Now that the Gaokao has concluded, university admission score thresholds across all provinces and cities have been released. If you’re wondering how to use your Gaokao results to enter a top Australian university, we’ve covered this before — have a look back at our earlier article:The Secret’s Out! Your Gaokao or High School Results Can Gain Direct Entry to Australia’s Most Cost-Effective World-Class Universities! Flexible English requirements, pathways to return home with enhanced qualifications or to settle permanently — every route leads somewhere great!

Manyparents of Year 10 and Year 11 studentshave been reaching out with enquiries:After looking at this year’s university admission scores,they’re worried their child may not achieve the scores needed to get into a good university through the domestic Gaokao,and want to know whether they can start planning ahead now for entry into a top Australian university.” “My child is alreadyin Year 12,— do they still need tocomplete high school here before applying to an Australian university?””

So today, let’s talk abouthow to use your high school results to apply for undergraduate entry to a top Australian university!

You’ve probably heard of Australian foundation programmes — but what exactly are they?

University of Adelaide College(affiliated with the University of Adelaide)

The University of Adelaide(referred to below as: UoA)was founded in 1874 in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia.It is a five-star university and one of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8).As one of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, UoA offers world-class research facilities and a comprehensive research training system. It holds a strong position across medicine, life sciences, law, education, and engineering, among other fields. Its business school holds AACSB accreditation, and its accounting, finance, and other business disciplines rank among the top 100 globally.

Notable alumni: as at 2019,UoA has produced five Nobel Prize laureates and 108 Rhodes Scholars, making it the Australian university that has produced the most home-grown Nobel Prize winners.

UoA’s foundation programmeis offered internally by theUniversity of Adelaide College(University of Adelaide College). Students enrolled in the foundation programmecan conveniently access all facilities and services on the university campusandcan participate in the university’s student clubs and societies.

Moreover,91%of University of Adelaide College foundation programme graduates successfully received an undergraduate offer from UoA!

Upon completing a UoA degree, graduates may apply for the Graduate Work stream of the Temporary Graduate visa, and are eligible to apply for an additional year of visa duration.

Now let’s look at the entry requirements for the University of Adelaide foundation programme:

Australian entry: completion of Year 11, with an overall grade of C or above

China entry: completion of Year 11 or Year 12, with an overall average of 70% or above; IELTS overall 5.5 (no band below 5.0), or an equivalent English test

Entry is also available using academic results from Canada, Hong Kong (China), Taiwan (China), and several other countries

If your English score is not yet sufficient,you can pair a language course with your studies before beginning the foundation programme. For example, if your IELTS is 5.0, you would need a 10-week language course.

Foundation programme duration and intake dates:

The University of Adelaide foundation programme offers a Standard pathway and an Accelerated pathway. The Standard programme runs for 40 weeks; the Accelerated programme runs for 37 weeks.

Standard programme: March, August

Accelerated programme: October

Programme subjects

The University of Adelaide foundation programme covers a wide range of subjects. Students must study five courses in total. In addition to one compulsory English course, students choose four more from 12 electives (Accounting, Australian Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Computing and Information Systems, Design Studies, Economics, General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Nutrition, Physics, Specialist Mathematics).

Here are the progression score requirements for some popular University of Adelaide undergraduate programmes:

NursingRequires an overall foundation average of 70%

Mathematical Sciences and Computer ScienceRequires an overall foundation average of 70%

Information TechnologyRequires an overall foundation average of 65%

Petroleum EngineeringRequires an overall foundation average of 77%

And more…  

So for most programmes, you only need to pass the English component— with the exception of specific programmes

UNSW Global(affiliated with the University of New South Wales)

The University of New South Wales (referred to below as: UNSW) was founded in 1949. Its main campus is located in Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, and it is a public research university,one of the Group of Eight (Go8)whoseSchool of Engineering and Business Schoolare highly regarded, with particular strength in engineering and computing.Its civil and structural engineering, petroleum engineering, environmental science, law, accounting, and finance programmes all rank among the top 20 in the world, with employment rates and graduate starting salaries consistently among the highest.

UNSW’s foundation programme — UNSW Global —is Australia’s premier and most established foundation programme, helping international students from a wide range of educational backgrounds meet UNSW’s entry requirements, while also developing the language and academic skills needed for university study.All courses are taught on the UNSW Sydney campus, sharing resources with the university and using first-class facilities, including the library and sports facilities…… and students can participate in university club activities outside of class, experiencing campus life during the foundation year.

Moreover,85%of UNSW Global foundation programme graduates successfully received an undergraduate offer from the University of New South Wales!

UNSW foundation programme entry requirements

Australian entry: completion of Year 11, with an overall grade of 60%–70%; ATAR of 45–60 (depending on the specific programme)

China entry: completion of Year 11 or Year 12, with an overall average of 60%–75% or above; IELTS overall 5.5 (no band below 5.0) or an equivalent English test; some specific programmes have higher requirements.

Entry is also available using academic results from Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and several other countries

If your English score is not sufficient, you can pair a language course with your studies before beginning the foundation programme.

Programme duration and intake dates

UNSW Global The foundation programme offers four types: Standard, Transition, Standard Plus, and Extended Foundation. The Standard programme runs for 9 months; the Transition programme for 4 months; Standard Plus for 12 months; and Extended Foundation for 15 months.

Standard programme: March, August, November

Transition programme: January, April, August

Standard Plus: January, May, August

Extended Foundation: March, June, October

Here are the progression score requirements for some popular UNSW undergraduate programmes:

FinanceRequires an overall foundation average of 7.6 and an English average of B.

Computer ScienceRequires an overall foundation average of 7.5 and an English average of C+.

Urban PlanningRequires an overall foundation average of 6.9 and an English average of C+.

Industrial DesignRequires an overall foundation average of 6.9 and an English average of C+.

And more…

Taylors College(affiliated with the University of Sydney)

The University of Sydney was founded in 1850 and is located in Sydney. It is Australia’s oldest university and a globally renowned comprehensive research university,one of the Group of Eight (Go8),one of the most beautiful universities in the world,ranked 41st in the 2023 QS World University Rankings.

Taylors Collegeis the foundation programme for the University of Sydney, offering international students a direct pathway to the university. Students can choose the programme that best matches their academic ability and desired university subjects. Taylors College teachers have extensive experience teaching international students.

Moreover,91%ofTaylors Collegefoundation programme graduates successfully received an undergraduate offer from the University of Sydney!

Taylors College entry requirements

Australian entry: completion of Year 11, with an overall grade of 60%–75% (depending on the specific programme)

China entry: completion of Year 11 or Year 12, with an overall average of 60%–80% (depending on the specific programme); IELTS overall 5.5 (no band below 5.5) or an equivalent English test. (English requirements vary by programme — please contact an adviser for detailed information.)

Entry is also available using academic results from Macao (China), Japan, South Korea, and several other countries

If your English score is not sufficient, you can pair a language course with your studies before beginning the foundation programme.

Programme duration and intake dates

Taylors College offers three types: Standard, Intensive, and Extended. The Standard programme runs for 12 months; the Intensive programme for 9 months; the Extended programme for 15 months.

Standard programme: January, July

Intensive programme: April, October

Extended programme: February, August,

Programme subjects

There are 20 subjects to choose from, including Accounting, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English, Foundations of Social Science, Foundations of Visual Arts and Design, Government and Law, Information Technology, International Studies, Mathematics, Media Studies and Communication, Music, and Physics, among others. In addition to the compulsory English course, students must also select four additional courses based on the requirements of their intended undergraduate programme.　

Here are the progression score requirements for some popular Taylors College programmes:

Popular Business programme BLASRequires an overall foundation average of 6.2 and an English average of C.

Commerce — Project ManagementRequires an overall foundation average of 6.9 and an English average of C.

ArtsRequires an overall foundation average of 6.9 and an English average of C.

Software EngineeringRequires an overall foundation average of 7.3 and an English average of C.

And more…

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