University of Wollongong

Admission criteria and entry schemes

To be considered for admission to a course at the University of Wollongong (UOW) you must meet the minimum entry requirements listed in one or more of the following categories as well as satisfy English language proficiency requirements. Some courses also have additional selection criteria such as an audition or interview.

Undergraduate applicants

Australian Year 12 students

If you are a 2022 or 2023 Australian Year 12 student you will generally be selected based on your ATAR or International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.

If you have undertaken subsequent tertiary study (eg Certificate IV, diploma or a bachelor degree) you may be assessed for admission based on this qualification instead of your ATAR.

Selection rank adjustments

Equity adjustments

High school students who have experienced long-term financial or educational disadvantage can receive up to up to five adjustment points through the Educational Access Scheme (EAS). UOW EAS applications are processed centrally through UAC.

How Educational Access Schemes work

Location adjustments

Students who attend an eligible school either in UOW’s catchment area or in regional NSW will receive three adjustment points. When you apply through UAC, these points will be automatically added to your selection rank.

For a full list of the eligible schools, visit the UOW website.

Students residing in Regional, Rural and Remote areas as classified by the Australian Standard Geographical Classification - Remoteness Area (ASGC-RA) will be eligible for an additional five adjustment points for the Bachelor of Pre-Medicine, Science and Health.

Subject adjustments

At UOW, we recognise that strong performance in subjects relevant to the degree you wish to study can be an indicator of likely success. If you do well in an HSC subject that is relevant to the UOW degree you’d like to study, you can earn up to three adjustment points. These points will be automatically added when you apply through UAC.

For more information, visit the UOW website.

Australian Defence Force (ADF) Dependents

UOW acknowledges the sacrifices made by your family, and in recognition of the disruption to education that can ensue to service families, dependants of ADF personnel will receive three adjustment points added to their selection rank.

For more information, and details on how to apply, visit the UOW website.

Criteria that may apply in addition to the ATAR

In addition to achieving the standard of performance required for admission, some courses have additional selection criteria, such as a personal statement, a questionnaire, a portfolio of work, an audition, an interview or a test. These criteria are considered in conjunction with your ATAR or equivalent.

Details of additional selection criteria and how applicants can meet these requirements are outlined in the course descriptions in UAC's course search.

Assumed knowledge

Some courses and/or first year subjects are taught assuming that students have already achieved a minimum level of knowledge in a particular discipline area.

Assumed knowledge is not a compulsory requirement for admission but if you haven’t achieved a certain level of knowledge in the subject area you may find the course difficult.

If you have not achieved the recommended level of assumed knowledge, you are strongly encouraged to undertake a bridging course. Bridging courses are available in biology, chemistry, and physics. The courses run in early February. To find out more, visit Bridging courses - University of Wollongong – UOW.

To see whether assumed knowledge applies to an individual course, check the course descriptions on UAC’s course search.

Other admission options

Access UOW

Sometimes your high school studies don’t go as planned. Access UOW is an opportunity to have your personal circumstances considered – along with your academic performance and extracurricular achievements – for admission to UOW. You don’t need to apply for Access UOW, you’ll be automatically assessed when you apply through UAC and if you fit the program criteria we will be in touch to discuss your application. Eligible students will be invited to an interview, giving UOW the chance to get to know you and your study goals for the future. For more information, visit the UOW website.

Early admission

UOW Early Admission is our early offer program for students completing Year 12 during 2023. When you apply for Early Admission, UOW looks beyond your ATAR and considers your unique skills and experiences, alongside your Year 11 results, so you can receive an offer to study at UOW before you sit your final exams.

To apply for Early Admission you must be completing an Australian senior secondary qualification (eg. HSC or interstate equivalent) or completing the IB Diploma in Australia.

Applications for Early Admission open on 19 June and close on Friday 11 August.

To apply, visit the UOW Early Admission website.

Big Picture Pathway to UOW

UOW has partnered with Big Picture Education Australia and participating high-schools to provide a pathway into a range of UOW undergraduate courses without needing an ATAR. For more information, visit the UOW website.

Limited ATAR

UOW accepts the Limited ATAR for admission to all undergraduate programs. You must be at least 20 years old on 1 March in the year you complete your HSC studies. You must also complete between 5 and 9 units of ATAR courses, including at least 1 unit of a Category A English course.

UOW College Pathway Programs

Offering a suite of academic pathways, UOW College provides guaranteed* entry to UOW bachelor degrees on successful completion of the program. All college students have access to UOW facilities while they study.

Diplomas in Business, Engineering, Information Technology, Science, Arts and Social Science provide up to one year of advanced standing into relevant UOW degrees.

The University Entrance Program (UEP) is fee free** for Australian domestic students. It has been specifically designed for students who have not met the direct entry requirements for a UOW bachelor degree or who have experienced a significant disadvantage during their secondary school education.

There are three Streams in the UEP program, allowing students to study subjects relevant to their chosen degree: Stream 1 in Business and Humanities; Stream 2 in Sciences and Information Technology, and Stream 3 in Engineering.

Vocational and English language programs are also available. Selected courses are offered at UOW Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Batemans Bay and South Western Sydney campuses.

* Guarantee is subject to meeting UOW entry requirements
** Fee free is subject to terms and conditions

To learn more visit the UOW College website or call 1300 367 869.

If you have previous higher education studies at bachelor level or higher (complete or incomplete) from an approved university or other tertiary institution, you can be considered for admission to a UOW course. If you have completed at least half of a standard year of full-time study (.50 full-time equivalent) you will be assessed based on your academic performance. Please note: admission to UOW Law requires a minimum of one year of full-time study (1.00 full-time equivalent).

Completed AQF qualifications at certificate IV, associate diploma, diploma, or advanced diploma will be considered for admission to most courses.

If you have previously completed an Australian Year 12 qualification you may be considered on the basis of your most recent ATAR or equivalent.

Enabling course options

University Entrance Program (UEP)

The University Entrance Program (UEP) is fee free* for Australian domestic students. It has been specifically designed for students who have not met the direct entry requirements for a UOW bachelor degree and is also suitable for students who have experienced a significant disadvantage during their secondary school education. This 14-week course teaches the fundamental skills required for university study and maximises your chance of success in your degree. Successful completion of the UEP provides guaranteed** entry to a range of UOW bachelor degrees, subject to meeting UOW entry requirement.

There are three Streams in the UEP program, allowing students to study subjects relevant to their chosen degree: Stream 1 in Business and Humanities; Stream 2 in Sciences and Information Technology, and Stream 3 in Engineering.

*Fee free is subject to terms and condition.
** Guarantee is subject to meeting UOW entry requirements.

For further information, visit UOW College or call 1300 367 869.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

If you will be at least 21 years of age on 1 March in the year you commence your study at UOW, and do not otherwise qualify for entry to the University, you may apply for admission on the basis of STAT Multiple Choice. STAT cannot be used for admission to Engineering, Law, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology (Honours) degrees.

Tertiary Preparation Certificate

If you have completed a TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC) you will be considered for admission on the basis of your Tertiary Entrance Score.

UOW welcomes students applying with qualifications from overseas. Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia with overseas qualifications should contact UOW’s Future Students office to discuss eligibility for admission before applying through UAC.

Details of overseas secondary qualifications that UOW will consider can be found on the UAC website. Check your qualification.

English language proficiency

If you hold overseas qualifications from countries where English is not the sole language of instruction and assessment, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency. If you do not meet the University’s English language proficiency requirements, you cannot be offered a place.

UOW’s Indigenous Admissions Program, run by the Woolyungah Indigenous Centre (WIC), is an alternative pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 17 seeking entry into our undergraduate programs.

WIC is a dedicated space on our Wollongong campus for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Blending culture and the surrounding Dharawal country, the centre provides academic support, internships, career advice and a sense of community at UOW

For further information, visit the Woolyungah Indigenous Centre website or call WIC on (02) 4221 3776.

At UOW we seek to acknowledge the service of Australians who have served the nation through membership of the Australian Defence Force through our Veteran Scholar Scheme. UOW will consider your armed services training and experience to award you a selection rank for entry to most undergraduate degrees.

UOW Veteran Scholar Scheme

Postgraduate applicants

For admission to most postgraduate coursework degrees you would normally be expected to hold a completed bachelor degree from a recognised tertiary institution in an appropriate discipline. You may also need relevant professional work experience and/or membership of a professional organisation. For some courses, entry is available based on relevant professional work experience alone or a combination of tertiary study and professional experience. To see whether additional requirements specific to individual courses apply, check the course descriptions on UAC’s course search.

Overseas qualifications and English language proficiency

If you hold overseas qualifications from countries where English is not the sole language of instruction and assessment, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency. If you do not meet the University’s English language proficiency requirements, you cannot be offered a place.

General information for University of Wollongong

Location

UOW Student Central, (ground floor Building 17)
Northfields Avenue, Gwynneville NSW 2500

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Phone

1300 367 869 (within Australia)
+61 2 4221 3218 (international)

View all contact details

Important dates

Academic calendar

Entry schemes via UAC

Educational Access Schemes

Financial assistance

Equity Scholarships

Other scholarships & schemes