifications will require a Credit average to be competitive for admission to programs with the lowest selection rank of 80. Competency-based AQF accredited Certificate IV may be considered for admission via Portfolio Entry.

    Diplomas

    Prospective students who have completed a Diploma from a recognised institution may apply for entry to UNSW.

    Generally, AQF accredited Diploma qualifications will require a Distinction average to be competitive for admission to programs with a lowest selection rank above 90. Competency-based qualifications may be considered for admission to programs with the lowest selection rank of 80.

    Advanced Diplomas

    Prospective students who have completed an Advanced Diploma from a recognised institution may apply for entry to UNSW.

    Generally, AQF accredited Advanced Diploma qualifications will require a Distinction average to be competitive for admission to programs with a lowest selection rank above 90. Competency based qualifications may be considered for admission to programs with a lowest selection rank of 80.

    TAFE Pathways Program

    This pathway is open to students who have completed an AQF accredited TAFE Diploma or Advanced Diploma for which you may be eligible for credit through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) thereby reducing the amount of time required to complete your degree at UNSW.

    Learn more about the TAFE Pathways Program, including the list of TAFE Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas that enable articulation into an undergraduate degree at UNSW with specified credit transfer:

    I want to apply for UNSW Law or B Vision Science/M Clinical Optometry

    If you have completed an AQF accredited Diploma, you will be assessed based on 50% of your ATAR (or equivalent) and 50% of your completed Diploma.Ìý

    All Law applicants are also required to sit theÌýÌý(³¢´¡°Õ).

  • You may be eligible for admission based on the completion of at least one year of full-time study (or the part-time equivalent) in a bachelor's degree or equivalent or higher, at a recognised university or non-university higher education provider.

    To have your university studies considered for admission, you must complete at least one year of full-time study (minimum 0.75 full-time equivalent load) within one degree.

    How will I be assessed?

    If you have completed an equivalent of 0.75 FTE (full-time equivalent) or more of tertiary study in a single degree, you will be assessed for admission to UNSW on either your tertiary study results OR your ATAR (or equivalent) - whichever is better.ÌýIf your ATAR is more than 5 years old, you will be assessed only on your tertiary study.

    How will I be assessed for Medicine?

    • Less than 0.75 FTE (full time equivalent) of tertiary study is not assessable for entry to UNSW. Your eligibility for admission to a UNSW degree will revert back to your most recent assessable qualification (e.g. HSC or equivalent).

      To have your university studies considered for admission, you must complete at least one year of full-time study (minimum 0.75 FTE) within one degree at another university.

      You must also complete the additional selection criteria of all Medicine applicants. More information on those requirements can be foundÌý.Ìý

    • If you have completed an equivalent of 0.75 FTE (full time equivalent) or more of tertiary study in a single degree at the end of the year in which you apply, you will be assessed for admission to the Medicine program on either your secondary OR your tertiary study results. The following minimum criteria applies:

      • Your secondary school qualification component must reach 96.00 ATAR (or equivalent); AND
      • your tertiary study component must reach WAM 70 or equivalent.

      Once you have met the minimum requirement, a "best of" algorithm will apply and the qualification with a higher selection rank will be used as a final selection rank for Medicine program admissions purposes.

      You must also complete the additional selection criteria of all Medicine applicants. More information on those requirements can be foundÌý.Ìý

    • If you have completed a tertiary degree before the end of the year in which you apply, only the completed tertiary qualification will be considered for admission to the Medicine program. Your tertiary studies must reach a minimum WAM/GPA equivalent of a 96.00 ATAR.

      As you have completed a tertiary degree, we will no longer consider your secondary qualification, i.e. a minimum 96.00 ATAR (or equivalent) is not applicable.

      You must also complete the additional selection criteria of all Medicine applicants. More information on those requirements can be foundÌý.Ìý

    How will I be assessed for UNSW Law or B Vision Science/M Clinical Optometry

    • Less than 0.75 FTE (full time equivalent) of tertiary study is not assessable for entry to UNSW. Your eligibility for admission to a UNSW degree will revert back to your most recent assessable qualification (e.g. HSC or equivalent).

      To have your university studies considered for admission, you must complete at least one year of full-time study (minimum 0.75 FTE) within one degree at another university.

      All Law applicants are required to sit theÌýÌý(³¢´¡°Õ).

      To study at UNSW you will need to submit an application via theÌý. ÌýVisit their website for detailed information on how to apply. Ìý

      If you gain entry into a program at UNSW, you may be eligible for credit for courses (subjects) studied at another institution. Find out more aboutÌý.

    • If you have completed 0.75 FTE (full time equivalent) or more of tertiary study in a single degree, you will be assessed for admission based on 50% of your ATAR results (or equivalent) and 50% of your tertiary study results.

      All Law applicants are required to sit theÌý(LAT).

      In all cases, to study at UNSW, you will need to submit an application via theÌý. Visit their website for detailed information on how to apply.ÌýÌý

      If you gain entry into a program at UNSW, you may be eligible for credit for courses (subjects) studied at another institution. Find out more aboutÌý.

    • If you have already completed an undergraduate (Bachelors) degree,Ìýyou will be assessed for admission based on 50% of your ATAR results (or equivalent) and 50% of your tertiary study results.

      All Law applicants are required to sit theÌý(LAT).

      In all cases, to study at UNSW, you will need to submit an application via theÌý. Visit their website for detailed information on how to apply.ÌýÌý

      If you gain entry into a program at UNSW, you may be eligible for credit for courses (subjects) studied at another institution. Find out more aboutÌý.

  • Ìý

    UNSW only accepts Group of Eight (Go8) Foundation programs, including:Ìý

    • UNSW Sydney (UNSW College)
    • Monash University
    • The Australian National University
    • The University of Adelaide
    • The University of Melbourne
    • The University of Queensland
    • The University of Sydney
    • The University of Western Australia

    Foundation programs are valid for 5 years.

    Ìý

    • A completedÌýprogram can only be used for entry into Arts and Social Sciences Degrees, the Bachelor of Commerce, the Bachelor of Engineering (Flexible First Year) and the Bachelor of Science.Ìý

      A completed UNSWÌýÌý(UPP)Ìýcan be used for entry into most UNSW degrees.

      Both the UPP and the UNSW Prep program are valid for 5 years.

      Note: UNSW Canberra do not accept UNSW Prep program (17-19) or UPP as a pathway into their undergraduate programs.

    • You can use the grades you've received from this preparation course as a form of assessment for entry into some UNSW degrees - as long as you are 21 years old or older as of 1 March in the year you start your undergraduate study at UNSW.

      IMPORTANT:ÌýFor entry into Arts, Design & Architecture, Business, and Law programs, you must have completed the preparation course with a minimum of 20 units of humanities subjects.

      Note that this preparation course cannot be used for entry into Combined Law, programs offered by the UNSW Business School (except for Commerce, Economics and Information Systems), Undergraduate Certificate programs, Medicine & Health (except Bachelor of International Public Health), Advanced Science (and any dual degrees), Advanced Mathematics (and any dual degrees), and Bachelor of Psychology.

      This qualification is valid for 5 years only.

    • You can use the grades you've received from this preparation course as a form of assessment for entry into most UNSW degrees - as long as you are 21 years old or older as of 1 March in the year you start your undergraduate study at UNSW.

      Note that this preparation course cannot be used for entry into Combined Law, programs offered by the UNSW Business School (except for Commerce, Economics and Information Systems), Undergraduate Certificate programs, Medicine & Health (except Bachelor of International Public Health), Advanced Science (and any dual degrees), Advanced Mathematics (and any dual degrees), and Bachelor of Psychology.

      This qualification is valid for 5 years only.

    • You can use the grades you've received from this preparation course as a form of assessment for entry into some UNSW degrees - as long as you are 21 years old or older as of 1 March in the year you start your undergraduate study at UNSW.



      Note that this preparation course cannot be used for entry into Combined Law, programs offered by the UNSW Business School (except for Commerce, Economics and Information Systems), Undergraduate Certificate programs, Medicine & Health (except Bachelor of International Public Health), Advanced Science (and any dual degrees), Advanced Mathematics (and any dual degrees), and Bachelor of Psychology.

      This qualification is valid for 5 years only.

    • UNSW only accepts the above mentioned preparation programs for entry at this stage.

      Note: Completion of the Macquarie or UTS Pathway diplomas will be considered for entry into UNSW degrees, however, no course credits will be awarded.

  • You will need to have completed a relevant program and meet the minimum GPA and entry requirements for your degree.Ìý For more information about entry pathways with a UNSW College Diploma, visit the degree finder or contact .

  • Admission to UNSW is based on academic merit. As such, we need something to assess you on. There are a number of qualifications or preparation programs you could pursue to gain a qualification that we can assess for admission here at UNSW. This would include the  (±«±Ê±Ê), , University of Sydney's University Preparation Course (UPC) or University of Newcastle's Open Foundation Program, a TAFE qualification (minimum of a graded Certificate IV or above. A completed graded qualification will make you competitive for many some degrees at UNSW) or study at another university for a minimum of 0.75 full-time equivalent study load.

    Once you have completed any of the above, we can then use the results you receive to assess you for entry into our degrees.

    An alternative for someone without an assessable qualification noted above is to complete UAC’s Special Tertiary Admissions Test or STAT. Applicable to the following programs:

    • Bachelor of Fine Arts
    • Bachelor of Fine Arts/Bachelor of Arts
    • Bachelor of Design
    • Bachelor of Arts
    • Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
    • Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
    • Bachelor of Fine Arts/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
    • Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
    • Bachelor of International Public Health
    • Bachelor of Criminology & Criminal Justice
    • Bachelor of Science
    • Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts
    • Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Fine Arts
    • Bachelor of Life Sciences
    • Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) (Honours)
    • Bachelor of Aviation (Management)
    • Bachelor of Environmental Management
    • Bachelor of Environmental Management/Bachelor of Arts

    To be eligible for admission with STAT results, you must be 21 years old or older by 1 March in the year you start your undergraduate study at UNSW and achieve a minimum score of 157 in the STAT Multiple Choice and 150 in the STAT Written English. STAT test results are valid for 3 years.

    As everyone's situation is unique, it's probably best that we have a chat to discuss your specific circumstances and what may be the best option for you. Please ring the Future Students Office on (02) 9385 1844 or .

Accepted qualifications for postgraduate study

For postgraduate study, you generally need to have completed an undergraduate degree at university level to be assessed. Detailed information on what's required for admission can be found on our degree pages.

Work experience can sometimes be used as a form of assessment for admission into a Graduate Diploma, but this varies by degree.Ìý

NOTE:ÌýAdmission to our undergraduate programs is based on academic merit ONLY. Work experience cannot be used for admission into these degrees.

Need some help?

If you need help assistance with accepted qualifications, contact us below. We're here to help.