What the Applied Degrees are, and who awards them
UNSW College, an institute of higher education owned and backed by UNSW Sydney, is launching three applied bachelor degrees with a first international intake in Term 1, 2027. The degrees are awarded by UNSW College, not by UNSW Sydney. Students study on the Kensington campus and can access UNSW facilities, clubs and societies.
The three programs are:
| Program | CRICOS code | AQF level | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Applied Business (Business Management) | 120245C | 7 | 3 years (156 weeks) |
| Bachelor of Information Technology (Cyber Defence and Networking) | 120253C | 7 | 3 years (156 weeks) |
| Bachelor of Information Technology (Software Development) | 120244D | 7 | 3 years (156 weeks) |
Each degree carries 144 units of credit, delivered across six semesters and twelve eight-week terms, with two courses per term. Assessment is project-based, with no traditional final exams. Class sizes are around 20 students, compared with 25–35 in a traditional degree.
The Bachelor of IT (Software Development) carries CRICOS code 120244D. Note that the launch presentation printed 120243E on one slide; that code belongs to the Associate Degree of Information Technology (Software Development), not the bachelor. The correct bachelor code is 120244D.
Entry requirements by country and qualification
The tables below set out the published academic entry lines for each qualification, as presented in UNSW College’s August 2026 launch materials. These are minimums to apply, not admission guarantees, and the presentation itself notes: “Summary data only; please check our website for full details.” The official UNSW College entry requirements page governs.
China
| Qualification | Academic requirement | English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Gao San (Senior High School Year 3) | 70% average of best 4 academic subjects | Formal English test required |
| Gao Kao (National College Entrance Exam) | 60% | Formal English test required |
| Dazhuan (Junior College Diploma) | 75% | Formal English test required |
| Zhongzhuan (Secondary Vocational School) | 80% average of best 4 academic subjects | Formal English test required |
Hong Kong
| Qualification | Academic requirement | English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| HKDSE | 13 — best 5 Core and Category A subjects | Overall 4, writing 3 |
Indonesia
| Qualification | Academic requirement | English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| SMA3 | 7 — average of best 4 academic subjects | Formal English test required |
| Vocational High School / MAN | 75% average of best 4 academic subjects | Formal English test required |
Japan
| Qualification | Academic requirement | English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| High School Year 3 / Kosen | 60% average of best 4 academic subjects | Formal English test required |
Malaysia
| Qualification | Academic requirement | English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| STPM | 6 — best 4: A=7, A-=6, B+=5, B=4, B-=3, C+=2, C=1 | C |
| UEC | 12 — total of best 3 academic subjects; A1=1, A2=2, B3=3, B4=4, B5=5, B6=6, C7=7, C8=8 | B3 |
| MARA Polytechnic Diploma | GPA 2.4 based on overall CGPA | Formal English test required |
Philippines
| Qualification | Academic requirement | English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Senior High School Diploma (Y12) | 82% average of best 4 academic subjects | 85% |
Singapore
| Qualification | Academic requirement | English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| A-Levels | 6 — minimum of one H2; maximum of two H1 | D or higher |
South Korea
| Qualification | Academic requirement | English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| High School Year 3 / Vocational High School | 70% average of best 4 academic subjects | Formal English test required |
| CSAT | 270 — total of standard core subjects | Formal English test required |
| GEE | 75% average of best 4 academic subjects | Formal English test required |
Thailand
| Qualification | Academic requirement | English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Matayom 6 | 2.5 average of best 6 academic subjects | Formal English test required |
Vietnam
| Qualification | Academic requirement | English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma of General Education (Y12) | 30 — total of best 4 academic subjects | Formal English test required |
Saudi Arabia
| Qualification | Academic requirement | English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| GSEC | 90% average of best 4 academic subjects | Formal English test required |
Australia and international qualifications
| Qualification | Academic requirement | English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Australia HSC or equivalent | Band 3 in at least 3 relevant HSC subjects | — |
| UNSW College Foundation / Go8 Foundation | Successful completion of Foundation Studies (Pass in Maths for Bachelor of IT streams) | C+ |
| Australia AQF level 5 (Diploma) | Minimum 50% completion of the qualification | English test required if completed outside of Australia |
| Australia AQF level 4 (Certificate IV) | Completed Certificate IV in a relevant discipline | Formal English test required |
| IB Diploma | Completion of IB Diploma with ≥ 14 over 3 relevant subjects | 4 (HL) or 5 (SL) |
| IBCP | IBCP award with average 4 or higher in 2 IB Diploma subjects | Formal English test required |
| A Levels | 6 — minimum of one A level; maximum of two AS levels | A Level: C |
English language test scores
Applicants who need a formal English test must meet both the overall score and the individual component requirements. The table below shows the minimum scores for each accepted test.
| Test | Overall | Writing | Reading | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| PTE Academic | 64 | 54 | 54 | 54 | 54 |
| TOEFL iBT | 90 | 23 | 13 | 12 | 18 |
The English requirement sits at the same level as UNSW Sydney’s direct-entry band of 6.5 overall with 6.0 in writing. Applicants who have completed a Non-Go8 Australian Foundation Studies Program need 70% in English, while those completing a Go8 Foundation need C+.
Online English pathway before classes start
If you need to lift your English before the degree begins, UNSW College offers an online English course (UEEC10) that you can complete from home. Three windows are available:
| Course start | Course finish | Leads to orientation | Class start |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 October 2026 | 18 December 2026 | 25 February 2027 | 1 March 2027 |
| 24 May 2027 | 30 July 2027 | 15 October 2027 | 18 October 2027 |
| 28 June 2027 | 3 September 2027 | 15 October 2027 | 18 October 2027 |
The gap between the English course finishing and classes starting leaves time for the provider’s suggested next steps: applying for a visa, and booking accommodation and flights. The provider lists these activities in its launch materials; it does not provide visa advice in the course schedule.
Key dates for 2027
New students commence in Terms 1 and 4. The published term dates are:
| Term | Orientation | Week one starts | Census date | Term ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term 4, 2026 | 1 October 2026 | 5 October 2026 | 23 October 2026 | 27 November 2026 |
| Term 1, 2027 | 25 February 2027 | 1 March 2027 | 19 March 2027 | 23 April 2027 |
| Term 2, 2027 | — | 17 May 2027 | 4 June 2027 | 9 July 2027 |
| Term 3, 2027 | — | 2 August 2027 | 20 August 2027 | 24 September 2027 |
| Term 4, 2027 | 15 October 2027 | 18 October 2027 | 5 November 2027 | 10 December 2027 |
Fees
Tuition for 2026 is A$34,080 per year, giving a three-year tuition total of A$102,240. The CRICOS register additionally records A$1,000 of non-tuition fees, for an estimated total cost of A$103,240. These figures are based on typical full-time enrolment; tuition fees are reviewed annually and may be subject to change, and may vary depending on courses chosen. The provider states that 2027 tuition fees are still to be updated.
Scholarships
Two scholarships are available for applied degree students, as set out in the launch presentation.
The Applied Leadership Award is worth up to A$10,000 per year and is awarded on merit to a limited number of students. To apply, you submit a 500-word personal statement on your motivation for studying a UNSW College Applied Degree, plus a resume or CV.
The UNSW College Family Discount offers up to a 10% tuition discount for a student with a relative who graduated from UNSW College or is currently enrolled in Foundation Studies or a Diploma there. Applied degree students can apply for it. The official family discount page has not yet been updated to cover the applied degrees, so confirm current conditions with the provider before applying. The discount requires proof of graduation or enrolment from UNSW College, UNSW Foundation Studies, UNSW Global or UNSW Institute of Languages, plus proof of the family relationship. You must maintain satisfactory academic progress with no outstanding fees, and the discount cannot be combined with the UNSW International Student Award.
What to check before you apply
The entry requirements above are published minimums to apply, drawn from the provider’s launch presentation. They are summary data, not admission guarantees, and the official UNSW College website carries the full details. Before applying, check the current entry requirements page, confirm the 2027 fee schedule once it is published, and verify scholarship conditions with the provider.
Sources
- UNSW College Applied Degrees overview
- UNSW College entry requirements
- Bachelor of Applied Business (Business Management)
- Bachelor of IT (Cyber Defence and Networking)
- Bachelor of IT (Software Development)
- CRICOS register 120245C
- CRICOS register 120253C
- CRICOS register 120244D
- CRICOS register 120243E (Associate Degree)
- UNSW College Family Discount
- UNSW College scholarships