International undergraduate academic entry requirements
To be accepted into our undergraduate courses, you need to have achieved a certain ranking, grade or score in your senior secondary qualification.
The drop-down menus below allow you to check the entry requirements for your preferred course, based on some common secondary qualifications such as ATAR, the University of Sydney Foundation Program, International Baccalaureate, CBSE and SC (India), OSSD (Canada), Vitnemal (Norway), NSC (South Africa), SAT and AP (USA), Slutbetyg (Sweden), ALE and HKDSE (Hong Kong), STPM (Malaysia), French Baccalaureate, Singapore A Levels, Abitur (Germany), and Gaokao (China).
To see the entry requirements relevant to you, just select the senior secondary qualification you have obtained, then choose the University course (or courses) you are thinking of applying for.
International students: academic entry requirements
Using this search
This search can help you quickly check whether the qualification you've earned in your home country meets the academic requirements to study a particular course at the University of Sydney. To use it, simply:
- Type a course name in the search box: e.g. Arts
- Select the type of qualification you earned in your home country: e.g. International Baccalaureate
- Press search
*The ATAR cut-off will be determined on a competitive basis once all applications have been received by Sydney Medical School. It is expected that the ATAR will be 99.5 or greater. Non-NSW HSC results are converted to an ATAR equivalence. Music Studies/MBBS applicants must also pass an audition/interview required by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music to be considered. Eligible applicants will be contacted by the University of Sydney for interview.
Key terms
| Key | Explanantion |
|---|---|
| ATAR | Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank is a measure of a student's overall academic achievement relative to other students in Australia. The ATAR requirement is set by faculties for each course. The ATAR is applicable to most Australian Year 12 examinations (eg, NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC), Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) ) or, an equivalent is determined when you apply. (eg. Queensland Certificate of Education, New Zealand NCEA) |
| English - IELTS | The first score is the overall score required, the second score(s) (in brackets) is the minimum score required in each component L-Listening, R-Reading, S-Speaking, W-Writing. For more information on other tests and meeting English requirements, refer to the University's English langauge Requirements. |
| English - IBT | The IBT is the Internet-based TOEFL test. The first score is the overall requirement (total of all components). Students must also achieve the required minimum in other sections (Unless specified as L-Listening, R-Reading, S-SPeaking, W-Writing, the first number in brackets is the writing section, the second number is for all other sections). For more information on other tests and meeting English requirements, refer to the University's English langauge Requirements. |
| USFP | University of Sydney Foundation program. The USFP scores can serve as a guide to entry for other foundation programs. However, students should note that, depending on the foundation program, the requirements may vary from course to course and are generally higher. Some foundation programs are expressed as a percentage. In this table an 8 is equal to 80%, 9.5 is 95% and so on. Separate English requirements will also apply. |
| GCE AL3 & AL4 | General Certificate of Education Advanced Levels including UK GCE and Cambridge Higher School Certificate and other overseas derivatives. Applicants must present either 3 or 4 Advanced level (A2) subjects in the same academic year. The entry requirement is determined by the total of all A2 subjects (where a mark of A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1). A maximum of two ‘Stand Alone’ Advanced Subsidiary subjects may be added to the total (where a mark of A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5), as long as these subjects have not been studied at Advanced Level. From 2014 onwards, the calculation will be made on the basis of: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 and will be assessed using a new conversion table which is significantly different to the table provided here. Advanced Subsidiary subjects will not be included in the calculation. Until 2014 all applications will be assessed against both tables with the higher ATAR equivalent used for admission. Refer to the University's website for updated information which is expected to be available later this year. |
| International Baccalaureate | International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. Entry based on total score for completed IB Diploma. |
| India - CBSE | All India Senior School Certificate awarded by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Entry requirement is the total of the best four externally examined subjects (where A1=5, A2=4.5, B1=3.5, B2=3, C1=2, C2=1.5, D1=1, D2=0.5). |
| Indian SC | Indian School Certificate awarded by the Indian Council of School Examinations. Average of best four externally examined subjects |
| Canada - OSSD | Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Entry requirement is the average of 6 University/College preparation courses. |
| Norway - Vitnemal | Norwegian Certificate of Completion of Upper Secondary School Examinations (Vitnemal fra den Videregaende Skole). |
| South Africa | Award of National Senior Certificate (NSC) from 2008 onwards with minimum requirements for admission to higher education. Score based on average percentage mark for all NSC percentage marks presented. |
| SAT and 1 AP | Scholastic Aptitude Test (USA) from 2005 onwards. Total of Critical Reading, Mathematical and Writing test scores for SAT1. A minimum of one Advanced Placement subject must be presented with a minimum Grade B or score of 4 or better together with evidence of graduation from a senior secondary qualification. SAT score required will be lower for applicants with 2 APs, each with a score of 4 or better. |
| Sweden | Swedish Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Slutbetyg). Entry requirement is the grade point average (where MVG=4, VG=3, G=2, IG=1). |
| Hong Kong ALE | Hong Kong A Levels. Total of best three subjects at Advanced Level (where A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1). Add one point each for Pure or Applied Maths, Chemistry, Biology or Physics subjects. Advanced Supplementary subjects may also be added to the total (where A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5). |
| Hong Kong - HKDSE | Completed Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) - aggregate is based on the four core subjects (Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics and Liberal Arts) and the best grade in one Category A elective subject. Category B and C subjects are not counted. Grades for all subjects except Mathematics are counted as follows: Levels 5**, 5*=6, Level 5=5, Level 4=4, Level 3=3, Level 2=2 and Level 1=1. Grades for Compulsory Mathematics are as follows: Levels 5**, 5*=3, Level 5=2.5, Level 4=2, Level 3=1.5, Level 2=1 and Level 1=0.5. Grades for Extension Mathematics are as follows: Levels 5**, 5*=4, Level 5=3.5, Level 4=3, Level 3=2.5, Level 2=2 and Level 1=1.5 |
| Malaysia - STPM | Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia. Total of 3 or 4 Advanced Level subjects taken in the same academic year (where A=7, A-=6, B+=5, B=4, B-=3, C+=2, C=1). |
| French Baccalaureate | French Baccalaureat admission average |
| Singapore A Levels | Singapore A Levels refer to the A levels conducted in Singapore from 2007 onwards. Applicants must present at least 3 H2 subjects, 1 H1 content-based subject, Project Work and General Paper (GP) or Knowledge and Inquiry (KI). Mother Tongue is not included. Entry is calculated on the basis that A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 for H2 subjects. The notional value of H1 subjects is half of that assigned to H2 subjects (where A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5). 1 H3 subject (on the basis of Distinction=2.5, Merit=2.0, Pass=1.0) or a 4th H2 subject may also be included in the aggregate. |
| Germany - Abitur | Abitur 'average grade' or Durchschnittsnote is used to assess this qualification |
You can download the International Undergraduate Academic Entry Requirements for all programs on pdf format.
- International Undergraduate Entry Requirements-2013 (PDF 116KB)
- International Undergraduate Entry Requirements-2014 (PDF 116KB)
Students from China: academic entry requirements in the Gaokao examination
If your secondary qualification is not included in the above PDFs, contact the International Student Office for specific advice on your entry requirements.
For a full list of international qualifications that are accepted by the University of Sydney for entry to undergraduate courses, visit the Recognised International Secondary Qualification page.
Please note, all the entry requirements shown here are subject to change. Please check this webpage often, as the information is frequently updated.