Study at UNSW

HSC Plus is designed to reward strong performance in Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (Year 12) subjects relevant to UNSW undergraduate degrees.

If you're applying from Interstate or completing the International Baccalaureate, you'll need to convert your Year 12 courses and results to NSW HSC equivalents before using the HSC Plus calculator. You can find the comparisons on UAC’s website for Interstate Qualifications and the International Baccalaureate. 

Calculate how many HSC Plus points you might be eligible for with our HSC Plus Calculator.

The Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL) Program considers both academic and elite extra-curricular achievements and recognises these by awarding adjustment factors.

Through the EAPL Program you may be eligible for up to five adjustment factor points towards your UNSW admission for excellence in sport, academic, leadership, and/or music at an elite level. Activities must have been undertaken in Years 11 and/or 12. 

To be considered for EAPL adjustment factors you must:

• Be either an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen or hold a current Australian Permanent Resident or Humanitarian visa; and
• Complete an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (Year 12)* or an equivalent overseas secondary qualification and receive an ATAR or equivalent; and
• Have not completed more than or equal to 0.75 FTE of study at a university or TAFE Diploma or above; and
• Provide sufficient supporting documentation with your application to successfully demonstrate that your studies in year 11 and/or 12 have been affected by your sporting, academic, music and/or leadership commitments.

* Applicants who completed the above qualifications in 2024 and took a gap year in 2025 are also eligible for EAPL adjustment factors for admission in 2026. An application must be submitted in the year prior to admission.

UNSW is committed to promoting equality in accessing tertiary education. The ACCESS Scheme is part of this commitment and is provided for students embarking on university study who have experienced long-term educational disadvantage.

The ACCESS Scheme allows UNSW to take the circumstances of individual applicants into account when allocating places in undergraduate programs.

UNSW Gateway Admission Pathway

If you’re completing a Year 12 qualification, this pathway might be what you’re looking for!

UNSW have lowered the minimum ATAR on hundreds of degrees for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through this program.

UNSW Portfolio Entry Early Conditional Offer Scheme

This pathway gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your passion, talent, creativity and potential to succeed in your degree alongside your ATAR.

If your application is successful, you’ll receive an early conditional offer with the required ATAR reduced by up to 10 points for a specific degree or range of related degrees!

If you didn’t get the ATAR you wanted or didn’t complete year 12, you can still study at UNSW!

We offer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples a range of ATAR-free entry pathways to accommodate a wide range of circumstances.

Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS)

IAS is an interview-based entry pathway into a number of undergraduate degrees that’s not ATAR dependent.

The program applies to degrees in Health, Arts, Design & Architecture, Criminology & Criminal Justice, and the Australian Defence Force Academy.

Indigenous Preparatory Program (Pre-Programs)

Pre-Programs are three-week intensive residential programs that offer entry into select UNSW degrees without the need of an ATAR score.

The program applies to degrees in Education, Social Work, Law & Justice, Science & Engineering, Business, Medicine & Health.

Our students come to us from all walks of life. From passionate artists to non-school leavers taking the plunge, there are alternative entry options to secure your enrolment at UNSW outside of your ATAR.

University Preparation Program

Get university-ready with UNSW's 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.

UNSW TAFE Pathways Program

Your TAFE qualification could set you up for success at UNSW!

The TAFE Pathways Program is open to students who have completed an AQF accredited TAFE Diploma or Advanced Diploma, offering Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for several eligible undergraduate degrees.

This enables credit transfer from your existing qualification, reducing the amount of time required to complete your degree at UNSW.

UNSW and its donors offer a range of scholarships specifically for Indigenous peoples.

There's every chance that you'll find one that fits your specific circumstances and uni journey, so explore what's on offer today!

Origin Foundation Grant King Indigenous Scholarships (UGCE1382)

Value: $25,000 per annum towards residential fees + $5,000 per annum stipend for standard program duration.

Details: This scholarship assists commencing or continuing Indigenous students of an undergraduate degree program in the Faculty of Science or Faculty of Engineering at UNSW.

🔗 More info

Bertha McKenzie Postgraduate Indigenous Scholarship (PGCE1016)

Value: $22,500 per annum for the minimum duration of your program (up to 2 years)

Details: This scholarship supports Indigenous students commencing a Masters by Coursework degree program at UNSW Sydney.

🔗 More info

Landon-Smith Family Scholarship

Value: $25,000 p.a. towards residential fees for standard program duration, or $7,000 p.a. stipend for standard program duration if receiving RCO or not residing in UNSW on-campus accommodation.

Details: This scholarship supports First Nations peoples to undertake undergraduate study at UNSW. The Scholarship will either support the costs of accommodation for students living on campus or provide stipend support.

🔗 More info

UNSW and its donors offer a range of scholarships specifically for Indigenous peoples.

There's every chance that you'll find one that fits your specific circumstances and uni journey, so explore what's on offer today!

The Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Medical Scholarship (UGCA1278)

Value: $35,000 per annum for the minimum duration of medical program (6 years)

Details: This scholarship is available to Indigenous Australian students commencing full-time undergraduate coursework study in the Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine (BMed MD) program.

🔗 More info

Mr & Mrs Ngiam Tong Yuen Residential Scholarship for Indigenous Students (PUCE1023)

Value: $25,000 per annum towards residential fees for the minimum duration of program

Details: This scholarship supports commencing Indigenous Australian students of an undergraduate degree program with a UNSW on-campus accommodation scholarship. Preference will be given to students residing at Basser College.

🔗 More info

Mr & Mrs Ngiam Tong Yuen Family Scholarship (UGCE1187)

Value: $10,000 per annum for the minimum duration of program

Details: This scholarship supports commencing Indigenous Australian students of an undergraduate degree program for the duration of a single or double-degree program.

🔗 More info

UNSW's Co-op Program scholarship provides industry training, professional development, networking and financial support for selected undergraduate students in the disciplines of Business, Engineering, and Science.

It is the largest and most prestigious scholarship program of its type in Australia and is a leader in career development learning.

Through this specific pathway, Indigenous students require a reduced ATAR of 90 to be awarded the scholarship.

This pathway accepts four people each year (Indigenous students who meet the standard Co-op entry requirement ATAR will not count toward these places).

UNSW colleges offer more than just accommodation; they provide a safe and supportive home, memories to last a lifetime and a genuine sense of belonging.

Located both on and off-campus, UNSW's apartments offer autonomy with easy access to Sydney's vibrant city centre, stunning beaches, Centennial Park, shopping hubs and convenient bus routes.

Choose from a variety of studios, flat-shares, and options for couples and families. Your all-inclusive rent covers furniture, Wi-Fi, utilities and general cleaning, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

Whether you’re new to the city or looking for your next rental, UNSW's Off-Campus Accommodation Support (OCAS) team can help you find the perfect off-campus accommodation while you’re studying.

They provide advice, share useful information, and connect you with local services, all with the goal of helping you settle in and feel safe and supported from your first day at UNSW. 

All of UNSW's degrees and study areas sit within one of their seven faculties and university college.

The people who work and study at UNSW use their distinct areas of study to help tackle our greatest challenges and shape a better future for everyone.

Planning for uni is different for everyone - there’s no right or wrong way to do it.

It’s not about making every decision at once, but taking the right steps at the right time.

Use UNSW's year-by-year guide to make sure you’re checking the right steps off your list and start imagining what your life will look like at UNSW.

Being a uni student isn’t just about working towards your dream job. It’s also about growing into the person you want to be!

While studying you’ll make lifelong friendships with so many different people who’ll expand how you see the world, join clubs and societies that’ll push you out of your comfort zone to make you more confident and curious, and go to more social events than you’ll remember by the time you’ve finished your degree.

Uni will be a period you look back on with pride and joy, and it’s a path well worth considering.

Not sure which degree is right for you? Take this 2 minute test to learn which one best suits your personality!

ABSTUDY offers financial help for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students or apprentices.

Depending on your circumstances, ABSTUDY can help with:

• school fees
• boarding fees
• living costs
• travel costs, and 
• buying school materials.