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A UQ degree shows you have achieved a standard of excellence at one of the world’s most respected universities.

Our entry requirements for undergraduate study reflect this, with applicants needing to meet minimum entry requirements to be considered for admission. This may include:

• Queensland Year 12 or equivalent Australian or international studies
• minimum entry score
• subject prerequisites
• english language proficiency requirements
• compliance with any other special entry requirements for your chosen program.

If you have not met the minimum requirements to be considered for admission, you might want to consider a pathway or prerequisite course.

Queensland Year 12 or equivalent Australian or international studies

Queensland Year 12 studies or equivalent Australian or international studies are considered necessary for applicants to qualify for entry into most undergraduate programs.

Entry scores

If you have completed Queensland Year 12 or equivalent Australian or international studies, you must also have a sufficient entry score to gain admission.

Entry scores for each program ensure applicants with different qualifications, from different countries, meet the same equivalent standard for entry to a particular program.

Queensland Year 12 or interstate equivalent studies

If you are currently studying Year 12 in Australia, you must achieve the overall position (OP) or ATAR equivalent for UQ undergraduate programs.

International equivalent Year 12 studies

If you are currently studying Year 12 equivalent studies abroad, you must achieve the minimum international entry scores for UQ undergraduate programs.

Non-school leavers

If you are not a current school leaver, your application will be considered on an individual basis. Study you have completed after secondary or high school can be considered for entry. If you meet the equivalent entry score for your program and are eligible for entry, you may also be able to apply for admission with credit.

Subject prerequisites

Subject prerequisites are specific Queensland Year 12, interstate or international equivalent subjects considered necessary to undertake a program successfully.

You need to have successfully completed a program’s subject prerequisites to be considered for admission.

If you are not currently studying Year 12 or equivalent studies in your home country, UQ International Admissions will assess your application on a case-by-case basis and see if you have successfully studied subjects, after leaving school, which are the equivalent to the prerequisites.

Some programs also have recommended non-compulsory study suggestions that will ensure you have a better understanding of program material.

English language proficiency requirements

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UQ. As an international student you will need to demonstrate your English language proficiency ability to be eligible for the UQ program of your choice. This may include:

• completion of Queensland Year 12 English or Australian or international equivalent
• at least 6.5 overall and a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-band of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or equivalent test.

Other equivalent tests such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic may be accepted, with other qualifications and experience also be considered.

Full details are given in UQ's Policy and Procedures Library (PPL).

Learn more about our English language requirements

Program specific application requirements

For entry to some of our programs, we consider more than entry scores and subject prerequisites. In these cases we need to know more about you and may ask you to, for example, visit UQ for an audition (Bachelor of Music) or complete a specific admission test (e.g. ISAT for entry to the Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours)).

For specific entry requirement information, please see the academic program you are interested in studying.

We want students who work hard. That’s why we try and reward your hard work by boosting, or in some cases, guaranteeing your chances of securing a place at UQ. 

UQ Bonus Rank Scheme 

The UQ Bonus Rank Scheme offers a chance to improve your competitiveness for entry to your preferred program, providing up to five bonus points towards your entry rank.

Find out how to qualify for the UQ Bonus Rank Scheme

OP Guarantee Scheme

If you achieve an OP1-5 (or entry rank equivalent), you are guaranteed entry into your highest eligible preference in the January offer round for the majority of UQ’s undergraduate programs, regardless of program cut-offs.

Learn how the OP Guarantee Scheme works

Educational Access Scheme (EAS) 

If you’ve experienced difficult circumstances that have negatively impacted your studies, and are not eligible for any of the schemes listed above, you can apply for special consideration through EAS, managed by QTAC.

See if you're eligible for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS)

We recognise not everyone takes the same path to undergraduate study. For some it’s a relatively simple progression after completing a school-leaver qualification in Australia or your home country. For others, a level of preparation or support is required to transition and bridge the gap between your qualifications and minimum university standards and subject prerequisites.

We're here to help you find the best pathway to suit your requirements.

Pathways

English language pathways

To succeed at UQ, you will need excellent English language skills. If you meet all the academic entry requirements for your preferred UQ program, but need further English language training, you can apply to follow one of our English language pathways through the Institute of Continuing & TESOL Education (ICTE-UQ).

Learn more about English language pathways

UQ Foundation Year

The UQ Foundation Year, offered by International Education Services (IES), provides a bridge between your secondary and undergraduate studies.

Appropriate for students looking to satisfy UQ's minimum entry requirements – including equivalent Queensland Year 12 studies, minimum entry score and subject prerequisites – graduates from Foundation Year will receive a Certificate IV in University Preparation and, contingent on studying your preferred undergraduate program’s Foundation Year entry requirement subjects, are guaranteed* an offer into UQ.

With a strong record of ongoing undergraduate performance, the Foundation Year has been the perfect starting-point for more than 4000 international students.

Learn more about Foundation Year

UQ College

UQ College offers an alternative entry for international students wishing to study business. Designed for business leaders and managers of the future, the Associate Degree in Business (AssocDBus) is a 16-month (four trimesters) UQ-accredited program that will give you a strong stand-alone qualification.

If you complete the AssocDBus with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 4 (on a 7-point scale), you will be eligible to apply for UQ’s Bachelor of Business Management (BBusMan) and receive 24 units of credit (three semesters full-time), leaving you three semesters to complete the undergraduate program.

Learn more about UQ College

Upgrading

If you’re not offered a place in your preferred program and want to improve your entry score or meet subject prerequisites, you can accept an offer in a less competitive program with fewer prerequisites and try to improve your entry score. This is called "upgrading".

We recommend you complete the equivalent of at least one full year (16 units at UQ) of bachelor degree study with suitable results to improve your entry rank. The better your results, the greater chance you have of admission to your preferred program.

Once you have completed a full year of tertiary study, you can then request a program change into your preferred degree of choice, if you have met the requisite GPA for entry to that program. Keep in mind once you have attempted a full-time year of tertiary study, we use this to assess whether you meet our requirements for your program choice. We will no longer use your Australian Year 12 or equivalent school results for entry. Note also that if your preferred degree of choice is a quota program, places are limited and entry competitive.

Contact UQ International for more information. 

Prerequisite courses

If you are onshore in Australia or willing to study externally from home, a few options are available if you need to satisfy a subject prerequisite for your preferred program.

Learn more about prerequisite courses

For more information about pathways and prerequisite courses, contact us or a UQ representative in your country.

Going to university is a big financial commitment, but don’t let the cost of study deter you. Your education is the best investment you will ever make.

Tuition fees

If you enrol as an international student, you will pay international tuition fees.

Students commencing in 2015

Tuition fees for international students commencing in 2015 depend on the courses you undertake, not the program in which you are enrolled. As a result, it is not possible to publish a fixed fee for a program.

However, to help you budget, indicative annual fees based on average first-year enrolment patterns are detailed on the academic page of your chosen program. By multiplying this fee by the number of years in your program, you can estimate the total cost.

We’ve also published a complete list of indicative annual fees:

• Indicative 2015 undergraduate single degree fees
• Indicative 2015 undergraduate dual degree fees

Students commencing in 2016

Tuition fees for international students commencing in 2016 will be program-based. Program-based fees mean all courses within a program are charged at the same tuition fee rate for a given academic year.

We’ve published a complete list of 2016 indicative annual undergraduate program-based fees.

By multiplying this fee by the number of years in your program, you can estimate the total cost.

The indicative annual fees assume you enrol in full-time study load in 2016. Fees for less than a standard full-time study load are pro-rated.

Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)

Most Australian universities charge a compulsory annual Student Services and Amenities fee (SSAF).

SSAF proceeds can be used to contribute to services such as sporting and recreation activities, employment and career advice, child care, financial advice, and food services.

The maximum fee for 2015 is $286. UQ charges the SSAF according to your mode of attendance (internal/external) and enrolment load (full-time/part-time). The fee is indexed annually.

If you’ve got the ability, we believe finance shouldn’t be a barrier for you coming to UQ and being successful. As an international student there are many ways to get help if you need it, as well as plenty of information and advice available to help you manage your finances.

UQ scholarships and bursaries

UQ offers a range of scholarships to help make study more affordable. Some of these are subject specific, designed to reward the most academic and talented students in a field of study. Others are country or region specific, supporting those students from a particular part of the world.

Scholarship application opening and closing dates vary. We recommend you search for available scholarships as early as possible to ensure you don't miss application deadlines.

Visit UQ's Scholarships Hub

International scholarships and financial aid

We participate in and can help you apply for a range of student loan programs offered by your home country to cover some of the educational expenses you will incur as a full-time student at UQ.

Learn more about available financial aid

Once you’ve chosen a program, applying to study at UQ is straightforward.The application process varies depending on what type of applicant you are.

I’m currently studying Year 12 in Australia 

If you’re currently studying Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate (IB) in Australia, you must submit your application online through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC).

Applying to QTAC

All other international applicants

If you’re not currently studying Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate (IB) in Australia, submit your application directly to UQ or through a UQ representative in your country.

Applying directly to UQ

Credit for previous study

You may be eligible for credit towards your UQ program if you have undertaken previous tertiary studies.

View faculty credit transfer articulations and search our Credit Precedents Database to help determine your eligibility for credit.

Depending on the program, you may be considered for a certain amount of credit before we issue you with an offer. It may also be possible for you to be considered for additional credit after you have arrived at UQ.

We will review your application and, if all entry requirements are met, you will be sent an offer letter. If you choose to accept, congratulations and welcome to UQ!

If there are conditions you need to satisfy, you will be sent a conditional offer.

To accept this offer you must:

• meet any outstanding conditions
• read and sign the streamlined visa processing (SVP) declaration (if you have applied for an SVP-eligible program)
• return your signed acceptance form, payment details form and SVP declaration (if applicable), along with the tuition fee deposit ($8000) and Overseas Student Healthcare Cover (OSHC) payment. These should be emailed to iasdocuments@uq.edu.au.

We will process your acceptance and, if everything is satisfactory, issue a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). Your CoE is an official statement from the University confirming you have accepted a place in a UQ program and have paid your tuition deposit.You will need your CoE to apply for a student visa.

Next steps

Get a student visa

To apply for your visa, lodge your student visa application form with your CoE to the nearest Australian High Commission or Embassy.

If you have a package offer, both CoEs need to be submitted at the time of visa application.

Learn more about student visas

Enrol

Once you have accepted your place at UQ, the next step is to enrol in your chosen program.

Go to Starting at UQ

Attend Orientation and begin your UQ study experience

With its full program of social and academic activities, Orientation, or “O-Week”, is designed to introduce you to life and study at UQ.

Held in the week before the start of semesters one and two, it's a great way to meet new people and make the transition to life at university.

O-Week also includes cultural activities and entertainment, especially on Market Day when you can sign-up for student clubs and societies (and get lots of free stuff!).

Learn more about O-Week