Accepted qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world
Before applying to UNSW, you should check that your qualification can be accepted for assessment.
This could be your high school qualification or a foundational course, or even a UNSW Pathways program. Find out how you can set yourself up for success below.
Accepted qualifications for undergraduate study
There are several admission pathways to an undergraduate degree at UNSW, including high school qualifications, UNSW College Foundation Studies program, UNSW College Diploma, recognised prior study or university transfer.
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This pathway is open to students who have completed an AQF accredited TAFE Diploma or Advanced Diploma for which you may be eligible for credit through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) thereby reducing the amount of time required to complete your degree at UNSW.
TAFE award results are competence-based (no marks/grades are provided), which are calculated by UAC at a minimum pass equivalent. For example, a Diploma is equivalent to a 75 ATAR and Advanced Diploma is equivalent to a 76 ATAR. A TAFE Diploma qualification may be considered for admission to programs with a Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) of 80 and an Advanced Diploma may be considered to programs with a LSR of 81.
Please see below the list of TAFE Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas that enable articulation into an undergraduate degree at UNSW with specified credit transfer.
To discuss your specific qualification and whether it meets the requirements for the UNSW TAFE Pathways Program please contact tafepathways@unsw.edu.au.
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Students who have completed a TAFE qualification under the following training packages are eligible for credit transfer into the Bachelor of Design:
- UA60320 Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design
- CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design
- MSF50218 Diploma of Interior Design
- CUA50420 Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services
- SIR50217 Diploma of Visual Merchandising
- ICT50220 Diploma of Information Technology (Game Art and Design)
- CUA51220 Diploma of Ceramics
- MST50119 Diploma of Applied Fashion and Merchandising
Credit transfer will also be considered for students who have completed a TAFE Diploma that supersedes one of the above.
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Students who have completed a TAFE qualification under the following training packages are eligible for credit transfer into the Bachelor of Fine Arts:
- CUA60720 Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts
- CUA51120 Diploma of Visual Arts
- CUA50920 Diploma of Photography and Digital Imaging
- CUA51220 Diploma of Ceramics
- CUA60620 Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media
- CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media
- ICT50220 Diploma of Information Technology (Game Art and Design)
Credit transfer will also be considered for students who have completed a TAFE Diploma that supersedes one of the above.
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Students who have completed a TAFE qualification under the following training packages are eligible for credit transfer into the Bachelor of International Public Health:
- CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health
- CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
- CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling
- CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services
- CHC50413 Diploma of Youth Work
- 10761NAT Diploma of Aboriginal Studies for Professional and Community Development
- HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing
- HLT57415 Diploma of Audiometry
- HLT55118 Diploma of Dental Technology
- MSL50118 Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Food, Chemistry or Pathology)
- BSB50620 Diploma of Leadership and Management
- BSB50420 Diploma of Marketing and Communication
- SIS50115 Diploma of Sport and Recreation Management
Students who have completed a TAFE qualification under the following training packages are eligible for credit transfer into the Bachelor of International Public Health.
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Students who have completed a TAFE qualification under the following training packages are eligible for credit transfer into the Bachelor of Information Systems.
- ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology (Cyber Security)
- ICT50220 Diploma of Information Technology – Diploma of Information Technology, including the following specialisations:
- Advanced Networking, Cloud Architecture
- Business Analysis
- Database and Data Management
- Telecommunications Network Engineering
Credit transfer will also be considered for students who have completed a TAFE Diploma that supersedes one of the above.
Please note that applications for Term 1, 2023 admission into the Bachelor of Information Systems will have an additional submission requirement.
BIS TAFE Pathway Submission
Your submission will need to include:
- A personal statement responding to four questions
- TAFE statement (instead of HSC)
- A video submission
The personal statement section will ask you:
- Why would you like to be an information systems graduate?
- What is it that attracts you to information systems at UNSW, and in particular, what courses in the Bachelor of Information Systems degree interest you?
- What relevant experience you have had? For example, use of digital technologies and social media, computer programming, app building, part-time job, work experience.
- Add anything else that you left out in the responses above.
Video submission
Your short video should demonstrate how and why you are suited to information systems studies. Your video (maximum 5 minutes) is your chance to tell us all about your motivation and passion for information systems.
Some questions to consider when creating your video:
- Why are you keen to study information systems?
- How did you become interested in technology?
- Why do you think you will be a successful information systems graduate?
- What have you done recently to explore your interest in technology?
You can also talk about:
- Any technology projects you have recently been a part of
- Types of technology subjects you were passionate about in TAFE and why
- Types of information systems courses you are interested in and why
Ultimately, we want to understand why you are passionate about studying information systems at UNSW.
Length
The video can be any length up to a maximum of five minutes. You should not feel like you need to fill the entire five minutes.
Format
Your video does not need to be high production quality. We are assessing the content, not your video editing skills, so we only require that it be of sufficient quality so that we can adequately view and hear the presentation. Videos will need to be 200MB or less to be submitted. If your video file is too big, you can compress it by saving it as a lower quality file or save it in a more efficient file format, or downsize it using handbrake.fr, open-source software for video conversions, or by compressing your video into a zip file (Windows instructions here, Mac instructions here).
All additional submissions are to be sent at the same time as applying through the University Admission Centre (UAC). Please email the additional information to tafepathways@unsw.edu.au.
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Students who have completed a TAFE qualification under the following training packages are eligible for credit transfer into the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours):
Please note that applications for Term 1, 2023 admission into the Bachelor of Information Systems will have an additional submission requirement.
- CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
- CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services
- CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services (Case Management)
- CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling
- CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
- CHC51115 Diploma of Financial Counselling
- CHC50413 Diploma of Youth Work
- PSP50116 Diploma of Government
- CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health
- BSB50720 Diploma of Paralegal Services
- CHC62015 Advanced Diploma of Community Services Management
- HE20528V01 Bachelor of Community Services
Credit transfer will also be considered for students who have completed a TAFE Diploma that supersedes one of the above. Learn more.
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Students who have completed a TAFE qualification under the following training packages are eligible for credit transfer into the Bachelor of Criminology & Criminal Justice:
- CHC62015 Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management
- PUA60120 Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Emergency Management)
- PUA50120 Diploma of Public Safety (Emergency Management)
- BSB50720 Diploma of Paralegal Services
- PSP50116 Diploma of Government
- CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services
- CHC50413 Diploma of Youth Work
- CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
- CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling
Credit transfer will also be considered for students who have completed a TAFE Diploma that supersedes one of the above.
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Students who have completed a TAFE qualification under the following training packages are eligible for credit transfer into the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Surveying):
- CPP50121 Diploma of Surveying
- CPP50221 Diploma of Spatial Information Services
Credit transfer will also be considered for students who have completed a TAFE Diploma that supersedes one of the above.
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Students who have completed a TAFE qualification under the following training packages are eligible for credit transfer into the Bachelor of Interior Architecture (Honours):
- MSF50218 Diploma of Interior Design
- CUA60320 Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design
- CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design
- MST60119 Advanced Diploma of Applied Fashion and Merchandising
- MST50119 Diploma of Applied Fashion and Merchandising
- SIR50217 Diploma of Visual Merchandising
- CUA60720 Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts
- CUA51120 Diploma of Visual Arts
- CPP50921 Diploma of Building Design
- AHC50621 Diploma of Landscape Design
- BSB50620 Diploma of Marketing and Communication
- CUA50420 Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services
Credit transfer will also be considered for students who have completed a TAFE Diploma that supersedes one of the above.
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Students who have completed a TAFE qualification under the following training packages are eligible for credit transfer into the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Honours):
AHC50621 Diploma of Landscape Design
AHC50416 Diploma of Horticulture
AHC50422 Diploma of Public Horticultural Management
AHC50520 Diploma of Arboriculture
CPP50921 Diploma of Building Design
MSF50218 Diploma of Interior Design
AHC51019 Diploma of Sports Turf Management
Credit transfer will also be considered for students who have completed a TAFE Diploma that supersedes one of the above.
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Students who have completed any TAFE qualification at a Diploma (AQF 5) or Advanced Diploma (AQF 6) level are eligible for credit transfer into the Bachelor of Science.
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Students who have completed a TAFE qualification under the following training packages are eligible for credit transfer into the Bachelor of Aviation (Management):
- MEA50119 Diploma of Aeroskills (Mechanical)
- MEA50118 Diploma of Aeroskills (Avionics)
- AVI50222 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane)
- MEA50418 Diploma of Aviation Maintenance
- BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management
- BSB50120 Diploma of Business
- BSB50320 Diploma of Human Resource Management
- BSB50620 Diploma of Marketing and Communication
- BSB50820 Diploma of Project Management
- BSB50920 Diploma of Quality Auditing
Credit transfer will also be considered for students who have completed a TAFE Diploma that supersedes one of the above.
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Admission to UNSW will be based on your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) that you receive after completing your Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (such as the HSC).
Here’s a list of qualifications that UNSW considers for entry:
- NSW HSC and Interstate Year 12 Qualifications
- International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
- GCE A-Levels
- New Zealand NCEA Level 3
- Overseas secondary qualifications considered equivalent to Australian studies
If you have two secondary qualifications, your most recent one will be considered. Qualifications older than 5 years will not be considered.
If the qualification you've completed isn't listed above, please select the International Qualifications section below.
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UNSW recognises qualifications from across the globe. Select your country from the list below to see what qualifications we accept.
If you hold an overseas secondary qualification from a country where English is not the standard language used in education, please check our English language requirements.
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Certificate IV
UNSW only accepts completed AQF accredited Certificate IV for entry. Please note that your qualification must have been graded, not competency-based, for it to be competitive for entry into UNSW Bachelor degrees. Generally, AQF accredited Certificate IV qualifications will require a Credit average to be competitive for admission to programs with the lowest selection rank of 80.
Competency-based AQF accredited Certificate IV may be considered for admission via Portfolio Entry.
As you have a completed Certificate IV, you will be assessed differently from high school students. All qualifications that you have will be considered in the assessment of your application. It is also important to note that students with a tertiary study record are not eligible for adjustment factors.
Diplomas
UNSW only accepts completed AQF accredited Diplomas for entry. Please note that your qualification must have been graded, not competency-based, for it to be competitive for entry into most UNSW Bachelor degrees. Generally, AQF accredited Diploma qualifications will require a Distinction average to be competitive for admission to programs with a lowest selection rank above 90. Competency-based qualifications may be considered for admission to programs with a lowest selection rank of 80.
As you have a completed Diploma, you will be assessed differently to high school students. All qualifications that you have will be considered in the assessment of your application. It is also important to note that students with a tertiary study record are not eligible for adjustment factors.
Advanced Diplomas
UNSW only accepts completed AQF accredited Advanced Diplomas for entry. Please note that your qualification must have been graded, not competency based, for it to be competitive for entry into most UNSW Bachelor degrees. Generally, AQF accredited Advanced Diploma qualifications will require a Distinction average to be competitive for admission to programs with a lowest selection rank above 90. Competency based qualifications may be considered for admission to programs with a lowest selection rank of 80.
As you have a completed Advanced Diploma, you will be assessed differently to high school students. All qualifications that you have will be considered in the assessment of your application. It is also important to note that students with a tertiary study record are not eligible for adjustment factors.
I want to apply for UNSW Law or B Vision Science/M Clinical Optometry
If you have completed an AQF accredited Diploma, you will be assessed based on 50% of your ATAR (or equivalent) and 50% of your completed Diploma.
All Law applicants are also required to sit the Law Admissions Test (LAT).
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You may be eligible for admission based on the completion of at least one year of full-time study (or the part-time equivalent) in a bachelor's degree or equivalent or higher, at a recognised university or non-university higher education provider.
To have your university studies considered for admission, you must complete at least one year of full-time study (minimum 0.75 full-time equivalent load) within one degree.
How will I be assessed?
If you have completed an equivalent of 0.75 FTE (full-time equivalent) or more of tertiary study in a single degree, you will be assessed for admission to UNSW on either your tertiary study results OR your ATAR (or equivalent) - whichever is better. If your ATAR is more than 5 years old, you will be assessed only on your tertiary study.
How will I be assessed for Medicine?
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Less than 0.75 FTE (full time equivalent) of tertiary study is not assessable for entry to UNSW. Your eligibility for admission to a UNSW degree will revert back to your most recent assessable qualification (e.g. HSC or equivalent).
To have your university studies considered for admission, you must complete at least one year of full-time study (minimum 0.75 FTE) within one degree at another university.
You must also complete the additional selection criteria of all Medicine applicants. More information on those requirements can be found here.
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If you have completed an equivalent of 0.75 FTE (full time equivalent) or more of tertiary study in a single degree at the end of the year in which you apply, you will be assessed for admission to the Medicine program on either your secondary OR your tertiary study results. The following minimum criteria applies:
- Your secondary school qualification component must reach 96.00 ATAR (or equivalent); AND
- your tertiary study component must reach WAM 70 or equivalent.
Once you have met the minimum requirement, a "best of" algorithm will apply and the qualification with a higher selection rank will be used as a final selection rank for Medicine program admissions purposes.
You must also complete the additional selection criteria of all Medicine applicants. More information on those requirements can be found here.
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If you have completed a tertiary degree before the end of the year in which you apply, only the completed tertiary qualification will be considered for admission to the Medicine program. Your tertiary studies must reach a minimum WAM/GPA equivalent of a 96.00 ATAR.
As you have completed a tertiary degree, we will no longer consider your secondary qualification, i.e. a minimum 96.00 ATAR (or equivalent) is not applicable.
You must also complete the additional selection criteria of all Medicine applicants. More information on those requirements can be found here.
How will I be assessed for UNSW Law or B Vision Science/M Clinical Optometry
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Less than 0.75 FTE (full time equivalent) of tertiary study is not assessable for entry to UNSW. Your eligibility for admission to a UNSW degree will revert back to your most recent assessable qualification (e.g. HSC or equivalent).
To have your university studies considered for admission, you must complete at least one year of full-time study (minimum 0.75 FTE) within one degree at another university.
All Law applicants are required to sit the Law Admissions Test (LAT).
To study at UNSW you will need to submit an application via the Universities Admissions Centre. Visit their website for detailed information on how to apply.
If you gain entry into a program at UNSW, you may be eligible for credit for courses (subjects) studied at another institution. Find out more about Credit Transfer.
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If you have completed 0.75 FTE (full time equivalent) or more of tertiary study in a single degree, you will be assessed for admission based on 50% of your ATAR results (or equivalent) and 50% of your tertiary study results.
All Law applicants are required to sit the Law Admissions Test (LAT).
In all cases, to study at UNSW, you will need to submit an application via the Universities Admissions Centre. Visit their website for detailed information on how to apply.
If you gain entry into a program at UNSW, you may be eligible for credit for courses (subjects) studied at another institution. Find out more about Credit Transfer.
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If you have already completed an undergraduate (Bachelors) degree, you will be assessed for admission based on 50% of your ATAR results (or equivalent) and 50% of your tertiary study results.
All Law applicants are required to sit the Law Admissions Test (LAT).
In all cases, to study at UNSW, you will need to submit an application via the Universities Admissions Centre. Visit their website for detailed information on how to apply.
If you gain entry into a program at UNSW, you may be eligible for credit for courses (subjects) studied at another institution. Find out more about Credit Transfer.
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UNSW only accepts Group of Eight (Go8) Foundation programs, including:
- UNSW Sydney (UNSW College)
- Monash University
- The Australian National University
- The University of Adelaide
- The University of Melbourne
- The University of Queensland
- The University of Sydney
- The University of Western Australia
Foundation programs are valid for 5 years.
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A completed UNSW Prep program can only be used for entry into Arts and Social Sciences Degrees, the Bachelor of Commerce, the Bachelor of Engineering (Flexible First Year) and the Bachelor of Science.
A completed UNSW University Preparation Program (UPP) can be used for entry into most UNSW degrees.
Both the UPP and the UNSW Prep program are valid for 5 years.
Note: UNSW Canberra do not accept UNSW Prep program (17-19) or UPP as a pathway into their undergraduate programs.
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You can use the grades you've received from this preparation course as a form of assessment for entry into some UNSW degrees - as long as you are 21 years old or older as of 1 March in the year you start your undergraduate study at UNSW.
IMPORTANT: For entry into Arts, Design & Architecture, Business, and Law programs, you must have completed the preparation course with a minimum of 20 units of humanities subjects.
Note that this preparation course cannot be used for entry into Combined Law, programs offered by the UNSW Business School (except for Commerce, Economics and Information Systems), Undergraduate Certificate programs, Medicine & Health (except Bachelor of International Public Health), Advanced Science (and any dual degrees), Advanced Mathematics (and any dual degrees), and Bachelor of Psychology.
This qualification is valid for 5 years only.
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You can use the grades you've received from this preparation course as a form of assessment for entry into most UNSW degrees - as long as you are 21 years old or older as of 1 March in the year you start your undergraduate study at UNSW.
Note that this preparation course cannot be used for entry into Combined Law, programs offered by the UNSW Business School (except for Commerce, Economics and Information Systems), Undergraduate Certificate programs, Medicine & Health (except Bachelor of International Public Health), Advanced Science (and any dual degrees), Advanced Mathematics (and any dual degrees), and Bachelor of Psychology.
This qualification is valid for 5 years only.
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You can use the grades you've received from this preparation course as a form of assessment for entry into some UNSW degrees - as long as you are 21 years old or older as of 1 March in the year you start your undergraduate study at UNSW.
Note that this preparation course cannot be used for entry into Combined Law, programs offered by the UNSW Business School (except for Commerce, Economics and Information Systems), Undergraduate Certificate programs, Medicine & Health (except Bachelor of International Public Health), Advanced Science (and any dual degrees), Advanced Mathematics (and any dual degrees), and Bachelor of Psychology.This qualification is valid for 5 years only.
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UNSW only accepts the above mentioned preparation programs for entry at this stage.
Note: Completion of the Macquarie or UTS Pathway diplomas will be considered for entry into UNSW degrees, however, no course credits will be awarded.
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You will need to have completed a relevant UNSW College Diploma program and meet the minimum GPA and entry requirements for your degree. For more information about entry pathways with a UNSW College Diploma, visit the degree finder or contact UNSW College.
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Admission to UNSW is based on academic merit. As such, we need something to assess you on. There are a number of qualifications or preparation programs you could pursue to gain a qualification that we can assess for admission here at UNSW. This would include the UNSW University Preparation Program (UPP), UNSW Prep program, University of Sydney's University Preparation Course (UPC) or University of Newcastle's Open Foundation Program, a TAFE qualification (minimum of a graded Certificate IV or above. A completed graded qualification will make you competitive for many some degrees at UNSW) or study at another university for a minimum of 0.75 full-time equivalent study load.
Once you have completed any of the above, we can then use the results you receive to assess you for entry into our degrees.
An alternative for someone without an assessable qualification noted above is to complete UAC’s Special Tertiary Admissions Test or STAT. Applicable to the following programs:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Bachelor of Fine Arts/Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
- Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
- Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
- Bachelor of International Public Health
- Bachelor of Criminology & Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Bachelor of Life Sciences
- Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Aviation (Management)
- Bachelor of Environmental Management
- Bachelor of Environmental Management/Bachelor of Arts
To be eligible for admission with STAT results, you must be 21 years old or older by 1 March in the year you start your undergraduate study at UNSW and achieve a minimum score of 157 in the STAT Multiple Choice and 150 in the STAT Written English. STAT test results are valid for 3 years.
As everyone's situation is unique, it's probably best that we have a chat to discuss your specific circumstances and what may be the best option for you. Please ring the Future Students Office on (02) 9385 1844 or submit a question.
Accepted qualifications for postgraduate study
For postgraduate study, you generally need to have completed an undergraduate degree at university level to be assessed. Detailed information on what's required for admission can be found on our degree pages.
Work experience can sometimes be used as a form of assessment for admission into a Graduate Diploma, but this varies by degree.
NOTE: Admission to our undergraduate programs is based on academic merit ONLY. Work experience cannot be used for admission into these degrees.
Need some help?
If you need help assistance with accepted qualifications, contact us below. We're here to help.