You can apply for some undergraduate courses with the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation also known as the Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC) offered through TAFE.

To be eligible to apply for admission through the Tertiary Preparation Certificate Entry Scheme, you must:

• be a domestic student
• apply for an undergraduate course commencing in Semester 1 or 2
• be 18 years or older by 31 July in the year of proposed admission to the University
• have completed a Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation of at least 12 months in duration, which results in a tertiary entrance score (TES) that can be mapped to an ATAR.

You are not eligible to apply through this scheme if you have completed either of the following:

• a diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree (AQF Level 5 or 6 qualification or overseas equivalent), or
• one or more years of full-time study (or part-time equivalent) in a bachelor’s degree (AQF Level 7 or the overseas equivalent) or higher qualification at a recognised tertiary institution.

Additional information

Admission into the University of Sydney is competitive and places are awarded based on academic merit. Your TES must be assessed as equal to or greater than the minimum entry requirement for the course. We recommend you consult with TAFE for guidance on how your academic results will convert into an ATAR-equivalent selection rank.

Some courses are excluded from this scheme, check below to see if your course is eligible for admission through this scheme and take note of any prerequisite subjects.

1. Check you meet the eligibility criteria.
2. Check the courses eligible for admission through this scheme. 
3. Complete the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation, including any prerequisites listed for your course.
4. Apply for your course through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

You do not have to submit an additional application form to be considered under this entry scheme.  We will know that you are applying through the Tertiary Preparation Certificate Entry Scheme based on the personal and educational details included in your UAC application and because you are applying with a TPC.

Explore the courses available through this scheme. Some courses have additional admission criteria you’ll need to meet, these can be found on the course page.

Semester 2 2026

Semester 1 2027

The following courses are not available for entry through the Tertiary Preparation Certificate Entry Scheme:

What are additional admission criteria?

Some courses will assess additional admission criteria, such as your performance in an audition or a portfolio of your work, in combination with your academic results. You can find details regarding additional admission criteria on the course page found in Sydney Courses.  

Who can I contact for more information?

Contact admission.pathways@sydney.edu.au if you have any questions.