Admission requirements

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

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

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

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.

• Academic requirements

  Secondary education

  Applicants who have completed the HSC, WACE (ATAR stream), an interstate equivalent, or the IB are 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).
  
  Applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums are not eligible for direct entry into undergraduate degrees. They may undertake the TPP or sit a Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) to gain entry to a number of programs at Notre Dame.
  
  Higher Education

  To be considered for entry to Notre Dame, applicants with previous higher education experience (excluding pathway programs) must 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.

  Applicants who have undertaken higher education studies in a relevant field to their undergraduate degree may be eligible for Advanced Standing (Recognition of Prior Learning / Credit Transfer).
  
  Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

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

  VET Requirements

  
  Work & Life Experience

  Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry into undergraduate programs at Notre Dame. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they 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)

  Applicants who do not meet entry requirements may gain admission to a range of degrees at Notre Dame through completion of a Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

  Applicants must complete both the written English and multiple-choice sections. Please see the table below for 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 an applicant does not 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

• English language proficiency requirements

  The University of Notre Dame Australia requires all applicants, both domestic and international, to achieve English language proficiency as well as minimum academic requirements. This ensures that applicants are sufficiently competent in the English language to participate effectively in their chosen program and achieve the expected program outcomes.

  Please see the English language proficiency requirements for further details.

• Minimum age requirements

  If you are a domestic student, you are required 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 are an international student requiring a visa to study in Australia, you must 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.

• 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.

  Please see Individual Factors for further details.

• 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 applicant’s 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).

  Education

  Applicants to all initial teacher education programs must 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 degrees 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, applicants must also meet the English language requirements, set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). This ensures students are 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

• International undergraduate entry requirements

  At Notre Dame, we enjoy welcoming 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.

  All international enquiries should be directed to the International Students Office via email to: international@nd.edu.au.

Alternative Pathways

Undergraduate pathways

Applicants who do not meet the entry requirements for a particular degree (but do meet the minimum entry requirements for Notre Dame outlined on this webpage) may be offered a place in an alternative undergraduate degree. Applicants may then utilise their 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)

Applicants who do not meet the minimum entry criteria for undergraduate studies may be offered a place in the Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP) as a pathway to certain undergraduate degrees. Applicants may need to demonstrate that they have the English language and / or academic capacity to undertake the TPP via previous studies or work-life experience.

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

Please note, the TPP is not a pathway into Law or Physiotherapy degrees at Notre Dame.

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.

Please note, the following programs are not considered equivalent and do not meet the entry criteria for undergraduate study at Notre Dame:

1. Murdoch University Flexi-Track program (if completed during Year 12)
2. Murdoch University TLC-100 program

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

  Applicants are required to have completed an undergraduate degree for entry into a postgraduate program at Notre Dame.

  Applicants who have not completed an undergraduate degree, but have completed postgraduate studies may be considered for entry into a postgraduate program.

  Particular programs may require undergraduate study in a specific discipline or have requirements in addition to the completion of undergraduate studies.

  Please refer to your School and specific Program Requirements for further details.
  
  Work & Life Experience

  Applicants with work / life experience may be eligible for direct entry into a number of postgraduate programs. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they 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.

  Please refer to your School and specific Program Requirements for further details.
  
  Overseas Qualifications

  Notre Dame accepts 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 an applicant does not 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

• English language proficiency requirements

  The University of Notre Dame Australia requires all applicants, both domestic and international, to achieve English language proficiency as well as minimum academic requirements. This ensures that applicants are sufficiently competent in the English language to participate effectively in their chosen program and achieve the expected program outcomes.

  Please see the English language proficiency requirements for further details.

• 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 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 Advanced Standing.

• 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 Higher degrees by research.

  For details about applying for postgraduate research degrees, please visit Postgraduate Research.

• International postgraduate entry requirements

  At Notre Dame, we enjoy welcoming 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.

  All international enquiries should be directed to the International Students Office via email to:  international@nd.edu.au.

How to Apply

We're here to help

Contact us for further information.