How to Apply to Engineering at the University of Sydney: The Four-Year Bachelor of Engineering Honours by Stream or via a Flexible First Year, with Entry and Prerequisite Requirements for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Undergraduate engineering at the University of Sydney is taught in the Faculty of Engineering. The main degree is the four-year Bachelor of Engineering Honours, at the Camperdown/Darlington campus. Sydney’s undergraduate list also includes the Bachelor of Advanced Computing (computer science, covered by a separate guide on this site) and the Bachelor of Project Management, which are not covered here. Based on Sydney’s official information, this guide covers 2027 entry for domestic applicants, international applicants (including those from China) and transfer applicants.

1. The degree, streams and accreditation

• Key facts: four years full time (part time is also listed), 192 credit points; the course pages give CRICOS code 083109M for every stream.
• Streams you can apply for directly: Aeronautical, Biomedical, Chemical and Biomolecular, Civil, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical, Mechatronic and Software Engineering, each with its own UAC code. There is also a Space option (only for the Aeronautical, Mechanical and Mechatronic streams), a Dalyell Scholars option for high achievers, and the Flexible First Year.
• Combined degrees: Engineering Honours with Arts, Laws, Project Management, Science or Science (Medical Science); the list also shows Biomedical Engineering with Science (Health) and Civil Engineering with Design in Architecture, and a Commerce combination page marked “2026 entry”. A pathway into the Master of Engineering is not described on the pages we read; not published.
• Accreditation: most stream pages say the course has Full Accreditation at Professional Engineer level with Engineers Australia, and graduates are recognised internationally through the Washington Accord. For Space, Aeronautical Engineering with Space has Conditional Full Accreditation, and Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering with Space have Conditional Provisional Accreditation. The Software stream page cites Engineers Australia accreditation (Washington and Seoul Accords) and says the Australian Computer Society accredited the degree until the end of 2025, with a review to be reported in December 2025; that text is out of date, so check the current status.
• Structure: foundation core units in mathematics and computing plus multidisciplinary project units, then stream core and specialist elective units (with an optional specialisation), electives from the Engineering disciplinary pool or the shared pool, and an honours thesis in the final year. The Professional Engagement Program (PEP) runs throughout.

2. How you are admitted to a stream

• Choosing a stream at application: each stream has its own degree page and application code, and you choose it when you apply.
• Flexible First Year: Sydney says you take a common set of core units (mathematics, computing and an introduction to engineering) in the first semester and transfer to a stream at the start of the second semester, choosing from Aeronautical, Biomedical, Chemical and Biomolecular, Civil, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical, Mechatronic and Software. For international students it is open for Semester 1 (February) entry only.
• Conditions for moving into a stream: the course page gives no grade threshold, no required course grades, and no statement on whether places in each stream are capped or guaranteed. Ask the Faculty.
• Moving into engineering from inside the university: not described on the pages we read; not published.
• Special entries: Dalyell Scholars is described as exclusive to high achievers (ATAR 98+ or equivalent); Space has higher entry scores (below).

3. Prerequisites

• Mathematics prerequisite: every stream page carries a “Mathematics prerequisite” note saying the course has one and asking you to check whether it applies to you. The subject and grade details sit behind that link and were not on the pages we read; not published here.
• Assumed knowledge (2027, in NSW subject names): Sydney says relevant subjects in other recognised Year 12 qualifications are considered equivalent.
  • Aeronautical, Civil, Mechanical, Mechatronic, Software and Space: Mathematics Extension 1; recommended study: Physics.
  • Electrical: Mathematics Extension 1 and Physics.
  • Chemical and Biomolecular, and Environmental: Mathematics Extension 1 and Chemistry.
  • Biomedical: Mathematics Extension 1 plus Biology and/or Physics and/or Chemistry; recommended study: Biology or Physics.
  • Flexible First Year and Dalyell Scholars: Mathematics Extension 1, Chemistry and Physics, with a note that other assumed knowledge depends on the stream.
• Maths placement test, AP/IB credit against engineering core units: not mentioned on the pages we read; not published. Check the handbook.

4. Domestic applicants

• How to apply: domestic applicants apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC), not directly to the University; closing dates are on UAC’s site.
• Reference scores: the course data lists 90 in its domestic ATAR column for the stream degrees, 98 for Dalyell Scholars and 99 for Space (Sydney defines the selection rank as ATAR plus eligible adjustment factors). Adjustment factors are not described on the pages we read; not published, so check UAC and the University.
• Fees: for a Commonwealth Supported Place the indicative student contribution for one standard full-time year (48 credit points) is about AUD 8,796 in 2026 and AUD 9,391 in 2027; the actual amount depends on your units and the year. The University also warns that some courses carry extra costs for materials, tools and protective equipment.
• Scholarships: the Faculty’s scholarship page lists the Women in Engineering Scholarship and Scheme (applications closed 30 September 2026), engineering undergraduate scholarships and equity scholarships.

5. International applicants

• How to apply: apply directly to the University or through an authorised agent listed on its website; if you are studying an Australian Year 12 qualification or the IB in Australia you must apply through UAC. Sydney warns that applications can close before the advertised date if the course reaches capacity, so apply early.
• 2027 entry scores (course pages, the same for the regular Engineering Honours streams): international ATAR 85; Gaokao 75%; IB 31; A-Level 14 whether three or four subjects are counted; BC average 3.55; Ontario OSSD 83; SAT 1300; ACT 26. Foundation programs: University of Sydney Foundation Program 7.3 GPA with English C; other Australian university foundation programs about 73%.
  • Dalyell Scholars: international ATAR 98, Gaokao 90%, IB 41.
  • Space: international ATAR 97, Gaokao 85%, IB 39, A-Level 17 (three) or 20 (four), SAT 1420, ACT 33.
• English: IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each band; TOEFL iBT 85 overall with at least 17 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 19 in Writing; PTE 64 overall with at least 60 in each band. Sydney also has an English requirements page; whether it allows exemptions based on prior study is something we did not read, so check it.
• International tuition: AUD 63,600 a year for 2027 (standard full-time load of 48 credit points); 2026 was AUD 60,600. Fees are reviewed every year and rise during your degree, and you must also buy Overseas Student Health Cover. The pages list no engineering differential fee or faculty levy, only a warning about extra costs for materials, tools and equipment in some courses.
• International scholarships: the University says it awards over AUD 135 million in scholarships each year; some are considered automatically when you apply and others need a separate application with their own deadlines. The Faculty’s international undergraduate scholarship page lists, for example, the Engineering Sydney Industry Placement Scholarship (AUD 24,000 in the general list, AUD 19,000 in the School of Civil Engineering list), the Engineering Vacation Research Internship Program Scholarship (AUD 500 a week) and the Sydney Quantum Academy Undergraduate Research Scholarship (AUD 3,333 a year). Most entries set their own eligibility (for example being enrolled at the University of Sydney or another Australian university), so check each one for whether new international students can apply.
• Documents: academic certificates and transcripts, proof of English proficiency and proof of identity (passport); some programs need a supplementary form, personal statement or portfolio. A faculty essay or reference letters are not mentioned for engineering on the pages we read; not published. An application processing fee applies, but the amount was not on the pages we read. International students must also meet the Australian Government’s Genuine Student requirement and may be asked for an extra assessment.

6. Applicants from China

• The Gaokao is accepted for direct entry, as your total as a percentage of the provincial maximum: 75% for the regular Engineering Honours streams (the same course data lists 80% in its domestic column). Sydney says the maximum is 750 in most provinces, 660 for Shanghai and 940 for Hainan; for example, in Beijing 70% is 525.
• Documents: if you apply from China, Sydney says to check whether your academic documents need verification by China’s “Center for Student Services and Development”. Documents not in English must be translated by a government-accredited translator such as NAATI, or by your school’s registrar or equivalent department. Schools that issue electronic transcripts must send secure digital documents or use an approved platform such as My eQuals, MyCreds or Parchment. Huikao records, a China-specific country page and interviews are not described on the pages we read; not published.
• Pathway programs: if you have not completed a recognised qualification, Sydney points undergraduates to preparation programs delivered by Taylors College; Foundation Program scores are listed above.
• English: an IELTS, TOEFL or PTE result is generally submitted; see the scores above.

7. Work experience

• The Professional Engagement Program (PEP) combines work experience and engineering activities; the course page states 200 hours of mandatory work and mentions engineering work experience in the final year.
• The Faculty reports a network of over 1,200 industry partners offering work placements, internships, capstone projects and graduate jobs, plus a six-month Engineering Sydney Industry Placement Scholarship.

8. Transfer and credit

• Sydney says that if you have related study or work experience you can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), counting it as credit, which can shorten your degree and reduce fees; international articulation pathways exist for international students. Check your visa conditions before reducing your duration, as you may be required to study full time.
• Engineering-specific transfer requirements (GPA, required calculus, physics or chemistry sequences), credit-transfer tables and transfer deadlines are not on the pages we read; not published. Ask the Student Centre. TAFE and diploma articulation is not described on these pages.
• The general document list asks for current or final official academic transcripts; current University of Sydney students need not provide a copy of their own.

9. Timeline (2027 entry)

• Sydney says international undergraduate applications generally open two years before the start. The closing date for Semester 1 (February) is 1 December of the year before, which is 1 December 2026; for Semester 2 (August) it is 29 May of the commencing year. The Flexible First Year is open to international students for Semester 1 only.
• 2026 start dates were 23 February and 3 August; 2027 start dates were not on the pages we read; not published.
• Applicants applying through UAC follow UAC’s dates.

Checklist

Domestic applicants:

• Apply through UAC; reference ATAR 90 (check each stream page)
• NSW Mathematics Extension 1 as assumed knowledge, plus physics or chemistry for some streams

International applicants (including China):

• Gaokao 75%, or international ATAR 85 / IB 31 / SAT 1300 / BC 3.55
• Maths at the level of Mathematics Extension 1, with physics or chemistry as the stream requires
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 each), TOEFL 85 or PTE 64
• February entry closes 1 December 2026; August entry closes 29 May 2027; courses can close early at capacity
• Have Chinese documents verified and translated as required

Transfer applicants:

• Apply for Recognition of Prior Learning; transfer conditions are not published, so confirm with the University early

Sources: The University of Sydney, Undergraduate engineering degrees; Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Flexible First Year); Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Civil Engineering; other streams use the same page format); Bachelor of Engineering Honours with Space; Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Dalyell Scholars); How to apply as an international student; Application dates; Industry placements and internships; Engineering scholarships; Engineering international undergraduate scholarships; International scholarships. Information is for 2027 entry; entry scores are indicative and fees are 2027 figures. Check the University of Sydney for the latest details.