How to Apply to Life Sciences and Medicine-Related Degrees at the University of Canberra: the Three-Year Bachelor of Nursing at Selection Rank 65, Science Majors Such as Medical, Environmental and Biomedical Science, with Entry and Prerequisites for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

The University of Canberra (UC) is in Canberra. Its life-science and health-related undergraduate degrees sit mainly in the Faculty of Health (nursing, physiotherapy, public health, occupational therapy, optometry and more) and in the science degrees of the Faculty of Science and Technology. This guide sets out what UC’s website says for 2027 entry, for Australian domestic students, international students (including students from China) and transfer students. Where the pages do not say, we write “not given”; please check the website.

1. Degrees and study areas

• Bachelor of Nursing: the course page lists course code 364JA, UAC code 365103 and CRICOS code 095076E; three years full-time, on campus, at Bruce (Canberra) and UC Sydney Hills (Castle Hill, NSW). The course is accredited by ANMAC and graduates can apply for registration with AHPRA; the course page also describes it as accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
• Science: the Science study-area page says UC science degrees combine theory with fieldwork, internships and practical lab work, and mentions Medical Science, Environmental Science, Biomedical Science and other Bachelor of Science specialist majors. It lists four course codes but gives no degree names, duration, entry conditions or international fees; these are not given on the pages used for this guide, so check UC’s course search.
• Health study area: the Health page says UC offers degrees in nursing, physiotherapy, public health, occupational therapy and more, with the UC Hospital, community health hub and optometry labs on or near campus. Only the Bachelor of Nursing entry page was used for this guide; entry conditions for other health degrees are not given on the pages used, so check the website.
• Medicine (MBBS/MD): no undergraduate medical degree appears on the pages used for this guide, so it is not covered.

2. How the Bachelor of Nursing admits students

• Selection rank 65: the course page says you need one of the following: a Year 12 ATAR selection rank of 65 or above; another Australian qualification (at least AQF Level 3 or Certificate III); an overseas qualification equivalent to at least AQF Level 3; or work experience that aligns with the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations. The page explains that the selection rank is the minimum ATAR plus adjustment factors needed in the previous year, an indicative guide only that changes each year.
• Prerequisites: the assumed-knowledge list is Mathematics (general) and English as required, Biological Science and Chemistry as preferred, and Psychology as recommended.
• Additional requirements: immunisations, TB screening, a National Police Check, NSW Health forms, a Working With Vulnerable People card and First Aid/CPR. How to complete each is not explained on the pages used, so ask UC.
• Placements: the website describes clinical placements and simulated learning across settings such as paediatrics, aged care, medical and surgical, theatre, emergency and intensive care; the total placement hours are not given on the pages used.
• Semester 2: the course page says offers for Semester 2 at Bruce are released in March each year, and only if vacancies remain after the Semester 1 intake.

3. Start dates and application timing (2027 entry)

• The course page lists international start dates of 15 February 2027 (Semester 1) and 9 August 2027 (Semester 2), at both Bruce and UC Sydney Hills, marked “Open for international admissions”. The Key dates page lists Semester 1 orientation from 9 February 2027 and the start on 15 February 2027, and shows Semester 1, 2027 applications as open.
• Application deadline and fee: not given on the pages used for this guide; check UC’s key dates page or ask international admissions.
• The Bachelor of Nursing page says the next available intake is Semester 1, 2027, while the course details page also lists Semester 2, 2027; follow what the application system shows.

4. Australian domestic students

• Entry is by ATAR selection rank: 65 for the Bachelor of Nursing. The state admissions-centre process, adjustment factors and bonus points for domestic applicants are not given on the pages used; see UC’s domestic application page.
• The Bachelor of Nursing is a Commonwealth Supported Place, so the government subsidises part of the fee; HECS-HELP lets eligible students defer payment. See UC’s fees page for eligibility and amounts.
• If your result falls short, the website lists alternative entry options such as the Accelerated Pathways Program, Early Offer Scheme, Schools Recommendation Scheme, special consideration and vocational pathways; check each one’s conditions on the website.

5. International students

• How to apply: apply directly through UC’s online application portal or through an agent in UC’s international agent network. International students in Year 12 in Australia, the IB or New Zealand NCEA Level 3 apply through UAC. A student visa is also needed, including the Genuine Student requirement.
• English: the Bachelor of Nursing has non-standard English requirements. By test: Academic IELTS 7.0 overall with at least 7 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing; TOEFL iBT 91 overall with at least 22 in listening and reading, 23 in writing and 24 in speaking; PTE Academic 63 overall (58 listening, 59 reading, 60 writing, 76 speaking); OET 360 in reading and speaking and 350 in listening and writing. Results must come from one sitting, or at most two sittings in 12 months that each meet the stated minimums. The alternative is six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English, including at least two years between Years 7 and 12, in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the USA.
• Other degrees: UC’s English page lists the “UC standard UG degree” as IELTS 6.0 with no band below 6.0, TOEFL iBT 67, PTE 50 and Duolingo 105, and says test results over two years old are not accepted. Each course page gives its own requirement.
• Tuition: the course page says fees are annual, based on 24 credit points of full-time study, but the amount is not shown on the pages used for this guide; check the international tab of the course page or UC’s international fees page. International tuition is paid upfront and in full at the start of each teaching period, plus the Student Services and Amenities Fee.
• Scholarships: UC High Achievers Scholarship (20% off tuition) needs 80% or a GPA of 5.5/7 or higher for bachelor’s entry; UC Merit Scholarship (10% off) needs 70% or a GPA of 5/7. Both are for commencing international students from all countries, assessed automatically at application, first-come first-served until filled, and shown in the offer letter. The High Achievers page lists the Bachelor of Nursing among excluded courses; the Merit page’s exclusion list does not name it, but both pages carry general exclusions, so check the latest terms. UC also lists a 30% UC Excellence Scholarship for students from specific countries only.

6. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: UC’s international qualifications table converts a Gaokao total out of 750 to a selection rank: rank 60 needs 427, 65 needs 441, 75 needs 471, 80 needs 487 and 85 needs 503. The Bachelor of Nursing’s selection rank is 65, which on that table is 441. The page says the table is a guide only and eligibility is assessed on application; the downloadable PDF version is titled 2025.
• Selection ranks for science and other health degrees are not given on the pages used; ask UC international admissions (International@canberra.edu.au).
• UC lists China representatives in Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu on its international application page, and you can also apply through an agent.
• High school plus foundation: UC College’s International Foundation Studies Program and the Graduate Certificate in Academic Foundations are bridging options, but the pages used do not say which degrees each leads to; ask UC.

7. Transfer and credit

• UC says you can transfer from another Australian or overseas university; overseas applicants can apply online and request credit for prior study, with details from the admissions team.
• Block credit is confirmed with the offer: a completed bachelor’s degree or one year of bachelor-level study, or a Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree, can earn up to 8 subjects (24 credit points), about two semesters (one year); a Certificate IV earns 4 subjects (12 credit points), about one semester. It applies to most undergraduate courses, so check the eligible list first.
• The Bachelor of Nursing course page lists credit arrangements, including for any Australian higher education provider and for the Diploma in Nursing (HLT54115).
• If you ask for credit after you have started, speak to your faculty first, as credit can change course length and the Confirmation of Enrolment used for your visa.

Checklist

Australian domestic students:

• Bachelor of Nursing selection rank 65; Mathematics (general) and English required, Biological Science and Chemistry preferred
• Prepare the extra requirements: immunisations, police check, Working With Vulnerable People card, First Aid/CPR

International students (including from China):

• A Gaokao score of 441 out of 750 corresponds to rank 65; nursing needs IELTS 7.0 (7 in listening, reading and speaking, 6.5 in writing) or an equivalent result
• Apply through UC’s portal or an agent; 2027 intakes are 15 February and 9 August; confirm the deadline with UC
• 80% or above is automatically considered for 20% off tuition, except the Bachelor of Nursing

Transfer students:

• Check the block-credit list first; a bachelor’s degree or diploma can earn up to one year

Sources: University of Canberra, Science study area; Health study area; Nursing; Bachelor of Nursing; Bachelor of Nursing course details (2027); International students; International qualifications equivalencies; English language requirements; International student applications; Key dates; UC High Achievers Scholarships; UC Merit Scholarships; Credit for undergraduate studies; Transfer or visit from another university; International fees and costs. Except for the course page, which is marked 2027, the pages do not state a year; check they apply to 2027 entry and see the University of Canberra for the latest details.