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¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Gateway Admission Pathway

Secure your place at a global top 20 university.

Learn more

Our Gateway Admission Pathway gives you the opportunity to receive an early offer and lowers the required ATAR for your chosen degree.

We’ve lowered the minimum ATAR on hundreds of ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ degrees, exclusively for you.ÌýCheck your eligibility to apply to ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ through the Gateway Admission Pathway. If successful, you’ll receive an early offer to study at ¹úÃñ²ÊƱÌýor an early conditional offer with significantly reduced ATAR requirements.

Gateway Admission Pathway applications will open on Thursday, 10 April 2025

Keen to study at ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ in 2026? Fill out the enquiry form below to get reminded when Round 1 applications open. You'll also get exclusive event invites and access to resources to support your journey to university.
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How to apply via the Gateway Admission Pathway

Check your eligibility

To be eligible for the Gateway Admission Pathway, you must be:

  • an Australian Permanent Resident, Australian Citizen, or New Zealand Citizen
  • completing an Australian Year 12 qualification in the year of application

AND one of the following

  • attend a Gateway school
  • live in a low-socioeconomic area based on IRSAD and IEO indexes ofÌý
  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

Check our list below to see if you attend a Gateway school. Don't see your school on the list or unsure if you're eligible? Contact us.
Gateway schools
Contact us

In Year 12 or doing your HSC?

Our Gateway Program starts in Year 10 and is designed to guide you on your journey to uni. Take part in workshops, campus days and online learning, where you'll hone your study skills, through exam preparation and HSC masterclasses. You'll also get support to apply for the Gateway Admission Pathway.
Find out more

Explore your interests

Join a global top 20 university (QS World University Rankings, 2025) and gain the experience and connections to drive progress in your field.

Explore career paths

Not sure what you want to study yet?

Our InsideOut app can be used to identify your strengths, values and interests, and will give you suggestions around what you might want to study.
Ìý

Find a degree

Explore what programs we have on offer and adjusted ATAR requirements through the pathway. When you submit your application, you can choose to be considered for up to two (2) degree preferences. Be sure to pick degrees that you're passionate about!
Explore degrees

Consider a Diploma program

If you don’t end up getting the ATAR required for your chosen degree, you might consider studying a . This 12-month program allows you to explore one of six core subjectsÌýequivalent to your First Year of university. On successful completion, you can progress straight into the Second Year of a ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Bachelor’s degree.

Tell us your story

Write your personal statement

You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application. Our Ìýapp guides you through the process.Ìý

Your personal statement is an opportunity to tell us more about you. Tell us about your ambitions, the topics that excite youÌýand the kind of progress you hope to make in the world.

Start your application

Your application checklist

  1. Personal details (name, address, email address, phone number)
  2. Your high school information, including details about your studies and qualifications
  3. A personal statement

  4. Up to two degree preferences

Here’s what you’ll need to submit your application:

  • Make sure the name on your application matches your official ID (birth certificate, passport, etc.). You'll need your ID when you enrol as there may be problems if the name on your ID doesn't match your offer letter.Ìý
  • Ensure your email address is private and not your school-issued email address.ÌýCheck your email regularly for updates on your application.
  • You can change your degree preferences by logging in and updating them before the round closes.

Gateway Admission Pathway FAQs

More about the Gateway Admission Pathway

  • ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ is committed to student equity, and we want to ensure that as many young people as possible can access and succeed in higher education. The Gateway Admission Pathway is ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ’s primary pathway for students who are traditionally underrepresented at ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ and in higher education more broadly.

  • All Gateway Admission Pathway applications are considered based on your written personal statement and your Year 11 results.

  • This year, you will have the opportunity to receive an early offer (with the requirement of receiving an ATAR regardless of the result) or an early conditional offer (with a significantly reduced ATAR requirement).

  • You can apply for all undergraduate degrees at ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Sydney,Ìýas well as degrees offered at the ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Canberra City campusÌýthrough the Canberra School of Professional Studies.

    Note:

    • Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine has different eligibility criteria and a different application process - see for more information. Up to 10 places are available through this scheme.
    • B Aviation (Flying) has considerable costs associated and final entry to the program is dependent on additional selection criteria - see for more details.
    • B Vision Science/M Clinical Optometry will prioritise places for regional/remote students and up to 10 places are available.
    • The Co-op Program has a separate application process and offers up to four places with adjusted Gateway academic requirement - see for more information and to apply.

  • Degrees offered at the ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Canberra City campus through the Canberra School of Professional Studies are eligible for the Gateway Admission Pathway. This includes the Bachelor of Cyber Security.

    Please note:ÌýPrograms offered through ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Canberra at ADFA are not eligible for the Gateway Admission Pathway.

Eligibility for the Gateway Admission Pathway

  • To be eligible for the Gateway Admission Pathway, you must be:

    • an Australian Permanent Resident, Australian Citizen, or New Zealand Citizen
    • completing an Australian Year 12 qualification in the year of application

    AND one of the following:

    • attend a Gateway schoolÌý
    • live in a low-socioeconomic area based on *
    • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

    If you’re unsure whether you meet these criteria, contact us.

    If you meet these criteria but are in Year 10 or 11, you are able to participate in theÌý¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Gateway Program. This program is for students who want to discover ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ degree options, explore future career opportunities and access additional resources for the HSC.Ìý

    * Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) ranks areas in Australia according to relative socio-economic advantage and disadvantage based on the Index of Education and Occupation and Index of Relative Socio-Economic Advantage and Disadvantage.

  • No, unfortunately only domestic students can be considered through the Gateway Admission Pathway. International Students considering alternative entry pathways into ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ can consider a university pathway program through ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ College. To find out more about our Academic and English programs, visit our .Ìý

  • Gateway schools are identified by taking the three-year average of  for schools across NSW or the three-year average of the proportion of students in the bottom SEA quartile. The ICSEA and proportion of students in the bottom SEA quartile of a school can be found on the  website. Ìý

Applying to ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ through the Gateway Admission Pathway

  • You can find instructions and a link to the Gateway Admission Pathway application portal under Step 4, Start your application.

  • There are two application rounds. Please check our key dates to see the relevant application deadlines.

  • You will need to upload a personal statement answering the following three questions. If you have chosen two degrees to be considered for in your application, you only need to address the degree you have listed as your first preference.

    • Why are you interested in the degree you are applying for and how does it relate to your passions and goals?
    • What are your learning strengths and how have you applied them to overcome challenges in school or other aspects of your life?Ìý
    • Thinking about your future self at university, what do you identify as the key challenges for you and how do you plan to manage these?

  • You can choose up to two ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ degrees to be assessed on. However, only preference two degrees if you would be happy to receive an offer for either of those degrees. When writing your personal statement, you should reference the degree you have listed as your first preference.ÌýÌý

    Please note whilst you can preference up to two degrees, you can only receive one offer to ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ through the Gateway Admission Pathway.Ìý

  • Your personal statement is a very important part of how we assess your application. Here are the key qualities we are looking for in your personal statement:ÌýÌý

    • A high degree of clarity
    • Address all aspects of theÌýquestions
    • Reference relevant concrete examples to illustrate sophisticated links between personal interests and chosenÌýdiscipline
    • DemonstrateÌýin-depthÌýknowledge of your chosen degree and itsÌýrequirements
    • ExtensiveÌýand detailedÌýevidence of reflective thinking and analysis of own learning strengths
    • Thoughtfully describe potential challenges and solutions for your projected futureÌýselfÌý
    • A well-integrated, complexÌýand thoughtfully structured paragraph
    • Sophisticated use of persuasive writtenÌýlanguageÌýÌý

    Check out our Ìýapp designed specifically to help you write your personal statement.

  • Yes,Ìýyou can resubmit your personal statement if necessary. However,ÌýweÌýstrongly encourage you toÌýfinaliseÌýit before submitting it.

  • No,Ìýwe won’t have access to information about special provisionsÌýand won’t consider it as part of the application process.

  • If you are successful in receiving an offer you will be notified in in our offer rounds. View our key dates section to see more.

  • You do not need to start a new application when reapplying for Round 2. Simply visit the portal and update your existing application via the "Manage your application" button. Once you're in, you can change your degree preferences.

Offers for the Gateway Admission Pathway

  • Early offers have the requirement of you sitting the HSC and receiving an ATAR regardless of the result.

    Early conditional offers are made with a significantly reduced ATAR requirement. If you meet or exceed the adjusted ATAR you will receive a firm offer to that degree.
  • Ìý

    There will be two early offer and early conditional offer rounds. To see the dates for these rounds, plus firm offer release, please look at our key dates.

  • No, you will only receive one offer to ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ through the Gateway Admission Pathway.Ìý

  • Most degrees offered through the Gateway Admission Pathway are not capped.

    The exceptions are:

    • Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry: Fewer than 10 places are available and students from regional and remote areas will be prioritised for these placesÌý
    • Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine: Up to 10 places are available to students who meet the eligibility criteria and apply for the Gateway entry scheme via the Medicine Application Portal.

  • Yes. So long as you have met the requirements of your offer and converted it to a firm offer by the set date, you will be able to defer your studies for one year.

  • Sit tight and wait for your firm offer! To find out when firm offers are released, please visit our key dates. Once you receive your firm offer, you can accept and enrol into ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ.Ìý

  • ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Diplomas (delivered by ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ College on behalf of ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Sydney) offer an alternative path to the second year of a range of eligible degrees at ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Sydney.ÌýIn 12 months, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge you need to progress to university, while learning the same curriculum as first-year degree students.ÌýÌý

    Visit for more information on what the Diploma programs mean for you.

Awards & Scholarships

  • If you live in an eligible low-socioeconomic area, receive an offer from ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ and enrol for Term 1, 2026, you will be eligible to receive the $10,000 ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Advantage Award to support you in your first year of studies. Low-socioeconomic areas are based on 2021 IRSAD and IEO indexes ofÌý criteria.Ìý

    Additionally, for 2026, all students who attend a Gateway school, apply through the Gateway Admission Pathway and enrol at ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ will receive a $1,000 one-off payment to make the transition to uni easier,Ìýmeaning you could be eligible for a total of an $11,000 award to make the most of your studies.

  • For 2026, all students who attend a Gateway school, apply via the Gateway Admission Pathway and enrol at ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ will receive a $1,000 Gateway Award to make the transition to uni easier.

  • If you have applied to ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ through the Gateway Admission Pathway, you will be advised if you’re eligible to receive the ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Advantage Award when Round 1 and Round 2 early offers and early conditional offers are released. Please check our key dates to find out when offers are released.

  • The award will be paid in $2,500 instalments in your first year of university. The first instalment will be at the beginning of Term 1 and other payments will be within 4 weeks of the Term 1 Census Date, Term 2 Census Date and Term 3 Census Date.ÌýÌý

    Students who attended a Gateway school will also receive a $1,000 one off payment at the beginning of Term 1, 2026.

  • To be eligible for the ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Gateway Award applicants must have applied through the Gateway Admission Pathway and enrolled at ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ. You will be advised if you’re eligible to receive this award when Round 1 and Round 2 early offers and early conditional offers are released. Please check our key dates to find out when offers are released.

  • Students who attended a Gateway school will receive a $1,000 one off payment at the beginning of Term 1, 2026.

  • Students are not able to defer commencement of the ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Advantage Award or the ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Gateway Award.

    However, you can reapply through the UAC Equity Scholarships portal to be considered for any Equity scholarships available. Please keep in mind there is no guarantee that you will receive an Equity Scholarship offer in a future round.Ìý

  • Yes, your eligibility will be determined as part of the regular UAC admissions process which happens throughout December and January. You will be advised if you are eligible to receive the ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Advantage Award in early 2026 before the start of Term 1. 

  • Yes, if you receive the ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Advantage Award and/or the ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Gateway Award, you are still eligible for equity and merit scholarships at ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ. Please check for any scholarship opportunities available that are relevant to your studies.

    However, in most cases, you won’t be able to hold both your ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Advantage/Gateway Award as well as an equity or merit scholarship. Recipients who are considering accepting or holding multiple Scholarships/Awards must contact ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Scholarships in writing for prior approval.

    If you receive an equity orÌýmerit scholarship offer (including accommodation scholarships) in addition to being eligible for the ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Advantage/Gateway Awards, you will have the option to choose which scholarship/award you would like to hold.Ìý

  • The Community Plus Scholarship covers on-campus accommodation expenses of up to $25,000 per year throughout your undergraduate journey. If you apply to study at ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ through the Gateway Admission Pathway and you’re looking to move onto campus, you will be prioritised for this award. Note that there are a limited number of these scholarships available.

  • ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ offers a wide range of Equity Scholarships to assist commencing students to undertake full-time study for the standard duration of their coursework degree program.Ìý

    If you apply through the Gateway Admission Pathway, you will automatically be considered on the basis of school disadvantage and socio-economic disadvantage of the area you live in. You don't need to submit a UAC Equity Scholarship application to be considered on the basis of these factors. You will automatically be considered for all relevant Equity Scholarships. However, if you’d like to be considered additionally on the basis of any of the below factors, you can also submit an Educational Access Scheme application through UAC.Ìý

    • Financial Challenges
    • Severe Family Disruption
    • Excessive Family Responsibilities
    • Personal Illness/Disability
    • Refugee and Humanitarian Status

  • The ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Co-op Program is a career development scholarship for high potential undergraduate students for selected undergraduate students in the disciplines of Business, Engineering, and Science. Co-op provides 15-18 months of industry training, professional development, networking and financial support ($21,600 p.a./4 years).Ìý

    The Co-op Program requires an adjusted minimum ATAR of 90 (incl. EAS) for students from Gateway schools or low SES backgrounds. Up to 4 dedicated places each year are available through the Gateway scheme each year.ÌýÌý

    Applications for the Co-op Program Gateway places are through a separate application process from the main Gateway Admission Pathway. To apply, head to the Co-op website.

Adjusted ATARs for the Gateway Admission Pathway

  • ATAR adjustments consider additional factors when assessing a student’s capability to succeed at university. As part of ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ's Gateway Admission Pathway,ÌýweÌýconsider the academic course requirements and the demonstrated academic standard of applicants. We then consider the Lowest Selection Rank and determine a reasonable adjustment for each degree.ÌýSee our list of Gateway Adjusted ATARsÌýfor students enrolling in 2025.

  • Through the Gateway Admission Pathway, there areÌýseveralÌýdegrees that haveÌýanÌýadjusted ATAR of 65.ÌýSee our list of Gateway Adjusted ATARsÌýfor students enrolling in 2025.

    If you don't qualify for the ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Gateway Admission Pathway you may still be eligible to study a ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ College Diploma program as an alternative entry pathway to ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ. For more information, download the .

  • The Gateway Admission Pathway sets a reduced ATAR requirement specific to the degree you are applying for. To convert your early conditional offer into a firm offer, your ATAR will need to meet this requirement without any other adjustment factors being considered.

  • No, thereÌýis a separate entry scheme for elite athletes . You cannot combine schemes.Ìý

  • There are no implications. Your ATAR is only one indicator ofÌýyour capacity to succeed at university, which is why we areÌýconsideringÌýother factors when assessing your application.ÌýYou won’t be at a disadvantage compared to your peers.

  • We understand that sometimes things don’t always go to plan. If you don’t meet the adjusted ATAR set in your early conditional offer, you may still be considered for alternate entry schemes to study your dream ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ degree including:

Degree-specific information for the Gateway Admission Pathway

  • Not to be confused with the Bachelor of Medical Science.

    The Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine (often referred to simply as ‘Medicine’) is a very competitive degree and up to 10 places are offered each year via the Gateway Entry Scheme.

    It is a different application process to apply for a Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine and requires additional selection criteria. Visit the Gateway Entry Scheme for more details.

  • If you apply for a Bachelor of Laws through the Gateway Admission Pathway, you do not need to sit the Law Admission Test. LAT results will not be used to assess your Gateway Admission Pathway application. However, you can still register for and sit the LAT if you would like to retain the option of entry to the Bachelor of Laws through the LAT admission process.ÌýÌý

  • As a Co-op scholar you are provided with up to 18 months of relevant industry experience, leadership and professional development training, mentoring and support, career planning and events to help you create professional and social networks. There are various programs available in Business, Science and Engineering streams.

    The application process for Co-op is separate to the Gateway Admission Pathway. You will need to submit an online application, nominate your Careers Advisor to complete your Schools Assessment Page and complete a video snapshot. For more information about the programs, application process and eligibility, see

  • Yes, you can transfer in the same way as any student at ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ can transfer degrees. You can learn more about ourÌýUndergraduate Internal Program Transfer (IPT) .

Key Dates
  • Year 11 Gateway Program 2025

    31 March

    Registrations open for the Year 11 Gateway Program.

    5 May | OpenLearning site launches

    Access the OpenLearning site, packed with interactive resources.

    23 - 26 June | Gateway Online Program

    Participate in subject-specific online workshops led by experienced HSC markers, study skills workshops led by current University Ambassadors, info sessions about the Gateway Admission Pathway, and more.

    10 July | Gateway On-campus Day

    Visit ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Sydney for a taste of uni life and the opportunity to participate in interactive sessions led by Faculty academics and academic masterclasses.
  • Ìý
    Year 12 Gateway Program 2025

    31 March

    Registrations open for the Year 12 Gateway Program.

    5 May | OpenLearning site launches

    Access the OpenLearning site, packed with interactive resources.

    23 - 26 June | Gateway Online Program

    Participate in subject-specific online workshops led by experienced HSC markers, study skills workshops led by current University Ambassadors, info sessions about the Gateway Admission Pathway, and more.

    9 - 10 July | Gateway On-campus Days

    Visit ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ Sydney for the opportunity to participate in interactive sessions led by Faculty academics, explore campus, participate in academic masterclasses and more.

    Gateway Admission Pathway
    Round 1
    Round 2*

    Round 1 Opens: Thursday, 10 April

    Round 1 Closes: Wednesday, 23 July

    Round 1 Early Offer and Early Conditional Offer Release: Thursday, 4 September

    Round 2 Opens: Thursday, 4 September

    Round 2 Closes: Wednesday, 12 November

    Round 2 Early Offer and Early Conditional Offer Release:ÌýFriday, 5 December

    Ìý

    Firm offers will be released on Thursday, 18 December 2025.

    *Eligible interstate students or students completing the International Baccalaureate can only apply in Round 2.

Have a question about Gateway?

The Gateway Admission Pathway is open to domestic students only. For international students, visit here for pathway options available to you.

*Ranked 19th university globally in QS World University Rankings, 2025.