University of Wollongong
International students
General admission requirements
As an international student completing one of the following qualifications in 2022, you will apply for admission through UAC and will generally be selected on the basis of your performance in these studies (ie your ATAR or equivalent):
- an Australian Year 12 qualification (either outside or in Australia)
- an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
- a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.
When assessing your application, UOW may take any or all of your qualifications or attempts at study into account.
Selection rank adjustments
Location adjustments
Students who go to school either in UOW’s catchment area or in regional NSW are eligible for three adjustment points. When you apply through UAC, these points will be automatically added if your school is eligible.
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 a HSC subject that is relevant to the UOW degree you’d like to study, you can earn up to three adjustment points. When you apply through UAC, these points will be automatically added.
Other admission options
Early admission
UOW Early Admission is our early offer program that recognises your personal qualities and skills that define who you are. With UOW Early Admission, we get to know you, look at the results you’ve achieved so far and can reward your hard work with a place at UOW before you even sit your HSC exams.
You must be completing your HSC (or interstate equivalent), or the IB, at an Australian high school in Australia, be under 21 years of age, and eligible to receive an ATAR (or equivalent) or IB Diploma to be considered for a UOW Early Admission offer.
Additional selection criteria
In addition to achieving the standard of performance required for admission, for certain courses you must also satisfy any additional selection criteria, such as a personal statement, a questionnaire, a portfolio of work, an audition, an interview or a test. These criteria are taken into account 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.
International applicants applying for admission on the basis of qualifications other than those listed above must apply directly to the University, not through UAC.
Fees
Tuition fees are paid one session at a time. Your offer letter will state the tuition fee payable provided that you accept the current offer and commencement date. Tuition fees are set as an annual fee for a course and are subject to annual review.
For information about tuition fees, check the course descriptions in UAC’s course search.
All bachelor degree students are also required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). In 2021 these were:
- full-time students – $156.50 per half year ($313 annually)
- part-time students – $78.25 per half year ($156.50 annually).
Students studying at all other UOW campuses pay 50 per cent of the above fees.
Your stay in Australia
It is a requirement of the Department of Home Affairs that prospective international students can demonstrate that they have sufficient funds while living in Australia. Living costs include items such as:
- accommodation (including rental bond)
- electricity and/or gas
- entertainment
- food
- personal and household items
- telephone and internet bills
- transport (bus/train).
During your stay in Australia you are permitted to work for up to 40 hours per fortnight during teaching periods, and unlimited hours outside teaching periods. Certain categories of voluntary, unpaid work is included in this total, and work undertaken as part of your course is not included. You should not rely on working to fund your tuition or living expenses while in Australia as work cannot be guaranteed and spending excessive amounts of time working may adversely affect your studies. Applications for work visas can only be submitted after you have arrived in Australia and started your classes. The Department of Home Affairs determines work entitlement for students.
Before you are granted a student visa, the Australian Government must be satisfied that you have appropriate accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements in place for the period that you will be under 18 years of age while in Australia.
UOW accepts enrolment by international students under the age of 18 only if you are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or a relative over the age of 21 who has been approved by your parent or guardian AND this arrangement is approved by DIBP.
UOW's pre-arrival website for international students provides detailed information to help you prepare for life at UOW. The website offers practical suggestions to help you to prepare for your time in Wollongong and highlights some of the items that you will need to organise before leaving home. It is important that you read this information carefully and any other materials sent to you by the University, as soon as possible.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is insurance for international students to help them with the costs of medical and hospital care they may require while they are in Australia. OSHC does not cover dental treatment.
UOW’s preferred provider is Bupa Australia.
The Australian Government requires all international students on a student visa and their dependants to purchase an approved policy from an Australian registered health fund for the duration of their visas. OSHC is not included in tuition fees.
International fee-paying students need to apply directly to the University of Wollongong’s Future Students office. International applicants should also contact the Australian diplomatic post in their own country for the procedures for obtaining an appropriate visa.
Once you arrive, our international students’ support networks will ensure your transition to university life in Australia is an easy and enjoyable experience.
Some of these programs include:
- airport pick-up
- learning development programs
- academic advisers and student support advisers
- student safety
- International Student Programs (ISP)
- workplace learning to increase your employment prospects.
General information for University of Wollongong
Location
UOW Student Central, (ground floor Building 17)
Northfields Avenue, Gwynneville NSW 2500