How to Apply to Physics at UNSW Sydney: No Standalone Physics Bachelor, but a Physics Major in the Three-Year Bachelor of Science or an Advanced Physics Major in the Four-Year Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours), with Entry and Prerequisite Requirements for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Physics at UNSW Sydney is taught by the School of Physics in UNSW Science, face to face at the Kensington campus. UNSW says you study physics within the broader framework of a science degree; it does not list a standalone “Bachelor of Physics”. You can major in Physics in the Bachelor of Science, or in Advanced Physics in the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours). Based on UNSW’s official information, this guide covers 2027 entry for domestic applicants, international applicants (including those from China) and transfer applicants.

1. Degrees and areas

• Bachelor of Science: three years, 144 units of credit (UOC), UAC code 429000, program code 3970, CRICOS 015780K, with Term 1, 2 and 3 entry. The major list includes Physics and the related Biophysics; majors range from 60 to 78 UOC; optional minors include Astronomy and Biophysics. The page gives two figures: “28 majors” in one place and “27 majors” in another.
• Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours): four years, 192 UOC, UAC code 429350, program code 3962, CRICOS 088842G, with a 48 UOC honours year built in (a supervised research project, sometimes with advanced coursework). The major list includes Advanced Physics and Biophysics; majors range from 66 to 84 UOC. The page gives two figures: “24 majors” in the summary and “25 majors” in the list.
• Honours: the physics study area page says honours can be taken as an embedded program (Advanced Science (Honours)) or as a standalone program (Science (Honours)). After the Bachelor of Science, any major other than psychology leads to Science (Honours), “subject to performance”; the cut-off is not published.
• Research areas (physics study area page): the School lists nine areas of expertise: astrophysics, acoustics, biophysics, computational physics and big data, condensed matter physics and quantum devices, experimental and observational physics, fundamental physics, theoretical physics, and physics education research. A physics major can draw on any of them.
• Double degrees: UNSW says many students combine a science degree with a physics major with engineering, computer science, law, actuarial studies, commerce, economics, education, music, fine arts or arts. The Bachelor of Science lists Actuarial Studies, Arts, Commerce, Computer Science, Economics, Education (Secondary), Engineering (Hons), Fine Arts, Law and Social Sciences (192 UOC over four years); Advanced Science (Honours) lists Arts, Commerce, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering (Hons), Fine Arts, Law and Social Sciences (240 UOC over five years).
• Accreditation: the pages used for this guide do not mention professional accreditation of the physics majors (for example by a physics institute); not published, so ask the School.

2. How you are admitted to physics

• You apply to the degree, not to physics: you apply to the Bachelor of Science or Advanced Science (Honours) and choose physics as a major after entry. The Bachelor of Science page says you can explore different disciplines in first year before choosing a major, and the Advanced Science page also speaks of first-year flexibility.
• First-year physics (School page): the School offers a choice of first-year physics courses for students with different backgrounds and skill levels. The course names and who each suits are not given on the pages used for this guide; check the handbook.
• When you choose a major, grade thresholds, place limits: not published; ask the Faculty of Science or the School of Physics.
• Admission tests and interviews: the pages used for this guide mention no physics entrance test or interview; not published.

3. Prerequisites

• Assumed knowledge: the Bachelor of Science and Advanced Science pages say “Mathematics Advanced or Mathematics Extension 1 (depending on chosen area of study) plus one or more of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Physics”. It is presented as assumed knowledge. Which science subject a physics major needs, and whether maths must be Advanced or Extension 1, is not published, and neither are equivalents in other states or countries; check with UNSW.
• Physics bridging course: run once a year by the Faculty, about 40 hours, AUD 380, before Term 1 (February), covering HSC physics content such as SI units, waves, vectors, forces, dynamics and Newton’s laws. UNSW says it is not a substitute for two years of senior high school physics, and taking it does not mean admission. The next run is 12 January to 6 February, online and asynchronous (the page prints the year as 2026, so confirm that it is 2027). The mathematics bridging course runs three times a year.
• AP / IB credit against university physics courses: not stated on the pages used for this guide; not published. Check the handbook or ask the Faculty.

4. Domestic applicants

• How to apply: Australian and New Zealand citizens, permanent residents and permanent humanitarian visa holders apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC), with up to five preferences. UNSW says on-time Term 1 applications usually close at the end of September, late applications pay a fee, and most Term 1 offers are made in December and January.
• Adjustment factors and pathways: HSC Plus (strong results in relevant Year 12 subjects), Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL) and the Educational Access Scheme (EAS, 1 to 10 points). There are also the Gateway pathway (early offers with a reduced ATAR requirement), Indigenous entry programs, the University Preparation Program (for school leavers with an ATAR of 50 or above who have experienced educational disadvantage, and people aged 20 and over returning to study without an ATAR) and UNSW College Diplomas.
• Scholarships (scholarships overview page): the Academic Achievement Award (highest raw ATAR at NSW and ACT schools, AUD 5,000 for one year), Equity Scholarships and the Scientia Scholarship (raw ATAR of 99.90 or above, AUD 10,000 for the duration of the program), among others; see the scholarships website.
• 2026 reference scores: the lowest selection ranks (ATAR plus adjustment factors) shown for 2026 are 83.0 for the Bachelor of Science (A-Level 10, IB 31, lowest ATAR 68.5) and 93.0 for Advanced Science (Honours) (A-Level 15, IB 37, lowest ATAR 80.1). UNSW notes these are guides that change each year, and that some lowest ATARs reflect Gateway early conditional offers.
• Fees: for a Commonwealth Supported Place the 2026 indicative student contribution is about AUD 9,500 for the first year and AUD 30,500 for the degree for the Bachelor of Science, and AUD 9,500 and AUD 40,500 for Advanced Science (Honours). These are estimates; the actual amount depends on your courses and enrolment year.

5. International applicants

• How to apply: most international students apply directly through the UNSW Applicant Portal or via an agent; those completing an Australian Year 12, the IB (in or outside Australia) or New Zealand NCEA Level 3 apply through UAC. After you accept an offer and pay a deposit you receive an electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCoE). The application fee, reference letters and any extra essay are not stated on the pages used for this guide; not published. Check the Applicant Portal or ask UNSW.
• 2027 entry scores (international undergraduate entry table):
  • Bachelor of Science: international ATAR 78; Gaokao 70%; IB 29; A-Level 10; BC GPA 3.4; Ontario OSSD 76; SAT 1150; ACT 23.
  • Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours): international ATAR 88; Gaokao 75%; IB 34; A-Level 12; BC GPA 3.6; OSSD 82; SAT 1240; ACT 26.
  UNSW notes the scores are a guide and actual requirements may be higher or lower.
• A-Level and AP: A-Level is the best three or four A2 subjects (excluding repeats), A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1, with at most one Applied A Level. AP is assessed on three to four subjects at grade 3 or above, with a College Board score report and authorisation to verify.
• Predicted grades: UNSW considers forecast results for CBSE, GCE A-Level, IB, NCUK and Singapore A-Level, on school letterhead with the school’s stamp and signature.
• English (Science undergraduate): IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each subtest (One Skill Retake accepted, IELTS Online not accepted); TOEFL iBT 90 with at least 23 in Writing and 22 in the other sections; PTE 64 with at least 54 in each. Cambridge C1/C2, LanguageCert Academic and MET (the last two from Term 1 2027) are also accepted, with scores on the English requirements page; results must be recent (within two years of the start).
• International tuition (2026 indicative, tuition only): Bachelor of Science about AUD 61,000 for the first year and AUD 194,000 for the degree; Advanced Science (Honours) about AUD 61,500 and AUD 268,500. The full-degree figures include an estimate of about AUD 1,000 a year in study costs. 2027 fees are not published.
• International scholarships (scholarships overview page): the International Scientia Coursework Scholarship (full tuition, or AUD 20,000 a year towards fees), Australia’s Global University Award (AUD 10,000 for one year, paid towards tuition in the second term of the first year), the UNSW College Award (AUD 10,000 for the first undergraduate year, for graduates of a UNSW College Foundations program) and the International Student Award (20% of tuition every year, for citizens of listed countries starting in 2026 and 2027). Some scholarships need a separate application, so check each one on the scholarships website.

6. Applicants from China

• The Gaokao is accepted for direct entry. UNSW assesses it as the percentage average of all attempted subjects and publishes a table of provincial maximum marks (it says the maximums are reviewed annually by the Chinese government). For provinces with a 750-point maximum, 70% is 525 and 90% is 675; Shanghai has a 660-point maximum, with 70% to 90% shown as 462 to 594. For Hainan the table gives “630 (70%) to 810 (90%)” but a denominator of 940, which do not agree, so confirm with UNSW.
• Predicted results: the qualifications for which UNSW considers forecast or predicted results are CBSE, GCE A-Level, IB, NCUK and Singapore A-Level. The Gaokao is not on that list; whether predicted Gaokao results can be used is not published, so ask admissions.
• International Student Award and the diversity pathway: the award’s list of eligible countries (PDF) does not include China or Canada. The International Admissions Diversity Pathway (5 extra points on the international ATAR, excluding the Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine) uses the same country list, so it does not apply either. UNSW says applicants from other countries are still encouraged and assessed under standard requirements.
• Pathways: the international pathways page says that if you do not meet direct entry, UNSW College offers a 12-month Diploma that gives direct entry into second year of any UNSW bachelor’s degree, and Foundation Studies for first-year entry. Whether a given degree adds conditions is not published; ask admissions.
• Huikao documents, verification bodies, interviews: apart from the Gaokao percentage above, the pages used for this guide do not describe China-specific huikao documents, verification bodies or interviews; not published. Check UNSW’s accepted-qualifications page or contact admissions.
• English: the English exemptions UNSW lists cover qualifications from Germany, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia and Switzerland. Chinese senior secondary qualifications are not among them, so an English test is generally needed.
• Gaokao percentage for these degrees: 70% for the Bachelor of Science and 75% for Advanced Science (Honours) (both from the 2027 international entry table).

7. Work experience and research

• The School of Physics page says undergraduates can take a “Taste of research” course in one of its research groups, and a Work Integrated Learning course that places you as an intern in an external organisation for course credit. Duration and places are not published.
• The Bachelor of Science page says employability courses are built in, with work placements, industry projects or Research Integrated Learning in second and third year; the Advanced Science page describes research skills from first year, a research project in second year and the honours year.
• Course levels listed by the School: second year covers quantum physics, mechanics and special relativity, electromagnetism and atmospheric science; third year is deep, specialised study that may include quantum mechanics, computational physics, astrophysics, electrodynamics and particle physics; honours is research within a research group. General education options include astronomy and everyday applications of physics.

8. Transfer and credit

• Prior university study: if you have completed at least 0.75 of a full-time year in a single degree (the page says at least one year of full-time study), you are assessed on your tertiary results or your ATAR, whichever is better; an ATAR older than 5 years is not used. Less than 0.75 FTE is not assessable and eligibility reverts to your most recent assessable qualification.
• Diplomas and TAFE: an AQF-accredited Diploma is assessed on 50% of your ATAR (or equivalent) and 50% of the Diploma. UNSW notes that Diploma and Advanced Diploma applicants generally need a Distinction average to be competitive for programs with a lowest selection rank above 90. A TAFE Diploma or Advanced Diploma can lead to credit through Recognition of Prior Learning under the TAFE Pathways Program, reducing the time to complete the degree.
• Detailed advanced-standing rules: not given on the pages used for this guide; check with UNSW.

9. Timeline (2027 entry)

• UNSW says applications for all 2027 terms are open and encourages early applications. Some programs are at capacity for 2026 intakes and closed to new overseas applicants.
• Applicants from countries not on the International Student Award list (this includes China) receive undergraduate offers in rounds. For Term 1 2027 the completed-application deadlines are 14 May, 16 July, 20 August and 24 September 2026, with offers released on 13 August, 10 September, 15 October and 19 November and acceptance deadlines of 8 October, 5 November, 10 December and 24 December 2026.
• A fifth round has an application deadline of 15 November 2026, offers on 10 December and acceptance by 24 December. UNSW says offshore applications for Term 1 2027 stay open until 15 November 2026 and it will try to give an outcome by 10 December, but cannot guarantee this for applications submitted after the standard deadline. The page labels 15 November as a Thursday, but 15 November 2026 is a Sunday, so the date and weekday do not agree; check the page for the latest. Further offers may follow the last round if places remain.
• Terms 2 and 3: UNSW says the undergraduate round dates for these terms will be updated soon; they are not published yet. Check the admissions page.

Checklist

Domestic applicants:

• Apply through UAC; on-time Term 1 applications close at the end of September
• Mathematics (Advanced or Extension 1) plus a science subject as assumed knowledge
• Consider HSC Plus, EAS and other adjustment factors

International applicants (including China):

• Bachelor of Science: Gaokao 70%, or international ATAR 78 / IB 29 / A-Level 10 / SAT 1150; Advanced Science (Honours): Gaokao 75%, or international ATAR 88
• Mathematics (Advanced or Extension 1) plus a science subject; any physics-specific requirement is not published, and a physics bridging course is available if you lack the background
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 each), TOEFL 90 or PTE 64
• Apply in the offer rounds; the first four Term 1 deadlines have passed and the last round closes on 15 November 2026; Terms 2 and 3 are also options
• If you fall short, consider a UNSW College Diploma or Foundation Studies

Transfer applicants:

• At least 0.75 FTE of university results; advanced standing is assessed after admission

Sources: UNSW Sydney, Bachelor of Science; Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours); Physics study area; School of Physics: undergraduate courses; Bridging courses; 2027 international undergraduate entry requirements table (PDF); International entry requirements; English language requirements; International admissions and offer rounds; International admission pathways; Accepted qualifications; Scholarships; International Student Award; International Student Award eligible countries (PDF). Information is for 2027 entry; entry scores are indicative and fees are 2026 figures. Check UNSW Sydney for the latest details.