How to Apply to Economics at the University of Sydney: the Three-Year Bachelor of Economics with Four Majors and a Pathway to Honours, with Entry and Prerequisite Requirements for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

Economics at the University of Sydney is taught as the Bachelor of Economics (BEc) in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Business is taught separately through the Business School and is not covered here. This guide sets out the 2027 entry information for domestic applicants, international applicants, applicants from China and transfer students.

1. What you can study

• The degree (course page): three years full time (the page notes part-time study is available), 144 credit points, UAC code 513225, CRICOS code 003336G, on the Camperdown/Darlington campus, with Semester 1 and Semester 2 entry for international students.
• Structure: you complete a program in Economics built from foundational microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, with an embedded major in Economics, Econometrics, Environmental, Agricultural and Resource Economics, or Financial Economics. You also complete a major or minor from a shared pool that includes business, STEM, social sciences and humanities, plus Open Learning Environment units and electives.
• Sample first year: Semester 1 has ECON1001 Introductory Microeconomics and ECMT1010 Introduction to Economic Statistics; Semester 2 has ECON1002 Introductory Macroeconomics and ECMT1020 Introduction to Econometrics, alongside electives and a second major or minor. Year 2 includes ECOS2001 Intermediate Microeconomics, ECMT2150 Intermediate Econometrics and ECOS2002 Intermediate Macroeconomics.
• Advanced Economics and Honours: the website says students who meet the entry and progression criteria can elect the Advanced Economics program, which serves as a pathway to Honours in Economics. The criteria themselves (such as grade thresholds or places) are not given on the pages used for this guide; check the course page or ask the faculty. The website also lists a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) course.
• Double degrees and related degrees: the website lists double degrees with Arts and with Laws, and a Bachelor of Economics dual degree with Sciences Po in France, for which it says the first two years are spent in France and applications are made directly to the University. The economics area page also lists the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics.
• Placements and projects: depending on your major and electives, the website mentions industry placements and internships, industry and community projects and research-based learning, and says the University has partnered with more than 60 organisations; places and conditions are not given on the pages used for this guide.
• Do you choose a major when applying? The application on the course page is for the Bachelor of Economics itself; when the embedded major is confirmed after enrolment is not given on the pages used for this guide, so check the course page or ask the faculty.
• Entry test or interview: the course page does not list one.

2. Prerequisites

• Mathematics prerequisite: the University's list of courses with a mathematics prerequisite covers engineering, computing, certain combined law degrees, pharmacy and the Faculty of Science's Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences, among others; the Bachelor of Economics is not on it. (Mathematics course prerequisites)
• Assumed knowledge: the assumed knowledge field on the course page shows mathematics (code MathsAdv); the exact wording is on the course page. Whether a high school economics subject is required is not given on the pages used for this guide.

3. Indicative entry scores for 2027

• Bachelor of Economics: for international applicants, ATAR 85 (the page lists 91 for domestic applicants); IB 31; A-Levels 14 from three subjects or 14 from four; Gaokao 75%; BC Certificate of Graduation average 3.55; Ontario OSSD average 83; SAT 1300 or ACT 26; University of Sydney Foundation Program (USFP) 7.3/C+; other Australian university foundation programs 73.
• Notes: A-Levels are scored on A2 subjects with A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1; if more than four subjects are offered the best four count, AS subjects are not used, and at most one Applied A-Level may be included. The IB figure is the total for the completed IB Diploma. The SAT is out of 1600 and must be accompanied by evidence of high school graduation; the SAT/ACT requirement can be lower for applicants with AP scores of 3 or better. The OSSD is the average of six university/college preparation courses including English, and the University says it currently accepts only Ontario schools that have passed its verification process. The BC figure is the average of all Grade 12 subjects except Graduation Transition on A=4, B=3, C+=2.5, C=2, C-=1, F=0. These are indicative figures and do not guarantee an offer.

Domestic applicants (Australian Year 12)

• How to apply: domestic applicants apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) rather than directly to the University of Sydney, and UAC's website sets the key dates. (Application dates)
• How selection works: the University uses a "selection rank". If you have an ATAR, your selection rank is your ATAR plus any adjustment factors. Adjustment factors come from the University's entry schemes; the amount can differ by course, and some are awarded automatically while others need an application. Non-ATAR qualifications are converted by UAC to an ATAR-equivalent rank. (Selection rank)
• What the published ranks mean: the University says each course's listed selection rank reflects the previous year's intake and is only a guide that changes from year to year. Some courses have additional criteria such as prerequisite study, a personal statement or an interview, shown on the course page.
• For the Bachelor of Economics the page lists a domestic indicative ATAR of 91.

International applicants

• How to apply: applicants with overseas qualifications can apply directly to the University from the course page or through an authorised agent, and an application processing fee is payable (the amount is not given on the pages used for this guide; check the website). International students currently studying an Australian Year 12 qualification, or an IB Diploma in Australia, apply through UAC. (How to apply as an international student)
• Closing dates: for undergraduate international applicants, the website gives 1 December of the year before commencement for Semester 1 (February) and 29 May of the commencing year for Semester 2 (August). It says applications generally open two years before the start date, that applications may close once capacity is reached, and that applicants should apply at least six to eight weeks before the start date to leave time for processing and a visa. The page does not print a year, so check the dates for 2027 entry; under this rule a February 2027 start closes on 1 December 2026. (Application dates)
• Start dates: the standard start dates shown on the page are 23 February 2026 (Semester 1) and 3 August 2026 (Semester 2). The 2027 start dates are not given on the pages used for this guide; check the website.
• Documents: academic certificates and transcripts, proof of English proficiency and proof of identity (passport); some courses may also need a supplementary form, personal statement or portfolio. If your school issues electronic certification of transcripts, submit the secure digital document or use an approved platform. Documents not in English must be translated by a government-accredited translator such as NAATI, or by your school's registrar or equivalent.
• Visa steps: international students must meet the University's entry requirements and the Australian Government's Genuine Student requirement, and may be asked to complete an additional assessment. After an offer, you accept by the deadline and pay first-semester fees to receive the electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) for the student visa; Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is required and can be arranged by the University or by yourself with an approved provider.
• Preparation programs: international applicants without a recognised qualification can take preparation programs, which are delivered by Taylors College. (How to apply as an international student)

English language requirements

• Bachelor of Economics: IELTS Academic 7.0 overall, 6.0 in each band; TOEFL iBT 96 overall, at least 17 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 19 in Writing; PTE 72 overall, 60 in each band.
• Waivers: the website says that applicants whose first language is English need citizenship or long-term permanent residency (at least 10 years) and secondary or tertiary study in a recognised English-speaking country; others can show completed secondary, foundation, Australian diploma or at least one year of bachelor's study taught in English in a recognised English-speaking country within five years of starting. The recognised list includes Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States; mainland China is not on the list.
• Another route is a specified subject (usually English or a humanities subject) in a recognised secondary qualification, such as the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education or an IB Diploma not taught in English, completed within two years of starting; the required subject and grade are in the University's concordance table. Courses at the University's Centre for English Teaching are also an option. (English language requirements)

Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the University recognises the Gaokao. The website expresses the requirement as a percentage for each course, to be converted against the maximum score of your province: the maximum is 750 in most provinces, with exceptions including Shanghai (660) and Hainan (940); its example is that 70% in Beijing equals 525 out of 750. The percentages for the courses in this guide are listed above. The course page lists 75% for the Bachelor of Economics. Whether a separate mathematics result is required is not given; ask the admissions office. (Recognised qualifications)
• International curricula: applicants in IB, A-Level or American curriculum programs (SAT/ACT with AP) can apply on the matching figures above.
• Foundation programs: the University of Sydney Foundation Program (USFP) and other Australian university foundation programs have reference results on the course pages; the list of recognised foundation programs also includes one located in China (the AIAC Foundation Program offered by Aceleader Education Group).
• Documents: the website says applicants from China should check whether their academic documents need to be verified by China's Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD); non-English documents must be translated.
• Senior-high graduation certificate, huikao results, interviews: whether any of these is separately required is not given on the pages used for this guide; check the website or ask the admissions office or its regional contacts.

Transfer students and credit

• Recognition of prior learning (RPL): if you have completed university-level subjects, or in some cases a recognised qualification leading into a bachelor's degree, you may apply for credit, which the faculty assesses. Credit can take the form of specific credit, non-specific credit, reduced volume of learning or an enrolment exception request, and may shorten your course and reduce your fees. (Recognition of prior learning)
• Visa impact: for international students, a shorter course affects the student visa; the website says the University must notify the Department of Home Affairs if the expected duration is reduced, so check your visa conditions before applying, as you may be required to study full time.
• Articulation pathways: the website has a page on international articulation pathways; the specific arrangements for particular institutions and courses are not given on the pages used for this guide, so check the website.
• The Bachelor of Economics accepts Semester 2 entry, so transfer students can choose the intake that suits them.
• Rules for crediting microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics sequences taken elsewhere are not given on the pages used for this guide; ask the faculty.

Fees and scholarships

• Bachelor of Economics: international fee A$59,100; indicative Commonwealth-supported (CSP) student contribution A$16,859.
• These are indicative amounts for 2027 entry, for Year 1 of full-time study (48 credit points). The website says the international tuition fee depends on the calendar year in which you study and your study load and is subject to annual increase; the CSP contribution also rises each year, subject to a maximum set by the Australian Government. Other costs such as OSHC are not given on the pages used for this guide; check the website.
• Scholarships: the University says it awards over A$135 million in scholarships each year. General undergraduate scholarships for international students include the Sydney International Undergraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship (for international students who have applied for but not yet started a single undergraduate coursework degree; it covers 100% of tuition fees and the student services fee for the published full-time duration of that degree), the Sydney International Student Award (20% of the tuition fee for the duration of the course) and the Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarships Scheme (up to A$40,000). The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences International Scholarship (up to A$20,000 a year) is for international students enrolled in a bachelor degree or master coursework degree in that faculty. Some scholarships are considered automatically when you apply for admission and others need a separate application with their own deadlines, so check each one's conditions. (International scholarships, General undergraduate scholarships)
• Students from the United States, Canada, Sweden, Norway or Denmark may be eligible for education loan schemes from their home country.

Application checklist

Domestic applicants:

• Apply through UAC and compare your rank with the course page (domestic indicative ATAR 91)

International applicants (including those from China):

• Gaokao 75% (converted against your province's maximum), or IB 31, A-Levels 14 from three subjects, SAT 1300 / ACT 26 with high school graduation
• IELTS 7.0 (6.0 in each band), or TOEFL 96, or PTE 72
• Check whether your documents need CSSD verification and translate non-English documents
• Apply by 1 December of the year before a February start or 29 May of the start year for an August start, and confirm the exact dates for 2027

Transfer students:

• Apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) and check your student visa conditions on study load

Sources: The University of Sydney, Bachelor of Economics; Economics study area; Mathematics prerequisites; How to apply as an international student; Application dates; English language requirements; Recognised qualifications; Selection rank; Recognition of prior learning; International scholarships; Arts and Social Sciences scholarships. Information is for 2027 entry; entry scores are indicative. Check the University of Sydney for the latest details.