How to Apply to Visual Arts at the University of Sydney: Up to 10 Works for the Sydney College of the Arts Bachelor of Visual Arts and February-Only Entry for International Students, with Portfolio Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Sydney, undergraduate art is the Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA), taught by the Sydney College of the Arts in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Here is what you need to know for 2027 entry, based on the University of 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 degree covers

• Key facts: three years full time (part time available), 144 credit points, UAC code 513290, CRICOS 008451G, at the Camperdown/Darlington campus.
• Intake: the course data shows Semester 1 (February) entry only, for both international and domestic students; there is no Semester 2 entry.
• Structure: six studio units, specialising across areas such as ceramics, glass, jewellery, painting, photomedia, printmedia, screen arts and sculpture; four Art History units; and electives in contemporary art or a second major from the University-wide pool (excluding the Visual Arts major). A second major is optional.
• First year: the study plan has Studio Foundation 1 and an introduction to art history in Semester 1, and Studio Foundation 2 and global art since 1900 in Semester 2.
• Honours: after three years, students who meet the requirements can apply for the one-year appended Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours).

2. Portfolio

• All applicants must submit a portfolio, in addition to meeting the academic criteria.
• Number and format: up to 10 works, as:
  • digital photographs of your work, page layouts, illustrations or digital photography (JPG or PDF), under 5MB per image or 10MB for a multi-image PDF, at 72 dpi;
  • a website or other site such as a Vimeo channel (give the address in the applicant portal);
  • excerpts of film, animation or digital video (.MOV), each under 10MB; work with video and sound can also be compiled into a showreel, with a maximum upload of 10MB.
• Statement: 200–250 words describing the more developed projects in your portfolio, including the ideas and processes behind them, the activities or experiences that support your creative interests, and what you hope to achieve at Sydney College of the Arts.
• How to submit: direct applicants (most international students) upload the portfolio with the online application by the application deadline; UAC applicants submit it electronically to SCA as set out on the portfolio page.
• What the school looks for: your ideas, experiments, skills and process; self-initiated work and projects outside class are welcome, collaborative work should state your role, and sketchbooks or visual diaries can show how ideas develop. Not every piece needs to be finished.
• Portfolio Evening: the school held in-person and online portfolio evenings on 16 September 2026, where you could bring a portfolio in progress for advice. Check the portfolio page for the next ones.
• Domestic Year 12 students also have the Creative Arts Special Admission Scheme (CASAS), an early offer based on a portfolio and Year 11–12 results before the ATAR, through UAC; its 2026 portfolio deadline was 10 September, and the portfolio deadline for UAC’s Main December Round 2 is 26 November 2026. These dates are for UAC applicants.

3. Entry scores (2027 entry, indicative)

• Gaokao: 55% of your province’s maximum. Sydney notes the maximum is 750 in most provinces, 660 in Shanghai and 940 in Hainan.
• IB: 24.
• A-Level: 11 for three subjects, 11 for four (A2 subjects, A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1; AS subjects are not counted; at most one Applied A Level).
• Australian ATAR: 70.
• SAT/ACT: SAT 1130, ACT 22, with evidence of high school graduation.

4. Students at high schools in China

• You can apply directly with the Gaokao; the requirement is 55% of your province’s maximum score.
• You still need a portfolio of up to 10 works, uploaded with the online application.
• Document verification: Sydney reminds applicants from China to check whether their academic documents need CSSD (CHSI) verification.
• If you take an international curriculum, you can apply with the A-Level or IB scores above.

5. Students at Canadian high schools

• BC: based on the BC Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood), using the average of all Grade 12 subjects except Graduation Transitions, with A=4, B=3, C+=2.5, C=2, C-=1, F=0; the requirement is 3.25.
• Ontario: OSSD average of six university or university/college preparation courses including English; the requirement is 76. Sydney notes it currently accepts OSSD applicants only from a select number of schools that have gone through a verification process.
• Nova Scotia: average of five Grade XII academic courses; Sydney lists 56.
• How to apply: most international students apply directly to the University of Sydney; those taking an Australian Year 12 qualification, or the IB in Australia, apply through UAC.

6. English requirements

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

7. Transfer students

• Current Sydney students: to change into the Bachelor of Visual Arts, submit a portfolio as part of the internal course application, by its due date.
• From another institution: if you have studied relevant units, you can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) so you do not repeat similar units. Sydney reminds students to check Australian student visa conditions, which may require full-time study, before asking to shorten the degree.
• International entry to the BVA is February only, so transfer students also follow the February deadline.

8. Timeline (2027 entry)

• International students: Semester 1 (February) entry closes on 1 December 2026, and the portfolio is uploaded with the application before the deadline. Applications generally open two years before the start date and may close early once places are filled, so apply early.
• The 29 May deadline for Semester 2 (August) does not apply to the BVA, which has no Semester 2 entry.

9. Fees and scholarships

• International tuition (first year, 48 credit points full time): AUD 51,700 for 2027 entry; AUD 49,200 for 2026. Sydney notes fees rise each year.
• Domestic students: the 2026 Commonwealth Supported student contribution for the first year is AUD 11,140; the 2027 figure is not yet published.
• Scholarships: some are considered automatically with your application and others need a separate application; use the scholarship search on Sydney’s website.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Gaokao 55% of your province’s maximum, or A-Level 11 / IB 24
• Portfolio of up to 10 works with a 200–250 word statement, uploaded with the application
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each band), TOEFL 85 or PTE 64
• February 2027 entry: apply by 1 December 2026

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

• BC grade 12 average 3.25; Ontario 76
• Prepare a portfolio and apply directly to Sydney by 1 December

Transfer students:

• February entry only; apply for RPL and check student visa study-load rules first

Sources: The University of Sydney, Bachelor of Visual Arts; Bachelor of Visual Arts portfolio; Application dates; How to apply for international students; International scholarships. Information is for 2027 entry; entry scores are indicative. Check the University of Sydney for the latest details.