How to apply for an undergraduate course

This is a general guide on applying for a bachelor's degree as a domestic applicant. 

Are you a domestic student?

You're a domestic student if you're one of the following:

  • an Australian or New Zealand citizen (dual citizens included)
  • an Australian permanent resident
  • an Australian permanent humanitarian visa holder
  • a Pacific Engagement visa holder.

Otherwise, you need to apply as an international student.

Check your course

Use the course search to find the course you want to study. Each course page includes information about:

  • what you'll study
  • admissions criteria
  • application deadlines
  • indicative fees and costs
  • potential career paths.

You might want to bookmark the course page, as you'll be referring back to it as you prepare your application.

Check admission criteria

All entry requirements specific to your chosen course are listed on the course page.

You need to show you've studied in or completed a recognised qualification.

If you've recently completed high school in Australia, then your admission will likely be based on your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or International Baccalaureate (IB) score.

We also recognise overseas high school qualifications, tertiary studies that include studies in a bachelor’s degree, completed diplomas or advanced diplomas and preparation programs.

You need to show that, along with a recognised secondary qualification, you also meet the required grade.

To help your decision-making, we publish a list of Guaranteed Entry selection ranks for many of our courses. This can help you compare your options, based on your expected ATAR results. 

If you don't reach the ATAR (or equivalent) requirement, we encourage you to explore our admission pathways for alternative ways to get into your course.

You need to have completed any prerequisites for your course.

For example, some courses have a mathematics course prerequisite. This means that you need to have completed and achieved a specified result in a recognised mathematics subject, for example a Year 12 subject.

Some education courses also have prerequisites required by the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA).

Note: From 2025, we’re replacing the advanced mathematics prerequisite for most of our degrees with more individual and targeted mathematics support upon commencement. Learn more about these changes.

For some courses or units of study, you must have reached a certain level of knowledge or have passed a relevant subject at Australian Year 12 level or equivalent.*

We generally advise against taking a unit of study or course for which you do not have the assumed knowledge as you may be at a disadvantage.

If you don't have the assumed knowledge, consider taking a bridging course. We run several in mathematics, biology, statistics, chemistry, and physics for undergraduate students. Each course is held as a workshop that runs for several days, introducing the fundamentals of a complex subject.

*If you have completed an interstate Australian Year 12 qualification or the IB Diploma, check UAC for equivalent subjects. For any other qualifications, you can refer to the syllabus for HSC subjects to find out if they are equivalent to your subjects.

For some courses, you must fulfil additional criteria, for example:

  • an interview
  • a portfolio
  • relevant professional experience.

You might need to prove English language skills depending on your course, your country of origin and your educational background. If English is not your first language, you need to demonstrate proficiency. 

For most courses, you may be able to meet the University’s English language requirements by completing a recognised Year 12 qualification in English in an English-speaking country.

Before you can be admitted to the second degree, you must satisfy the progression requirements.

You need to check if your course has any inherent requirements.

These usually apply to courses that are preparing you for a career where you will be working closely with people or animals.

They aren't assessable admissions criteria but are required for you to successfully complete the course. Understanding the inherent requirements will allow you to make an informed decision about the course/career.

Explore admission pathways

If you’re not sure whether you’ll reach the ATAR (or equivalent) for your preferred course, we encourage you to explore our different admissions pathways for other ways of getting into your course. 

This also gives you the opportunity to maximise your chances of entry using your special achievements.

There are also other ways to get into your chosen course/field, like starting in a similar degree and then applying to transfer.

Check fees, costs and scholarships

Fees and costs

You'll need to pay:

  • Tuition fees
  • Additional fees and costs.

Find out more about fees and costs for domestic students.

Scholarships and financial assistance

Check what kinds of financial support you may be able to get. We offer bursaries and interest-free loans to help with essential study and living costs. For example:

Find out more about financial assistance.

Apply for credit

If you previously completed any related study, you may be able to have it credited to your degree. This means you won’t have to repeat similar units, could graduate sooner, and pay less for your studies. 

There are different types of credit that you can get for:

  • Equivalent units of study taken at another recognised university or higher education institution.
  • Equivalent qualifications from a higher education institution or vocational education and training institution approved by the University.

Find out how and when to apply.

Apply for your course

You need to apply on the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) website. Make sure you're aware of the UAC application process and key dates.

Note: Some courses require additional application forms. These will be listed on the course page, and you will be prompted to upload this during your UAC application. Find out more about submitting documents to UAC.

The University does not participate in every UAC offer round and makes limited or no offers before the December Round 2 offer round for some courses.

After December Round 2, some courses may be full and stop making offers. Courses with no vacancies will be published on the University website.

Very limited offers will be made before December Round 2 for the below courses:

  • B Applied Science (Diagnostic Radiography)
  • B Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science)
  • B Applied Science (Exercise Physiology)
  • B Applied Science (Occupational Therapy)
  • B Applied Science (Physiotherapy)
  • B Applied Science (Speech Pathology)
  • B Oral Health

No offers will be made before December Round 2 for the below courses:

  • B Science and D Dental Medicine
  • B Science and D Medicine
  • B Psychology (Honours)
  • B Veterinary Biology and D Veterinary Medicine

Next steps

You'll receive an email from UAC with the outcome of your application.

Received an unconditional offer

This means your application has been successful. Proceed to step 2.

Received a conditional offer

This means you still need to meet certain requirements. Check next steps to fulfil the conditions of your offer. 

After you’ve met the requirements, you’ll receive an unconditional offer. From there, you can proceed to step 2.

We'll provide instructions for how to accept your offer in your unconditional offer letter. You can respond to your offer online at Sydney Student.

You’ll need to pay the initial amount listed in your offer letter.

Download guide

Download our guide for more information about applying for an undergraduate course as a domestic student.

Undergraduate Guide 2025

Filename
usyd-undergraduate-guide.pdf
Title
Undergraduate Guide 2025
Size
2 MB
Format
application/pdf
Extension
pdf