University Preparation Courses (UPC)
What are University Preparation courses?
This is a special admissions scheme designed to provide access to the University for people over the age of 21, who were unable to start university study straight from school.
Successful completion of a UPC does not guarantee entry to University. It does however, provide you with a qualification you can use to apply to university.
The better your result, the more likely you are to successfully gain entry to university. UPC students compete against other Mature Age Entry students and not against HSC students.
Who can attend UPC?
Anyone can study a UPC for general interest.
If you wish to gain access to the University using the Mature Age Entry scheme then you must:
Be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia/NZ
Be aged 21 on March 1st of the year you wish to start University, not the year they enrol in UPC. UPC results are valid for 2 years.
Note: If you have completed full time study or are not sure if an HSC mark you possess is a valid mark, please contact Special Admissions on (02)9351-3615.
How long does my result last?
UPC results are only valid for 2 years. To apply to university after this time, you will need to do an appropriate UPC subject again.
If UPC students fail their course or need to gain better results, they can repeat their studies the following program.
Are UPC courses accredited?
UPC subjects cannot be credited towards any degree course.
Can UPC be used for entry into other Universities?
Some universities recognise our UPC qualification.
We strongly advise that you ring the Student Advisor at the university you wish to attend to ensure that it recognises our UPC.
What subjects do you offer?
Full year courses run once a week for 24 or 25 weeks over one academic year. Mid-year intensive courses run twice a week over 12 weeks during the second semester.
Full time courses include:
- Ancient history: an introduction
- Art history and theory: the western tradition
- English literature
- Introduction to Science
- Philosophy: adventure in ideas
- Preparatory Mathematics
- Psychology: an introduction
Mid-year intensive courses include:
- English Literature
- Psychology: an introduction
- Preparatory Mathematics
Full details of current courses accepting enrolments are available here.
What UPC subject should I enrol in?
Different departments have specific prerequisites. Please check the University of Sydney Mature-age Entry brochure for details.
Visit the Mature-age Entry Scheme page of the University’s website for more information.
Within these guidelines, we encourage students to enrol in a course they enjoy, that they are good at, and one in which they will receive a high mark.
Please keep in mind that you will be required to do approximately 8 hours of study per class, per subject, outside class time.
What percentage of people doing UPC get in?
There is no guarantee that UPC students will be offered a place. However, the higher the mark achieved, the better the chances are of an offer.
What does UPC study include?
You receive course notes and advice on study skills, essay writing and exam technique.
You also have borrowing rights for the University Library.
Study includes 2-4 hours per week of classes. In addition to class time the student should allow at least 7 hours each week for personal independent study for each UPC subject they enrol in.
Each subject involves writing essays of up to 3,000 words, the research for those essays, reading, class tests and exams (all of which are assessed).
There is a final exam, which usually takes place during the second week of November. Science also has an exam in Semester 1.
UPC students must attend at least 75% of their classes.
UPC and visas
Enrolment in a non-award course cannot be used to apply for a student visa.
University Offers of Place
In January of each year UAC Main Round offers are sent to prospective students. In February, Late and Final Round offers are sent. All students who applied for university entrance can be offered a place up until mid February.