Frequently Asked Questions

At UNSW, we don’t have prerequisite courses. Instead, we have assumed knowledge.  

This means that your academics will teach you assuming that you have studied certain subjects (or equivalent). Receiving an offer to study at UNSW is not dependent on you having studied that subject, we will only look at your Selection Rank (your raw ATAR plus any Adjustment Factors you may be eligible for).

Bridging courses are a great way to bring you up to speed before you start your degree. At UNSW we offer bridging courses in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. The Undergraduate Guide lists assumed knowledge for each degree. 

There are three adjustment factor schemes at UNSW available for domestic high school leavers:

• The HSC Plus scheme rewards up to five points for strong performance in relevant subjects to the degree/s you are applying for. No separate application is required, and you can use our HSC Plus calculator online.
• The Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders Program recognises achievements outside of the classroom and you may be eligible for up to five points. You'll need to submit an application to UNSW providing supporting documentation. Applications are now closed and open in August each year. 
• The Educational Access Scheme (EAS) is designed to level the playing field and help students who have experienced educational disadvantage receive an offer. EAS applications are submitted via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Application deadlines will vary per offer round, you'll need to refer to UAC’s key dates for more information.

Adjustment factors can add points to your ATAR to increase your selection rank, and across all three of these schemes, a cumulative maximum of 12 points can be used toward 2023 admission. Not every degree is eligible under each scheme, hence it’s important to note which ones you might be eligible for and which ones require additional applications.  

UNSW has the Gateway Early Conditional Offer Scheme, which is for domestic students who attend a Gateway Partner School or have a home address which is in the lowest 25% of socio-economic advantage in Australia according to SEIFA criteria. When you apply for your undergraduate admission, UAC will let you know whether you meet the criteria.

The Gateway Admission Pathway is an early conditional offer to UNSW for Year 12 students that is administered through the UAC Schools Recommendation Scheme. Your application will be assessed on the basis of your personal statement and your school’s ratings of your aptitudes and performance in relevant areas of study. If your application is successful, you will receive an early conditional offer with an ATAR entry requirement up to 15 points lower than the advertised Guaranteed Entry rank. Once you receive an ATAR result that is the same or higher than the requirement set for you in your early conditional offer, you’ll receive a firm offer to that UNSW degree, provided it is your highest eligible preference. 

Applications for 2023 early conditional offers are now closed. If you were eligible but missed the application deadline, we recommend applying for UAC’s Education Access Scheme, where you may be eligible for up to 10 adjustment factors for any UNSW degree.

Double degrees allow you to focus on two areas of expertise, giving you more knowledge, skills, and career options. And despite the name, it doesn’t mean double the time or workload. Because you’ll only complete the core courses from each degree, you’ll graduate sooner. For example, the Bachelor of Commerce is 3 years, and the Bachelor of Arts is 3 years. If studied in combination, the overall duration is 4 years, and you’ll graduate with two certificates to recognise the two qualifications you’ve earned.

A double degree allows students to find their niche, having the option to choose from complementary or contrasting degrees to give you sought-after knowledge and skills. They will also give you an edge in the job market over other graduates as you will be able to bring unique skillsets and approach problems in new ways.

Please note not all degrees are compatible, and double degrees vary in length from 4 – 6.7 years. For a full list of compatible degrees and duration, please explore the UNSW Degree Finder.

A major is an area that you choose to study in-depth during your degree to become your area of specialisation. For example, if you choose to study the Bachelor of Science, you may decide to complete a major in genetics and hence you would graduate with a Bachelor of Science (Genetics). You will complete a sequence of courses to meet the requirements for your major and be recognised as having that specialised knowledge.  

A minor is a shorter sequence of courses and will give you some level of specialisation in a given area, however not at the level of a major. Many degrees, though not all, will require you to select at least one major, and many generalist degrees will also offer you the opportunity to complete a minor. For information regarding the approved majors for our courses, you can check the Undergraduate Guide.

The newly built Light Rail service has made UNSW more accessible than ever. If you are coming from Central Station or the CBD you can catch either the L2 Randwick service to the UNSW High St stop, opposite our Gate 9 entrance, or the L3 Kingsford service to the UNSW Anzac Parade stop, located at the Lower Campus entrance. 

There are also several bus services that you can catch to campus. If you need to travel between the Kensington and Paddington campuses, you can catch UNSW’s Courtesy Bus during term.

If public transport isn’t your thing, there are a number of parking options on and around campus.

Yes! UNSW’s Careers and Employment office will link you with potential employers and help you develop the skills you need for your career beyond the classroom. They offer job opportunities, application resources, career planning and networking events to expand your future career path. The UNSW Careers and Employment service is available for up to 18 months following your graduation.

Visit UNSW Careers for more information.

UNSW offers a range of apartments and colleges. For a complete guide, please visit the Accommodation website where you can find out the locations, costs, amenities, support services and information on how to apply. Feel free to contact the UNSW Student Accommodation team at accommodation@unsw.edu.au or on +61 2 9385 4346 to have a chat about your options.

If you want to get an idea of the day-to-day costs of living in Sydney, please see this handy Cost-of-Living guide.

There are a number of different scholarships available to high school leavers including merit, sporting, rural and equity scholarships. Check your eligibility for different programs at UNSW Scholarships.

A notable scholarship offered by UNSW is The Co-op Program - a specific career development scholarship program available in select degrees, that enables students to form life changing connections. Co-op students undertake up to 18 months of relevant experience with industry sponsors in a series of diverse placements during their studies. Students who secure a place in the Co-op Program are awarded a tax-free scholarship of $19,600 per year, guaranteed for four years.   

The application process is competitive, please refer to the Co-op Program website for further information. Please note that only domestic applicants are eligible to apply.

Equity Scholarships are awarded to students from low socio-economic backgrounds and require a separate application via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Application deadlines are dependent on offer rounds. Visit UAC's key dates calendar for up-to-date information.

Co-op Program Scholarships and most UNSW Scholarships for the 2023 intake are now closed. Applications for 2024 applicants will open from July 2023. Please visit the UNSW Scholarships website to apply and check the key dates.

UNSW offers an extensive range of extra-curricular activities for students of all walks of life. These include joining clubs and societies, sporting teams or volunteering programs run by UNSW’s student organisation, Arc.  

Clubs and societies are an excellent way to get social, get active and make the most of your time at uni.  

There are 300 clubs and societies built around areas such as culture, sport, hobbies and degrees. So, you’re spoilt for choice! For a full list of clubs and to check out more about Arc, visit the Arc website. If you think there’s something missing, you can even start your own club! 

UNSW also has a fantastic sporting community spanning all levels, from social competitions all the way up to Olympic level. We offer an abundance of charity and philanthropic opportunities you can be a part of throughout your degree. To find out more about the social side of university, visit Arc.

Classes are back on campus, and the atmosphere is lively and full of activity. The Australian and NSW public health efforts, as well as UNSW safety measures, mean that if you choose to study on campus it can be social, lively and safe, while enjoying all the benefits of face-to-face learning.

We plan to offer as many face-to-face classes as possible in Term 1, while also offering online classes for our students who cannot yet join us on campus.

Visit our Information for Students page for more information.