Macquarie University Courses & ATAR Requirements 2026
A comprehensive state-wise breakdown of Macquarie University selection ranks for 2026 — from Actuarial Studies and Law to Physiotherapy and Arts across Sydney and interstate pathways.
The ATAR required for Macquarie University in 2026 ranges from roughly 70.00 to 98.00+, depending heavily on the degree. Accessible programs like the Bachelor of Arts accept students from 70.00–75.00. Mid-tier courses such as Science and Business sit between 75.00 and 80.00. Highly competitive degrees like Commerce, Applied Finance, and Physiotherapy demand 80.00 to 90.00+, while Actuarial Studies and Law can require 90.00 to 98.00+. NSW and ACT students apply via UAC, while other interstate students apply through their local admissions centre or directly to Macquarie. Macquarie also offers the Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme and generous EAS adjustment factors, which can add up to 12 aggregate points to a raw ATAR.
The Macquarie University Landscape in 2026
Macquarie University sits in Sydney’s northern innovation corridor, uniquely bridging the gap between the elite, theoretical focus of the Go8 (like USyd and UNSW) and the highly applied, vocational focus of newer universities (like UTS and WSU). For 2026 entry, Macquarie continues to leverage its massive industry park, giving students unparalleled direct access to internships and graduate roles in business, tech, and health.
Macquarie operates across two primary campuses:
- Wallumattagal Campus (North Ryde, Sydney): The sprawling, green main campus hosting the vast majority of undergraduate degrees. It includes the globally recognised Macquarie University Hospital and the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
- Macquarie City Campus: A focused CBD campus offering specialized postgraduate and select undergraduate degrees, particularly in Business and IT.
Because Macquarie caters to a diverse, national student body, its curriculum is heavily aligned with industry needs. A Macquarie degree in Applied Finance, Actuarial Studies, or Physiotherapy holds exceptional weight in the employment market. For broader context on how Macquarie fits into the national landscape, you can compare its requirements with the La Trobe University ATAR requirements or the Deakin University ATAR requirements. Interstate students might also compare it with the Griffith University ATAR requirements or the University of Canberra ATAR requirements.
State-Wise Application Processes for Macquarie
While Macquarie is fundamentally a NSW university, its strong national brand and industry links mean it attracts thousands of interstate applicants every year.
New South Wales (NSW) & Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
The vast majority of Macquarie applicants are NSW and ACT students completing the HSC or ACT Senior Secondary Certificate. Applications are processed centrally through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Macquarie calculates selection ranks based on the standard ATAR aggregate, to which they apply their generous adjustment schemes. For NSW/ACT students, Macquarie requires successful completion of English, with specific scaled score minimums.
Victoria (VIC), Queensland (QLD), Western Australia (WA) & South Australia (SA)
Students in VIC (via VTAC), QLD (via QTAC), WA (via TISC), and SA (via SATAC) can apply either through their local tertiary admissions centre or directly to Macquarie University. Macquarie actively recruits interstate students, and the ATAR equivalence remains strictly national. For QLD students transitioning from the ATAR system, scaling works identically to the HSC; understanding the QCE scaling guide is just as crucial for meeting Macquarie’s thresholds.
Macquarie ATAR Requirements by Faculty (2026)
Macquarie’s selection ranks for 2026 reflect its status as a premium institution. Degrees involving quantitative rigour, legal accreditation, or clinical health placements demand the highest ATARs. Below is a faculty-by-faculty breakdown of indicative 2026 cut-offs.
Faculty of Science & Engineering
Macquarie is globally renowned for its Actuarial Studies, Earth Sciences, and Chiropractic programs. For students considering high-tier medical programs, it is crucial to compare Macquarie’s offerings with the University of Adelaide Medicine entry requirements.
| Degree | Indicative ATAR | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| B. Actuarial Studies | ~90.00–95.00+ | Globally recognised program. Strictly requires HSC Mathematics Advanced (or equivalent). |
| B. Chiropractic Science | ~85.00–90.00 | Highly competitive. Direct entry into the Master of Chiropractic pathway. |
| B. Advanced Science | ~85.00–90.00 | Direct entry into research-focused degrees. Requires high science prerequisites. |
| B. Speech, Hearing & Language Sciences | ~85.00 | Access to the world-renowned Macquarie Australian Hearing Hub. |
| B. Information Technology | ~75.00–80.00 | Strong industry placements, AI and cybersecurity specializations. |
| B. Science | ~75.00 | Flexible science degree. Majors in biology, chemistry, physics. |
Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences
| Degree | Indicative ATAR | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| B. Physiotherapy | ~89.00–92.00 | Highly competitive. Strictly capped clinical places. |
| B. Psychology (Honours) | ~85.00–88.00 | Flagship degree. Direct entry into honours pathway. Psychology guide. |
| B. Medical Sciences | ~80.00–85.00 | Premium pathway to postgraduate Medicine (MD). |
| B. Public Health & Health Promotion | ~70.00–75.00 | Highly accessible undergraduate health degree. |
Faculty of Arts, Business & Law
Macquarie’s business school is highly quantitative and globally ranked. If you are exploring other commerce options, our guide to ATAR requirements for Commerce provides a nationwide comparison.
| Degree | Indicative ATAR | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Laws (LLB) | ~95.00+ | Macquarie’s highest non-Actuarial threshold. High demand for direct LLB. |
| B. Commerce (Finance/Economics) | ~82.00–85.00 | CPA/CA accredited. Highly quantitative focus. See our full Finance ATAR guide. |
| B. Applied Finance | ~85.00 | Purpose-built finance degree with strong banking links. |
| B. Business Administration | ~75.00–80.00 | Applied focus: management, marketing, HR. |
| Bachelor of Arts | ~70.00–75.00 | Macquarie’s most accessible degree program. Broad major selection. |
Subject Prerequisites & Scaling
Meeting the ATAR cut-off is only half the battle; you must also satisfy the subject prerequisites for your chosen Macquarie course. Macquarie’s prerequisites are rigorous, particularly for quantitative and scientific degrees.
For NSW and ACT students, subject scaling plays a massive role in whether you hit Macquarie’s high thresholds. Mathematics Advanced, Extension 1, and the hard sciences scale up, directly boosting your aggregate. Understanding the mechanics of this via our HSC scaling guide is essential. You can also model your expected results using the study score calculator before applying.
Early Entry & Adjustment Factors
Macquarie offers one of the most robust adjustment factor schemes in the country, meaning a raw ATAR of 75.00 can quickly become a selection rank of 85.00, opening doors to highly competitive degrees like Commerce or IT.
This scheme allows Year 12 students to apply for an early offer before sitting their final exams. Offers are based on your Year 11 results, extracurricular involvement, and a recommendation from your school. If successful, you receive an offer in September, and your final ATAR simply needs to meet the minimum threshold (usually 50.00). This bypasses the high-stakes pressure of the December round entirely.
Macquarie participates in UAC’s SRS, which provides an early offer based on your school’s recommendation and your Year 11 results, independent of your final ATAR. This is particularly useful for regional students and those who perform well in coursework but struggle with high-pressure exams.
Through UAC’s EAS application, you can receive adjustments for disadvantage (financial hardship, disrupted schooling, medical conditions, disability, rural background, or Indigenous status). Macquarie assesses these applications individually — adjustments typically range from 2 to 12 points depending on the category and severity of disadvantage.
Macquarie offers adjustment factors for elite athletes (typically 2–5 points) through the Elite Athlete Friendly University (EAFU) program.
MUIC: The Ultimate Low-ATAR Pathway
What happens if your ATAR lands below 70.00, or you miss the cut-off for highly competitive degrees like Commerce, Actuarial Studies, or Law? Macquarie has built a seamless tertiary pathway network centered around Macquarie University International College (MUIC) and the Nippon Foundation Australia Pathways program.
Direct Macquarie Entry
- Requires meeting the published ATAR cut-off (e.g., 85.00 for Commerce).
- Requires meeting all prerequisite subjects (e.g., English, Maths Advanced).
- Macquarie Leaders and Achievers early offer programs available.
- Direct entry into 3-year standard bachelor degrees.
MUIC / Pathway Entry
- Requires Year 12 completion (ATAR ~50 or below is generally acceptable).
- Foundation or Diploma programs take 8 to 12 months.
- No formal maths prerequisites for many business, arts, or IT diplomas.
- Located directly on the main Macquarie campus.
- Guaranteed entry into the second year of your chosen Bachelor degree upon passing.
MUIC effectively wipes out the ATAR requirement. A student who scores a 55.00 can enrol in an MUIC Diploma of Commerce, complete it in one year, and transition seamlessly into the second year of the Bachelor of Commerce at Macquarie University. They graduate with the exact same testamur as a student who scored 95.00 and entered directly, having lost only one year of time.
For mature-age students or those who completely missed out on Year 12, Macquarie also offers Open Foundation pathway programs, which provide a one-year foundational qualification that can be used as a stepping stone into a Diploma or Bachelor program.
