Recognised qualifications

Australian state and territory year 12 qualifications

Admission is based on the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) in an Australian Year 12 qualification. To help you make informed decisions we publish a list of ATARs each year. For many of our courses we also list a guaranteed ATAR. If you completed high school before 2009,  you may have acquired a Universities Admission Index (UAI). If you completed an Australian Year 12 qualification at TAFE, this is also recognised.

Overall Position (OP) in the Queensland year 12 qualification

Queensland uses Overall Position (OP) rankings. To see how the OP compares, check the ATAR/OP comparison table published by UAC. 

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

Admission is based on the total score for the completed diploma. Information on comparable subjects between the HSC and IB is available through UAC.

GCE A Levels

Admission is based on results in up to four Advanced Level subjects in the General Certificate of Education (GCE) comparable qualifications.

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) examination or American College Test (ACT)

SAT or ACT scores including a pass mark in the optional essay or writing component and completion of a secondary education (high school) qualification. 

Cambridge Pre-University Diploma

Accepted (from 2010 onwards) with required score.

European Baccalaureate

Completion of one of the following: 

• Diplome du Baccalaureate European
• Zeugnis der Europaischen Reifeprufung
• Diploma di Licenze Liceale Europea
• Europees Baccalaureate Diploma

If your secondary school qualification is not listed in the table below, you may still be eligible for admission if you have undertaken higher education (tertiary) studies or foundation studies.

To be eligible for admission into an undergraduate degree on the basis of higher education studies in a bachelor's degree, you need to have successfully completed at least one year of full-time study* (or the part-time equivalent) in a bachelor’s degree or higher. For example, you will be assessed based on your studies in an Australian bachelor's degree or overseas equivalent at a recognised institution.

If you have not completed a full year, you will be assessed on your results in a recognised secondary education qualification.

If you have both a recognised secondary education qualification and bachelor's degree studies, your application will be determined by the best result in either a bachelor's or secondary education qualification, 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 basis of the ATAR or equivalent score only.

If you're applying for a course with prerequisites and/or additional admission criteria, such as an interview, audition or portfolio, these factors will also be taken into account.

Some courses are not available to applicants who have already started bachelor's degree studies. These are:

• Bachelor of Arts/Doctor of Medicine (double degree)
• Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Medicine (double degree)
• Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Dental Medicine (double degree)
• Bachelor of Arts (Sciences Po Dual Degree)
• Bachelor of Economics (Sciences Po Dual Degree)

Guide to admission requirements for applicants with bachelor's degree studies

• Applicants with a pass average result in their bachelor’s degree studies can apply to courses with an ATAR up to 80.00
• Applicants with a credit average credit can apply to courses with an ATAR up to 88.00
• Applicants with a distinction average can apply to courses with an ATAR up to 94.00
• Applicants with a high distinction average can apply to courses with an ATAR up to 99.50
  

The admission criteria published above are a guide only for eligibility to apply. Grading systems and calculations also vary across different institutions, and the above grades represent the University of Sydney grading system.

Whether you are transferring from another course at the University or changing universities, you may be eligible for credit for previous study to carry across to your new degree.

*Full time study is a minimum of 48 credit points at the University of Sydney or the equivalent study load at other institutions.

We may consider the results of 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 an overseas equivalent at the time you were enrolled, and is accepted by your faculty. If you're applying for a course with additional admission criteria, such as an interview, audition or portfolio, these factors will also be taken into account.

You can check AQF accreditation with the provider, or look for an AQF accreditation symbol on your transcript of results or award certificate.

AQF Diploma requirements

• Applicants who have completed a Diploma in Australia with an average pass result (or overall result of Competent) can apply to courses with an ATAR up to 75. 
• Applicants with an average credit can apply to courses with an ATAR up to 81.
• Applicants with an average distinction can apply to courses with an ATAR up to 90.
• Applicants with an average high distinction can apply to courses with an ATAR up to 95.

AQF Advanced Diploma requirements

• Applicants who have completed an Advanced Diploma in Australia with an average pass result (or overall result of competent) can apply to courses with an ATAR up to 76. 
• Applicants with an average credit can apply to courses with an ATAR up to 83.
• Applicants with an average distinction can apply to courses with an ATAR up to 93.
• Applicants with an average high distinction can apply to courses with an ATAR up to 96.95.

The admission criteria published above are 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.

Information for domestic students

If you will be younger than 21 at the first census date of your prospective admission, you will also need to have a completed the HSC or an equivalent acceptable secondary education qualification before your diploma will be considered.

• The following accept any AQF diploma:
  • Faculty of Science
  • Sydney Dental School
  • Sydney Conservatorium of Music
  • The University of Sydney Business School
• The following accept relevant AQF diplomas only:
  • Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Engineering
  • Faculty of Health Sciences
  • Sydney Nursing School
  • Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science
• The following do not accept AQF diplomas:
  • Sydney Law School
  • Sydney Medical School
  • Sydney Pharmacy School

Information for international students

If you have undertaken a Polytechnic Diploma in Singapore, the University offers admission and credit for eligible international students into many undergraduate degrees. For more information, refer to the Admission and Credit Guide for Polytechnic Diplomas (pdf, 44KB).

Approved preparation programs

• Mature age students: If you’re 21 years of age or older and meet certain other criteria, you may be able to gain admission through an approved preparation program. For more information refer to the mature-age admission pathways.
• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants: For more information about enabling or foundation courses for admission, refer to the Gadigal Program.

Approved preparation (foundation) programs

We accept Australian and New Zealand university foundations programs and some overseas programs for admission. More than 80 percent of students who complete the University of Sydney Preparation Programs (USPP) consisting of the University of Sydney Foundation Program (USFP) and the High Achievers Preparation Program (HAPP) are accepted into one of our undergraduate courses.