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Application procedure for international students

International Office

The International Office (IO) is the arm of the University of Sydney that is dedicated to assisting International Students in their application to study at the University, and in their time while they are students at the University. The IO provides advice and assistance relating to academic programs for international students, as well as administrative services including application, admission, fee payment and enrolment services for those undertaking face-to-face courses. The IO includes the International Student Support Unit which aims to help international students develop successful strategies for coping with the challenges of living and studying in an unfamiliar culture, to achieve success in their studies and to make the experience of being an international student rewarding and enjoyable.

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How to apply for traditional coursework courses (delivered face-to-face)

The International Office processes the majority of international student applications for traditional coursework courses (i.e. where students must attend classes, lectures, tutorials, lab classes, etc).

To apply for these coursework courses please see the University's admission procedures for international applicants to coursework.

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How to apply for distance coursework courses (delivered online)

To apply for all distance courses (ie Biostatistics, International Ophthalmology, Ophthalmic Science, Paediatric Medicine, Pain Management, Refractive Surgery and Sleep Medicine; and Clinical Epidemiology, Medical Education and Public Health if by distance learning) complete an application form and, together with the documentation listed below, lodge with the Postgraduate Student Administration Unit.

Essential documentation:

  • Evidence of Citizenship i.e. front page of passport. This must be originals or photocopies certified by a Justice of the Peace or Australian Diplomatic Post. Note that international students residing in Australia on temporary residency visas must also include a copy of the visa as well as the front page of the passport.
  • Marriage certificate or other documentation to verify name change if applicable. These must be originals or photocopies certified by a Justice of the Peace or Australian Diplomatic Post.
  • Transcripts of all academic qualifications except for studies completed at the University of Sydney. These must be originals or photocopies certified by a Justice of the Peace or Australian Diplomatic Post.
  • Curriculum vitae (CV) outlining employment history and relevant experience.
  • Biostatistics: Evidence of mathematical aptitude, evidence of previous study in statistics. A completed Unit of study selection form and contact detail form are also required.
  • Clinical Epidemiology: A brief explanatory letter outlining why you are applying for the course.
  • International Ophthalmology, Ophthalmic Sciences and Refractive Surgery: Evidence of your current employment.
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How to apply for research courses

The International Office processes all international student applications to research courses.

To apply for one of our research courses please see the University's admissions procedures for international applicants to research courses.

Please note that you are also required to attach a detailed description of your proposed research topic which includes a synopsis, objectives, methodology, resources and references.

Before you do this, you are advised to contact the relevant postgraduate coordinator in order to discuss potential research topics, ensure that appropriate research facilities are available and to find out about potential supervisors with expertise in the relevant field. This is a vital step which you should make prior to submitting your application form – admission to research programs will depend on the availability of resources, facilities and supervisors with relevant expertise, as well as your qualifications and experience.

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How to apply for individual subjects via non-award or cross institutional study

You may enrol in and undertake individual subjects or "units of study” rather than a full award course. In most cases this is considered to be “non-award” study, but if you are doing the subject for an award course for which you have enrolled at another institution then it will be called “cross institutional” study.

The units of study available are all delivered at a postgraduate level and therefore applicants are requested to provide a certified copy of transcripts. Some units of study are specifically designed for students with specific assumed knowledge and therefore applicants may be asked to provide additional information.

Fees vary depending on an applicant’s citizenship or permanent residency and therefore applicants are asked to provide certified copies of a passport or birth certificate.

If you are granted an offer of admission you will then need to enrol in the subject and undertake all the necessary study and assessment requirements. The University of Sydney enrolment and assessment policies will all apply to your study and your enrolment and results will be recorded on your academic transcript.

In some cases it is possible to “audit” a subject, in which case you would not need to enrol or undertake the assessment. Please contact the unit of study coordinator to determine if this is an option, if you wish to audit a unit of study. It should be noted that the University of Sydney will not provide credit towards an award course for an audited subject.

Student visa:
If you do not have a visa that allows you to study in Australia then you will need to apply through the
International Office and you must study full-time (18-24 credit points) to be eligible for a student visa. For more information see the International Office's website.

Other types of visas that allow study:
If you already hold a visa that allows you to study in Australia, to apply for non-award or cross-institutional study complete a current application form and, together with the documentation listed below, lodge with the Postgraduate Student Administration Unit.

The units of study available through Sydney Medical School are all delivered at a postgraduate level and therefore applicants are requested to provide a certified copy of transcripts. Also fees vary depending on an applicant’s citizenship or permanent residency and therefore applicants are asked to provide certified copies of a passport or birth certificate.

Some units of study are designed for students with specific assumed knowledge and therefore applicants may be asked to provide additional information.

Essential documentation:

  • Copy of passport or birth certificate. Note that international students residing in Australia on temporary residency visas must also include a copy of the visa as well as the front page of the passport.
  • Marriage certificate or other documentation to verify name change if applicable. These must be originals or photocopies certified by a Justice of the Peace.
  • Transcripts of all academic qualifications except for studies completed at the University of Sydney. These must be originals or photocopies certified by a Justice of the Peace.
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English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you MUST demonstrate English language proficiency by one of the following means before admission can be confirmed.

  1. Provide evidence of satisfactory achievement in tertiary studies in which the exclusive language of the institution and the exclusive language of instruction, examination and assessment was English. These studies must have been undertaken no more than 5 years prior to the submission of your application.
  2. Achieve the required grades in “English for Academic Purposes” at the University’s Centre for English Teaching. The course must have been completed no more than 2 years prior to the submission of your application.
  3. Achieve the required grades on an IELTS or TOEFL test. The required grades are listed below. The test results must be achieved less than 2 years prior to the submission of your application. For more information on these tests, please visit the IELTS website or the TOEFL website.

All research programs in the three faculties:
IELTS 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 OR
TOEFL 577 plus TWE 4.5 OR
Computer-based TOEFL 233 plus Essay Rating 4.5

Faculty of Dentistry (all coursework programs)
IELTS 7.0 with no band below 6.5 OR
TOEFL 600 plus TWE of 5 OR
Computer-based TOEFL 250 plus Essay Rating 5

Sydney Medical School (all programs except Qualitative Health Research)
IELTS 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 OR
TOEFL 577 plus TWE 4.5 OR
Computer-based TOEFL 233 plus Essay Rating 4.5

Qualitative Health Research
IELTS 7.0 with no band below 6.5 OR
TOEFL 600 plus TWE of 4.5 OR
Computer-based TOEFL 250 plus Essay Rating 4.5

The Academic Board policy Postgraduate English Language Requirements is available at Policy online.

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Closing dates for international applications

In general, the University of Sydney closing dates for international applications are as follows:
31 October for commencement in Semester 1 (i.e. commencement in March)
30 April for commencement in Semester 2 (i.e. commencement in July)

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Offer of admission

The International Office (or Postgraduate Student Administration Unit for distance courses) will contact you in writing once a decision has been made regarding your application.

If your application has been successful, you will be sent an ‘offer of admission’ letter providing details of your candidature. This letter should be checked carefully and any questions about the terms of the offer should be referred to the International Office (or Postgraduate Student Administration Unit for distance courses).

Unsuccessful applicants will also receive written notification.

The letter of offer only offers you a place in a course; it may be a conditional offer, requiring you to provide further information. You must still enrol if you accept the offer. If details of enrolment are not included with the letter of offer then the Unit will contact you closer to your commencement date with details on how to enrol.

Please note: The electronic confirmation of enrolment issued by the International Office is a document for you to use when applying for a student visa, showing that you intend to enrol. You must still come and enrol at the Postgraduate Student Administration Unit before you can commence your study, whether by coursework or research.

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Non-acceptance of an offer

If for any reason you are unable to accept an offer of admission, please notify the International Office (or Postgraduate Student Administration Unit for distance courses) as soon as possible.

Please note: The University of Sydney is unable to keep unsuccessful applications or applications of students who do not accept an offer of admission. Therefore, if you wish to reapply in the future, you will be required to lodge a new application.

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Deferral of commencement

If you have been given an offer of admission but can't enrol for the semester of the offer, you can apply to defer your enrolment until the next intake. Note that deferrals are not automatically granted, particularly for research applicants as the funds to support the research project may only be available for a limited period.

International students in face-to-face courses including research degrees should follow the deferral instructions provided by the International Office.

All distance education students should send an email to the Admissions Coordinator stating

  • your name
  • your student number
  • the course you have been made an offer for
  • which semester you wish to defer until (e.g. semester 2, 2010)
  • and a brief reason why you are asking for the deferral.
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Credit for previous study

Credit for previous study can be sought and should be requested using a Advanced Standing (Credit) and Exemption form at the time of application for admission to candidature. Your previous study must be relevant to the course to which you are applying. You must submit documentary evidence of having enrolled and satisfactorily completed the relevant subject, such as certified transcripts, and course outlines. The granting of credit is limited and for further details please refer to both your Course Coordinator and the credit policy of the Combined Board of Postgraduate Studies for Sydney Medical School and the Faculties of Dentistry, Nursing and Midwifery, and Pharmacy.

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