How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Sydney: Gaokao, A-Level, IB, BC and Mathematics Requirements for the Four-Year Bachelor of Advanced Computing, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Sydney, undergraduate computing is taught by the Faculty of Engineering, and the degree is the Bachelor of Advanced Computing. Among Sydney’s undergraduate courses this is the single computing degree; it can also be combined with Commerce or Science. 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 Advanced Computing covers

• Key facts: four years full time, 192 credit points, UAC code 513500, CRICOS 093855E, taught at the Camperdown/Darlington campus. International students can start in Semester 1 or Semester 2.
• Structure: core units covering the skills needed by computer science and IT professionals, a major from the Advanced Computing pool and advanced computing electives. You may add a minor or second major from the disciplinary pool or the shared pool of 100+ majors. In the final year you can complete honours if you meet the academic requirements.
• Four majors: Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Software Development and Computational Data Science.
• Honours areas: Advanced Computing, and Advanced Computing – Industrial Research.
• Accreditation: Sydney states that the Australian Computer Society (ACS) has accredited the degree at the conditional professional level until the end of 2026, and that reaccreditation for 2027 is under way with an update due in May 2026. The course page still shows this wording, so check the page for the current status.
• Combined degrees: with Commerce, Science, Science (Health) or Science (Medical Science); check each course page for its entry scores.

2. Entry scores (2027, international students)

• Gaokao 80%; ATAR 90; IB 34.
• A-Level: 15 from three subjects or 16 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 1340 or ACT 28, with evidence of high school graduation; the requirement can be lower with AP results of 3 or better.
• Prerequisite: Mathematics (listed as a prerequisite on the course page).
• Assumed knowledge: NSW Mathematics Extension 1. Sydney notes that relevant subjects in other recognised Year 12 qualifications are considered equivalent.
• These scores do not guarantee admission.

3. Students at high schools in China

• The Gaokao is accepted for direct entry, expressed as a percentage of your province’s maximum score: 750 in most provinces, 660 in Shanghai and 940 in Hainan. Sydney’s example: for Beijing, 70% is 525 out of 750. The Bachelor of Advanced Computing requires 80%, which is 600 out of 750.
• Mathematics: the assumed knowledge is equivalent to NSW Mathematics Extension 1, so a strong senior maths background matters.
• A-Level, IB and AP: international-school students can apply with the A-Level or IB scores above; students on a US curriculum can apply with the SAT/ACT plus APs.
• Verification: Sydney reminds applicants from China to check whether their documents need CSSD verification.

4. Students at Canadian high schools

• British Columbia: based on the BC Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood), averaging all grade 12 subjects except Graduation Transitions, with A=4, B=3, C+=2.5, C=2, C-=1, F=0. The requirement is 3.65.
• Ontario: OSSD 86.
• Nova Scotia: 84.
• Mathematics: you need to meet the maths prerequisite, so take grade 12 maths seriously.
• How to apply: most international students apply directly to Sydney; those completing an Australian Year 12 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 studied relevant courses, you can apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) so that you do not repeat similar units.
• Sydney reminds students to check Australian student visa conditions before reducing their study duration, as full-time study may be required.
• International students can also start in Semester 2, so transfer students can choose the intake that suits them.

7. Timeline (2027 entry)

• International undergraduate deadlines: 1 December of the previous year for Semester 1 (February), and 29 May for Semester 2 (August).
• Courses may close early when full, so apply early. Scholarships have separate deadlines.

8. Tuition and scholarships

• International tuition (first year, 48 credit points full time): AUD 63,600 for 2027 entry; AUD 60,600 for 2026 entry. Fees rise each year.
• Scholarships: some are considered automatically when you apply, others need a separate application; use Sydney’s scholarship search to find ones you are eligible for.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Gaokao 80% of your provincial maximum, or A-Level 15 (three subjects) / IB 34 / SAT 1340 with APs
• Maths at the level of NSW Mathematics Extension 1
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 each), TOEFL 85 or PTE 64
• Apply by 1 December 2026 for February, or 29 May 2027 for August

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

• BC grade 12 average 3.65; Ontario 86
• Complete grade 12 maths
• Apply directly to Sydney; use UAC if completing an Australian curriculum or the IB in Australia

Transfer students:

• Apply for recognition of prior learning, and check student visa study-load conditions first

Sources: The University of Sydney, Bachelor of Advanced Computing; Bachelor of Advanced Computing and Bachelor of Commerce; 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.