How to Apply to Physics at the University of Western Australia: A Physics Major in the Bachelor of Science (Accredited by the Australian Institute of Physics) and a Four-Year Frontier Physics Bachelor plus Master of Physics from ATAR 95, with Requirements for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is in Perth. There are two undergraduate routes into physics: a Physics major in the Bachelor of Science (BP004), and the four-year Bachelor of Science (Frontier Physics) and Master of Physics (CM015). Below is what UWA’s pages say, split by reader: Australian domestic applicants, international applicants, students from China, and transfer students.

1. The degrees and majors

• Physics major (MJD-PHYSC) in the Bachelor of Science: the Bachelor of Science is three years full time (four for honours), minimum ATAR 70, February and July intakes, CRICOS 068914G, with 29 degree-specific majors, Physics being one. The Physics major is taught on campus in Perth and runs as a BSc (3 years), BSc (Hons) (4 years) or BPhil (Hons) (4 years); honours is available, and it can also be taken in the Bachelor of Science Integrated Professional. UWA states the major is accredited by the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP).
• Structure: Level 1 core (30 points): Computational Thinking with Python, Multivariable Calculus, Mathematical Theory and Methods, Physics for Scientists and Engineers and Modern Physics. Level 2 core (18 points): Advanced Mathematical Methods, Quantum Physics and Electromagnetism, Many Particle Systems. Level 3 core (18 points): Quantum Mechanics, Electrodynamics and Relativity, Mathematical Physics, plus 6 points from Astrophysics and Space Science, Quantum Computation, Atomic and Nuclear Physics or Topics in Contemporary Physics. UWA says units include weekly practical laboratory classes and tutorials.
• Combined course: Bachelor of Science (Frontier Physics) and Master of Physics (CM015): a four-year accelerated program with a Semester 1 (February) start only, CRICOS 109131F and a minimum ATAR of 95, four years full time or equivalent. The first three years cover a Frontier Physics major, broader than the standard Physics major and including General Relativity and Quantum Field Theory, plus four Master of Physics units with research training; you then complete the Master of Physics, specialising in computational, theoretical or experimental physics, or astronomy and astrophysics. UWA says you apply directly to UWA.
• Master of Physics: UWA also lists a 1.5–2 year Master of Physics with specialisations in Astronomy and Astrophysics, Computational Physics, Experimental Physics, Medical Physics, Theoretical Physics and Quantum Technology and Computing; the Medical Physics specialisation is accredited by ACPSEM. Entry needs a bachelor’s degree in physics with a weighted average of at least 70%, or an honours degree in physics. It is a postgraduate course and is not covered further here.
• Second majors: the Physics page lists Computer Science as a popular combination; check the degree rules for other pairings.

2. Prerequisites and minimum scores

• Physics major: UWA says the major requires a certain level of mathematics; the WACE prerequisites are Mathematics Specialist ATAR, Mathematics Methods ATAR and Physics ATAR. If you do not meet the mathematics level, you may take additional mathematics units in first year. The course structure also says: without Mathematics Specialist ATAR or equivalent, take MATH1722 Mathematics Foundations: Specialist; without ATAR Physics or equivalent, take PHYS1030 Physics Bridging Unit, as first-year bridging units.
• Frontier Physics combined course: minimum ATAR 95; the course page lists no separate subject prerequisites. This is not given on the pages used for this guide, so confirm with UWA.
• 2026 ATAR statistics (entry standards page, school leavers only): Bachelor of Science: lowest ATAR 55.95, median 84.10, highest 99.85; lowest selection rank (ATAR plus adjustments) 70.00, median 86.25. Fewer than 5 ATAR-based offers were made for the Frontier Physics combined course, so no figures are published; the Medical Physics combined course (CM040) shows a lowest ATAR of 95.75 and a median of 99.60.
• ATAR conversions (UWA’s tables, for ATAR 70, 85, 90 and 95):
  • ATAR 70: Gaokao about 65% (488–491 out of 750); A-levels CDD (7 points); IB 24; AP aggregate 6; Canadian high school average 60; Chinese senior secondary graduation certificate plus ACT 20 / SAT 1100
  • ATAR 85: Gaokao about 72.5% (544–547 out of 750); A-levels BCC (10); IB 30; AP aggregate 11; Canadian high school average 75; Chinese senior secondary graduation certificate plus ACT 25 / SAT 1220
  • ATAR 90: Gaokao about 76% (570–577 out of 750); A-levels BBB (12); IB 32; AP aggregate 13; Canadian high school average 80; Chinese senior secondary graduation certificate plus ACT 27 / SAT 1270
  • ATAR 95: Gaokao about 84% (630–644 out of 750); IB 36; AP aggregate 15; Canadian high school average 89; Chinese senior secondary graduation certificate plus ACT 30 / SAT 1360

Australian domestic applicants

• How to apply: current Year 12 school leavers apply through TISC in Western Australia (including early-offer applications); non-school leavers and Year 12 international students apply directly in UWA Apply.
• Basic eligibility: the entry standards page says Australian Year 12 applicants must complete their state certificate with an ATAR of 75 or above and meet the English requirement; IB applicants must complete the full Diploma with a score of at least 24. Each degree also lists its own minimum ATAR (see above). The pages do not explain how the general 75 relates to the lower minimums on some degree pages, so check the admissions page and the degree page, and confirm with UWA.
• Early offers and adjustments: students sitting WACE or the IB in Western Australia can apply for an early offer on a predicted ATAR (set by TISC from Year 11 results). UWA also has equity pathways that adjust the ATAR, including Broadway (designated schools, ATAR 70 or above), First in Family (ATAR 70 or above) and UWay/EAS; see the entry standards page.
• Tuition: Commonwealth-supported places charge a student contribution per unit by area of study, indexed each year. UWA tells applicants to use the fee calculator (“I want to price my units”); the pages used for this guide do not give amounts.

International applicants (including students from China): how to apply

• How to apply: apply directly online through UWA Apply, or through one of UWA’s agents. Prepare your academic results, English test results, a copy of your passport and any extra documents for your course (scans must be clear, in full colour and complete).
• Application fee: direct and agent applications both pay a non-refundable AUD 150; the application is not processed until the fee is charged successfully.
• Deadlines for 2027 entry: the international applicants page has several tables. Domestic and onshore applicants: 19 February 2027 for Semester 1 and 16 July 2027 for Semester 2. The “All other countries” table gives 11 January 2027 for Semester 1 and 7 June 2027 for Semester 2; a separate list of countries (including India, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Nepal, and not including China) has earlier dates, 28 December 2026 and 24 May 2027. On that layout, applicants from China appear to fall under 11 January and 7 June, but the table headings are not fully clear on the page, so confirm on UWA’s site. UWA also says dates may change without notice and some courses have different dates; the course page rules.
• Offers and acceptance: you receive the result by email, either an offer or a conditional offer, and accept in UWA Apply or from the email. You may need to upload documents, agree to the terms and make the first payment before the acceptance date, or the offer lapses. If you ticked credit or advanced standing it is reviewed by Admissions, and you can still apply for more after enrolling.
• Tuition: international students pay an annual course fee charged per credit point, indexed each year; use UWA’s fee calculator for a specific course. Neither the international fees page nor the degree page gives an amount. Fees are paid each semester (twice a year), and a compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) applies.
• Entry pathway programs: the page lists the UWA Foundation Program (run by UWA College; length depends on English level and results), the WA Universities Foundation Program, the NCUK International Foundation Year, other Group of Eight foundation programs and a list of recognised international foundation courses (including programmes at Beijing Foreign Studies University and East China University of Political Science and Law). UWA CELT offers English bridging courses, but UWA says it is not open to all students and courses with accreditation English requirements have no CELT pathway.

Students from China

• The Gaokao is accepted: UWA’s international qualifications page has a Gaokao entry. You must meet the English requirement, earn enough points and satisfy the prerequisites for your course and major. Scores are taken against the maximum for your province (usually 750; Shanghai 660) and the total is the sum of the subject scores. UWA’s conversions to ATAR, with the Gaokao as a percentage, are:
  • ATAR 70: Gaokao about 65% (488–491 out of 750); A-levels CDD (7 points); IB 24; AP aggregate 6; Canadian high school average 60; Chinese senior secondary graduation certificate plus ACT 20 / SAT 1100
  • ATAR 85: Gaokao about 72.5% (544–547 out of 750); A-levels BCC (10); IB 30; AP aggregate 11; Canadian high school average 75; Chinese senior secondary graduation certificate plus ACT 25 / SAT 1220
  • ATAR 90: Gaokao about 76% (570–577 out of 750); A-levels BBB (12); IB 32; AP aggregate 13; Canadian high school average 80; Chinese senior secondary graduation certificate plus ACT 27 / SAT 1270
  • ATAR 95: Gaokao about 84% (630–644 out of 750); IB 36; AP aggregate 15; Canadian high school average 89; Chinese senior secondary graduation certificate plus ACT 30 / SAT 1360
• Prerequisite subject equivalents: in UWA’s Gaokao subject table, Physics equals Gaokao Physics at 65% or higher (or the Comprehensive Subject (Science) at 65%+); Mathematics Specialist equals Gaokao Mathematics at 65% or higher; Mathematics Methods is listed as “No equivalent”; Mathematics Applications equals Gaokao Mathematics at 50%–65%. The Physics major asks for Specialist, Methods and Physics; UWA does not say whether Gaokao Mathematics satisfies Methods, so confirm with UWA, or use the first-year bridging units above. For AP, Calculus BC at 3+ equals Specialist, Calculus AB at 3+ equals Methods and Physics 1 and 2 or Physics B at 3+ equals Physics; the IB and A-level pages used here give no subject equivalents, and Canadian subjects are assessed individually. The Gaokao has no equivalent for UWA “English”, so you prove English with a test (see the English section below).
• Senior secondary graduation certificate only: UWA lists the Chinese 高中毕业证书 as a recognised school qualification, but it must be combined with the SAT or ACT (taken within two years of the diploma, with an English proof of ACT English 25 or SAT English 600). The subject-equivalent table for this route says “No equivalent” for every subject, so confirm prerequisites with UWA.
• International school curricula: see the table above for A-levels, IB and AP. AP must be combined with a recognised high school qualification; at least two AP subjects at 3 or above count (aggregated over subjects scoring 3 or higher, from two subjects up, passed within two consecutive academic years), and results must be examined and certified by the College Board. IB applicants must complete the full Diploma with a minimum total of 24.
• Interviews, accreditation bodies, China-specific notes: the pages used for this guide do not mention interviews, accreditation bodies or China-specific course rules; check the website (UWA has a Chinese-language version of its site) or ask Admissions (+61 8 6488 1000).

English requirements

• Minimum standard: IELTS Academic (including IELTS for UKVI and One Skill Retake) 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0; TOEFL iBT 82 (20 in speaking and writing, 17 in listening and reading), institution code 7496; TOEFL iBT on the 1–6 scale 4.5 overall (4 in writing, 3.5 in listening, speaking and reading); PTE Academic 64 with no band below 60; Duolingo 125 (speaking 115, writing 125, reading 115, listening 110); Cambridge C1/C2 170 overall (175 in speaking and writing, 165 in listening and reading). Test results are valid for two years from the test date.
• Higher standard for some courses: UWA says some courses need more than the minimum (for example IELTS 7.0 with no band below 6.5, or TOEFL 92), so check the course page.
• Ways to meet the requirement without a test: for example certain school results (A-level English at grade E or above, IB English A at SL 4 or HL 3, English B at HL 5, AP English at 3 or above) or at least one recent full-time year of degree study in Canada (excluding Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the USA within two years; see the English requirements page. The Gaokao has no English equivalent.

Tuition

International tuition is charged by course per credit point. The Physics major page says no fee information is currently available for it, and the Bachelor of Science and combined course pages point to the fee calculator without an amount; check UWA’s fee calculator, and expect annual indexation.

Scholarship: the Global Excellence Scholarship

• Open to students from all countries for 2027 entry. For undergraduates you must be applying for an eligible undergraduate course, combined bachelor’s degree, combined bachelor’s and master’s degree or Assured Pathway course (the Assured Pathways to Medicine and Dental Medicine are excluded). An equivalent ATAR of 85 or more earns 10% off tuition and 90 or more earns 20%, each year for the normal full-time length of the course.
• There is no separate application: submit your course application and Admissions assesses you automatically once you provide final transcripts, with the result shown in your offer letter. If transcripts are not in yet you may get a conditional offer without the scholarship and a new offer later. It cannot be held with another UWA fee reduction or academic scholarship. Continuation criteria apply (see the full terms PDF on UWA’s site). UWA says the scholarship runs for 2027–2029 intakes, so a 2027 awardee who defers to 2028 keeps it.
• UWA notes that international and overseas qualifications must reach a certain level to count, and other qualifications are assessed individually. By UWA’s tables, Gaokao about 72.5%, IB 30, A-levels BCC or a Canadian average of 75 roughly equals ATAR 85; Gaokao about 76%, IB 32, A-levels BBB or a Canadian average of 80 roughly equals ATAR 90. The Frontier Physics combined course’s minimum ATAR of 95 is above the 90 threshold for the 20% band, and combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees are listed as eligible; the offer letter sets the actual amount.

Transfer students and credit

• Prior university study: at least one full-time semester (or equivalent) at AQF level 7 or higher at an Australian university with a GPA of 4.0 (out of 7), plus the English requirement. If you completed a full-time year within the past two years with a GPA of 4.0 or above, you need no separate English evidence. Study outside Australia must equal one semester of AQF level 7 with a GPA comparable to 4.0 on a 7.0 scale, plus English evidence; UWA judges equivalence from the Australian Government’s Country Education Profiles.
• Vocational study (VET): an AQF level 5 qualification or above. Level 5 or 6 qualifications of 12 months or more full time, completed within two years in Australia, need no separate English evidence; study outside Australia must equal AQF level 5 and also needs English evidence.
• Credit: you can ask for credit or advanced standing in your application and apply for more after enrolling. UWA has pre-approved credit arrangements with a number of polytechnics and other institutions in architecture, business, engineering, computer science and life and physical sciences; see “Credit transfer or advanced standing” on its site.
• Other: applicants over 20 can also use the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) route. The pages used do not give rules for transferring between UWA degrees, so ask the faculty or Admissions.

Checklist

Students from China:

• Physics major in the Bachelor of Science: ATAR 70, about 65% in the Gaokao (488–491 out of 750); Frontier Physics combined course: ATAR 95, about 84% (630–644)
• Gaokao Physics and Mathematics at 65%+ map to Physics and Mathematics Specialist; Methods has no equivalent, so confirm with UWA; first-year bridging units exist for mathematics and physics
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 each) or another accepted test; AUD 150 application fee; the January and June deadlines above, checked against UWA’s site

Domestic applicants: apply through TISC with the state certificate and ATAR, and the Specialist, Methods and Physics prerequisites.

Transfer students: one full-time semester at AQF level 7 with GPA 4.0/7, or an AQF level 5+ qualification; request a credit assessment when you apply.

Sources: The University of Western Australia, Physics major (Bachelor of Science); Bachelor of Science; Bachelor of Science (Frontier Physics) and Master of Physics; Master of Physics; Undergraduate applicants; Entry standards; International applicants; International and overseas qualifications; International Baccalaureate; English language requirements; International student pathways; International student fees; Global Excellence Scholarship. The information is as shown on the pages when read, including dates for 2027 entry. Check UWA for the latest details.