University of Sydney’s Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) offers a range of preparation courses known as the UPC (University Preparation Course). You can apply for admission under the Mature-Age Entry Scheme if you successfully complete the approved preparation course/s for your proposed university degree course. Preparation courses are open to everyone; you don’t need any previous qualifications to enrol. Applications for mature-age entry can only be made on the basis of preparation courses completed within the past two years.

Confirm that the Mature Age Entry Scheme applies to you

You may not need Mature Age entry

Your existing school (and other) results may be sufficient to allow you to apply for standard admission now. Your results from school, TAFE and/or previous university attempts are always valid for undergraduate admission. You can contact Special Admissions for further information.

You may not qualify for Mature Age entry

You cannot use the Mature Age Entry Scheme if you already have any of the following:

• a UAI/ATAR score of 70.00 or more from the NSW HSC exam (or equivalent)
• a completed TAFE (or accredited private college)* diploma (or advanced diploma)
• a university* attendance record of one or more full-time years (or equivalent)

* contact us for confirmation or clarification

If you have achieved any of the above, the University considers you to have demonstrated an ability to undertake university level study now. The Mature Age Entry Scheme is designed to assist people who have not demonstrated that ability. You are welcome to contact the Special Admissions Office to confirm (or otherwise) that your academic history enables you to apply for standard admission and/or to discuss your admission options and pathways to enter the course/s of your choice.

Identify your course and download the brochure

• Choose your university course/s - you need to identify the course (eg, Bachelor of Arts) you hope to enter at the University. Explore the Find a Course section for courses (Undergraduate/Domestic) that interest you. Make sure the attendance pattern of your chosen course suits you (almost all University of Sydney degree courses are daytime only, some are part-time daytime). Preparation courses, however, are mostly part-time.
• Download the Mature Age Entry brochure (PDF). Go straight to page 8 of the brochure. Make sure your desired course is available under the scheme. Keep the brochure for future reference.

How do I achieve Mature Age entry?

Open your Mature Age Entry brochure on pages 4-7 and find the course/s that you wish to enter at the University of Sydney. Alongside each university course (or group of courses) you’ll find a group of preparation courses, any one of which will potentially qualify you for Mature Age admission for that university course.

Entry standards for Mature Age entry

Admission to all undergraduate courses at the University of Sydney is competitive. Since the number of places for new students each year (the quota) is exceeded many times over by the number of applicants, offers of admission go to applicants in descending order of their results until the quota is reached.

Mature Age entry scheme applicants are considered individually by the faculties to which they apply. No pre-determined levels of results (from preparation courses) are used. However, the general rule is that a university course with a high ATAR cut-off score (for school-leavers) will require a high level of achievement (in the preparation course) from Mature Age applicants. When you apply for university admission, you will be able to list up to nine course preferences. If you are applying for high-demand courses, you should consider entering a preference or two for other courses, in case you do not meet the higher-course standard.

Applying for University admission

Almost all undergraduate (bachelor degree) students commence university with the Semester 1 (January) intake. To be considered for admission in January, you need to apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) in August/September of the previous year. If you are currently undertaking your preparation course at this time, you apply on the basis of your expected preparation course results (like HSC students).

Information on application procedures is in the Future Students section of the University website.

We offer training courses, short courses, lessons, workshops and classes open to everyone. Enrol today and learn with the University of Sydney's premiere provider of short courses and training courses in Sydney - a professional and flexible learning and training development alternative to Sydney TAFE courses and Sydney community colleges - Jason Riley, Operations Manager, Centre for Continuing Education.