Get university-ready with our University Preparation Program. In one year of full-time study (or longer for part-time study), you’ll be equipped with essential, foundational skills for undergraduate study. Upon successful completion of the program, you can use your qualification to apply for a degree at UNSW or other universities.
Set yourself up for success with the Uni Prep Program. Gain all the skills you need to succeed at university while studying at a pace that best suits you – if you study full-time, you can learn everything you need to be ready for a UNSW degree in one year.
This pre-university program is designed for high school leavers with an ATAR of 50 or above who have experienced educational disadvantage, as well as people aged 20 and over who are looking to return to education without an ATAR. Visit our entry requirements tab to check your eligibility.
You'll study specially-designed introduction university courses and discipline-specific courses in a supportive environment that will prepare you for a university degree. Familiarise yourself with university-style learning and improve your academic skills before you start a degree. Essay writing, notetaking, presentations, critical thinking, researching and sitting exams are among the many skills you will learn.
Upon completion of the Uni Prep Program, you can use your results to apply for eligible UNSW degrees* or degrees at other universities.
This program is a Fee-Free University Ready program and is fully funded by the Australian Government with no tuition costs for students.* Please note, you'll need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee, which lets you access all the UNSW student services, and the cost of any materials you need for your courses. How much you spend will depend on where you are living, the subjects you study and your personal circumstances.
*This may change. Please check for details prior to your application.
The Uni Prep Program offers four streams for you to choose from, based on what degree you’d like to study after completing the course:
Each stream contains courses where you’ll learn the fundamentals of university study, as well as discipline-specific content through faculty-based courses. You may be able to apply for credit for these faculty courses when you start your UNSW degree, giving you a great start to your undergraduate journey.
Study schedule: You can study full-time or part-time, depending on which works best for you. Full-time study in the University Preparation Program is two subjects each term. Whichever approach you take, please note that you'll need to complete the program within three years.
Scholarships: Upon application, you may be eligible for scholarships such as the UNSW Advantage Award, Gateway Award and Pre-Entry & Enabling Grant. Towards the end of the program, you'll also be considered for the full range of UNSW scholarships.
Why study at UNSW?
UNSW is a university for all We provide opportunity, access and support to anyone who has earned it. Whether you’re a mature aged student, or just out of high school, we’ll give you the tools, encouragement and guidance to unlock your true potential.
Most employable students UNSW Sydney has been awarded the AFR Most Employable University award for seven years in a row (Australian Financial Review (AFR) Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020–2026). With the highest number of students in the Top100 Future Leaders list, our students are some of the most sought-after hires by employers.
The full university experience UNSW has a vibrant student community with more than 350 clubs and societies, and social activities. You'll gain access to our range of support services and facilities on campus, including career coaching, peer mentoring, mental health services and more.
Pathways for a brighter future Thousands of students just like you have completed UNSW's Uni Prep Program and have gone on to study a wide variety of degrees*, from education to biological science, engineering and construction management. Studying at UNSW opens up career opportunities you may never have thought were possible.
To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
Be an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen or hold a current Australian Permanent Resident visa (including Australian Permanent Resident Humanitarian visa)
Not have previously undertaken university studies or qualify for a UNSW degree
You’ll complete courses by attending study sessions in-person (hybrid options are also available), with additional independent study to be completed in your own time.
Full program structure
For every hour in class, please expect at least 2–3 hours of preparation.
6 courses
3x10 week terms
6 class contact hours per week (full-time study)
Suitable for those who want to study a degree such as history, languages, literature, education, fine arts, architecture, social policy or criminology.
The Uni Prep Program is a pre-entry program to help further develop your academic skills and prepare you for university learning before you start a degree. After successful completion of the program, you can apply for degrees in the following areas of study if you meet the WAM requirement:
Science: Psychology or general science, such as biological, earth and environmental sciences, chemistry and physics
Business: Commerce, marketing, accounting, economics, information systems or management
Engineering: Civil, electrical, mechanical and other branches of engineering
Arts, Design, Architecture & Criminology: History, languages, arts, literature, education, fine arts, architecture, social policy and criminology
After completing the Uni Prep Program, you’ll be able to apply for a wide range of degree programs at UNSW and other universities. If you choose to study at UNSW, you’ll benefit from our hands-on, practical approach to learning which focuses on building employability for success in the workforce. UNSW has been recognised for producing the most employable graduates in Australia (Australian Financial Review (AFR) Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020-2025). Our students also earn the highest median salaries among graduates of Go8 universities (QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2024).
Exclusions
Please note, the University Preparation Program is not accepted as a basis for admission to the following UNSW programs:
Applications open in August and on-time applications close towards the end of September for the following year’s admission.
An on-time application costs $82. You can apply as late as January in the admission year (if places are still available) but the application costs $215.*
*The information in this publication is correct at June 2025. The university reserves the right to alter any program or admissions requirements herein without prior notice.
Need more information about the application process?
Tuition fees for the University Preparation Program are covered by the Australian Government (please note this could be subject to change – please check fee details prior to application).
There are other costs associated with study that you will need to cover:
Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) ($78.25 per term, part-time), letting you access all the services available for students at UNSW.
Students can apply for SA-HELP, a Commonwealth loan scheme that assists eligible students to pay all or part of their SSAF.
Cost of any course materials such as textbooks or calculators.
The UniPrep program is a one-year program that will equip you with essential foundational academic skills to prepare for undergraduate study.
Both full-time and part-time study options are available, so you can study at a pace that suits you.
Upon completion of the program, you can use your results to apply for eligible UNSW degrees or degrees at other universities.
There are no tuition fees for this program, though students are required to pay the Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF). For information on the SSAF, please visit Student Services Amenities Fee (SSAF) | Current Students – UNSW Sydney. For further information about the program and entry requirements please visit: University Preparation Program
Individuals are assessed by the UNSW Admissions service for eligibility.
For more specific questions about whether students are eligible (for instance: if students have taken a course previously), please get in contact with the Admissions department for further clarification.
There is one intake a year, at the beginning of the year, in February. The next intake will be in February 2027.
Full-time study in this program consists of taking two courses per term.
Students can take a maximum of two courses per term.
The program is different from an undergraduate degree, as it prepares you for transitioning into an undergraduate degree.
The program takes place in an academic setting similar to that of undergraduate programs, though it is preparing you with study skills such as academic reading, writing, referencing, presenting and group work.
The program includes elective options where students can enrol into faculty courses, resulting in firsthand experience of university study alongside other students.
There is the option to study part-time and many of our students choose this option.
Part-time study consists of taking one course per term.
Where possible, you will be able to choose your course, however some courses run just once per year and, depending on which faculty stream you are in, you may be required to take that course in a particular term.
The UniPrep program can be taken in one year, however students have up to 3 years to complete the program.
Students are required to attend 80% of their classes. The course tutors will mark attendance.
If you did not undertake your secondary studies in English or if English isn’t your first language, you may be required to take an English Language Test. For more information, please see: English language requirements | UNSW Sydney.
Yes, there is the option to change faculty streams once you are enrolled in the program. It is important to speak to the program coordinator about your options going forward before making this decision.
You can put in a request to change faculty streams to uniprep@unsw.edu.au once you have discussed this with the program coordinator.
Students need to have a passing grade in all 6 courses, which make up their faculty stream.
Should you fail a course, there is the opportunity to retake it.
There are some courses in the program which are mandatory.
For example, if you are enrolled in a faculty stream that requires you to take Maths, you must pass REGZ9070 (Maths Skills 1) before proceeding to REGZ9072 (Maths Skills 2) and pass this before proceeding to Maths Skills 3 (REGZ9073).
All students must pass REGZ9000 (University Orientation and Study Skills).
Please check the faculty streams for further information.
No. We advise students that they may take up to a maximum of two courses per term.
Students progressing to an undergraduate degree program will have more flexibility.
Yes, you can take program leave if you need to take some time out.
Should you wish to consider time out of a program, please speak to the program coordinator or email uniprep@unsw.edu.au before doing so.
UNSW provides comprehensive student support services. Contact for student support varies depending on the service or need required. For more information, visit the UNSW Student Support web page.
You will receive a certificate of completion from the Uni Prep team.
Upon finishing the program, you can use this qualification to apply for eligible UNSW degrees or apply for degrees at other Universities via UAC.
Yes. You can apply for other universities through UAC using this qualification.
We recommend contacting the admissions teams at potential universities first for further information.
With the exception of applications to any ADFA programs, the UPP is recognised for progression to undergraduate degree programs for up to five years.
The Weighted Average Mark (WAM) required depends on which undergraduate degree you would like to study. The WAM is the cumulative mark from all courses taken in the program.
Please visit the UNSW Program Finder pages to find out the entry requirements for your preferred degree.
The UniPrep Program does not provide direct entry into a number of programs, including:
Advanced Mathematics
Advanced Science
Combined Law
Medicine
Medicinal Chemistry
Medical Science
Optometry
Note that, though there is no direct entry into an undergraduate law degree at UNSW, other universities have previously and may continue to accept the UniPrep program as direct entry into law. If wanting to study law at UNSW, we recommend taking the ADAC (Arts, Design, Architecture & Criminology) stream and then applying for a BA. After a period of time, you can apply for an internal program transfer to a dual-degree law program.
Please see the UNSW website for more information about IPT. Students could also complete their BA and then apply for a JD program.
Progress starts here – at a world-leading university
Top 20 Worldwide
UNSW is ranked #20 university in the world
QS World University Rankings, 2024–2026
Most Employable Graduates
Winner of the AFR Most Employable University Award seven years in a row
Entry Requirements
Fees
1-year program (full-time)
