Find your path
What is a pathway?
Not everybody’s education goals are the same. For that reason, UNSW College has developed different pathways that can help take you from where you are today to where you want to be. Explore our pathway finder tool to discover the right journey for you.
Find your pathway
Why choose a UNSW College pathway?
You should consider a UNSW College pathway program if you are an international student and you:
- need additional support to help make the transition from high school to university
- have not met the crtieria for direct entry into a UNSW degree
- have not finished high school
- need to improve your English language skills
- need more support and guidance in your study abroad journey
Explore our pathways
The best UNSW College program for you will depend on several factors, including your current academic and English language ability and education goals. Our pathway programs for international students use UNSW Sydney course-accredited material and are led by our industry-leading teachers.
Diploma
Duration: 12 months
Progression: Second Year at UNSW Sydney
Learn the same content as other First Year UNSW Sydney students in this 12-month program. Upon successful completion you’ll gain direct entry into Second Year in your Architecture, Business, Computer Science, Engineering, Media & Communications, or Science degree.
Foundation Studies
Duration: 4 – 16 months
Progression: First Year at UNSW Sydney
Foundation Studies offers three programs, Transition, Standard, and Standard Plus, which are tailored to different abilities and move at a pace that works for you – with the right support and flexibility to reach your study and career goals faster. Foundation Studies is the pathway to all UNSW bachelor’s degree programs.
Academic English
Duration: 5 – 30 weeks
Progression: Various pathways
Improve your English so you can reach your full potential. You’ll use real UNSW course material to improve your writing, speaking and reading skills to give better presentations, conduct better research and communicate clearly with teachers and students.
Pre-Masters
Duration: 15 weeks / 1 term
Progression: Master's degree at UNSW Sydney
The Pre-Masters program is designed to provide a pathway for students who require additional academic or English language support to meet the entry requirements for a master's degree at UNSW Sydney. Upon successful completion, students will receive guaranteed entry and up to 12 Units of Credit (one or two courses) toward their master's program at UNSW Sydney.
How to choose your pathway
Step 1.
Choose your UNSW Sydney degree based on your interests and career goals to determine which stream you’ll enter.
If you need help, check out Progression to UNSW Sydney
Step 2.
Research your stream to see which one will prepare you for your chosen degree.
You can start here:
Step 3.
Find out which Pathway suits you best by checking requirements for entry.
Check requirements for your country/region and compare your scores in areas such as English and standardised testing for your home country/region.
Step 4.
When you find the right program, decide on which study mode suits you best – on campus at UNSW Sydney, on campus in your home country or online.
Not all programs are available in all study modes, so check what your options are.
Ready to apply?
Need some help? Get in touch with us today and we’ll help walk you through these steps or be happy to answer any questions to help you get started.
UNSW Global Pty Limited ABN 62 086 418 582 trading as UNSW College™.
Diploma & Foundation Studies
UNSW Global Pty Limited ABN 62 086 418 582 trading as UNSW College™ currently delivers Diplomas and Foundation Studies on behalf of UNSW Sydney - CRICOS Provider Code 00098G; UNSW Sydney TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12055 (Australian University).
From 26 August 2024, UNSW College™ will commence delivery of Diplomas under its own CRICOS Provider Code - 01020K and TEQSA Provider ID: PRV13020 (Institute of Higher Education).
From 13 January 2025, UNSW College™ will commence delivery of Foundation Studies under its own CRICOS Provider Code - 01020K and TEQSA Provider ID: PRV13020 (Institute of Higher Education).
Pre-Masters Program & Academic English
UNSW College™ delivers the Pre-Masters Program and Academic English programs under CRICOS Provider Code 01020K and TEQSA Provider ID: PRV13020 (Institute of Higher Education).
See https://unswcollege.edu.au/esos for more information. © 2025 UNSW Global Pty Limited.