How to Apply to Life Sciences and Medicine at UNSW Sydney: Majors Such as Anatomy, Neuroscience and Immunology in the Bachelor of Science, and the Six-Year Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine with UCAT ANZ or ISAT and an Interview for International Applicants, with Entry and Prerequisite Requirements for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Life sciences and medicine at UNSW Sydney sit in two faculties: UNSW Science (the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours)) and Medicine & Health (medicine, pharmacy, optometry, exercise and nutrition programs). Psychology is another Science major and is only mentioned here; biomedical engineering belongs to the Faculty of Engineering and is not covered. 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 majors

• Bachelor of Science: three years, 144 units of credit (UOC), UAC code 429000, program code 3970, CRICOS 015780K, face to face at Kensington with Term 1, 2 and 3 entry. Life-science majors include Anatomy, Bioinformatics, Biology and Biodiversity, Biophysics, Biotechnology, Ecology and Conservation, Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular and Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Pathology, Pharmacology, Physiology and Vision Science (with Food Science, Marine and Coastal Science and others alongside). Majors range from 60 to 78 UOC; minors include Anatomy, Immunology and Pathology. 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. Life-science majors include Anatomy, Bioinformatics, Biology and Biodiversity, Biophysics, Biotechnology, Ecology and Conservation, Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular and Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Pathology, Pharmacology and Physiology. The page gives two figures: “24 majors” in the summary and “25 majors” in the list.
• Honours: after the Bachelor of Science, any major other than psychology leads to the one-year Science (Honours), “subject to performance”; the cut-off is not published.
• Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine: six years, 288 UOC, UAC code 428000, program code 3805, CRICOS 077423G, Term 1 entry only, at Kensington (UNSW says all international applicants who receive an offer are allocated to the Kensington campus). UNSW says it is one of the few Australian medicine degrees entered at undergraduate level; you graduate with both a bachelor’s degree and the Doctor of Medicine and are then eligible for provisional registration with the Medical Board of Australia. Fourth year is an Independent Learning Project or an honours year, and patient contact starts in first year.
• Other health and biomedical programs: the 2027 international entry table also lists the Bachelor of Medical Science, Science Biotechnology (Hons), Medicinal Chemistry (Hons), Vision Science, Pharmaceutical Medicine/Master of Pharmacy, Nutrition/Master of Dietetics and Food Innovation and exercise science combined programs. The program pages for these were not among the pages used for this guide, so beyond the table’s scores and the English requirement scores, details are not given here; check the website.
• Double degrees: the Bachelor of Science can be combined with 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) with Arts, Commerce, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering (Hons), Fine Arts, Law and Social Sciences (240 UOC over five years).
• Accreditation and registration: the medicine page says it is an accredited program with professional requirements for students. Whether the life-science majors carry professional accreditation is not stated on the pages used for this guide; not published.

2. How you are admitted to a specific pathway

• Science: apply to the degree, choose a major later: the Bachelor of Science page says you can explore different disciplines in first year before choosing a major. When a major must be chosen, and any grade threshold or place limit for particular majors, is not published.
• Medicine: apply directly to the medicine degree, with a test and an interview: all applicants sit either UCAT ANZ or the International Student Admission Test (ISAT), and may then be selected for interview. International applicants enter in one of three ways: directly to UNSW (with an overseas qualification, or with all or part of a tertiary degree), through UAC (those completing an Australian Year 12 or NZ NCEA Level 3; IB students may apply through UAC or directly) or through UNSW College Foundation Studies. The criteria for each are below.
• Test and interview (medicine): UCAT ANZ percentile of 50 or above, or an ISAT score of at least 165. Interviews are all online by Zoom and only for selected applicants; international applicants are ranked for interview on academic results and UCAT ANZ or ISAT score, UNSW says there are approximately 300 interview places for international applicants each year, and interviews run monthly from June to January. You also submit a Medicine Personal Statement Form.
• Scores are not averaged: UNSW says international applicants are ranked on academic merit and interview score, scores are not averaged, and a high score in one area does not compensate for a low score in another. Offers for the medicine degree are issued outside the standard rounds, subject to eligibility confirmation by the faculty.
• Moving in from inside UNSW: the conditions for moving into a life-science major or medicine are not stated on the pages used for this guide; not published. UNSW only says international students must reapply to change programs.

3. Prerequisites

• Science 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 particular life-science major needs is not published, and neither are equivalents in other states or countries; check with UNSW.
• Medicine assumed knowledge: the medicine page lists English (English Standard) and says English as a Second Language and Fundamentals of English are not considered suitable preparation. It does not list biology, chemistry or maths requirements on the pages used for this guide; not published, so check with Medicine & Health.
• Chemistry bridging course: run once a year by the Faculty of Science, about 40 hours, AUD 380, before Term 1 (January and February), covering atomic structure, moles, equations, concentrations, oxidation and reduction, titration and gases. It is meant for students with no HSC Chemistry who will take Chemistry 1A in first year. Mathematics (three times a year) and physics (once a year) bridging courses also exist. UNSW says taking a bridging course does not mean admission.
• AP / IB credit against university 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 rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) shown for 2026 is 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). For medicine the page shows “ATAR + UCAT ANZ + Interview”, with 2026 lowest ATARs of 91.05 (Rural), 94.25 (Gateway) and 99.75 (Local). UNSW notes these are guides that change each year.
• Domestic medicine: the Faculty has a separate domestic-applicants page for medicine, which was not among the pages used for this guide; its process and dates are not given here, so check it.
• 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; AUD 9,500 and AUD 40,500 for Advanced Science (Honours); and AUD 10,500 and AUD 78,000 for the medicine degree. 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 and reference letters are not stated on the pages used for this guide (medicine needs a personal statement form); 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.
  • Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine: international ATAR 96; Gaokao 90%; IB 40; A-Level 17; BC GPA 3.85; OSSD 88; SAT 1370; ACT 31.
  • Other programs in the table: Medical Science (ATAR 85, Gaokao 75%, IB 33), Science Biotechnology (Hons) (78, 70%, 29), Medicinal Chemistry (Hons) (82, 72%, 31), Vision Science (87, 75%, 33), Pharmaceutical Medicine/Master of Pharmacy (87, 75%, 33) and Nutrition/Master of Dietetics and Food Innovation (85, 75%, 33).
  UNSW notes the scores are a guide and actual requirements may be higher or lower.
• Medicine selection criteria for international applicants: (1) direct applicants with an overseas Year 12 qualification: an academic rank equivalent to an ATAR of 96.00 or above, a UCAT ANZ percentile of 50 or above or ISAT 165 or above, then an interview if selected; (2) applicants with tertiary study: with 0.75 FTE or more in a single degree, secondary and tertiary results are both assessed, needing an ATAR-equivalent of 96.00 or above and a GPA of 5.5 or above on a 7.0 scale; with a completed degree only the degree counts, with a GPA of 5.5 or above; (3) Australian/NZ Year 12 and IB through UAC: ATAR of 96.00 or above; (4) UNSW College Foundation Studies: a GPA of 9.0 in the life sciences stream, plus UCAT ANZ or ISAT and an interview.
• Medicine dates for 2027 entry (medicine page, all in 2026): the UNSW Applicant Portal is open; the ISAT must be completed by 30 November, the last test window listed is 26 October to 6 November, and its registration deadline of 12 October has passed, with no other test dates given; the UCAT ANZ testing period was 1 July to 5 August with a final booking deadline of 5 June, also passed; 30 November is the last day to list the medicine degree as a UAC preference (Australian/NZ Year 12 or IB) or to lodge an application with UNSW (overseas qualification or UNSW Foundation Studies); O-Week is 8 February 2027 and first year starts on 15 February 2027. UNSW says it makes medicine offers throughout the year, so sitting the test early is recommended.
• 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.
• English: Science undergraduate: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each subtest, TOEFL iBT 90 (23 in Writing, 22 in the others), PTE 64 (at least 54 in each). Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine, Pharmaceutical Medicine/Master of Pharmacy and the exercise science combined programs: IELTS 7.0 (6.0 in each), TOEFL 94 (25 in Writing, 23 in the others), PTE 65 (54 in each). Vision Science and Nutrition/Dietetics and Food Innovation: IELTS 7.0 (7.0 in each), TOEFL 94 (27 in Writing, 24 in Reading and Listening, 23 in Speaking), PTE 65 (65 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; Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine about AUD 95,500 and AUD 647,000. 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 programs: 70% for the Bachelor of Science, 75% for Advanced Science (Honours), 90% for the Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine and 75% for the Bachelor of Medical Science (all from the 2027 international entry table). The medicine page also says overseas Year 12 qualifications are assessed on academic rank, equivalent to an ATAR of 96.00 or above. How a Gaokao result converts to an ATAR-equivalent rank is not published; ask Medicine & Health.

7. Work experience, clinical placement and research

• Science: 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. Hours are not stated.
• Medicine: patient contact starts in first year, with learning in some of Australia’s largest metropolitan and rural hospitals, and fourth year is research. Before hospital placements all students must meet NSW Health compliance requirements, including documentation such as vaccinations, which can take several weeks to prepare; new students are told by the Work Integrated Learning team how to submit it. Whether international students face any extra restriction on clinical placements is not stated on the pages used for this guide; not published.

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 such as biology or chemistry; medicine also needs UCAT ANZ and an interview
• 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; medicine: Gaokao 90%, or international ATAR 96 / IB 40 / A-Level 17
• Medicine needs a UCAT ANZ percentile of 50 or above or ISAT 165 or above, and an interview; the 2027 application closes on 30 November 2026
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 each) for Science; IELTS 7.0 (6.0 each) for medicine
• Science applications follow 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; medicine sets its own GPA requirement (above)

Sources: UNSW Sydney, Bachelor of Science; Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours); Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine; Medicine: international applicants; Medicine and Health undergraduate; Science undergraduate; 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.