How to Apply to Life Sciences and Medicine-Related Degrees at the University of Western Australia: Biomedical Science, Science Majors, Nursing (Honours) and Sport and Exercise Sciences, Mostly from ATAR 70, with Requirements for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is in Perth. Life sciences and medicine-related undergraduate study has several entry points: the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BP006), biology-related majors in the Bachelor of Science (BP004), the Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) (BH028) and the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BP026). Below is what UWA’s pages say, split by reader: Australian domestic applicants, international applicants, students from China, and transfer students. Biomedical engineering sits in engineering at UWA and is not covered here.

1. The degrees and majors

• Bachelor of Biomedical Science: three years full time, February and July intakes, minimum ATAR 70, CRICOS 095001B. The majors listed are Anatomy and Human Biology, Exercise and Health, Human Genomics, Humanities in Health and Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, Neuroscience, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Physiology and Public Health (ten). The page text says “10 majors” while its quick-details box says “12 degree-specific majors”, so UWA contradicts itself. You can take one or two majors or combine one with a major from Arts, Commerce or Science. Some classes are at the UWA Health Campus on the QEII Medical Centre site in Nedlands. The major pages show honours is available (BBiomedSc (Hons), 4 years).
• Biology-related majors in the Bachelor of Science: three years (four for honours), minimum ATAR 70, February and July intakes, CRICOS 068914G, with 29 degree-specific majors. Life-science majors include Anatomy and Human Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Botany, Conservation Biology, Genetics, Marine Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Neuroscience, Physiology and Zoology. UWA describes science work placements, with past examples in forensic and chemistry labs, marine field work, pharmaceuticals, regional farms, sporting clubs and zoology field work.
• Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BP026): three years, minimum ATAR 70, February and July intakes, Crawley campus, with four degree-specific options listed. The Sport Science, Exercise and Health (Extended Major) is accredited by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), and graduates are eligible to apply as accredited exercise scientists. Combined courses lead to the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology, Master of Applied Human Performance Science or Master of Public Health.
• Bachelor of Nursing (Honours): four years full time (or part-time equivalent), February (Semester 1) intake only, CRICOS 119495F, minimum ATAR 70, with quotas. UWA says professional practice placements begin in the second semester of first year and there is a final-year internship, in hospitals, residential, community and telehealth settings. You can study in Perth (online or on campus) or at regional campuses (online); placements are in Perth, the Pilbara, the Midwest and the Great Southern. Students must be registered as student nurses with AHPRA and must acknowledge the Inherent Requirements policy. UWA also lists Certificate IV qualifications, Indigenous pathways and enabling programs as non-ATAR entries.
• Medicine, dental medicine and podiatric medicine: UWA lists the Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Dental Medicine as postgraduate courses. The undergraduate entry is the Bachelor of Biomedicine (Specialised) (BP056) with an Assured Pathway to Medicine, Dental Medicine or Podiatric Medicine. UWA says the postgraduate place is guaranteed on high school results, subject to satisfactory performance in the bachelor’s degree. In the 2026 statistics on the entry standards page, the Medicine pathway shows a lowest ATAR of 91.55 and median of 99.15, the Dental pathway 93.85 and 99.50, and the Podiatric pathway 94.60 and 99.55; Biomedicine (Specialised) itself shows 92.05 and 98.10. The “International” column counts 16 students for the Medicine pathway and 10 for the Dental pathway. UWA’s rules for international applicants to these pathways, and any tests required, are not given on the pages used for this guide, so confirm with Admissions.

2. Prerequisites and minimum scores

• Biomedical Science and Science: the degree pages say you must meet the prerequisites of your chosen major, shown on each major page. The Anatomy and Human Biology, Neuroscience, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Genetics major pages list only the English requirement under admissions, with no biology, chemistry or mathematics prerequisites; check the other major pages on UWA’s site. UWA’s prerequisites and recommended subjects overview is not given with subject lists on the pages used for this guide, so confirm with Admissions.
• Nursing (Honours): ATAR 70 (adjustments may apply to rural and remote students), or a Certificate IV or Indigenous pathway. UWA also lists minimum international levels: IB 24, Singapore A-levels 5, India CBSE 9.0, UK A-levels 7 points, HKDSE 13 and a British Columbia graduation average of 70; and IELTS 7.0 (the page repeats “7.0” in brackets, so check whether that is a band minimum). The Gaokao is not listed on the nursing page; UWA’s general table puts about 65% at ATAR 70, but how it applies to nursing should be confirmed with Admissions.
• 2026 ATAR statistics (entry standards page, school leavers only): Bachelor of Biomedical Science: lowest ATAR 57.45, median 87.25, lowest selection rank (ATAR plus adjustments) 70.00, median 89.10; Bachelor of Science: lowest 55.95, median 84.10, lowest selection rank 70.00, median 86.25; Bachelor of Nursing (Honours): lowest 64.40, median 79.10, lowest selection rank 70.00; Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Sciences: lowest 77.05, median 80.95, lowest selection rank 80.00.
• ATAR conversions (UWA’s tables, for ATAR 70, 80, 85, 90 and 94):
  • 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 80: Gaokao about 70% (525–528 out of 750); A-levels CCC (9); IB 27; AP aggregate 9; Canadian high school average 70; Chinese senior secondary graduation certificate plus ACT 24 / SAT 1170
  • 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 94: Gaokao about 82% (615–629 out of 750); IB 35; AP aggregate 15; Canadian high school average 87; Chinese senior secondary graduation certificate plus ACT 29 / SAT 1340

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.
• Nursing applications: UWA says school leavers, applicants with previous non-nursing tertiary study, the Certificate IV pathway and other non-UWA enabling programs apply through TISC; domestic UWA Apply applications close on 8 February 2027.

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.

International applications for the Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) are separate: Crawley campus only, opening on 1 March 2026 and closing on 31 August 2026. These are the dates shown on the course page for the February 2027 intake as read; check UWA for updates.

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 80: Gaokao about 70% (525–528 out of 750); A-levels CCC (9); IB 27; AP aggregate 9; Canadian high school average 70; Chinese senior secondary graduation certificate plus ACT 24 / SAT 1170
  • 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 94: Gaokao about 82% (615–629 out of 750); IB 35; AP aggregate 15; Canadian high school average 87; Chinese senior secondary graduation certificate plus ACT 29 / SAT 1340
• Prerequisite subject equivalents: in UWA’s Gaokao subject table, Biology equals Gaokao Biology at 65% or higher; Chemistry equals Gaokao Chemistry at 65% or higher (or the Comprehensive Subject (Science) at 65%+); Physics equals Gaokao Physics at 65%+; Mathematics Specialist equals Gaokao Mathematics at 65%+, and Mathematics Methods is listed as “No equivalent”. For AP, Biology, Chemistry and Physics at 3 or above map to the matching subjects; the IB and A-level pages used here give no subject equivalents, and Canadian subjects are assessed individually. The life-science major pages used here state no such prerequisites, so use these equivalents only where a major page names a subject. 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. The Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) page asks for IELTS 7.0.
• 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 Biomedical Science, Science and Nursing pages point to the fee calculator without an amount, so check UWA’s fee calculator, and expect annual indexation. Nursing students also bear costs such as uniforms and student registration; UWA gives no amounts.

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 scholarship explicitly excludes the Assured Pathways to Medicine and Dental Medicine and postgraduate courses such as the Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Dental Medicine; whether the Podiatric Medicine pathway is eligible is not stated, so ask Admissions. 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:

• Biomedical Science, Science and Sport and Exercise Sciences: minimum ATAR 70, about 65% in the Gaokao (488–491 out of 750); Nursing (Honours): ATAR 70, IELTS 7.0, Crawley campus only for international students
• Check each major page for biology or chemistry prerequisites; Gaokao Biology and Chemistry at 65%+ map to Biology and Chemistry
• 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; nursing and medical pathways use the course-page dates

Domestic applicants: apply through TISC with the state certificate and ATAR (mostly 70; nursing has quotas).

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, Bachelor of Biomedical Science; Bachelor of Science; Bachelor of Nursing (Honours); Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Sciences; Assured Pathways; 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.