A list of Australian and overseas qualifications that we accept for admission into an undergraduate course.
To be eligible for admission into one of our undergraduate degrees, you need to have completed one of the qualifications listed on this page.
On top of a recognised qualification, you also need to meet the admissions criteria, which can be found on your course page.
Refer to our admissions guides for entry scores.
For domestic students
We provide selection ranks made up of your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) and adjustment factors.
If you have a non-ATAR qualification it will be converted into an ATAR-equivalent selection rank. If you are eligible for adjustment factors these will be added to your ATAR-equivalent selection rank.
We provide ATAR-equivalent entry scores for some year 12 or secondary qualifications.
If you are applying with one of the non-ATAR qualifications below and would like to know the entry requirement for a course, refer to the course page. If your qualification is listed below but is not listed on the course page, email admissions.office@sydney.edu.au.
Admission is based on the overall scores for a completed IB diploma. When you apply, this score is converted into an ATAR equivalent called Combined Rank.
For a detailed breakdown of IB score conversion, refer to the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) website. UAC processes applications on behalf of universities in New South Wales, including the University of Sydney.
For the latest information for international students, refer to your course page.
Admission is based on results in up to four Advanced Level subjects in the GCE-comparable qualifications.
Your SAT examination or ACT is recognised with completion of a secondary or high school qualification.
Domestic onshore students who have completed another recognised secondary qualification cannot apply with the SAT or ACT.
You need to meet the required score for your course admission.
We recognise the following qualifications from Europe:
If you completed the NCEA Level 3, an Interstate Transfer Index (ITI) will be calculated by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), and provided to UAC. This will be used in the admission process, provided you have fulfilled university entrance requirements as set by NZQA.
ATAR or its equivalent in the following year 12 qualifications for each Australian state and territory.
| State or territory | Recognised qualification |
|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | ACT Senior Secondary Certificate (ACT SSC) |
| New South Wales | Higher School Certificate (HSC) |
| Northern Territory | Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET) – administered by SACE |
| Queensland | Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) To convert your Queensland Overall Position (OP) to an ATAR result before 2020, check the ATAR/OP comparison table published by UAC. |
| South Australia | South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) |
| Tasmania | Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) |
| Victoria | Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) |
| Western Australia | Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) |
We also recognise the Universities Admission Index (UAI, acquired by people who completed high school before 2009) and the completion of an Australian year 12 qualification at TAFE.
Ontario Secondary School Diploma
We have strict entry standards with regard to quality and integrity and take any inconsistencies in applications extremely seriously, in line with our academic honesty policy. To ensure the integrity of our admissions, we only accept qualifications obtained at Ontario Secondary School Diploma schools that have gone through our robust verification process.
If you have studied at the tertiary level, you may be eligible for admission if you have:
If you have both a recognised secondary education qualification and bachelor's degree studies, you will be assessed based on your best result, regardless of the order in which you completed them. This means that if your ATAR or equivalent score in a secondary qualification is higher than your bachelor's degree result, your application will be considered on the basis of your ATAR or equivalent score.
Applicants with complex tertiary study backgrounds may be assessed on a case by case basis by the admissions office.
Grading systems and calculations vary across different institutions, and the following grades represent the University of Sydney grading system – this is only a guide for eligibility to apply.
In addition to the course selection rank, you are also required to meet any additional admission criteria listed on the course page.
| Bachelor's degree grade | Eligibility to apply |
|---|---|
| Pass average | You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up to 80.00 |
| Credit average | You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up to 88.00 |
| Distinction average | You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up to 94.00 |
| High distinction average | You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up to 99.50 |
You may be eligible for credit for previous study to carry across to your new degree.
For international students
The University has international articulation pathway arrangements with selected overseas universities and higher education institutions. These formal arrangements can help fast-track your studies by providing you with credit towards your degree.
If your institution and program is listed, credit will be awarded as part of the application for admission. A separate application for credit is not required.
We may consider the results of a completed diploma or advanced diploma, including vocational education and training (VET) qualifications at that level if:
In addition to the course selection rank, you are also required to meet any additional admission criteria listed on the course page.
You can check AQF accreditation with the provider or look for an AQF accreditation symbol on your transcript of results or award certificate.
The follow admission criteria is a guide only for eligibility to apply. Grading systems and calculations vary across different institutions and countries, and the University will assess and determine the equivalent requirements.
| Diploma grade | Eligibility to apply |
|---|---|
| Pass average (or overall competent) | You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up to 75 |
| Credit average | You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up to 81 |
| Distinction average | You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up to 90 |
| High distinction average | You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up to 95 |
The follow admission criteria is a guide only for eligibility to apply. Grading systems and calculations vary across different institutions and countries, and the University will assess and determine the equivalent requirements.
| Diploma grade | Eligibility to apply |
|---|---|
| Pass average (or overall competent) | You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up to 76 |
| Credit average | You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up to 83 |
| Distinction average | You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up to 93 |
| High distinction average | You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up to 96.95 |
If you will be younger than 21 by the first time the study units of your prospective admission are finalised (called the census date), you will also need to have completed the HSC or an equivalent acceptable secondary education qualification before your diploma will be considered.
If you have completed the HSC but not received an ATAR, your diploma can be considered.
The following faculties accept any AQF diploma
The following faculties/schools accept relevant AQF diplomas only
A relevant diploma means the diploma is from the same broad Field of Education as the degree you are applying for. If you're not sure if your diploma is relevant, contact admissions.office@sydney.edu.au with the details of your diploma and the University of Sydney course you want to apply for.
The following faculties do not accept AQF diplomas
The University has international articulation pathways from selected post-secondary qualifications at overseas universities, polytechnics and colleges. This includes polytechnics in Singapore.
These formal arrangements can help fast-track your studies by providing you with credit towards your degree.
If you haven't completed a recognised qualification (as listed above), you may be able to gain admission through an enabling (preparation/foundation) program.
If you are aged 21 or older, without a recognised qualification, you may be able to gain admission through an approved preparation program via the Mature-age Entry Scheme.
You may get extensive support, including reduced ATAR requirement, for entry into your course through the Gadigal Program.
You can gain eligibility to apply for your course by completing any of the following preparatory and foundation programs offered by specified universities.
Completing University of Sydney Preparation Programs (USPP) may help you become eligible to apply for your course. You can either do an intensive 40 to 75-week course or a 14-week program that's designed for applicants with high academic achievements. Both programs are provided and facilitated by Taylors College.
| Program | Recognised delivery locations |
|---|---|
| Foundation programs offered by Group of Eight universities | Australia |
Foundation programs offered by Australian and New Zealand public university faculties/schools |
Australia, New Zealand |
AIAC Foundation Program offered by Aceleader Education Group |
China |
University of South Pacific programs |
Fiji |
Malaysian Foundation Programs listed as MQR-registered programs |
Malaysia |
Preparatory Year |
Samoa |
| Foundation programs offered by UK Russell Group universities | United Kingdom |
Advanced International Certificate of Education at the University of Cambridge |
United Kingdom |
Foundation programs administered by the Study Group International |
United Kingdom, Europe, USA, Canada |
St. Andrew’s College Cambridge Foundation Course offered by the UK Foundation Network (UKFN) |
United Kingdom, South Korea |
Advanced Level Foundation offered by Kings Education |
United Kingdom, Vietnam, South Korea |