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Assumed knowledge


 
For some degree programs and first-year courses, it is assumed that through secondary studies or other equivalent studies a student will have achieved a level of knowledge of the subject area that is considered desirable for successful university level study.

Students who do not have the recommended level of assumed knowledge are not prevented from enrolling but they may be placed at a considerable disadvantage. If you have not achieved the recommended level of assumed knowledge you are strongly advised to undertake a Bridging Program or other appropriate preparation.

When a student enrols in a program at UNSW, it is assumed that they are competent at communicating in both written and spoken English. Many courses require students to make oral presentations, prepare assignments or write essays. Without a high level of written and spoken English, it would be difficult to meet the requirements for successful course completion.

Assumed Knowledge for all UNSW programs


Assumed knowledge requirements for UNSW programs are outlined in the following table. These are specified in terms of the NSW Higher School Certificate and it is expected that applicants will have achieved a level of performance at Band 4 or higher.


Prerequisite (P) Assumed knowledge (A), Recommended studies (R)
Aviation (Flying)
(P) Flight screening and medical examination and interview
(A) Mathematics
(R) Physics
Aviation (Management)
(A) Mathematics
(R) Physics
Advanced Mathematics
(A) HSC Mathematics Extension 1
(R) HSC Mathematics Extension 2
Advanced Science
(A) Mathematics and Chemistry, plus one or more of: Biology, Earth and Environmental Science, Physics,
HSC Mathematics Extension 1 (depending on chosen area of study)
Art Education
(A) Visual Arts
Biotechnology (A) Mathematics and Chemistry
(R) Biology
Business Information Technology (A) Mathematics
Commerce & Commerce/Law
(A) Mathematics
Commerce (Services Marketing - Tourism and Hospitality)
(P) Questionaire and interview
(A) Mathematics
Computer Science & Computer Science/Law
(A) HSC Mathematics Extension 1
(R) HSC Mathematics Extension 2 or Software Design and Development or Information Processes and Technology or Physics
Design (A) Visual Arts
Economics & Economics/Law (A) Mathematics
Education (Dance/Education)
(P) Audition
Education (Music/Education)
(P) Audition
(R) Music 2 or AMEB (7th grade Practical and 6th grade theory or Musicianship) or equivalent study.
Education (Science/Education)
(A) Mathematics (prospective science teachers must have Physics or Chemistry)
(R) HSC Mathematics Extension 1
Engineering & Engineering/Law
(A) HSC Mathematics Extension 1 and  Physics
(R) HSC Mathematics Extension 2 or Chemistry or Engineering Studies or Software Design and Development or Information Processes and Technology or Biology
Environmental Science (A) Mathematics and Chemistry
(R) Earth and Environmental Science or Physics or Biology
Fine Arts (A) Visual Arts
Food Science and Technology (A) Mathematics and Chemistry
Health and Exercise Science
(A) Mathematics and Chemistry
Industrial Design
(A) Mathematics
Information Systems
(A) Mathematics
Medical Science
(A) Mathematics and Chemistry
(R) Biology
Medicine
(P) Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT) and interview
(A) English Standard
(R) Chemistry
Note: English as a Second Language (ESL) and Fundamentals of English are not considered suitable preparation for this program
Music
(P) Audition
(R) Music 2, or AMEB (7th Grade Practical and 6th Grade Theory or Musicianship) or equivalent study.
Nanotechnology (A) HSC Mathematics Extension 1 and Physics and Chemistry
Optometry
(P) Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT)
(A) Mathematics and Chemistry and English Advanced
(R)  Physics
Psychology (A) Mathematics
(R) Biology or Chemistry or Earth and Environmental Sciences or Physics
Science &
Science/Law
(A) Mathematics and Chemistry, plus one or more of: Biology, Earth and Environmental Science, Physics,
HSC Mathematics Extension 1 (depending on chosen area of study)
(R) For Science Communications: English Advanced


Assumed Knowledge for Business at UNSW


Quantitative Methods A (QMA) and Quantitative Methods B (QMB) are compulsory first year courses for students enrolled in the B Commerce and B Economics programs at UNSW. These courses assume students have a knowledge of algebra (logarithms, exponentials and graphs), calculus (differentiation and integration) and basic probability concepts. Without a background equivalent to HSC Mathematics students will have difficulty in QMA and QMB.

Assumed Knowledge for Engineering at UNSW


All Engineering programs assume knowledge of HSC Mathematics Extension 1 and Physics. Common mathematics courses taken by engineering students in their first year include Mathematics 1A and Mathematics 1B. Students enrolled in these courses whose level of mathematics is below HSC Mathematics Extension 1, will be placed at a considerable disadvantage. In addition to these first year courses, some Engineering programs also require additional study of mathematics in upper level years. Physics is also a compulsory course in many programs, however some programs offer introductory level studies in mathematics and physics to assist those students without a thorough knowledge of both. For further details see Faculty of Engineering


Assumed Knowledge for Medicine at UNSW


The Medicine program assumes that students have studied HSC English Standard (or higher), and have achieved a level of performance of at least Band 4. Fundamentals of English and English as a Second Language (ESL) are not considered suitable preparation for this program. Medicine students are required to satisfactorily complete a communications course in Year 1 and clinical work from Year 2.

Assumed Knowledge for Science at UNSW


All science programs at UNSW assume a level of knowledge equivalent to HSC Mathematics. Some programs require students to continue studying mathematics throughout the program, while others involve the study of mathematics in first year only. In addition, all science degrees recommend studies of at least one HSC science subject and/or HSC Mathematics Extension 1.

When is your knowledge of a subject area likely to be insufficient?


You may find yourself under prepared in your first year courses and therefore at a disadvantage if:

  • You did not study the subject at HSC level or equivalent;
  • You studied the subject at a lower level than advised (for example, if you did General Mathematics instead of Mathematics);
  • You only studied the subject to the end of year 11;
  • Your high school studies were undertaken overseas and the content was not the same as the NSW HSC syllabus;
  • You have post secondary qualifications that do not include study of the subject area.
How do you know if you have an appropriate level of knowledge?


To assess whether you have an equivalent level of background in a subject area, after looking at the table above, you can access the NSW HSC syllabus at the Board of Studies.

What should you do if you believe that your knowledge of a subject area is below the recommended level of knowledge?


UNSW has developed bridging and transitional programs to help you achieve the recommended level of assumed knowledge in mathematics, chemistry and physics. Bridging Programs are designed to bridge the gap between school and university, and can be taken before you start your degree program (pre-entry) or after you start your degree program (post-entry).


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