How to Apply to Chemistry at the University of Queensland: Chemistry Is a Major in the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) With No Separate Chemistry Degree, Entry and Prerequisites for Domestic, International (Including China) and Transfer Students

The University of Queensland (UQ) has its main campus at St Lucia in Brisbane. UQ’s website has no stand-alone chemistry bachelor’s: chemistry is a major inside a degree. There are two routes on the pages used: the three-year Bachelor of Science and the four-year Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours), each with a Chemistry major; the Bachelor of Science can also be combined into dual degrees, and a 12-month Bachelor of Science (Honours) follows it. The Bachelor of Biotechnology has a Chemical and Nano Biotechnology area and the Bachelor of Biomedical Science is a biomedical degree; this guide mentions them only in passing. Medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing and other health degrees are outside this guide; see UQ’s website. The sections below cover Australian domestic, international, Chinese and transfer applicants for 2027 entry.

1. The two routes to chemistry

• Bachelor of Science (Bachelor of Science, program code 2461): three years full time, AQF level 7. UQ says you can mix science and non-science courses in first year, and choose from 16 extended majors, 26 majors and 35 minors (another line on the same page says 46 minors), and combine with 13 dual programs. The Chemistry major page says you learn the fundamentals of general, physical, organic, inorganic and computational chemistry, and can specialise in synthetic chemistry, computational chemistry, nanoscience or medicinal chemistry, using advanced instrumental techniques; the major is accredited by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) for the educational relevance of its chemistry content. Sample courses listed are Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Experimental Chemistry and Physical Chemistry.
• Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) (Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours), program code 2516): four years full time, AQF level 8, described as a program built around research training, with 25 majors and more than 30 minors, and a full-year research project in one of more than 30 fields of study; UQ also calls it a pathway to a PhD or medicine. Chemistry is one of its majors: advanced general, physical, organic and inorganic chemistry applied to nanoscience, medicinal, computational or synthetic chemistry, with “Nanomaterials & Self-Assembled Systems” as a sample course. Whether this Chemistry major has its own RACI accreditation is not stated on that page; check the website.
• Both pages say you can take an elective placement of up to 160 hours of Work Integrated Learning in the winter or summer break.

2. How to apply and the 2027 timeline

• Intakes and campus: all four program pages give Semester 1 2027 starting on 22 February 2027 and Semester 2 on 26 July 2027 (2028 semester dates are shown as yet to be confirmed). The campus is St Lucia.
• Australian-schooled applicants (currently in Australian Year 12, or the IB in Australia) apply through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC), even if they use a UQ-approved agent. QTAC codes: Science 731001, Advanced Science (Honours) 731901, Biotechnology 731101, Biomedical Science 731201. Dates UQ lists for Semester 1 2027: QTAC applications open 4 August 2026; applications for the major offer round close 7 December 2026 (some programs close earlier; see QTAC’s fixed closing dates); UQ offers are released between 1 October 2026 and 16 February 2027; the QTAC major offer round is 14 January 2027. You can list up to 6 preferences and receive one offer per round, for your highest eligible preference.
• Everyone else (senior schooling from outside Australia, or the IB outside Australia) applies directly to UQ, on your own or through a UQ-approved agent; UQ says applicants from certain countries must use an agent and the online system will tell you. The application page describes creating an account in UQ’s application system, choosing the program, completing the form and uploading documents, and paying a A$150 non-refundable fee per application. Closing dates: 30 November of the previous year for Semester 1 and 31 May of the same year for Semester 2 (some programs have different dates on the program page; these four pages show those two dates). Late applications may be considered but not guaranteed. UQ recommends applying early, says it can consider applications up to 2 years ahead, and reminds you to leave time for the student visa.
• Documents: certified copies of complete transcripts for earlier study (and a certificate if the transcript does not show the award and date), a copy of your passport or national ID, and evidence of English. You can add up to 2 other preferences. UQ says some programs require you to choose a major at application and others let you choose “undeclared”; whether the Bachelor of Science allows “undeclared” is not stated on the pages used, so check in the application system.
• Assessment: each application is assessed individually; the International Admissions team checks that your qualification meets the program’s requirements and also refers to the standing of your institution and the Australian Government’s qualifications recognition service. Where applicants tie, UQ’s examples are the UCAT for medicine and dentistry and a GPA breakdown for tertiary-based entry; the four programs here list no separate test or interview.

3. Prerequisites

• UQ writes prerequisites as Queensland Year 12 General subjects, Units 3 and 4, grade C or higher; equivalent subjects from interstate or overseas schools, or from university study (including bridging and preparatory programs), can also meet them. See the subject prerequisite equivalents page.
• Bachelor of Science: English (General), Mathematical Methods, and one of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science or Physics. UQ notes that from Semester 1 2028 Earth and Environmental Science will no longer be accepted. It recommends Specialist Mathematics for mathematics or statistics majors and Specialist Mathematics plus Physics for physics majors.
• Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours): English, Mathematical Methods, and two of Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Specialist Mathematics or Physics, at least one of which must be Biology, Chemistry or Physics.
• Bachelor of Biotechnology and Bachelor of Biomedical Science: English, Mathematical Methods, and one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics.
• The Chemistry major page and the Science program page give no extra prerequisite or recommended subject for the Chemistry major (UQ gives recommendations only for mathematics, statistics and physics majors); Advanced Science needs two science subjects, and Chemistry is one of the options. Whether Chemistry must have been studied to choose the Chemistry major is not given on the pages used; ask UQ.
• Equivalents for overseas schooling (excerpts from the equivalents page): Gaokao (China) – Mathematical Methods is matched by “Mathematics”; Chemistry, Physics and Biology by the same subjects or by “Combined Science”; minimum pass 60%. UK GCE – Chemistry and Biology by A Level or AS Level in the same subject (A Level grade D; O Level and AS Level grade C), Mathematical Methods by A Level or AS Level Mathematics. IB – HL subjects 3 and SL subjects 4 count as a pass; Chemistry and Biology are matched by HL or SL in the same subject, Mathematical Methods by Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL or HL) and similar. US high school – AP minimum 3; Chemistry by AP Chemistry, Biology by AP Biology, Mathematical Methods by AP Calculus, English by AP English. Other qualifications are on the equivalents page; if yours is not listed, contact UQ.
• If you have not studied a prerequisite: UQ lists the UQ College Foundation Program (the offer includes a conditional offer to your chosen UQ program and you must reach the grades in the offer), online bridging courses, and study at university level. Intensive face-to-face bridging courses in Chemistry, Biology, Mathematical Methods and Physics run for 4 weeks each November and December (shown under the domestic tab; see the pathways page).

4. Australian domestic applicants

• Entry scores: the program pages give “the lowest adjusted scores we made an offer to in Semester 1, 2026”, as a guide only and not a guarantee: Science ATAR 80 (IB 30.25); Advanced Science (Honours) ATAR 92 (IB 36.5); Biotechnology ATAR 81 (IB 30.75); Biomedical Science ATAR 80 (IB 30.25). The pages also show the score range for recent secondary students who were offered a place, for example Science: without adjustments highest 99.95, median 90.8, lowest 75.4; with adjustments median 91.7, lowest 80; Advanced Science (Honours): without adjustments median 95.95, lowest 88.3; with adjustments median 97.65, lowest 92.1. UQ says the entry scores are updated each April.
• ATAR guarantee: the guaranteed entry page applies to Semester 1 2027 offers up to and including the January 2027 main round; if your QTAC preferences include a UQ undergraduate program you are considered automatically, and you should list the program you most want as first preference. Guaranteed scores: Science 80, Advanced Science (Honours) 92, Biotechnology 81, Biomedical Science 80 (these include adjustments). UQ adds that you can still receive an offer below the guarantee because the final threshold can be lower.
• Admission schemes: UQ also lists adjustment schemes (Educational Access, Rural Access, School Opportunity and Subject Incentive); eligibility and points are on the scheme pages linked from the entry requirements page, and their details are not given on the pages used for this guide.
• Fees: domestic places are Commonwealth supported, so you pay a student contribution amount, which you can defer with a HECS-HELP loan if eligible. Indicative annual fee (16 units): Science and Advanced Science (Honours) A$9,690; Biotechnology A$9,930; Biomedical Science A$9,210. These are 2026 figures; UQ says 2027 fees are not yet available. The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) is shown as at most A$373 a year for 2026.

5. International applicants

• How to apply is in section 2: if your senior schooling is not Australian Year 12 or an Australian IB, apply directly to UQ (or through an approved agent), not through QTAC; international students currently in Australian Year 12 or the IB in Australia apply through QTAC. The ATAR guarantee is not available to students who will study on a student visa, nor to international students studying high school in Australia.
• Entry: UQ says you need Queensland Year 12 or an equivalent qualification, the minimum entry score for the program, the subject prerequisites and the English requirement, plus any program-specific requirements (none such are listed for these four programs, such as tests, interviews or portfolios). If you are finishing school overseas, you need the equivalent of the program’s entry score; the exact minimum for your qualification appears on each program page only after you select your qualification, and it is not given on the pages used for this guide, so check each program page.
• English (the same on all four program pages): IELTS overall 6.5 with 6.0 in each band; TOEFL iBT overall 87 with listening 19, reading 19, writing 21, speaking 19 (1–30 section scores only; Home Edition and ITP not accepted; UQ code 0987); PTE Academic overall 64 and 60 in each band; UQ College Bridging English (BE) overall 4 with C in all skills; CES overall 176 and 169 in each band; OET not accepted. IELTS Online and PTE Academic Online are not recognised, and tests must be taken within 2 years of starting. Study or work experience can also count; see the English language requirements page. If you meet the academic requirements but not the English requirement you may get a package offer: an English course at UQ College (Bridging English 10 to 30 weeks, Integrated English 5 to 45 weeks) plus a conditional offer; tick it when you apply to UQ rather than applying to UQ College directly.
• Tuition for 2027 (indicative annual, 16 units): Science A$56,800; Advanced Science (Honours), Biotechnology and Biomedical Science each A$60,952. UQ says international tuition is program-based and rises each year, usually fixed 12 months ahead. Other costs include SSAF (at most A$373 a year for 2026), student visa fees and Overseas Student Health Cover (which you can arrange through UQ when you apply). CRICOS codes: Science 001961J; Advanced Science (Honours) 079390F; Biotechnology 102786A; Biomedical Science 092440C.
• Scholarships: the program pages say you “may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships”, but the list itself is not given on the pages used for this guide. The scholarships page for international students defines an international student as someone studying on a student visa who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian permanent or temporary resident, says scholarships can help with tuition, living costs, accommodation and travel, and notes that opening and closing dates vary, so search early.
• Visa: international students accepted into full-time study can apply for a student visa (subclass 500); UQ points out conditions including the Genuine Student requirement.

6. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: UQ’s equivalents page lists the Gaokao as an accepted qualification – Mathematics for Mathematical Methods, and Chemistry, Physics and Biology for the same-named subjects (or Combined Science), with a minimum pass of 60%. The Gaokao block lists no English row, so meet English through the English requirements above.
• How Gaokao scores convert to an entry score, and the minimum Gaokao score for each program, appear on each program page only after you select your qualification; this is not given on the pages used for this guide. Check each program page (choose “Gaokao”) or ask UQ or an approved agent, and do not apply scores from another country or program.
• Whether a Chinese high-school diploma plus a foundation year is required, and any China-specific country page, are not given on the pages used for this guide. UQ’s general route for applicants who miss the entry score or a prerequisite is the UQ College Foundation Program (a conditional offer to the degree; you must reach the offered grades; places in quota programs remain competitive), with a package offer for English. See the pathways page.
• Agents: UQ says applicants from certain countries must apply through an approved agent and the online system will tell you; whether China is among them is not stated on the pages used, so follow the system’s prompt. The international students page has contact and agent links.

7. Transfer students and credit

• From another Australian university: if you have started an undergraduate degree and want to transfer before finishing, apply directly to UQ (yourself or through an approved agent). UQ says you should normally have completed at least 6 months in your current degree, with some exceptions you can ask about; you may be eligible for credit. Closing dates are 30 November (Semester 1) and 31 May (Semester 2), as above.
• Using university results: UQ says if you have completed 2 years or more of full-time study at bachelor level or higher, your entry score is based on that study only (GPA); with less than that, it is your earlier score (for example ATAR) or your GPA, whichever is higher.
• Credit and exemptions: the credit eligibility page describes specified credit, unspecified credit and exemptions (you skip a course but take another in its place). For university study you can search UQ’s credit precedent database; you can formally apply for credit only after accepting an offer, though you can ask to be assessed when you apply. How study from overseas universities is converted and what course documents are needed is not given on the pages used; ask UQ.
• IB credit: up to 1 semester (8 units) depending on subjects, grades and program structure. Relevant here: Biology HL 6 gives specified credit for BIOL1020; Chemistry HL 6 gives specified credit for CHEM1100 and Chemistry HL 5 an exemption from CHEM1004; Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL 4 gives an exemption from MATH1040 and MATH1050; Physics (SL or HL) 6 gives an exemption from PHYS1001.

8. Accreditation, research and placements

• Accreditation: UQ says the Science Chemistry major is accredited by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute for the educational relevance of its chemistry content; the pages do not say whether the Advanced Science (Honours) Chemistry major has its own accreditation.
• Research: after the Bachelor of Science you can apply for the 12-month Bachelor of Science (Honours); the Advanced Science (Honours) degree itself includes a full-year research project. Detailed course structures are not given on the pages used for this guide; check UQ’s programs and courses system.
• Placements: both programs offer an elective placement of up to 160 hours; it is not compulsory. Careers UQ lists for the Chemistry major include chemist, materials scientist, toxicologist, medical laboratory scientist, forensic specialist, pharmaceutical scientist, biochemist, patents examiner, analytical chemist and food technologist.
• Costs: UQ notes that some majors and minors may need field-trip courses with extra costs; see the course descriptions.

9. Please check

Dates, fees and entry scores here come from UQ pages checked in October 2026; entry scores and fees are for the previous intake or the year stated and are updated each year. Minimum entry scores for each overseas qualification, Gaokao score conversion, any China-specific page, the list of named scholarships, transfer conversion and course structures are not given on the pages used for this guide; please rely on UQ’s website, the program pages and approved agents. Medicine (Doctor of Medicine), pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, veterinary science and other health degrees are outside this guide; see UQ’s website.