Future Students

Frequently Asked Questions

How and when do I enrol?

New undergraduate students must attend and enrol in person on the day specified in the information package sent out after your accept your offer of a place at Macquarie University. The procedure is outlined in the section How to Enrol. Macquarie University’s Undergraduate Studies section has detailed information on the process.

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What is the difference between a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and a Domestic Fee-Paying Place (DFEE)?

In 2008 the Australian Government abolished the Domestic Fee-Paying places program therefore all undergraduate places offered at Macquarie University will be Commonwealth Supported Places. This means that the Australian Government makes a contribution to the provider towards the cost of your higher education. The HECS-Help program is available to assist you with paying for your portion of your university fees.

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Can I defer my degree?

If you have received an offer of study at Macquarie University through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) you may elect to defer your place for one year.

"Deferment" at Macquarie University is used ONLY in relation to people who have received an offer of a place at Macquarie through UAC, but choose to postpone commencing studies for 1 year. Deferment in a course will only be granted once. 

If you defer your place at Macquarie University, your place in the specific degree for which you have received an offer is guaranteed to be held for one year. However, if during that year you undertake tertiary study (other than secretarial studies or courses which are not recognised by Macquarie University for selection purposes), this deferment will lapse and your application for admission will be reappraised in the light of your complete education record.

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Can I get credit for previous studies?

Credit for previous recognised tertiary-level studies (CPS) is credit given in the form of Macquarie credit points for study undertaken at other institutions. When granted, CPS counts towards your credit point requirement for the degree in which you are enrolled (most single undergraduate degrees at Macquarie require a minimum overall total of 68 cr0edit points to qualify).

You may direct preliminary enquiries to the Student Enquiry Service (SES) which is located on Level 1 of the Lincoln Building (C8A). It should be noted, however, it is not University policy to calculate individual credit for previous studies (CPS) until you have received and accepted an offer of a place. 

Currently-enrolled undergraduates seeking to have credit for prior study added to their degree should obtain a grey CPS Cover Sheet from the SES, attach to it an official transcript (or certified copy), and lodge it with the SES. Exemptions for units of study are determined initially at enrolment by designated Exemptions Officers representing each Department or area of study within the Divisions.

Further information about this is available at the Undergraduate Studies section.

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How do I transfer to Macquarie University from another Institution?

After at least one semester of studying at university you can apply through UAC to enter a degree program at Macquarie University.  For students who have completed one year or more of tertiary study, UAC will take into account both their academic record at tertiary level as well as their UAI. 

For students who have only completed up to six months of tertiary study and seek to reapply through UAC, they will be selected based on the best of their tertiary study or their UAI, whichever is higher.

If you are successful and are offered a place at Macquarie University, there will be a Credit for Previous Studies slip included with the offer.  You will need to send this with your official academic transcript from your original university to Macquarie University to gain maximum credit.

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Can I transfer internally at Macquarie University to another degree?

Macquarie University offers Undergraduate students the opportunity to transfer into some degrees internally if you satisfy certain requirements. These requirements can be viewed in the Internal Transfer Policy, available online from the Macquarie University Handbook. Students must complete a Request to Transfer Degree Course form which is available from the Student Enquiry Service.

The credit point totals used for assessing course transfers include credit for previous studies, any Macquarie Non Award and Macquarie Summer Course units. The Grade Point Average (GPA) includes Summer Course units but does not include Macquarie Non Award units or credit for previous studies.

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I am a mature age student. How do I apply?

Mature age students apply through the University Admissions Centre (UAC) and all previous academic results are taken into consideration. If an applicant has not commenced any university study before, they can also apply through the Jubilee (mature age) entry scheme. Students applying on the Jubilee entry scheme apply directly to Macquarie University.

You can apply for the Jubilee entry scheme if:

  • you will be 21 years of age or over on 1 March 2009;
  • you wish to study on-campus at Macquarie University; and
  • you have not previously been enrolled in a University degree.

Preference will be given to applicants who do not have the necessary academic qualifications for entry to University. You should be aware that quota restrictions will apply. If you hold a completed Associate Diploma or Diploma from an accredited provider in a relevant area, for example early childhood studies, you are also eligible to apply. Entry is restricted to the following programs: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts with the Diploma of Education (primary/secondary), Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science with the Diploma of Education (primary/secondary), Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education). These five programs are available on either a full-time or part-time basis.

For more information, visit the Undergraduate Studies website.

If you have successfully completed part or all of a degree program at university, you are not eligible for admission through the Mature Age Jubilee Scheme.

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Who calculates and releases the UAI?

Universities do not determine students UAIs. UAIs are calculated on behalf of the universities in NSW by the Technical Committee on Scaling – a committee set up by the NSW Vice Chancellor’s Committee. The UAIs are confidential and released by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) to:

• Students who have requested a UAI; and
• Universities to which the students have applied.
UAIs are not provided to the Board of Studies or individual schools.

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How are UAIs determined?

To be eligible for a UAI a student must satisfactorily complete at least 10 units (including at least two units of English) of Board Developed courses for which there are formal examinations conducted by the Board of Studies. These courses are referred to as UAI courses (and are categorised as either Category A or Category B courses). The UAI courses must include at least three courses of two units or greater, and at least four subjects. The UAI is based on an aggregate of scaled marks in ten units of UAI courses comprising the best two units of English and the best eight units from the remaining units. No more than two units of Category B courses can be included.

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What are the UAI cut offs?

Cut-offs are determined by the interaction of three factors:
1. the number of places available in the course
2. the number of applicants listing the course as a preference and
3. the quality of those applicants.
Due to these factors, cut-offs vary from year to year and are impossible to predict before applicants are selected for a particular course in a particular year. The cut-offs for any course may rise, fall or remain the same from year to year.

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I do not have a UAI

If you do not have a UAI and wish to apply through the University Admissions Centre you must include evidence of any further study you have completed at TAFE or other recognised educational institution. Your selection rank will be worked out on the basis of this additional study.

If you have not completed any further study since high school you will need to consider an alternative entry pathway before you apply to study at Macquarie University. For more information on Pathways into Macquarie University please refer to Alternative Pathways.

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Do degrees have pre-requisites?

Most degrees at Macquarie University do not have pre-requisites however there are a small number that do. This information can be found in the UAC guide each year. Whilst the majority of degrees do not have pre-requisites, some units within the degrees require a certain level of assumed knowledge and some units have pre-requisites. The prerequisites can be met at the university and may involve the student completing certain units to gain entry into other units. This may affect the student’s ability to complete their degree in the minimum time allowed. For example, students who have not completed the required level of mathematics at HSC level may be required to take some first year level math units before gaining entry into certain economics and science units.

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What happens if I don’t get the UAI?

There are some options available. At Macquarie, the pathway options include: Sydney Institute of Business and Technology, UniTest, Non Award study and the International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS).

For more information on Pathways into Macquarie University please refer to Alternative Pathways.

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What are double degrees?

Double degrees are where you study two degrees in a relatively short period of time. Most double degrees take 4 to 5 years to complete compared to 3 years for a single degree. The reason for only one additional year is due to the structured nature of the degree. Double degrees consist predominantly of core units as opposed to a combination of core and elective units for most single degrees.

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Where can I go for help and support?

There are a variety of services available for students. Macquarie has a counselling and support service. There is also a numeracy centre for students who may be grappling with some mathematical concepts. In addition, the university runs workshops in study skills, time management, computer applications, essay writing etc.

Go to the Numeracy Website for more information.

The Macquarie University transition program is designed to assist students through their first year of study. Students are paired up with volunteer student mentors who are studying similar programs to themselves. Participation in this program is voluntary.

Go to the Transition Program website for more information.

The student enquiry service is also available to assist with any needs you may have.

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