Standard entry

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Standard entry

Standard academic requirements

This direct entry pathway is for students applying using only their formal academic results as the basis for admission.

Our academic entry requirements outlined below detail the standard requirements for applying to your dream degree. 

The best entry option for you will depend on your previous study, work experience, and the course you’re interested in.

If you need extra help meeting the necessary requirements for entry, we offer a range of alternative entry pathways and bridging courses to help you get there.

Undergraduate applicants

To assess applications for our undergraduate degrees, we determine each applicant's individual ‘selection rank’ based on the information we receive from you. Allocating every applicant a selection rank helps us establish a comparable entry level for all applicants.

Each undergraduate course also has its own minimum selection rank. To be eligible for an offer from UC, your selection rank needs to meet the minimum selection rank for the course you’ve applied for.

This process applies to domestic and international students, regardless of how you apply – whether through the University Admissions Centre (UAC), direct to UC, or through an international agent.

Recognised qualifications

We recognise a range of qualifications from Australia and around the world for direct entry to UC. When we assess your application to determine your selection rank, we’ll consider what secondary school qualification you’ve completed and possibly look at other factors depending on your situation.

If you’re currently studying Year 12 or have completed secondary school in the last two years, you’re considered a ‘recent school-leaver’. If you’ve completed an Australian Year 12, your selection rank is your Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) plus any adjustment factors you may be eligible for.

We also recognise the New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 and International Baccalaureate (IB) qualifications.

Admissions and pathways programs

If you’re concerned you haven’t met the admissions criteria for your desired course, we offer programs to help you get into UC.

If you’re not applying straight out of secondary school, we recognise a range of qualifications for admission into our undergraduate courses for non-school leavers:

  • any Australian Year 12 qualification such as the HSC, VCE or equivalent
  • New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3
  • International Baccalaureate (IB)
  • completed vocational training of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent of Certificate III or higher (you may also be eligible for credit for these qualifications)
  • pathway, preparatory or enabling courses such as those by UC College or other recognised providers elsewhere
  • any complete or incomplete tertiary study
  • documented and paid work experience that was at least one year full-time
  • Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) – UC accepts the multiple-choice version.

We’ll use the qualification with the most competitive selection rank when assessing your application. We may also assess a combination of your work experience and/or qualifications, such as working in an industry related to your area of study.

Please note if you’ve completed two years of study at a recognised higher education provider, the selection rank from that course will be used as your primary qualification.

Admissions and pathways programs

If you’re concerned you haven’t met the admissions criteria for your desired course, we offer several programs to help you get into UC.

For international students studying an Australian Year 12 qualification, your selection rank is your ATAR plus any adjustment factors you may be eligible for.

If you’re an international student who has not completed an Australian Year 12, we also recognise a range of other international qualifications for direct entry. These include the NCEA Level 3, the International Baccalaureate (IB) and GCE A Levels, plus other country-specific qualifications.

If your qualification isn’t listed, contact our Admissions team for advice on your eligibility.

We’ll use the qualification with the most competitive selection rank when assessing your application

View international admissions requirements

Admissions and pathways programs

If you’re concerned you haven’t met the admissions criteria for your desired course, we offer several admissions and pathways programs to help you get into UC.

You could be eligible for any of the following:

UC College admissions requirements

There are some entry requirements that students need to meet in order to be accepted into UC College. Requirements are different for international students and Australian or New Zealand students. 

View UC College entry requirements

Postgraduate applications

When assessing postgraduate applications, we’ll look at your previous qualifications and any professional experience you have in the workforce.

Some courses have additional criteria, such as previous learning in a specific study area, completion of a questionnaire or interview, or work experience within the field.

Each course will specify what the entry requirements are and any additional documents of evidence you might need to provide when putting your application together.

You can find the specific entry requirements for a course on the course details page.

Recognised qualifications

Most admissions for coursework degrees are granted based on the successful completion of an AQF-equivalent bachelor’s degree. However, your academic performance or grades may also be taken into consideration for some postgraduate courses.

You can still apply for certain postgraduate courses even if you haven’t completed an undergraduate degree.

We can consider paid work experience, in place of a completed bachelor’s degree, for admission into a range of our postgraduate courses.

We can also consider professional memberships as part of your application. 

Professional memberships must be of an appropriate, recognised professional body in one of the following fields: pharmacy, accounting, speech therapy, urban and regional planning, occupational therapy, actuarial studies, physiotherapy, engineering, law or surveying.

Check the entry requirements for your course

Alternative admission pathways

If you’re an international postgraduate student and are concerned you haven’t met the admissions criteria for your desired course, we offer

Research applications

When assessing applications for higher degrees by research, we’ll look at the level, type and your performance in previous tertiary study and any professional experience you may have.

For entry into a research degree, you’ll need to have completed one of the following:

  • an Australian bachelor’s degree with honours
  • a master’s degree (or international equivalent) that includes a research component – for example a master by coursework with a research thesis or a master by research degree.

In addition to your tertiary qualification, you’ll need to show advanced knowledge in the study area relevant to your research topic.

If you’re applying for a professional doctorate, you’ll require a combination of a relevant bachelor’s degree plus five years of professional experience in a related field.

For more information, refer to the Higher Degree by Research Admissions Policy and Higher Degree by Research Admissions Procedure.

Get in touch

Connect with our team to explore your study options, entry pathways and how your skills and work experience count towards entry into UC.

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