Admission requirements

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

At Notre Dame, we want everyone to have the opportunity to pursue tertiary study, so we offer multiple pathways for entry.

The below outlines the minimum entry requirements for undergraduate study at Notre Dame, and the entry pathways available.

If you want to explore the undergraduate options first and find a program that suits you, visit the Undergraduate page.

Please note that entry into a particular degree in any given year will depend on demand for the degree and the number of places available.

• Minimum age requirements

  If you’re a domestic student, you’ll need to be 17 years of age or older or have completed Year 12 (or equivalent) at the time of enrolment at Notre Dame.

  If you’re an international student requiring a visa to study in Australia, you need to be 18 years old at the time of enrolment at Notre Dame.

  Exceptions to the minimum age requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis and, if granted, restrictions on enrolment may be imposed.

• English language proficiency requirements

  We require all applicants, both domestic and international, to achieve English language proficiency as well as minimum academic requirements. You’ll need to be sufficiently competent in the English language to participate effectively in your chosen program and achieve the expected program outcomes.

  Learn more about the English language proficiency requirements.

• Academic requirements

  Secondary education

  If you’ve completed the HSC, WACE (ATAR stream), an interstate equivalent, or the IB, you’re eligible to apply for undergraduate degrees at Notre Dame. Entry is based on your Selection Rank (your ATAR + relevant adjustment factors).

  Non-ATAR WACE students are eligible to apply for the Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP).
  
  If you completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums, you aren’t eligible for direct entry into undergraduate degrees. However, you can undertake the TPP or sit a Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) to gain entry to a number of programs at Notre Dame.

  Higher education

  If you’ve completed previous higher education experience (excluding pathway programs), you need to have completed a minimum of six months study and passed at least two subjects. Some disciplines require more than this. Please see the table below for minimum study periods and completed subjects for different Notre Dame disciplines.

  Higher Education Requirements
  
  Previous academic performance, including the number of failed subjects and any periods of exclusion, may be taken into account when determining eligibility.

  If you’ve undertaken higher education studies in a relevant field to your undergraduate degree, you may be eligible to transfer some credits to your future studies. This is referred to as Advanced Standing or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

  Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

  VET qualifications are accepted for most undergraduate degrees at Notre Dame. You’ll generally need a minimum Certificate IV or Diploma to gain entry into a degree. Please see the table below for further details on minimum VET qualifications and specific disciplines.

  VET Requirements

  Work and life experience

  If you’ve completed at least two years of relevant work experience, you may be considered for direct entry into undergraduate programs at Notre Dame.

  You’ll need to:

  • provide evidence of your work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience and
  • demonstrate that you have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies.

  Please note entry to Physiotherapy degrees does not take into consideration work and life experience.
  
  Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

  If you don’t meet entry requirements, you may be able to get into a range of degrees at Notre Dame through the completion of a Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

  You’ll need to complete both the written English and multiple-choice sections. Please see the table below for the minimum scores required for entry to certain disciplines.

  Please note, a STAT is not an accepted pathway for entry into Physiotherapy degrees.

  STAT Score Requirements
  
  Equivalency

  Where you don’t meet a particular requirement for entry to a program, other equivalent qualifications or experience may be considered. For questions, please contact the Director of Admissions admissions@nd.edu.au

  Inherent requirements

  Some programs include inherent requirements that are specified in the program requirements. Links to the program requirements can be found on relevant program web pages.

• Discipline-specific entry requirements

  A number of degrees have additional entry requirements. These are generally a part of their accreditation requirements.

  Counselling

  Admission into the Bachelor of Counselling requires submission of a personal statement outlining your motivations and demonstrating suitability to study counselling as per accreditation requirements (including self-awareness, capacity to relate to others and an understanding of ethical behaviour). View more information regarding this requirement.

  Education

  Applicants to all initial teacher education programs need to complete a statement of purpose. This assesses non-academic capabilities important for success in the teaching profession. Assessment of non-academic capabilities for entry into teacher education is a national requirement. View more information regarding this requirement.

  Education (NSW applicants):

  • In addition to the above, applicants in NSW must also meet the mandated entry requirements of three Band 5 HSC results, including one in English.
  • For entry into an undergraduate primary teaching degree from 2023 onwards, you must also have a Band 4 HSC result in Mathematics.
  • Applicants who do not meet these requirements (but meet all other University entry requirements) must successfully complete the first year of their degree before progressing further in the program.
  • For further information regarding these additional entry requirements, please see NESA.

  Nursing

  In addition to the English language proficiency requirements set by the University for entry to Notre Dame, you also need to meet the English language requirements set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). This ensures you’re eligible to register as a nurse or a midwife upon completion of their studies. For more information, please see Nursing English Language Requirements.

  For further information about program or discipline-specific entry requirements, please refer to your School and specific Program requirements.

  Or contact the Prospective Students Office:

  Fremantle
  Please contact future@nd.edu.au or (08) 9433 0533

  Sydney
  Please contact sydney@nd.edu.au or (02) 8204 4404

• Individual Factors

  At Notre Dame, we see you as a whole person and consider each applicant for more than just academic results. As such, part of your application includes the opportunity for you to provide details of your personal qualities, experience, extra-curricular involvement, and contribution to community life. We call these Individual factors.

  You can complete your Individual Factors Form and upload it along with your application.

• International undergraduate entry requirements

  At Notre Dame, we welcome international students to our community and our various campuses across Australia.

  For general information about becoming an international student at Notre Dame, visit International students.

  To apply, and for details of required documentation, see How To apply: International students.

  If you have any questions, contact the International Students Office.

Pathways

Undergraduate pathways

If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a particular degree (but do meet the minimum entry requirements for Notre Dame outlined on this page), you may be offered a place in an alternative undergraduate degree. You can then utilise your performance in the alternative degree to meet the entry criteria via Higher Education studies (please read information about Higher Education under ‘Academic Requirements’ above).

Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP)

If you don’t meet the minimum entry criteria for undergraduate studies, you may be offered a place in the Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP) as a pathway to certain undergraduate degrees.

While completion of the TPP satisfies the entry requirements for a large number of programs, it doesn’t guarantee entry into a particular degree.

Please note, the following programs are not eligible for entry upon completion of the TPP: Architecture, Law, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Biomedical Science (priority and assured pathways only).

For further information, please see Tertiary Pathway Program.

External Pathway Programs

Any tertiary preparation program deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP will meet the entry criteria for a large number of degrees in the same manner as the TPP.

Notre Dame will consider applications through external pathways on a case-by-case basis.

How to Apply

For Fremantle applicants, please Apply direct or via TISC.

For applicants to our Sydney campuses, you can either Apply direct, or via UAC.

For more information on applying, including Special Considerations and Adjustment Factors, please see How To Apply.

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Contact us for further information.

Postgraduate Admission Requirements

• Academic requirements

  Higher Education

  You’ll need to have completed an undergraduate degree for entry into a postgraduate program at Notre Dame.

  If you haven’t completed an undergraduate degree but you have completed postgraduate studies, you may be considered for entry into a postgraduate program.

  Some programs might need you to have studied your undergraduate degree in a specific discipline or have requirements in addition to the completion of undergraduate studies.

  For more details, refer to your School and specific Program Requirements.

  Work & Life Experience

  You may be eligible for direct entry into a number of postgraduate programs if you’ve got relevant work/life experience. You’ll need to:

  • provide evidence of your work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience and
  • demonstrate that you have the academic capability to undertake postgraduate studies.

  In addition to the completion of undergraduate studies, work experience may also be a requirement for entry to some programs.

  For more details, refer to your School and specific Program requirements.

  Overseas Qualifications

  We accept overseas qualifications and will determine equivalency to our standard entry requirements. If you apply on the basis of overseas qualifications, you may be required to sit an English language proficiency test (see below for further details).

  Equivalency

  Where you don’t meet a particular requirement for entry to a program, other equivalent qualifications or experience may be considered. For questions, please contact the Director of Admissions: admissions@nd.edu.au

  Inherent Requirements

  Some programs include inherent requirements that are specified in the program requirements. Links to the program requirements can be found on relevant program web pages.

• English language proficiency requirements

  We require all applicants, both domestic and international, to achieve English language proficiency as well as minimum academic requirements. You’ll need to be sufficiently competent in the English language to participate effectively in your chosen program and achieve the expected program outcomes.

  Learn more about the English language proficiency requirements.

• Discipline-specific requirements

  A number of degrees have additional entry requirements.

  Please refer to your School and specific Program requirements for further details.

  Or contact the Prospective Students Office:

  Fremantle
  Please contact future@nd.edu.au or (08) 9433 0533

  Sydney
  Please contact sydney@nd.edu.au or (02) 8204 4404

• Advanced Standing or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

  Advanced Standing, also known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or credit transfer, is credit granted towards a program for study you have previously undertaken. This prevents the unnecessary duplication of study on your part.

  Please note that Advanced Standing does not guarantee your entry into a particular degree.

  For further details, including information on how to apply, please see the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) page.

• Higher Degree by Research (HDR)

  Notre Dame offers a diverse range of postgraduate research degrees via our Schools on all three campuses. Our Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programs include:

  • Masters by Research
  • Master of Philosophy – various disciplines
  • Master of Medicine/Surgery
  • Doctor of Philosophy
  • Professional Doctorate

  For more information about HDR at Notre Dame, including entry requirements, please see Graduate research.

  For details about applying for postgraduate research degrees, please visit How to apply - Graduate research.

• International postgraduate entry requirements

  At Notre Dame, we welcome international students to our community and our various campuses across Australia.

  For general information about becoming an international student at Notre Dame, please visit International students.

  To apply, and for details of required documentation, please see How To Apply: International students.

  If you have any questions, contact the International Students Office.

How to Apply

For Fremantle applicants, please Apply direct.

For applicants to our Sydney campuses, you can either Apply direct, or via UAC.

For more information on applying, please see How To Apply.

We're here to help

Contact us for further information.