At UNSW we know that school is not the peak of everyone’s academic career. Sometimes circumstances beyond your control can get in the way of results that reflect your true potential.
If you are keen to study at uni but have faced challenges in year 11 and 12 that make you eligible for the UNSW ACCESS Scheme, and you don't meet the cut-off for degree entry, we want you to consider UNSW Prep.
UNSW Prep is a one year (18 months for engineering) pathway to a UNSW degree place. You study subjects that to allow you to develop your academic skills, including maths skills if needed, so that you can achieve your best results. You also study degree level courses from week one, to give you a realistic introduction to university level study. If you do well in these courses you can also earn course credit towards your degree.
What could you study?
UNSW Prep has four program options for study and these can lead to the degrees below. Please click on your faculty of interest for a course outline.
| Faculty | Undergraduate Degree |
| Arts and Social Sciences | All degrees in Arts & Social Sciences* |
| Australian School of Business | Bachelor of Commerce* |
| Engineering | Bachelor of Engineering (Flexible First Year)* |
| Science | Bachelor of Science |
You must pass all three Semester One courses to progress to Semester Two. Before you can move into your chosen degree you must meet the requirements for that particular program. *Details are provided in the linked pdf outlines.
If you go on to postgraduate study you could end up in other areas: some students from Arts and Social Sciences are now studying postgraduate Law at UNSW.
How much will it cost?
UNSW Prep is fully funded by the Australian Government so for the first few subjects of your degree you pay no fees. You will need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee ($273 per year in 2013), which lets you access all the services for students at UNSW, and the cost of any materials you need for your course. How much you spend will depend on where you are living, the subjects you study and your own circumstances.
You study three subjects each semester (instead of the usual four) so you are a full-time student but you have more time to juggle study with work and home life.
If you’re thinking of living away from home more information on accommodation is available here. Also towards the end of UNSW Prep you can apply for selected scholarships.
Can you apply?
To be considered for UNSW Prep you need to meet the following criteria:
| Criteria | Condition |
| ACCESS Eligible | Assessed as eligible for UNSW's ACCESS Scheme via UAC’s Educational Access Schemes (EAS) process# |
| Age | 17-19 years on 1 March 2014* |
| Citizenship / Residency | An Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen or hold a current Australian Permanent Resident visa |
| Post-school study | You cannot study UNSW Prep at the same time as another course |
| UAC | Include at least one UNSW Preparation Program preference in your UAC application. UAC codes are: Arts and Social Sciences - 430100 Business - 430110 Engineering - 430120 Science - 430130 |
| ATAR | Have an ATAR of 50.00 or above, or be an Indigenous applicant applying via UNSW's Nura Gili Indigenous Admission Scheme |
| Additional Criteria | Provide a personal statement (using the template below) via UAC's 'Check and Change' facility. You may also be asked to attend a short interview in January. |
*Older applicants can apply for the University Preparation Program
#UAC will advise applicants of their ATAR and EAS eligibility in mid-December
How to apply
Applications must be made online via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC), www.uac.edu.au. UAC applications open in early August and on-time applications close in late September each year. As long as you have applied to UAC by the on-time closing date you can change your preferences to include UNSW Prep up until early January without having to pay late fees.
If you have any questions about the course or how to apply please contact us at The Learning Centre:
Phone: 02 9385 2060
Email: UNSWprep@unsw.edu.au
Personal Statement
Instructions UNSW Prep Personal Statement Instructions.pdf
Template UNSW Prep Personal Statement Form.pdf (Will open as an Adobe PDF form. Please note to save this form with your data included click Print and change printer to PDF. This allows you to save the file, before uploading it via UAC 'Check and Change'.)
Remember you can't be considered for UNSW Prep unless you upload your Personal Statement by 4 January 2014 for Main Round offers.
Can you start later?
If you are offered a UNSW Prep place you can apply to defer your studies. This means that you are given a place on the program but you can delay starting your studies for up to two years, providing you still meet the age requirement. This might allow you to work and save some money or fulfil family responsibilities, but if you study at Certificate IV level or higher during that time, you will lose your UNSW Prep place.