How to Apply to Business at the University of Sydney: Gaokao, A-Level, IB and BC Requirements for the New 2027 Bachelor of Commerce, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Sydney, undergraduate business is taught by the University of Sydney Business School, and the main degree is the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom). Students starting in 2027 take the new version of the degree, which is structured differently from 2026. 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. What the Bachelor of Commerce covers

• Key facts: three years full time (part time available), 144 credit points, UAC code 513300, CRICOS 012849G, taught at the Camperdown/Darlington campus. International students can start in Semester 1 or Semester 2.
• The new structure from 2027: four degree core units first, namely Fundamentals of Professional Success, Accounting and Finance for Business Decisions, Problem Solving in Business and Society, and Data Analytics in Business (24 credit points); then a major (48 credit points) plus a minor (36) or second major (48), 6 credit points from the Open Learning Environment, and electives. The degree ends with an advanced capstone experience.
• Majors: Accounting, Governance and Regulation; Banking; Business Analytics; Business Law; Digital Business; Finance; Global Business; Human Resource Management and Employment Relations; Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Management and Leadership; Marketing; and more. A second major or minor can also come from areas such as Economics, Data Science, Psychological Science, Design and International Relations.
• Career program: Sydney describes the integrated BCom ASPIRE program, which builds hands-on experience and career planning from first year, alongside industry projects, internships and exchange.
• Professional accreditation: the 2027 BCom with the accounting program or major plus prescribed units meets the academic requirements of CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ). ACCA accreditation is being sought, with an update due in November 2026. The Finance major is a CFA Program Partner, and the Human Resource Management and Employment Relations major is accredited by the Australian HR Institute (AHRI).
• Honours: high-achieving graduates can take the one-year Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), completing an independent research project.

2. Entry scores (2027, international students)

• Gaokao 85%; ATAR 96; IB 38.
• A-Level: 17 from three subjects or 19 from four, using A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 for A2 subjects. With more than four subjects, the best four count; AS subjects are excluded, and at most one Applied A Level can be included.
• SAT / ACT: SAT 1380 or ACT 32, together with evidence of secondary graduation; the required score can be lower with AP results of 3 or better.
• Assumed knowledge: for 2027 entry, Mathematics at the level of NSW Mathematics Standard. The 2026 version of the degree had none.
• None of these are guaranteed scores; admission depends on Sydney’s assessment.

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 BCom requires 85%, about 638 out of 750.
• A-Level, IB and AP: students at international-curriculum schools can apply with the A-Level or IB scores above, and students on an American curriculum can apply with the SAT/ACT plus APs.
• 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) with A=4, B=3, C+=2.5, C=2, C-=1, F=0. The BCom requires 3.85.
• Ontario: the average of six university/college preparation courses including English: 95. Sydney notes it currently accepts OSSD applicants only from a select number of verified Ontario schools.
• Nova Scotia: an average of 94 across five Grade XII academic courses.
• 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: 7.0 overall with at least 6.0 in each band.
• TOEFL iBT: 96 overall with at least 17 in reading, listening and speaking and 19 in writing.
• PTE: 72 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.
• The BCom also admits in Semester 2, so transfer students can choose their start semester.

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).
• Applications generally open two years before the start date and 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 59,100 for 2027 entry, compared with AUD 56,300 for the 2026 version, 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 85% (of your province’s maximum), or A-Level 17 from three subjects / IB 38 / SAT 1380 with APs
• IELTS 7.0 (6.0 in each band), TOEFL 96 or PTE 72
• Check whether your documents need CSSD verification
• Apply by 1 December 2026 for February 2027 entry, or by 29 May 2027 for August entry

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

• BC Grade 12 average 3.85; Ontario 95
• Math at the level of NSW Mathematics Standard
• 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 Commerce; Bachelor of Commerce (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.