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

At the University of Sydney, undergraduate psychology is offered by the Faculty of Science through two degrees: the Bachelor of Psychology and the Bachelor of Psychology Honours. Here is what you need to know for 2027 entry, based on Sydney’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: three years, 144 credit points, UAC code 513905, CRICOS 107969J, with Semester 1 and Semester 2 entry for international students. Sydney describes it as an accredited degree covering behavioural neuroscience, social psychology, personality, perception, intelligence, mental health and developmental psychology; after completing the coursework and meeting academic standards, you may apply for honours.
• Bachelor of Psychology Honours: four years including the honours year, UAC code 513906, CRICOS 107970E, Semester 1 entry only for international students. Sydney says graduates have the basis for provisional registration as a psychologist in Australia.
• APAC accreditation: Sydney notes that completing the APAC-accredited Level 1 and 2 programs allows provisional registration.
• First year: the sample study plan includes Psychology 1001 and 1002 and recommends a math or data unit such as DATA1001 Foundations of Data Science.
• Related degrees: Sydney also lists the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science among related courses.

2. Entry scores (2027, international students)

• Bachelor of Psychology: ATAR 80; Gaokao 75%; IB 29; BC 3.45; Ontario OSSD 81.
• Bachelor of Psychology Honours: ATAR 91; Gaokao 80%; IB 34; BC 3.7; Ontario OSSD 87.
• None of these are guaranteed scores. Domestic requirements are higher, for example ATAR 97 and Gaokao 85% for the honours degree.

3. Students at high schools in China

• The Gaokao is accepted directly. Requirements are listed as percentages of your province’s maximum score: 750 in most provinces, 660 in Shanghai and 940 in Hainan. Sydney’s example: in Beijing, 70% equals 525 out of 750. The Bachelor of Psychology requires 75% and the honours degree 80%.
• Document verification: Sydney advises applicants from China to check whether their academic documents need verification by China’s Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD).
• If you fall short: preparation programs can help you gain entry.

4. Students at Canadian high schools

• British Columbia: based on the BC Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood), using the average of all Grade 12 subjects (excluding Graduation Transitions and similar). International applicants need 3.45 for the Bachelor of Psychology and 3.7 for honours.
• Ontario: the average of six university/college preparation courses including English: 81 and 87 respectively.
• How to apply: most international students apply directly to Sydney; those studying an Australian Year 12 qualification or the IB in Australia apply through UAC.

5. English requirements

• IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each band.
• TOEFL iBT: 85 overall with at least 17 in reading, listening and speaking and 19 in writing.
• PTE: 64 overall with at least 60 in each band.

6. Transfer students

• If you have completed related study or work, you can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), including international articulation pathways, so you don’t repeat similar units and may graduate sooner and pay less.
• Sydney advises checking your Australian visa conditions before reducing your study duration, as full-time study may be required.

7. Timeline for 2027 entry

• International undergraduate deadlines: 1 December of the previous year for Semester 1 (February), and 29 May for Semester 2 (August). Only the three-year Bachelor of Psychology admits in Semester 2.
• Applications may close once capacity is reached, so apply early; scholarships have separate deadlines.

8. Fees and scholarships

• International tuition (first year, 48 credit points full time): AUD 60,600 in 2026 and AUD 63,600 in 2027 for both degrees, increasing each year.
• Scholarships: Sydney awards over AUD 135 million in scholarships each year. Some are considered automatically when you apply, while others need a separate application; use the scholarship search on Sydney’s website.
• Students from the United States, Canada, Sweden, Norway or Denmark may be eligible for education loan schemes from their home country.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Gaokao: 75% for the Bachelor of Psychology, 80% for honours (of your province’s maximum)
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each band), TOEFL 85 or PTE 64
• Check whether your documents need CSSD verification
• Apply by 1 December 2026 for February 2027 entry

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

• BC Grade 12 average: 3.45 for the Bachelor of Psychology, 3.7 for honours; Ontario 81 or 87
• Apply directly to Sydney, or through UAC if studying an Australian curriculum or the IB in Australia

Transfer students:

• Apply for Recognition of Prior Learning and check your visa’s study-load conditions

Sources: The University of Sydney, Bachelor of Psychology; Bachelor of Psychology Honours; How to apply as an international student; Application dates; International scholarships. Information is for 2027 entry; entry scores are indicative. Check the University of Sydney for the latest details.