How to Apply for Chemistry at UNSW Sydney: Chemistry Is a Major in the Bachelor of Science and Advanced Science (Honours), Plus a Four-Year Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) Degree - Entry Routes and Prerequisites for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

Chemistry at UNSW Sydney is taught by the School of Chemistry in UNSW Science. The website does not list a stand-alone "Bachelor of Chemistry": chemistry is a major (and minor) inside science degrees, and there is also a four-year Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) built around chemistry. This guide summarises the 2027 entry information for domestic students, international students (including applicants from China) and transfer students. Engineering (including chemical engineering), medicine and pharmacy degrees are outside this guide; see the UNSW website for those.

1. Degrees where you can study chemistry

• Bachelor of Science: three years full-time, 144 units of credit (UOC), UAC code 429000, program code 3970, CRICOS 015780K, face-to-face at Kensington, with entry in Term 1, 2 or 3. Chemistry is one of the majors (and can be a minor); majors run from 60 to 78 UOC, and the page also mentions double majors and 41 minors. The page contradicts itself: the overview says 28 majors and the program structure says 27. Double degrees (192 UOC, four years) are listed with Actuarial Studies, Arts, Commerce, Computer Science, Economics, Education (Secondary), Engineering (Hons), Fine Arts and Social Sciences. Bachelor of Science.
• Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours): four years full-time, 192 UOC, UAC 429350, program code 3962, CRICOS 088842G, with a 48-UOC honours year built in and research training from first year (Level 1 Research Skills, Level 2 Research Experience). Chemistry is a major here too. The page contradicts itself: the overview says 24 majors, the list says 25. A five-year double-degree version (240 UOC) exists. Advanced Science (Honours).
• Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours): four years full-time, 192 UOC, UAC 429720, program code 3999, CRICOS 088848B, Terms 1-3, Kensington. The website says it is offered jointly by the School of Chemistry, the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences and the pharmacology section of the School of Biomedical Sciences, combining biology, biochemistry, pharmacology and chemistry across drug design and development, and that graduates receive accreditation from the Royal Australian Chemistry Institute (as written on the page). The structure is 108 UOC of core courses, 12 UOC of medicinal chemistry electives, 12 UOC of free electives, 12 UOC of general education and a 48-UOC honours year. Medicinal Chemistry (Honours).
• Other degrees named on the chemistry study-area page: Advanced Science (Honours), Environmental Management and Medicinal Chemistry (Honours); it adds that a chemistry major can be combined with subjects inside and outside the Faculty of Science. Chemistry study area.
• Academic calendar: from 2028 UNSW moves to a new Flex-Semester calendar; before 2028, the length of a degree can vary with the term you start. Check the degree page for your intake.

2. How admission works and what to study first

• Apply to the degree; choose the chemistry major later: the Bachelor of Science page says you can explore disciplines in first year before choosing a major. When you must declare the major, and whether chemistry has a grade threshold or a quota, is not given on the pages used for this guide; check the website. The Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) degree is applied for directly.
• Assumed knowledge is not a prerequisite: UNSW says it has no formal subject prerequisites for any degree, only assumed knowledge; lacking it does not affect admission consideration, but bridging courses are strongly recommended. For the Bachelor of Science and Advanced Science (Honours) the pages say Mathematics Advanced or Extension 1 (depending on the area) plus one or more of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Physics. For Medicinal Chemistry (Honours): Chemistry and Mathematics Advanced. These are New South Wales subject names; how Chinese high school, IB or A-Level courses map to them is not given on the pages used for this guide; ask admissions. Assumed knowledge.
• First-year chemistry: the School of Chemistry says every first-year chemistry course includes laboratory work, and provides a chart for choosing the Term 1 course ("students usually obtain the best grade in the course the chart recommends"). Medicinal Chemistry students take CHEM1051 in Term 1. Students with little or no chemistry may consider CHEM1001 (Introductory Chemistry); the page also says CHEM1031 can now be taken even if it is not an option in your program. Lab rules include approved safety glasses and fully enclosed footwear. First-year courses.
• Chemistry bridging course: UNSW Science offers bridging courses in chemistry, mathematics and physics at AUD 380 each. The chemistry course runs once a year before Term 1 (January-February), with 40 hours of online lectures, optional tutorials and laboratory work (online and in-person versions), for students with no prior HSC chemistry who plan to take Chemistry 1A. The page says registration for the 2026 run is closed and the next run is January 2027; the 2027 dates are not shown. The mathematics course runs three times a year (before Terms 1, 2 and 3) and covers part of HSC Mathematics Extension 1. Bridging courses.
• Undergraduate research: the chemistry page lists CHEM2999 or CHEM3998 (work with a UNSW supervisor), SCIF2041/SCIF3041 research internship courses, a six-week summer vacation research scholarship, and a New Colombo Plan research internship in Taiwan; see the website for places and conditions. The Bachelor of Science also has employability courses in years 2-3 (work placements, industry projects or research integrated learning).

3. Domestic applicants (Australian and New Zealand citizens, permanent residents)

• Apply through UAC, with up to five preferences. Key dates for 2027 entry on the website: UAC early-bird applications close 30 September 2026; ATARs are released 16 December 2026; December Round 2 preferences close 18 December (UNSW's first major offer round); offers are released 23 December. Undergraduate applications.
• Lowest selection rank in 2026 (indicative): Bachelor of Science 83.0 (lowest ATAR receiving an offer 68.5); Advanced Science (Honours) 93.0 (80.1); Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) 87.0 (77.2). The selection rank is ATAR plus adjustment factors and changes each year; a footnote says starred lowest ATARs rest on Gateway early conditional offers.
• Adjustment factors and pathways: HSC Plus, Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders, the Educational Access Scheme (via UAC, 1 to 10 points), the Gateway pathway, Indigenous entry programs, the University Preparation Program, UNSW College Diplomas (direct progression to second year) and the TAFE/VET pathway.
• Fees (2026 indicative, AUD, Commonwealth Supported Place student contribution): Bachelor of Science about 9,500 for the first year and 30,500 for the full degree; Advanced Science (Honours) about 9,500 and 40,500; Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) about 8,500 and 39,000. Tuition only.
• Domestic scholarships on the scholarships page: Academic Achievement Award (highest raw ATAR at NSW and ACT schools, AUD 5,000 for one year), Scientia Scholarship (raw ATAR 99.90 or above, AUD 10,000), Equity Scholarships, Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships (up to AUD 18,000) and the UNSW Co-op Program (AUD 19,600 a year with three industry placements). Scholarships.

4. International applicants

• How to apply: most international students apply through the UNSW Applicant Portal or a local agent; international students studying an Australian Year 12, the IB Diploma or New Zealand NCEA Level 3 apply through UAC. You must meet both the academic and English requirements. International applications.
• Term 1 2027 offer rounds (applicants from countries not eligible for the International Student Award follow grouped rounds): the final round closes to offshore applicants on 15 November 2026, with offers on 10 December and an acceptance deadline of 24 December; earlier rounds closed on 14 May, 16 July, 20 August and 24 September 2026. The site says applications after the standard deadline are not guaranteed an outcome by 10 December. Term 2 and Term 3 dates are marked "to be updated soon". Most international offers carry an 8-week acceptance period unless an earlier deadline is stated. Offer rounds.
• Entry scores (2027 international undergraduate entry table): international ATAR 78 for the Bachelor of Science, 88 for Advanced Science (Honours) and 82 for Medicinal Chemistry (Honours), with equivalent scores for A-Level, IB, Gaokao and other qualifications. UNSW notes the table is a guide only and actual requirements may be higher or lower. Entry table (PDF).
• English (Science undergraduate): IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (6.0 in each band); TOEFL iBT 90 (23 writing, 22 in reading, listening and speaking); PTE Academic 64 (54 in each); Cambridge C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency 176 (169 in each). Results must be within two years of the start date; LanguageCert Academic and MET are accepted from Term 1 2027. Cross-faculty double degrees follow the higher requirement; TOEFL must be the "TOEFL for Australia" version; students short of the score can combine with a UNSW College English program through a conditional offer. English requirements.
• Fees (2026 indicative, AUD, international): Bachelor of Science about 61,000 for the first year and 194,000 for the full degree; Advanced Science (Honours) about 61,500 and 268,500; Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) about 61,500 and 266,000. The site says these are tuition estimates; full-degree figures include about AUD 1,000 a year of study-related costs and vary with intake year and course choices.
• International scholarships: the scholarships page lists the International Scientia Coursework Scholarship (full tuition or AUD 20,000 a year), Australia's Global University Award (AUD 10,000 for one year), the UNSW College Award (AUD 10,000) and the International Student Award (20% of tuition each year). The International Student Award is for citizens of eligible countries; China does not appear on the April 2026 eligible-country list used for this guide, so it does not apply to citizens of mainland China on that list. The same list decides who is automatically included in the International Admissions Diversity Pathway (5 extra points on the international ATAR). International Student Award; eligible countries.

5. Applicants from China (only what the website states)

• Gaokao: the 2027 entry table lists China (PRC) with the National Higher Education Entrance Examination (Gaokao) as an accepted qualification. Entry is based on the percentage average of all attempted Gaokao subjects, with a provincial table of maximum marks. The table lists 70% for the Bachelor of Science, 72% for Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) and 75% for Advanced Science (Honours). Provincial examples: Beijing 525 points (70%) to 675 (90%) out of 750; Shanghai 462 (70%) to 594 (90%) out of 660; Hainan 630 (70%) to 810 (90%) out of 940. UNSW says the maximum marks are reviewed each year.
• Other qualifications: the same table marks China (PRC) as accepting a high school qualification, a completed first year of a recognised bachelor's degree, or a recognised diploma, and lists foundation-year programs from any Group of Eight university as another accepted route. Finer recognition conditions are not given on the pages used for this guide; ask admissions.
• Predicted results: the website says full offers on predicted results are available for IB, A-Levels, Indian CBSE, Singapore A-Levels, NCUK and South African NSC; the Gaokao is not on that list. SAT/AP/ACT applicants can receive a full or conditional offer ahead of final results but must supply a school letter confirming current study and expected graduation (its example of a final award includes the "Chinese High School Graduation Certificate").
• Country-specific text: degree pages have a "I studied in" drop-down that includes China; the China-specific wording is not given on the pages used for this guide, so select "China, People's Republic of" on the degree page itself. The international section of the degree page also says applicants who miss direct entry can consider a UNSW College pathway program.

6. Honours year and transfers

• Honours in Chemistry: a one-year research program centred on an independent project in a School of Chemistry research group. The expected entry is a three-year full-time bachelor's degree specialising in chemistry, medicinal chemistry or a related discipline, a weighted average mark (WAM) of 65 or over, and approval by the Head of School or the Honours Coordinator; students with a pass degree from another university may be eligible and should contact the coordinator. The School also administers the Medicinal Chemistry honours program with the same research booklet and enrolment. Honours in Chemistry. After a Bachelor of Science, majors other than psychology lead to Science (Honours) "subject to performance"; the cut-off is not published. In Advanced Science (Honours) and Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) the honours year is built into the four years.
• Credit transfer and articulation for international students: articulation is available only to international students and lets credit from approved programs at partner institutions count toward a UNSW program, which may shorten it; partners and maximum credit are in the Articulation Pathway Register. Without an agreement you may still request credit transfer (advanced standing/RPL) in the Applicant Portal or through an admission enquiry before accepting your offer. The entry table also lists completion of the first year of a recognised bachelor's degree as an accepted qualification. How credit maps onto a chemistry major is not given on the pages used for this guide; ask the School. Articulation and credit transfer.
• Domestic transfers: the pages used for this guide do not state a separate rule for domestic students moving from another university; ask UNSW admissions. The listed pathways include UNSW College Diplomas (direct to second year) and the TAFE/VET pathway (automatic credit transfer where eligible).

Checklist

• There is no stand-alone chemistry bachelor: apply to the Bachelor of Science or Advanced Science (Honours) and choose chemistry as a major, or apply directly to Medicinal Chemistry (Honours).
• Assumed knowledge is not a hard prerequisite, but if your mathematics or chemistry is thin, plan for the once-a-year chemistry bridging course (AUD 380).
• International entry for February 2027: the last round closes 15 November 2026; Science undergraduates need IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each band).
• Chinese applicants: Gaokao percentage average of 70% (Science), 72% (Medicinal Chemistry) or 75% (Advanced Science), converted using each province's maximum mark.
• Dates and scores change; check UNSW for the current version and ask admissions about anything marked as not given.

Sources: UNSW Sydney, Bachelor of Science; Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours); Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours); Chemistry study area; School of Chemistry first-year courses; Honours in Chemistry; Bridging courses; Assumed knowledge; 2027 international undergraduate entry requirements table (PDF); International admissions and offer rounds; International applications; English language requirements; Articulation and credit transfer; Domestic undergraduate applications; 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.