Mathematics course prerequisites

Source: https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/applying/how-to-apply/undergraduate/mathematics-prerequisite.html Parent: https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/applying/how-to-apply/postgraduate-research.html

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Mathematics course prerequisites

We have mathematics prerequisites for some courses to help you thrive in your degree and prepare you for future career challenges.

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The mathematics prerequisite has recently been removed from most of our courses. We continue to provide University and faculty-specific mathematics support for all our students. A small number of courses still have the mathematics prerequisite.

2026 entry

For 2026 entry, if you achieve a Band 3 or 4 in HSC Mathematics Advanced (or equivalent) and apply for a course that recently had the mathematics prerequisite removed, you will be eligible to receive one adjustment factor through the Academic Excellence Scheme.

Learn more about the recent changes

Does the prerequisite apply to me?

Year 12 or secondary school applicants

For domestic and international students

The mathematics course prerequisites will apply to you if you are applying:

• with an Australian state or territory secondary education (Year 12 or high school) qualification, such as the NSW HSC, undertaken in or outside Australia
• with the IB Diploma or GCE A Levels undertaken in Australia.\

If you apply through the Gadigal Entry Program and do not achieve a Band 4 in Mathematics Advanced (or equivalent), you may be admitted if you complete an approved mathematics prerequisite course in your first year of study (or in a subsequent attempt if required).

Other applicants

The mathematics course prerequisites will apply to you if you are applying:

• as a domestic student with previous higher education study, such as:
• one year of full-time or equivalent part-time study in a bachelor’s degree
• an Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma
• as a domestic student with an approved preparation program or other qualification accepted by the University, including the Mature-age Entry Scheme
• as an international student with the University of Sydney Foundation Program.

If you are applying as an international student with a different qualification, the mathematics prerequisite does not apply.

Courses with a mathematics prerequisite

Education

The Bachelor of Education (Primary) and Master of Teaching (Primary) programs have a mathematics prerequisite required by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). Please note that this is not a University of Sydney prerequisite, and further information is available via NESA.

Engineering and computer science

• B Advanced Computing
• B Advanced Computing and B Commerce
• B Advanced Computing and B Science
• B Advanced Computing and B Science (Health)
• B Advanced Computing and B Science (Medical Science)
• B Engineering Honours (Aeronautical Engineering)
• B Engineering Honours (Biomedical Engineering)
• B Engineering Honours (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering)
• B Engineering Honours (Civil Engineering)
• B Engineering Honours (Dalyell Scholars)
• B Engineering Honours (Electrical Engineering)
• B Engineering Honours (Flexible First Year)
• B Engineering Honours (Mechanical Engineering)
• B Engineering Honours (Mechatronic Engineering)
• B Engineering Honours (Software Engineering)
• B Engineering Honours with Space Engineering
• B Engineering Honours and B Arts
• B Engineering Honours and B Commerce
• B Engineering Honours (Civil) and B Design in Architecture
• B Engineering Honours and B Project Management
• B Engineering Honours and B Science
• B Engineering Honours (Biomedical) and B Science (Health)
• B Engineering Honours (Biomedical) and B Science (Medical Science)

Law

• B Engineering Honours and B Laws

Medicine and health

• B Pharmacy (Honours) and M Pharmacy Practice\
• B Pharmacy and Management (Honours) and M Pharmacy Practice

Science

• B Mathematical Sciences

What is required?

To find out what the mathematics course prerequisite requires, select the qualification you will apply with.

Secondary education (Year 12)

If you are applying with an Australian secondary education (Year 12) qualification, you will need to achieve the following minimum subject/grade requirements:

*Mathematics Standard (or equivalent) does not meet the minimum requirement.

The following mathematics prerequisites only apply to students undertaking the IB or GCE A Level in Australia:

**Not Mathematical Studies

Studies in a bachelor's degree

If you have completed the equivalent of a minimum of one year of full-time study in a bachelor’s degree (and have not already satisfied the mathematics prerequisites through secondary school studies), you are required to have undertaken studies in mathematics in your degree that are assessed by the University to be equivalent to an acceptable mathematics unit of study.

See table below for accepted units of study.

We will consider studies in a bachelor’s degree in STEM study areas such as science and engineering and additionally in commerce/business as equivalent to the required mathematics standard.

Where you have undertaken studies in other areas but have completed mathematics specific subjects, we will assess this as a potential means of meeting our mathematics prerequisites.

Completed AFQ Diploma

If you have completed an AQF Diploma or equivalent (and have not already satisfied the mathematics prerequisites through secondary school studies), you are required to have undertaken studies in mathematics in your completed diploma that are assessed by the University to be equivalent to an acceptable mathematics unit of study.

See table below for accepted units of study.

We will consider studies in STEM study areas such as science and engineering and additionally in commerce/business as equivalent to the required mathematics standard.

Where you have undertaken studies in other areas but have completed mathematics specific subjects, we will assess this as a potential means of meeting our mathematics prerequisites.

Approved preparation program

Domestic students

If you have completed an approved university preparation program, you will need to have undertaken specific studies in mathematics, see Mature-age Entry Scheme.

International students

If you are completing the University of Sydney Foundation Program, you will need to have undertaken the relevant studies in mathematics as part of your foundation program.

International students undertaking other approved foundation studies are advised to undertake the highest available level of mathematics that corresponds to the assumed knowledge mathematics the University has specified for your intended course.

What if I don't meet the maths prerequisite?

If you do not meet the mathematics prerequisites, there are other options.

You can complete the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for mathematics and the post-MOOC exam, or you can apply for and enrol in a course that doesn’t have a mathematics prerequisite, complete the required studies in mathematics and then apply to transfer to your initial course choice.

Mathematics MOOC and post-MOOC exam

To meet the requirements in this way, you must complete the Introduction to Calculus MOOC and post-MOOC examination with the required grades.

The MOOC is not a substitute for studying the required mathematics subjects in high school. The MOOC is not intended for students who haven't undertaken any studies in mathematics, it is available online and open to anyone to enrol in.

The post-MOOC examination will be available to register* for and complete only immediately prior to the University intake you are eligible to commence your university course.

Students who successfully complete both the MOOC and post-MOOC examination will be eligible for an offer of admission to courses with mathematics prerequisites if they also meet the ATAR (or equivalent) and other applicable admission criteria.

Some courses have limited places and/or may not be available each intake, check the .

*To be eligible to register for the post-MOOC exam, you must have an active UAC or direct applicant number.

Transferring from another course

Students can apply for and enrol in a course that does not have mathematics prerequisites and then apply to transfer to a course that does require the prerequisites after completing the required studies in mathematics (as specified by the University)*.

Where you already have the required ATAR or equivalent for your course which has mathematics prerequisites, you would only be required to complete one semester of study that includes the required studies in mathematics (see table below).

If you do not have the ATAR (or equivalent) for your chosen course which has mathematics course prerequisites, you would be required to successfully complete one year of full-time study in a bachelor’s degree that includes the required studies in mathematics. Admission is based on the better of a student’s ATAR (or equivalent) or performance in at least one year of higher education study or a bachelor’s degree; and completion of an accepted mathematics subject at university. Refer to the information above on requirements when applying with studies in a bachelor’s degree.

* Transfers are not permitted to the following courses: B Arts and D Medicine, B Economics (Sciences Po Dual Degree), and B Science and D Medicine.

Equivalent units of study

The following units of study (subjects) are accepted by the University as equivalent to the required mathematics standard if applying with studies in a bachelor’s degree or completed AQF Diploma.

*MATH1111 represents the minimum standard for an acceptable mathematics subject that meets the mathematics course prerequisites. Mathematics subjects taken at a higher level will also be considered to meet the prerequisites.

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