Information for parents
Whether you have attended university or not, application, admission and enrolment can be confusing. To assist parents, the University of Sydney will run a talk for parents at the University’s Courses and Careers Day, Sydney Uni Live!, on 25 August 2007.
If you can’t get along to this event, you'll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below. For more information call our Helpline on 1300 362 006.
Getting into university
Studying at university
How are students selected for entry into Sydney University?
Generally your child will be considered for entry on the basis of high school results (either the HSC or another equivalent high school qualification). Students completing the NSW HSC receive a University Admission Index (UAI) that represents their ranking among all students in the State. In most courses the UAI is used exclusively, however some courses also require applicants to complete a Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT), or attend an audition or present a portfolio. These details are set out in the UAC Guide.
How can I help my child select the right course for them?
The essential aspect to consider during this difficult decision making process is what your child enjoys and what interests them. It stands to reason that they will excel at that which they want to study. Applying for a course with a lower cut-off than the UAI they achieved is not a waste of a UAI.
The most important element in finding the right course for your child is research.
The UAC Guide is an important tool at this time because it will provide you and your child with a comprehensive list of courses on offer from universities in NSW and the ACT. You will be able to look up past UAI cut-offs, additional selection criteria, assumed knowledge and a course description for each degree. You will also find information about the individual universities so you can help your child decide which institution might be right for them. If your child is at school then their school will give them assistance with the application process, which opens in late July when the UAC Guides and the application materials are delivered to schools. The UAC Guide is also available at newsagents at the same time for non-school applicants.
You should also visit open days at the various universities that are of interest to your child. This way, you and your child will be able to talk to staff and students at the university as well as get a feel for the campus. The University of Sydney open days fall on 25 August, 2007 Sydney Uni LIVE! and 3 January, 2008 Information Day.
It is important to consider the assumed knowledge and recommended studies of the courses your child is interested in. While the University of Sydney has no prerequisites, quite a large number of our courses have assumed knowledge. More info on assumed knowledge...
And of course, no decision is final. If they start a degree that is not right for them, there is usually the opportunity to apply for a transfer at the end of the first year of full-time study.
How do they apply?
Anyone who wants to study an undergraduate university course in NSW or the ACT must apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). If your child is at school then their school will give them assistance with the application process, which opens in late July when the UAC Guides and the application materials are delivered to schools. The UAC Guide book is also available at newsagents at the same time for non-school applicants.
Applications for 2008 entry close on September 28.
What is assumed knowledge
Assumed knowledge and recommended studies are listed in the UAC Guide for each degree offered by the University of Sydney. Assumed knowledge is what the University expects enrolled student to know or to have studied prior to beginning their course. Recommended studies are courses that may assist the student in their degree if they have previous knowledge of the subject area. Neither assumed knowledge nor recommended studies will affect a student's selection into their chosen course.
What UAI rank will my child have to achieve to enter the University of Sydney?
We can’t tell exactly what the various UAI cut-offs will be for 2008, but we do publish the last two years UAI cut-offs in the UAC Guide. These previous cut-offs are not an indication as to the worth or difficulty of a course. They are a reflection on the number and quality of applicants seeking admission to a course, taking into account the number of places available for the course. UAI cut-offs may move up or down each year as these factors change.
What if they don’t get the marks to get into their first course choice?
They have three options. Firstly, they should look at other course options, there are often other courses with lower entry marks that offer many similar study options. Secondly, they could consider applying for another course and then applying to transfer after a year. Be warned entry this way is still very competitive. A third option is to apply for a fee-paying place. More information on all of these options is available by calling the University’s Helpline on 1300 362 006.
What if my child is going to be away when the HSC results come out?
You should call our Helpline on 1300 362 006. It is important that you are able to get in contact with them in case they want to change some of their course choices.
Once they are accepted into a course, how will they enrol?
We will send them out the relevant information with their UAC offer. They must come to the University on the designated day (in late January) or, if they are unable to make it, they can give someone (usually it’s the parents!) written authority to enrol on their behalf. This is called proxy enrollment.
Will they be able to defer?
If your child is applying on the basis of the current year's HSC (or equivalent), generally they can defer for one year. If they are not applying straight from school, they usually cannot defer. Information about defering is in the UAC Guide and will also be in the brochure that will be sent to your child with their offer from the University.
What are the important dates?
| Sydney Uni Live! | Last Saturday in August |
| Close of UAC Applications | End of September |
| Release of UAI | Late December |
| Information Day | First week of January |
| Main round Uni offers | Late January |
| Enrolment | Late January |
| Orientation | Last week of February |
| Classes Start | First week of March |
How much does it cost to go to university?
Most of the students who study at the University of Sydney are Commonwealth supported. These students have most of the cost of their education paid by the government but must also contribute towards this cost themselves. Each student has a seven year full time period during which they can remain Commonwealth supported. This seven year period is called their “learning entitlement”.
Some courses are more expensive to teach than others, so the amount students contribute depends on the courses and subjects students choose to study. The costs range from around $4000 to around $8000 per year.
Commonwealth supported students who are Australian citizens or holders of a Permanent Humanitarian Visa can choose to pay their contributions upfront or to obtain a HECS-HELP loan from the Commonwealth. A HECS-HELP loan is repaid through the tax system once the student is working and their income reaches a threshold (currently around $35 000). Students who choose to pay their student contribution upfront receive a 20 per cent discount. The student’s contribution is calculated twice a year (before each semester).
What are fee-paying places?
Students who do not receive an offer for a Commonwealth supported place in the course they are interested in, can apply for a fee paying place. UAI cut-offs tend to be slightly lower than for Commonwealth supported places. At the University of Sydney we tie the minimum cut-off for fee-paying places in each course a to five UAI points below the cut-off for Commonwealth supported places for that course.
The Commonwealth does not contribute towards the cost of the education of fee paying students, so the student has to pay more for a fee paying place than for a Commonwealth supported place. In 2007 annual fees ranged from $17 472 for Arts to $33 360 for Vet Science (fees change each year with inflation).Students pay their fees twice a year at the beginning of each semester.
Fee paying students who are Australian citizens or holders of a Permanent Humanitarian Visa can gain assistance in paying their fees through the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP program. There is a $50,950 limit to the amount students can borrow and a 20 per cent loan fee on the amounts borrowed through FEE-HELP.
My child’s an international student
International students who have been studying in Australia still apply through UAC. Other international students apply directly to the University. For more information contact the International Office on (02) 9351 4079.
What scholarships are available?
The University of Sydney has greatly expanded the funds available to students through scholarships, loans, bursaries and financial assistance. The Government has also increased scholarship funding through its Commonwealth Learning Scholarships. For students who are interested in taking an exchange opportunity the Commonwealth has also set up a loans program to help out with expenses such as airfares and accommodation. More information is available from the Scholarships Unit.
How does the Uni make the transition from school to Uni easier?
The University runs special activities in orientation week in February to help smooth the transition process. Some faculties also offer additional orientation and transition activities. Re-orientation programs are run throughout the second semester.
How many hours of classes will they attend each week?
This will depend on the degree they are studying. Generally, science-based subjects have more contact hours than arts or humanities subjects, which require more independent learning.
Does the Uni have overseas exchanges?
The University offers a number of exchange opportunities in a wide range of countries to students in most degrees.
Will Sydney Uni help them find a job?
Sydney University has a comprehensive careers service that offers confidential careers counseling, job skills seminars and employer interview programs.
What computing facilities are available? Will my child need to buy a computer?
Computers are essential to university education, not only for word processing essays but also for research, revision and even accessing exam results. Because not all of our students have access to computing facilities we provide all students with access to a number of computing sites around campus with networked computers, printers and software which students can use free of charge.
Privacy
When your child comes to the University your relationship with us will not be quite the same as you had with her/his school. The University is subject to privacy legislation and cannot disclose personal information about its students, even confirming if someone is actually enrolled, without the consent of the student concerned. Of course, there are some exceptions to this such as when matters of life or safety are concerned or when there is a legal requirement for the University to disclose the information. Otherwise, the University's staff are not permitted to give information about students. Please do not be offended if you are told the University is not able answer a question about your child without their consent. You can find out more about privacy at the University.