Apply as an international student

This easy-to-follow guide explains how to submit your application to study with us.

On this page

Who this guide is for

This guide is for you if you’re applying:

  • for coursework degrees at undergraduate or postgraduate level
  • as an international student.

This guide is not for you if you’re applying:

Research degrees include Masters by Research and PhD programs.

Are you an international student?

You're an international student if you're not one of the following:

  • Australian or New Zealand citizen (or dual citizen)
  • Australian permanent resident
  • Australian permanent humanitarian visa holder
  • Pacific Engagement visa holder.

Choose a course

Use our course search to browse courses you may want to study.

Use the filters to search by degree level and area of interest, then select a course to find out more about:

  • what you'll study
  • admissions criteria
  • applications deadlines
  • possible career paths.

You may want to bookmark the page for the course you’ve chosen. You can then refer back to it when you prepare your application.

Note: You should only apply for a degree you've explored in detail. You'll need to make sure you meet the admissions criteria and that the course suits your study and career goals.

Search for a course

Check the course requirements

You’ll need to show you’ve studied in or completed a recognised qualification with the required grades.

If you have an overseas high school (or equivalent) qualification, check the Find a  course website or download the admission guide (pdf, 179KB) to see what high school grades you need

You’ll need to show you’ve completed a recognised tertiary qualification. This could include achieving a certain grade or average mark and / or previous study in the same field. 

You’ll find details on the course page.

You should also check the course page for any additional admissions criteria.

These may include:

  • a prerequisite, such as previous studies in mathematics
  • an interview
  • a portfolio
  • relevant professional experience

You’ll need to show you meet our English language requirements.

If you’ve completed a recognised English language test, you’ll find the score you need to meet on the course page.

Some courses have assumed knowledge and inherent requirements. 

Assumed knowledge is where we assume you have reached a certain level of knowledge or have passed a relevant subject before you commence your degree.

Inherent requirements are activities and tasks you’ll need to carry out to meet learning outcomes in your studies. You’ll usually find them in courses leading to a career working closely with people or animals. Examples may include nursing, medicine or veterinary medicine.

If a course has assumed knowledge and / or inherent requirements, you’ll see them on the course page. We recommend you read them carefully.

It’s important to note:

  • Assumed knowledge and inherent requirements are not part of the admissions requirements.
  • Understanding them will help you decide if a course or career is right for you.

Check your finances

Make sure you understand what you’ll need to pay to study with us.

This includes:

You should also find out what kinds of financial support you may be able to get. For example:

Gather your documents

You’ll need to provide official documents with your application
 
All applicants will need to provide a scanned copy of their passport identification page and official academic transcripts.
 
You may also need to provide:
 
  • English language results
  • grading system
  • degree certificates (also known as testamurs)
  • scholarship documentation
  • work experience or curriculum vitae
  • marriage and/or change of name certificate.

For some courses you’ll need to submit an extra application form. The course page will explain this.

If your documents are not in English, you’ll need to supply English translations.

These translations must be made by one of the following:

  • a translator accredited with a government body
  • the registrar of the institution that issued the original document.

Some universities and institutions issue official academic transcripts with electronic certification features.

If you've studied at one of these institutions at bachelor's degree level or higher, you'll need to provide a secured online document from the institution or its approved digital platform. (For example, My eQuals.)

You may need to have your academic documents verified. This should be done by China’s Center for Student Services and Development.

You’ll need to provide this verification with your application.

If you’re applying for a student visa, we may ask you to provide information about the government’s Genuine Student requirement.

For example, we may ask for information about your personal situation. You may also need to take part in an interview.

We’ll contact you about this after you’ve submitted your course application.

Apply for your course

Choose one of the following options

Most international students can apply directly to the University.

Select the ‘Apply now’ button on the course page to start your application. Then follow the prompts.

Watch this video to find out more about how to apply.

If you have any questions, you can contact our regional experts.

Some students choose to apply through an authorised education agent. An authorised agent can help with the university application and visa arrangements.

Note: Only agents listed on our website are authorised to represent us. You should only engage the services of an agent listed on our website.

You’ll need to apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) if you’re currently studying for one of the following:

  • an Australian Year 12 qualification (for example, the NSW Higher School Certificate) in or outside Australia
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma in Australia.

If you apply with the National Certificate of Educational Achievement Level 3, you can either apply directly to the University or through UAC.

You need to apply directly to the University, even if you’re applying through UAC for your other preferences.

What happens next

You'll receive an email with the outcome of your application. This will come either from the University or UAC, depending on how you applied.

If you receive an unconditional offer

This means your application has been successful.

You can continue through steps 2, 3 and 4.

If you receive a conditional offer

This means you still need to meet certain requirements. You can find out how to do this by reading how to accept your offer.

After you’ve met the requirements, you’ll receive an unconditional offer.

You can then continue through steps 2, 3 and 4.

We'll provide instructions for how to accept your offer in your unconditional offer letter.

You can respond to your offer online at Sydney Student.

You’ll need to pay the initial payment listed in your offer letter.

You'll also need to pay the amount shown for overseas students health cover, if you choose to have the University arrange it.

After you've paid your fees, we’ll send you an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE). You can use this to apply for a student visa.

Optional steps

Apply for scholarships

You may be eligible for one of our scholarships for international students.

For some, you'll be automatically considered after you've received an unconditional offer to study with us.

Others require separate applications. You'll need to check the details and deadlines for each scholarship.

Go to the scholarship pages to find out about individual requirements.

Apply for study credit

­If you have previous related study or work experience, you may be able to have this credited to your degree.

This means you won’t have to repeat similar units and could graduate sooner. 

Find out about types of credit you can get and how to apply.

Note: Accepting credit could reduce the duration of your student visa.