Mature-age Entry Scheme
Who should apply?
You are eligible to apply for admission through the Mature-age Entry Scheme if you:
- are a domestic student
- are 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
- do not have any of the following qualifications:
- an ATAR of 70 or above (or equivalent in an eligible secondary education qualification)
- one year of full-time study or part-time equivalent in a bachelor’s degree or higher (or equivalent undertaken at a recognised tertiary institution)
- 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 overseas equivalent.
If you do not meet the above criteria, you may still be eligible to apply for admission without going through this entry scheme. Learn more about how to apply.
How to apply
To apply through the Mature-age Entry Scheme, you must have completed an approved preparation course within two years of applying to the University. Once you have completed your preparation program, apply for your course through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). There is no additional application form or process.
Preparation courses
Preparation courses are open to everyone, you don't need any previous qualifications to enrol.
Please note that admission into the University of Sydney is competitive and places are awarded based on academic merit. Simply completing an eligible preparation course does not guarantee an offer to your degree. You will be assessed based on your academic results.
We recommend you consult the institution providing your preparation program to see how your academic results will convert into a selection rank.
Limited ATAR
Applicants can apply to Sydney with a Limited ATAR, calculated using the best five units of courses completed (rather than the 10 used for a standard ATAR). A Limited ATAR is usually significantly higher than an ATAR.
The TAFE Statement in HSC Studies allows you to study all or part of the NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC).
Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC)
The Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation prepares you for university study. You will receive an ATAR equivalent, the Tertiary Entrance Score (TES), that you can use to apply for admission to the University.
University of New South Wales (UNSW)
The University Preparation Program (UPP) at UNSW can be undertaken in humanities, science, engineering or business, and can be used for admission to some degrees at the University of Sydney.
University of Newcastle (UON)
The Open Foundation program at the University of Newcastle can be used for admission to some degrees at the University of Sydney.
Check which preparation courses are accepted for your degree below.
| Degree | Accepted preparation course |
|---|---|
B Design (Interaction Design) B Design (Interaction Design) and B Advanced Studies |
All |
B Architecture and Environments B Design in Architecture B Design in Architecture (Honours) and M Architecture |
Limited ATAR
|
TAFE TPC
|
| Degree | Accepted preparation course |
|---|---|
B Arts B Arts and B Advanced Studies B Arts and Advanced Studies (International and Global Studies) B Arts and B Advanced Studies (Languages) B Arts and B Advanced Studies (Media and Communications) B Arts and B Advanced Studies (Politics and International Relations) |
TAFE TPC |
| UNSW UPP (Humanities) | |
| UON Open Foundation | |
B Visual Arts* B Visual Arts and B Advanced Studies* |
All |
*Additional admission criteria apply, check course details.
| Degree | Accepted preparation course |
|---|---|
B Commerce B Commerce and B Advanced Studies |
Limited ATAR
|
TAFE TPC
|
|
UNSW UPP (Business, Engineering or Science)
|
|
UON Open Foundation
|
| Degree | Accepted preparation course |
|---|---|
B Education (Early Childhood) B Education (Secondary) B Education and B Advanced Studies (Secondary) B Social Work B Art and B Social Work |
All |
| Degree | Accepted preparation course |
|---|---|
B Economics B Economics and B Advanced Studies |
Limited ATAR
|
TAFE TPC
|
|
UNSW UPP (Business, Engineering or Science)
|
|
UON Open Foundation
|
| Degree | Accepted preparation course |
|---|---|
B Advanced Computing B Engineering Honours* B Project Management |
Limited ATAR
|
TAFE TPC
|
|
UNSW UPP (Engineering or Science)
|
|
UON Open Foundation
|
*Includes all specialisations and combined degrees.
| Degree | Accepted preparation course |
|---|---|
| B Applied Science (Diagnostic Radiography) | Limited ATAR
|
TAFE TPC
|
|
B Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) B Applied Science (Exercise Physiology) |
Limited ATAR
|
TAFE TPC
|
|
B Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) B Applied Science (Speech Pathology) |
All |
| B Applied Science (Physiotherapy) | Limited ATAR
|
TAFE TPC
|
|
| B Oral Health | TAFE TPC
|
| UNSW UPP (Science) | |
UON Open Foundation
|
|
| B Nursing (Advanced Studies) | All |
| B Arts and M Nursing | TAFE TPC |
| UNSW UPP (Humanities) | |
| UON Open Foundation | |
B Science and M Nursing B Science (Health) and M Nursing |
Limited ATAR
|
TAFE TPC
|
|
| UNSW UPP (Engineering or Science) | |
UON Open Foundation
|
*Additional admission criteria apply, check course details.
| Degree | Accepted preparation course |
|---|---|
B Music* B Music (Composition)* B Music (Composition) and B Advanced Studies* B Music (Music Education)* B Music (Performance)* B Music (Performance) and B Advanced Studies* |
All |
*Additional admission criteria apply, check course details.
| Degree | Accepted preparation course |
|---|---|
| B Liberal Arts and Science | Limited ATAR
|
TAFE TPC
|
|
| UNSW UPP | |
UON Open Foundation
|
|
B Agricultural Science B Agricultural Science Honours B Science B Science (Health) B Science (Medical Science) B Science and B Advanced Studies* |
TAFE Statement in HSC Studies
|
TAFE TPC
|
|
| UNSW UPP (Engineering or Science) | |
UON Open Foundation
|
|
| B Science and M Mathematical Sciences | Limited ATAR
|
TAFE TPC
|
|
| UNSW UPP (Engineering) |
*Any specialisations except for the advanced and Dalyell Scholars streams.
The following courses do not accept applications through the Mature-age Entry Scheme.
Arts and social sciences:
- B Arts and B Advanced Studies (Dalyell Scholars)
- B Arts (Dual Degree, Sciences Po, France)
Business:
- B Commerce and B Advanced Studies (Dalyell Scholars)
Economics
- B Economics (Dual Degree, Sciences Po, France)
Education and social work:
- B Education (Health and Physical Education)
- B Education (Primary)
Engineering and computer sciences:
- B Engineering Honours (Dalyell Scholars)
Law:
- B Arts and B Laws
- B Commerce and B Laws
- B Economics and B Laws
- B Engineering Honours and B Laws
- B Science and B Laws
Medicine and health:
- B Arts and D Medicine
- B Pharmacy Honours and M Pharmacy Practice
- B Pharmacy and Management and M Pharmacy Practice
- B Science and D Dental Medicine
- B Science and D Medicine
- B Science and M Nutrition and Dietetics
Science:
- B Psychology
- B Psychology Honours
- B Veterinary Biology and D Veterinary Medicine
Frequently asked questions
If you have an ATAR over 70, a diploma, an advanced diploma, at least one year of bachelor’s degree studies, or the equivalent of these in another recognised qualification then you already hold a qualification that you can use to apply for an undergraduate course at the University of Sydney. This means you cannot apply using the preparation programs accepted under the Mature-age Entry Scheme.
If your qualification does not meet the entry requirements for your preferred degree you can do one of the following:
- Apply for a degree with a lower entry requirement, complete one year of study and then apply to transfer based on your GPA from that year of study.
- Complete another recognised qualification, such as a diploma, advanced diploma or secondary education qualification. Not all faculties and schools accept diplomas and advanced diplomas for entry. Check our recognised qualifications.
- Check you meet the eligibility criteria listed (above).
- Check the accepted preparation programs for the course of your choosing and take note of any prerequisite subjects (above).
- Complete an approved preparation course within two years of applying to the University.
- Once you have completed your preparation program, apply for your course through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
There is no additional application form or process. We will be able to see that you are applying through the Mature-age Entry Scheme based on the personal and educational details included in your UAC application and because you are applying with a preparation program.
If you have read through the information provided on this page and still require further assistance, you can email admission.pathways@sydney.edu.au.