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Recognised qualifications

A list of Australian and overseas qualifications that we accept for admission into an undergraduate course.

How it works

To be eligible for admission into one of our undergraduate degrees,Ìýyou need to have completed one of the qualifications listed on this page.

On top of a recognised qualification, youÌýalso need to meet the admissions criteria, which can be found on your course page.

Entry scores

Refer to our admissions guides for entry scores.

For domestic students

We provide selection ranks made up of your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) and adjustment factors.

If you have a non-ATAR qualification it will be converted into an ATAR-equivalent selection rank. If you are eligible for adjustment factors these will be added to your ATAR-equivalent selection rank.

2025 Admission Guide (for domestic students)

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For international students

We provide ATAR-equivalent entry scores for some year 12 or secondary qualifications.

2024 Admission Guide (for international students)

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2024 Admission Guide (for international students)
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Secondary education qualifications, listed by country

Global qualifications

If you are applying with one of the non-ATAR qualifications below and would like to know the entry requirement for a course, refer to the course page. If your qualification is listed below but is not listed on the course page, email admissions.office@sydney.edu.au.

Admission is based on the overall scores for a completed IB diploma.ÌýWhen you apply, this score is converted into an ATAR equivalent calledÌýCombined Rank.

Domestic students

For a detailed breakdown of IB score conversion, refer to theÌý. UAC processes applications on behalf of universities in New South Wales, including the University of Sydney.

International students

For the latest information for international students, refer to yourÌýcourse page.

Admission is based on results in up to four Advanced Level subjects in the GCE-comparable qualifications.

Your SAT examination or ACT is recognised with completion of a secondary or high school qualification.

Domestic onshore students who have completed another recognised secondary qualification cannot apply with the SAT or ACT.

You need to meet the required score for your course admission.

We recognise the following qualifications from Europe:

  • Diplome du Baccalaureate European
  • Zeugnis der Europaischen Reifeprufung
  • Diploma di Licenze Liceale Europea
  • Europees Baccalaureate Diploma

If you completed the NCEA Level 3, an Interstate Transfer Index (ITI) will be calculated by theÌý, and provided to UAC. This will be used in the admission process, provided you have fulfilled university entrance requirements as set by NZQA.

Australian qualifications

ATAR or its equivalent in the following year 12 qualifications for each Australian state and territory.

State or territory Recognised qualification
Australian Capital Territory ACT Senior Secondary Certificate (ACT SSC)Ìý
New South Wales Higher School Certificate (HSC)
Northern Territory Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET) – administered by SACE
Queensland

Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)

To convert your Queensland Overall Position (OP) to an ATAR result before 2020, check theÌýÌýpublished by UAC.Ìý

South Australia South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)
Tasmania Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE)
Victoria Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
Western Australia Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)

We also recognise the Universities Admission Index (UAI, acquired by people who completed high school before 2009) and the completion of an Australian year 12 qualification at TAFE.

Other qualifications from across the world

  • Reifezeugnis
  • Matura
  • Reifeprufungszeugnis
  • Maturazeugnis

  • Diplome van Secundair Onderwij
  • Certificat d’ Enseignment Secondaire Superieur
  • Abschlusszeugnis der Oberstufe des Sekundarunterrichs

  • Diploma o ZavrÅ¡enoj Srednjoj Å koli

  • Diploma za Zavrsheno Sredno Obrazovanie

  • Alberta High School Diploma
  • British Columbia Certificate of Graduation
  • Manitoba High School Graduation Diploma
  • Newfoundland Provincial High School Graduation Certificate
  • New Brunswick High School Graduation Diploma
  • Nova Scotia High School Completion Certificate
  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma
  • Prince Edward Island High School Graduation Certificate
  • Quebec Diploma of Collegial Studies
  • Saskatchewan Complete Division IV Grade XII Standing

Ontario Secondary School Diploma

We have strict entry standards with regard to quality and integrity and take any inconsistencies in applications extremely seriously, in line with our academic honesty policy. To ensure the integrity of our admissions, we only accept qualifications obtained at Ontario Secondary School Diploma schools that have gone through our robust verification process.

  • Gaokao – National Higher Education Entrance Examination (international students only)

  • Croatian Matura, 2010 and onwards

  • Pancyprian Examinations

  • Vysvedceni o Maturitni Zkousce

  • Studentereksamen
  • Højere Forberedelseksame
  • Højere Tekniskeksame
  • Højere Handelseksame

  • Egypt Final Examination

  • Fiji Seventh Form Certificate (2012 and earlier)
  • Fiji Year 13 Certificate (2013 onwards)

  • Ylioppilastutkintotodistus
  • Studenteksamensbetyg

  • Baccalauréat Général
  • Baccalauréat de l’Enseignement du Second Degre
  • Diplôme de Bachelier de l’Enseignement du Second Degre
  • Option Internationale du Baccalauréat (OIB)

  • Abiturientenzeugnis
  • Reifezeugnis
  • Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife
  • Zeugnis der Reife

  • Panhellenic Examination for General Lyceum

  • Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, from 2012 onwards
  • Completion of at least three Hong Kong Advanced Level subjects in one academic year, before 2013

  • Gimnaziumi Erettsegi Bizonyitvany
  • Erettsegi Vizsga
  • Matura
  • Szakkozepiskolai Erettsegi_kepesity Bizonyitvany

  • Studentsprof

  • All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE)
  • Indian School Certificate (CISCE)
  • Indian Higher Secondary Certificate (State board exams)

  • Leaving Certificate
  • Matriculation Certificate

  • Teudat Bagrut

  • Diploma di Maturita Classica
  • Diploma Maturita Scientifica
  • Diploma di Maturita Linguistica

  • National Center Test (Sentaa)

  • Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education
  • Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education

  • South Pacific Form Seven Certificate

  • Korea Republic College Scholastic Ability TestÌý(CSAT)

  • Lebanese Baccalaureat

  • Liechtenstein Maturitatszeugnis

  • Diplome de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires

  • Macedonian Secondary School Leaving Certificate or Matura, 2008 and onwards

  • Sijil Tinggi Perskolahan Malaysia (STPM)
  • Malaysian Matriculation Certificate (Matrikulasi)
  • Malaysian UEC

  • University of Malta Advanced Matriculation Examinations

  • Diploma o ZavrÅ¡enok Srednjoj Å koli

  • Nepalese Higher Secondary Education Certificate (international students only)

  • Voorbereidend Wetnschappelijik Onderwijs (VWO)

  • National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA)ÌýLevel 3

    If you completed the NCEA Level 3, an Interstate Transfer Index (ITI) will be calculated by theÌý, and provided to UAC. This will be used in the admission process, provided you have fulfilled university entrance requirements as set by NZQA.

  • Examen Artium
  • Vitnemal Den Videregaende Skole
  • Eksamen fra Okonomisk Gymnas

  • Egzamin Maturalny (Liceum, Teknikum)

  • Certificado de fim de Estudos Secundarios
  • Diploma de Decimo Segundo Ano de Escolaridad
  • Diploma Tecnico Profissional

  • Diploma de Bacalaureat (Maturitate)

  • Scottish National Courses at Higher and Advanced Higher levels

  • Diploma o Zavrsenok Srednjoj Skolij

  • Singapore GCE A levels
  • NUS High School Diploma

  • VysvedÄenie o maturitnej skúške

  • Maturitetno Spricevalo
  • SploÅ¡na matura

  • JMB Matriculation Certificate
  • South African Senior Certificate (prior to 2008)
  • South African National Senior Certificate (2008 onwards)

  • Tecnico Especialista
  • Curso pre-universitaria
  • Curso de Orientacion Universitaria
  • Titulo de Bachillerato with Prueba de Acceso a la Universidad

  • Sri Lankan GCE A levels

  • Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskolan

  • Federal Maturity Certificate (Certificate de Maturite)
  • Baccalaureat
  • Maturitatszeugnis
  • Attestato di Maturita

  • Taiwan General Scholastic Aptitude Test (GSAT)

  • Tanzanian Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education

  • Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education

  • GCE A Levels
    Admission is based on results in up to four Advanced Level subjects in the General Certificate of Education (GCE) comparable qualifications.
  • Cambridge Pre-University Diploma
    Accepted (from 2010 onwards) with required score.

  • Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) examination or American College Test (ACT)Ìýwith completion of a secondary education (high school) qualification.

  • Vietnamese High School Graduation Certificate (Bằng tốt nghiệp THPT) with the required Grade 12 GPA from approved high schools (international students only)

  • Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) GCE A Levels

Higher education study

If you have studied at the tertiary level, you may be eligible for admission if you have:

  1. Studied in a bachelor's degree or equivalent or higher, and
  2. Have completed at least one year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent)

    This is equal to a minimum of 48 credit points at the University of Sydney or the equivalent study load at other institutions.

    If you have not completed a full year, you will be assessed on your results in a recognised secondary education qualification.
  3. Completed this study at aÌýrecognised university of non-university higher education provider.

Multiple qualifications

If you haveÌýbothÌýa recognised secondary education qualification and bachelor's degree studies, you will be assessed based on your best result, regardless of the order in which you completed them.ÌýThis means that if your ATAR or equivalent score in a secondary qualification is higher than your bachelor's degree result, your application will be considered on the basis of your ATAR or equivalent score.

Applicants with complex tertiary study backgrounds may be assessed on a case by case basis by the admissions office.

If you've already started your bachelor's degree studies, the following courses are not available for application:
Ìý
  • Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Medicine (double degree)
  • Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine (double degree)
  • Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental MedicineÌý(double degree)
  • Bachelor of Arts (Dual Degree: Sciences Po, France)
  • Bachelor of Economics (Dual Degree: Sciences Po, France)
  • Bachelor of Veterinary Biology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (double degree)

    You may be offered a place in Year 1 or 2 of this course if you're an eligible applicant who has previous tertiary studies at the University of SydneyÌýor other institutions listed on the course page. Otherwise, you are not eligible for admission or credit and should apply for graduate entry into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. No offers will be made from Year 3 onwards.Ìý

Grading systems and calculations vary across different institutions, and the following grades represent theÌýUniversity of Sydney grading systemÌý– this is only a guide for eligibility to apply.

In addition to the course selection rank, you are also required to meet any additional admission criteria listed on the course page.

Bachelor's degree grade Eligibility to apply
Pass average You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up to 80.00
Credit average You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up to 88.00
Distinction average You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up to 94.00
High distinction average You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up to 99.50

You may be eligible forÌýcredit for previous studyÌýto carry across to your new degree.

For international students

The University hasÌýinternational articulation pathway arrangementsÌýwith selected overseas universities and higher education institutions. These formal arrangements can help fast-track your studies by providing you with credit towards your degree.

If your institution and program is listed, credit will be awarded as part of the application for admission.ÌýA separate application for credit is not required.

Vocational education & training (VET, and diplomas and advanced diplomas)

We may consider the results of a completed diploma or advanced diploma, including vocational education and training (VET) qualifications at that level if:

  • the qualification was accredited by theÌýÌýor an overseas equivalent at the time you were enrolled
  • and your faculty accepts the qualification.

In addition to the course selection rank, you are also required to meet any additional admission criteria listed on the course page.

You can check AQF accreditation with the provider or look for an AQF accreditation symbol on your transcript of results or award certificate.

The follow admission criteria is a guide only for eligibility to apply. Grading systems and calculations vary across different institutions and countries, and the University will assess and determine the equivalent requirements.

Diploma grade Eligibility to apply
Pass average (or overall competent) You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up toÌý75
Credit average You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up toÌý81
Distinction average You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up toÌý90
High distinction average You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up to 95

The follow admission criteria is a guide only for eligibility to apply. Grading systems and calculations vary across different institutions and countries, and the University will assess and determine the equivalent requirements.

Diploma grade Eligibility to apply
Pass average (or overall competent) You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up toÌý76
Credit average You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up toÌý83
Distinction average You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up toÌý93
High distinction average You can apply to courses with a selection rank of up toÌý96.95

If you will be younger than 21 by the first time the study units of your prospective admission are finalised (called theÌýcensus date), you will also need to have completed the HSC or an equivalent acceptable secondary education qualification before your diploma will be considered.

If you have completed the HSC but not received an ATAR, your diploma can be considered.

The following faculties accept any AQF diploma

  • Faculty of Science
  • Sydney Dental School
  • Sydney Conservatorium of Music
  • The University of Sydney Business School
  • School of Education and Social Work
  • School of Economics

The following faculties/schools accept relevant AQF diplomas only

A relevant diploma means the diploma is from the same broadÌýÌýas the degree you are applying for. If you're not sure if your diploma is relevant, contactÌýadmissions.office@sydney.edu.auÌýwith the details of your diploma and the University of Sydney course you want to apply for.

  • Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Engineering
  • Sydney School of Health Sciences
  • Sydney Nursing School
  • Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science

The following faculties do not accept AQF diplomas

  • Sydney Law School
  • Sydney Medical School
  • Sydney Pharmacy School

The University hasÌýinternational articulation pathwaysÌýfrom selected post-secondary qualifications at overseas universities, polytechnics and colleges. This includes polytechnics in Singapore.

These formal arrangements can help fast-track your studies by providing you with credit towards your degree.

My qualification isn't listed

If you haven't completed a recognised qualification (as listed above), you may be able to gain admission through an enabling (preparation/foundation) program.

Domestic students

If you are aged 21 or older, without a recognised qualification, you may be able to gain admission through an approved preparation program via theÌýMature-age Entry Scheme.

You may get extensive support, including reduced ATAR requirement, for entry into your course through theÌýGadigal Program.

International students

You can gain eligibility to apply for your course by completing any of the following preparatory and foundation programs offered by specified universities.

Completing University of Sydney Preparation Programs (USPP) may help you become eligible to apply for your course. You can either do an intensive 40 to 75-week course or a 14-week program that's designed for applicants with high academic achievements. Both programs are provided and facilitated by Taylors College.

Program Recognised delivery locations
Foundation programs offered byÌý Australia

Foundation programs offered by Australian and New Zealand public university faculties/schools

Australia, New Zealand

AIAC Foundation Program offered by Aceleader Education Group

China

University of South Pacific programs

Fiji

Malaysian Foundation Programs listed as MQR-registered programs

Malaysia

Preparatory Year

Samoa

Foundation programs offered byÌý United Kingdom

Advanced International Certificate of Education at the University of Cambridge

United Kingdom

Foundation programs administered by the Ïã½¶Ö±²¥ Group International

United Kingdom, Europe, USA, Canada

St. Andrew’s College Cambridge Foundation Course offered by the UK Foundation Network (UKFN)Ìý

United Kingdom, South Korea

Advanced Level Foundation offered by Kings Education

United Kingdom, Vietnam, South Korea