University Preparation Program (UPP)
Mature age pathway
Each year thousands of adults across Australia make the rewarding and challenging decision to study at university as a mature age student.
Many do not havetheir HSC or formal qualifications. So how do you get in to university with no qualifications? At UNSW it’s not a case of how much you are willing to pay or how ‘mature’ you are, it’s about hard work and potential. By completing the University Preparation Program (UPP) you can build your academic skills, experience part-time study in a subject area of your interest and decide if you will make the decision to study at university as a mature student.
“I truly feel that the UPP course prepared me massively for Uni. What I learned about studying, researching, thinking and writing put me in an advantageous position for my first semester.”
Past UPP Student
- Am I eligible?
- Time commitment
- About this course
- How to apply
To be eligible for UPP you will need to meet certain requirements:
Entry Criteria
Criteria |
Condition |
Age |
You should be 20 years or over on 1 March in the year you start the program.* |
Citizenship / Residency |
You should be an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen or hold a current Australian Permanent Resident visa (including Australian Permanent Resident Humanitarian visa). |
Language |
English language proficiency is required if your previous schooling was not completed in English. Read thefor further information. |
Previous study |
You shouldnotalready have attempted university study. If youhaveattempted university study (either in Australia or overseas) since leaving high school, you should visit ourContact uswebsite orring our Future Students Office on1300 UNI NSW (1300 864 679).They will advise you on your best pathway, which may or may not be the UPP. |
Additional Criteria |
You shouldnotbe enrolled in another program of study at the same time. |
* Younger applicants who are eligible for the UNSW ACCESS Scheme may be eligible for entry to.
Depending on which stream you choose, each has different time commitments and content.
Stream |
Program length |
Class Times |
Other Time Commitments |
3 x 10 week terms |
2 hours per week Mon 6 - 8pmorTue 6 - 8pmorFri 12 - 2pm (5 hours in term 3) IMPORTANT: Evening classes may not be available for the elective course in term 3 |
1 hour a week online 6-8 hours of independent study per week, per UPP course |
|
3 x 10 week terms |
8 hours per week Mon 6 - 9pmandWed 6 - 9pm,plusTue 6 - 8pmorFri 12 - 2pm |
1 hour a week online 6-8 hours of independent study per week, per UPP course |
|
3 x 10 week terms |
8 hours per week Mon 6 - 9pmandWed 6 - 9pm,plusTue 6 - 8pmorFri 12 - 2pm |
1 hour a week online 6-8 hours of independent study per week, per UPP course |
|
4 x 10 week terms |
8 hours per week Mon 6 - 9pmandWed 6 - 9pm,plusTue 6 - 8pmorFri 12 - 2pm |
1 hour a week online 6-8 hours of independent study per week, per UPP course |
There are four streams you can choose from: Humanities - Science - Engineering - Business.
You can study the UPP in one of four streams depending on your area of interest and what you would like to study after the UPP.
Stream |
Suitable* for degrees in: |
Term 1 Course/s |
Term2 Course/s |
Term3 Course/s |
Term4 Course/s (Term 1 of the next year) |
Courses such as history, languages, literature, education, fine arts, architecture, social policy |
University Orientation and Study Skills 1 |
University Orientation and Study Skills 1 |
University Orientation and Study Skills2 An Elective - your choice from a list of 'Gateway Courses' |
Not Applicable |
|
Psychology or general science, such as biological, earth and environmental sciences, chemistry and physics |
University Orientation and Study Skills 1 UPP Mathematics 1 |
University Orientation and Study Skills 1 UPP Mathematics 2 |
University Orientation and Study Skills2 UPP Mathematics 3 |
Not Applicable | |
Commerce, marketing, accounting, economics, information systems or management |
University Orientation and Study Skills 1 UPP Mathematics 1 |
University Orientation and Study Skills 1 UPP Mathematics 2 |
University Orientation and Study Skills2 UPP Mathematics 3 |
Not Applicable | |
Civil, electrical, mechanical and other branches of engineering |
University Orientation and Study Skills 1 UPP Mathematics 1 |
University Orientation and Study Skills 1 UPP Mathematics 2 |
Communicating in Engineering UPP Mathematics 3 |
Fundamentals of Mathematics B Fundamentals of Physics |
*Not all degree programs are available for direct entry. For further info, please see ourtool.
More information here: University Preparation Program Academic Rules 2024
University Orientation and Study Skills (UOSS)
The University Orientation and Study Skills (UOSS) courses are compulsory for each UPP Stream. They are offered exclusively for UPP students and no prior knowledge is required, except for English Proficiency. Topics covered include orientation to the academic system, time management and critical analysis skills, preparing seminar presentations, essay writing, note taking from lectures and written material, examination techniques and an introduction to online learning. All of these skills are invaluable for success in the UPP and for further study.
“Being taught how to learn was critical. Had those skills been taught to me when I was younger I might not have failed the first time around.”
“My study skills, from note taking to essay writing and exam preparation, were very good and this gave me significant advantages at uni.”
Applications for 2025 will be available atfrom April 2024. You may apply up until 1st February 2025, however places may have already filled by that time. You must accept your offer and enrol no later than the deadline stated in your offer.
The UAC course code for the UPP is 430200.
Course enquiries:emailUPP@unsw.edu.au.
Want more information?
Speak to one of our Future Student Advisers.