How to Apply to Psychology at UNSW Sydney: The Four-Year Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) or the Three-Year Bachelor of Psychological Science, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At UNSW Sydney, psychology sits in the Faculty of Science on the Kensington campus. There are two undergraduate psychology degrees: the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and the Bachelor of Psychological Science. Both are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and are the first step toward becoming a registered psychologist. Here is what you need to know for 2027 entry, based on UNSW’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Choosing between the two degrees

• Bachelor of Psychology (Honours): four years, UAC code 429850, program code 3632, CRICOS 088874M, Term 1 entry only. This four-stage APAC-accredited program meets the minimum requirement for provisional registration. Entry to the fourth-year honours stage is competitive, based on your psychology average (Distinction minimum); students who do not progress can exit after three years with the Bachelor of Psychological Science.
• Bachelor of Psychological Science: three years, UAC code 429800, program code 3435, CRICOS 072206A, Term 1 and Term 3 entry. After the APAC-accredited sequence, you can apply for a separate honours year based on your psychology results; UNSW says no program is given preference for honours.
• Path to registration: UNSW notes that registration as a psychologist requires a minimum six-year sequence of education and training. After a four-year degree including honours, a further two-year master’s in psychology leads to registration with an area of practice endorsement, and honours is required for entry to a psychology master’s.
• Assumed knowledge: both degrees assume NSW Mathematics Advanced.
• Calendar change: UNSW moves to a new Flex-Semester calendar from 2028, so study duration may vary for students starting before 2028.

2. Entry scores

• 2027 international entry requirements (UNSW’s 2027 international undergraduate entry table):
  • Bachelor of Psychology (Honours): international ATAR 92; Gaokao 80%; IB 36; A-Level 15; BC GPA 3.7; Ontario OSSD 85.
  • Bachelor of Psychological Science: international ATAR 78; Gaokao 70%; IB 29; A-Level 10; BC GPA 3.4; Ontario OSSD 76.
• Domestic reference: the 2026 lowest selection rank was 97.0 for the honours degree and 83.0 for Psychological Science.
• UNSW notes the table is a guide only; actual requirements may be higher or lower and are determined when your application is assessed.

3. Students at high schools in China

• The Gaokao is accepted directly. Requirements are based on the percentage average of all attempted subjects, that is, your total as a share of your province’s maximum. UNSW’s Gaokao table shows, for a 750-point province, 70% = 525 and 90% = 675; Shanghai and Hainan use different maximums.
• Requirements: 80% for the honours degree and 70% for Psychological Science.
• If you fall short: UNSW College offers foundation and pathway programs with university-approved content.
• English: Chinese students generally need an English test; see below.

4. Students at Canadian high schools

• British Columbia: the average of all Grade 12 subjects on the BC Graduation Diploma, excluding Graduation Transitions and Career-Life, on A=4, B=3, C+=2.5, C=2, C-=1, F=0; the diploma must be awarded. The honours degree requires 3.7 and Psychological Science 3.4.
• Ontario: the average of the best six Grade 12 university (or university/college) preparation courses including ENG4U: 85 for honours and 76 for Psychological Science.
• English: senior secondary study completed in an English-speaking country, taught and examined in English and attempted no more than two years before your start date, generally meets the requirement.

5. English requirements (Faculty of Science, undergraduate)

• IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each subtest; One Skill Retake is accepted, IELTS Online is not.
• TOEFL iBT: 90 overall with at least 23 in writing and 22 in reading, listening and speaking.
• Others: PTE 64 (at least 54 in each); Cambridge C1/C2 176 (at least 169 in each). Tests must be taken within two years of your start date.

6. Transfer students

• Students with prior university study can apply. The psychology program pages do not set out credit transfer rules; credit is assessed with your application, so check with UNSW in advance.
• Psychological Science admits students in Term 3 as well as Term 1.

7. Timeline for 2027 entry

• Applications for all 2027 terms are open, and UNSW encourages early applications; some programs reached capacity for 2026.
• International students apply through the UNSW Applicant Portal; those studying Australian Year 12 or the IB in Australia apply through UAC.
• Term 1 2027 offer rounds (China and Canada are not International Student Award countries, so round schedules apply): complete applications by 14 May, 16 July, 20 August or 24 September 2026, with offers released on 13 August, 10 September, 15 October and 19 November 2026.
• Term 3 2027 rounds (Psychological Science only): complete applications by 9 July, 6 August, 3 September, 8 October or 19 November 2026.
• Additional offers may be released after the final round if places remain.

8. Fees and scholarships

• International tuition (2026 indicative): about AUD 61,000 for the first year of the honours degree (about AUD 267,500 for the full degree) and about AUD 58,500 for Psychological Science (about AUD 189,500 in total). Full-degree estimates include about AUD 1,000 a year of study-related costs and assumed annual increases.
• International scholarships listed by UNSW include:
  • International Scientia Coursework Scholarship: full tuition or AUD 20,000 a year;
  • Australia’s Global University Award: AUD 10,000 for one year;
  • UNSW College Award: AUD 10,000 in first year for UNSW College foundation graduates.
• Note: the International Student Award (20% off tuition each year) and the linked IADP five-point boost are only for citizens of listed countries, and the list published in March 2026 does not include China or Canada.
• UNSW says it awards over AUD 83 million in scholarships each year.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Gaokao: 80% for honours, 70% for Psychological Science (as a share of your province’s maximum)
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each), TOEFL 90 or PTE 64
• For Term 1, complete your application by 24 September 2026 at the latest
• Consider UNSW College if you fall short

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• BC Grade 12 GPA: 3.7 for honours, 3.4 for Psychological Science; Ontario OSSD 85 or 76
• Strong math (equivalent to NSW Mathematics Advanced) is assumed
• Apply early within the offer rounds

Transfer students:

• Submit university transcripts for credit assessment; Psychological Science also has a Term 3 intake

Sources: UNSW Sydney, Bachelor of Psychology (Honours); Bachelor of Psychological Science; 2027 international undergraduate entry requirements table (PDF); English language requirements; International admissions and offer rounds; Scholarships; International Student Award. Information is for 2027 entry; entry scores are indicative. Check UNSW for the latest details.