UNSW Entry Requirements & ATAR Scores for Popular Courses
Australia’s #1 university doesn’t make it easy. Here are the exact cut-offs, the HSC Plus loophole, and the pathways that actually work if you miss the mark.
UNSW ATAR requirements range from approximately 75.00 to 93.00 for direct undergraduate entry. Engineering sits at the top (91–93), followed closely by Computer Science and Commerce (~90). Arts and Design are the most accessible at ~75–80. Crucially, UNSW still offers HSC Plus bonus points (up to 5 points) — a major advantage over USyd, which killed its bonus point scheme. Also note: UNSW does not offer undergraduate Law or Medicine — both are postgraduate only.
The Biggest UNSW Admissions Shocks
Before diving into the numbers, you need to understand three things about UNSW that catch hundreds of students off guard every year. If you don’t know these, you might waste a UAC preference or make a fatal subject selection error.
UNSW abolished its undergraduate Bachelor of Laws years ago. If you put “UNSW Law” as a UAC preference, you are wasting a spot. To study law at UNSW, you must complete a bachelor’s degree first and then apply for the 3-year Juris Doctor (JD). Your ATAR gets you into the first degree; your undergraduate GPA gets you into law.
Like Sydney and Melbourne, UNSW requires a postgraduate Doctor of Medicine (MD). You complete a bachelor’s degree first (commonly Medical Science, Biomedical Science, or Science), achieve a high GPA, sit the GAMSAT, and then apply. An ATAR of 95+ gets you into the undergraduate degree, not directly into Medicine.
While the University of Sydney killed its subject bonus points, UNSW’s HSC Plus scheme is alive and well. You can receive up to 5 points added to your ATAR based on your performance in specific HSC subjects. This is a genuine strategic advantage for UNSW applicants that you should actively exploit.
Highest ATAR Degrees (90.00+)
These are the flagship programs at UNSW. They are heavily oversubscribed, and the published ATAR cut-offs are just the floor — the actual Selection Rank of successful applicants is often a few points higher due to the competitive nature of the cohorts.
To understand exactly where you need to sit state-wide to hit these numbers, check our breakdown of what constitutes a good ATAR across the 70, 80, 90, 95, and 99 tiers.
| Degree | 2025 ATAR | Demand Level | Key Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) – Aerospace | ~93.00 | Extremely High | Maths Adv + Ext 1 (E3) |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) – Civil / Mechanical | ~91.00 | Extremely High | Maths Adv + Ext 1 (E3) |
| Bachelor of Computer Science | ~90.00 | Very High | Maths Adv + Ext 1 (E3) |
| Bachelor of Commerce | ~90.00 | Very High | Maths Adv (minimum 80) |
| Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) | ~90.00 | Very High | Maths Adv (minimum 80) |
| Bachelor of Actuarial Studies | ~96.00 (with Co-op) | Extreme | Maths Adv + Ext 1 (E3) |
Mid-Tier ATAR Degrees (80.00–89.99)
These degrees are highly respected and offer strong graduate outcomes, but they are slightly less saturated than the 90+ tier. If your ATAR sits in the mid-to-high 80s, this is where you should be looking.
| Degree | 2025 ATAR | Demand Level | Key Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Medical Science | ~88.00 | High | Maths Adv (80) + Chemistry (80) |
| Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering | ~87.00 | High | Maths Adv + Ext 1 (E3) |
| Bachelor of Science (Chemistry / Physics major) | ~83.00 | Moderate-High | Maths Adv (70) + relevant Science |
| Bachelor of Science (Biology major) | ~80.00 | Moderate | Maths Adv (70) |
| Bachelor of Information Systems | ~85.00 | High | Maths Adv (70) |
| Bachelor of Architectural Studies | ~80.00 | Moderate | None (Portfolio recommended) |
Accessible ATAR Degrees (75.00–80.00)
These are the most accessible entry points to a UNSW degree. They carry the same UNSW brand on your resume as the 93.00 degrees, and internal transfer pathways exist if you perform well in your first year.
| Degree | 2025 ATAR | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts | ~75.00 | Lowest UNSW cut-off. Strong springboard for internal transfer to Commerce/Law (JD). |
| Bachelor of Design | ~75.00–80.00 | Varies by specialisation (Graphic, Interactive, Interior). |
| Bachelor of Fine Arts | ~75.00–80.00 | Portfolio/interview required in addition to ATAR. |
| Bachelor of Media | ~78.00 | Strong practical focus; lower ATAR than comparable degrees at USyd. |
| Bachelor of Criminology & Criminal Justice | ~80.00 | Growing program; alternative to straight Arts for justice careers. |
Many students with ATARs in the mid-70s enrol in a UNSW Bachelor of Arts, achieve a distinction average in first year, and then apply for an internal transfer into Commerce or Computer Science. UNSW allows internal course transfers, and while they are competitive, a WAM of 75+ makes you a viable candidate. This is a legitimate and commonly used pathway.
The HSC Plus Bonus Point System
This is UNSW’s most underutilised admissions advantage. While other Go8 universities have moved away from subject bonus points, UNSW’s HSC Plus scheme awards up to 5 additional points to your ATAR based on your performance in specific HSC subjects.
Use our free ATAR calculator to model exactly how these bonus points might shift your Selection Rank.
| HSC Subject | Performance Required | Bonus Points Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics Extension 2 | Band E3 (pass) or above | 5 points |
| Mathematics Extension 1 | Band E4 (high) or above | Up to 5 points (scaled to performance) |
| Physics | Band E4 or above | Up to 5 points (scaled to performance) |
| Chemistry | Band E4 or above | Up to 5 points (scaled to performance) |
| Other designated subjects | Band E4 or above | Up to 2 points |
UNSW caps HSC Plus at a maximum of 5 points total — even if you qualify for bonuses in multiple subjects. A student with an ATAR of 88 who receives the full 5-point HSC Plus bonus achieves a Selection Rank of 93. This is powerful, but it will not turn an 80 into a 90. You still need a strong base ATAR for the bonus points to push you over the line for competitive degrees.
Strict Prerequisites You Cannot Ignore
UNSW enforces prerequisites rigidly for its STEM degrees. Unlike some universities that allow bridging courses to satisfy prerequisites after you receive an offer, UNSW generally requires the prerequisite to be met during your HSC.
| Faculty | Prerequisite | Minimum Result |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering / Computer Science | Mathematics Advanced + Mathematics Extension 1 | Maths Adv: any result; Ext 1: Band E3 (pass) minimum |
| Commerce / Actuarial Studies | Mathematics Advanced | Band E3 minimum (for most programs); E4 for Actuarial |
| Science / Medical Science | Mathematics Advanced | Band E3 minimum; Band E4 for Medical Science |
| Medical Science (specific) | Mathematics Advanced + Chemistry | Both: Band E4 minimum |
| Arts / Design / Media | None | N/A |
If you are in Year 11 and haven’t started Extension 1 but want to do Engineering or Computer Science at UNSW, you need to pick it up immediately. UNSW’s requirement for Extension 1 is a hard line — a bridging course in maths will generally not satisfy this specific prerequisite for Engineering, though it may for some Science degrees. Confirm directly with UNSW Admissions.
The Co-op Scholarship: A Separate Admissions Track
The UNSW Co-op Program is one of the most prestigious industry scholarship schemes in Australia. It is available for Business, Engineering, and Science students. If you get in, you receive up to $18,000 per year in financial support, plus 18 months of paid industry placements with leading employers.
But here is what most students don’t realise: Co-op is a separate admissions process that runs alongside UAC.
Standard UAC Entry
- Based on ATAR (+ HSC Plus adjustments)
- No interview required
- ATAR of 90-93 is sufficient for Eng/Commerce
- No guaranteed industry placements
- No scholarship funding
Co-op Scholarship Entry
- Requires a separate Co-op application (July deadline)
- Mandatory interview and assessment day
- Typically requires ATAR of 95.00+
- Guaranteed 3 x 6-month paid industry placements
- $18,000/year scholarship + mentoring
UNSW sometimes offers Co-op places to students with ATARs in the low 90s if their interview and extracurricular profile are exceptional. The application process itself is excellent practice for graduate job interviews. The deadline is usually in July — well before ATARs are released. Do not miss it.
Law and Medicine at UNSW: The Postgrad Reality
These are the two most commonly misunderstood degrees at UNSW. Students put them as UAC preferences every year without realising they don’t exist for school leavers.
Law at UNSW
- No undergraduate LLB
- Must complete any bachelor’s degree first (3-4 years)
- Apply for the 3-year Juris Doctor (JD)
- Entry based on undergraduate GPA + LSAT
- For the exact ATARs needed to build a competitive undergrad foundation for law, read our full guide on what ATAR you need for law
Medicine at UNSW
- No undergraduate MBBS or MD
- Must complete a bachelor’s degree first (usually Medical Science, Biomedical Science, or Science)
- Apply for the 4-year Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Entry based on undergraduate GPA + GAMSAT + Interview
- For the exact ATARs needed for the undergraduate pathway to medicine, see our breakdown of what ATAR you need for medicine
Pathways If You Miss the Cut-Off
If your ATAR falls below the UNSW direct-entry threshold, all is not lost. Several well-established pathways lead to a UNSW degree.
A 1-year program run by UNSW itself. Successful completion guarantees entry into a range of UNSW bachelor’s degrees. This is the most direct “missed the ATAR” route into UNSW, particularly for students who fell short by 5-10 points.
UNSW offers diplomas in Science, Engineering, and Business. Completing a diploma with a strong GPA provides direct entry into the second year of the corresponding bachelor’s degree. This adds about one year to your total study time.
Enrol in the same degree at UTS, Macquarie, or UOW (which have lower ATARs). Achieve a distinction-average GPA, and apply to transfer to UNSW for second year. Credit transfer is generally good for common first-year subjects. If UNSW remains out of reach, there are excellent courses you can study with a lower ATAR score in Australia that lead to the same career outcomes.
UNSW offers the Gateway Admission Pathway for students from underrepresented backgrounds, as well as Indigenous admission programs. These schemes consider your circumstances alongside your ATAR and can provide alternative entry into degrees that would otherwise be out of reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
- UNSW ATARs range from 75.00 to 93.00. Engineering and Computer Science are the most competitive; Arts and Design are the most accessible.
- No undergraduate Law or Medicine. Both are postgraduate only. Do not put them as UAC preferences. Plan for a bachelor’s degree first, then a JD or MD.
- HSC Plus is a real advantage. Up to 5 bonus points for high performance in Extension 2, Physics, and Chemistry. Maximise this — it can bridge the gap between your raw ATAR and a competitive degree’s cut-off.
- Prerequisites are enforced strictly. Engineering and Computer Science require Maths Extension 1 (E3 minimum). You cannot substitute a bridging course for this after receiving your ATAR.
- Apply for Co-op separately. If you are targeting 95+ in Business, Engineering, or Science, the Co-op scholarship application is due in July — well before ATARs are released. Don’t miss the deadline.
- Pathways exist if you miss the mark. UNSW Foundation Studies and Diplomas provide direct routes into the university, adding approximately one year to your total study time.
- Verify everything on the official UNSW site. Cut-offs shift every year. Always cross-reference your target degree on the official UNSW admissions page before making final decisions.
Disclaimer: ATAR cut-offs and admission requirements at UNSW change annually based on applicant demand and university policy. The figures in this article are based on published 2025–2026 data and should be used as a guide only. HSC Plus bonus point eligibility criteria are set by UNSW and may change. Always verify current requirements directly with UNSW Admissions and the UAC website before making enrolment decisions.