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Bridging courses
For some courses or units of study, we assume you have reached a certain level of knowledge or have passed a relevant subject at Australian Year 12 level, such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) or equivalent.
Bridging courses are short courses which cover assumed knowledge for HSC subjects that are recommended for some tertiary degrees.
If you do not have the assumed knowledge for your course, we strongly recommend that you undertake the relevant bridging courses. Otherwise, you might find it difficult to manage the work, as your lecturer will assume you are familiar with this area of study. Bridging courses are also useful if you struggled with the subject in high school, or need a refresher.
These courses are not accredited, do not provide you with enrolment qualifications or satisfy prerequisites for degrees within the University of Sydney.
Each bridging course is almost entirely self-directed learning via online resources, with scheduled online face-to-face sessions that are highly recommended but not compulsory to attend live. You will be brought up to speed, to a point where you can comfortably follow lectures and participate in tutorials and lab classes. As the courses are designed to prepare you for first-year university study, they aren't assessed and aren't an academic qualification.
If you're unsure about whether a bridging course will help you for a particular unit of study, check the assumed knowledge that you'll need in order to enrol in your desired degree.
Bridging courses are open to everyone. You don't need to be commencing study at the University to register for a bridging course.
The bridging courses run in January/February and again in July. Details and registrations will be released closer to these dates.
Bridging courses available
Cost: $225
Suitable for science students enrolling in first-year biology. The Biology Bridging Course is strongly recommended if you are starting university and have not completed HSC Biology (or equivalent), or found Biology difficult at school.
Topics
The course places emphasis on building conceptual understanding and developing skill sets to prepare you for first-year biology units. You will explore core biology concepts around evolution, diversity, cell biology, molecular biology and genetics.
Course delivery and registrations
The dates, times, format of the course and registration options are available on the Biology Bridging Course registration page.
Contact us
Dr Hong Dao Nguyen
Email: hongdao.nguyen@sydney.edu.au
Cost: $325
This course is suitable for assumed knowledge of chemistry which will support students moving into the first year of their tertiary studies. It is designed for science and engineering students enrolling into first-year chemistry, as well as Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) and Master of Nutrition and Dietetics students who have not completed the HSC Chemistry (or equivalent) or found Chemistry difficult at school.
If you have already completed HSC Chemistry, you are also welcome to attend this course to refresh your memory.
Topics
The course will cover 13 topics including the structure of atoms, formulas and equations, and the periodic table to help you prepare for first-year chemistry units.
Course delivery and registrations
The dates, times, format of the course and registration options are available on the Chemistry Bridging Course registration page.
Contact us
Dr Reyne Pullen
Email: reyne.pullen@sydney.edu.au
Cost: $225
This course is suitable for students intending to study an engineering course, or major in mathematics, computer science or physics. This Extension 1 bridging course is for you if you have completed the equivalent of HSC Mathematics Advanced (2-unit) and want to enrol in a course which has an assumed knowledge of Extension 1 Mathematics (3-unit). Check the assumed knowledge requirements of your course at Sydney courses.
This course is not suitable for students who have not completed the equivalent of HSC Mathematics Advanced (2-unit) and/or are seeking to meet the mathematics prerequisite requirement for their intended courses. Bridging courses cover assumed knowledge, rather than required knowledge, so will not help you to meet the prerequisites. Find out about mathematics prerequisites and how you can meet the requirements.
Topics
The content will cover selected topics from Mathematics Extension 1 that we believe will be of most benefit to courses at the University that have an assumed knowledge of Extension 1.
Course delivery and registration
The dates, times, format of the course and registration options are available on the Mathematics Extension 1 Bridging Course registration page.
Contact us
The Learning Hub (Mathematics)
Email: learninghub.mathematics@sydney.edu.au
Cost: $225
This course is suitable for science and engineering students enrolling in first-year physics. This bridging course is strongly recommended if you are starting university and are about to take physics for the first time, need to refresh your knowledge after a break from study, or have tried physics and found it difficult.
The purpose of the course is to provide a good general introduction to the skills and content of the subject so that you can better appreciate the lecture and laboratory material from the beginning of the year.
Topics
The course places emphasis on building conceptual understanding and developing skill sets to prepare you for first-year tertiary degrees that needs physics. The content will be covering measurement and units, motion along a straight line, vectors and motion in two and three dimensions, force and motion, work and energy, conservation of energy, systems of particles, collisions, and oscillations.
Course delivery and registration
The dates, times, format of the course and registration options are available on the Physics Bridging Course registration page.
Contact us
Associate Professor Tristram Alexander
Email: tristram.alexander@sydney.edu.au
How to register
Bridging courses are open to everyone. You don't need to be commencing study at the University to register for a bridging course.
Registrations for the January and February 2024 courses are open now. Register for your course at our Centre for Continuing Education pages:
- Biology Bridging Course
- Chemistry Bridging Course
- Mathematics Extension 1 Bridging Course
- Physics Bridging Course
Bridging course bursaries
A limited number of equity-based bridging course bursaries are available.
To be considered for bursaries, you need to be commencing as an undergraduate student at the University of Sydney in the year of the course. Bursaries will be awarded based on financial disadvantage, and we will require documentation showing that you are receiving Youth Allowance, other means-tested Commonwealth benefits or forms of financial assistance. Priority will be given if you have a medical disability and/or if you are from a rural/remote area.
How to apply
If you meet the criteria and would like to be considered for a bursary:
- register for your required bridging course online and exit the process without entering payment details
- email science.alliance@sydney.edu.au attaching the letter of enrolment for your undergraduate degree, and any official documentation stating that your Commonwealth financial benefits or other proof of financial hardship. If unsure, please contact us for more information.
As bursary places are limited, it is recommended you apply for the bursaries as soon as possible.
Last updated: 13 December 2024
