Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) - Science

Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis. Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications and including any eligible adjustments:

- An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR

- A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate or international equivalent; OR

- At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution or international equivalent; OR

- An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.

Other requirements

A supplementary form and two referee reports are used in the selection of students and must be submitted by November 30 in the year of application. Click here to access the forms.

You must list the PhB (Hons) degree as a preference through the University Admissions Centre to be considered for admission. Interviews and school recommendations may also be used in the selection of students. Quotas may apply.

Entry requirements

Domestic School-leavers

Domestic students completing an Australian Year 12 or the IB program (November session) in Australia in 2019 apply directly to The Australian National University by submitting an Admission, Scholarships and Accommodation application here. All students will still need to meet the published entry requirements for the program they have applied for.

 In addition to meeting the published entry requirements, school leavers are required met the co-curricular or service requirement (CCS). The CCS functions as a threshold that is either met or not met, you can learn more about the CCS and check if you’ve met the CCS requirement here.

You will be directed to the appropriate application system when you select ‘Apply’.

Domestic Non-School leavers

Domestic non-school leavers (including students transferring to ANU, mature age applicants and students who are otherwise not a school-leaver) can apply to ANU via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

 You will be directed to the appropriate application system when you select ‘Apply’

International applicant entry requirements

International applicants may view further information on admissions requirements at Entry Requirements for International Undergraduate Applicants.

Additional Information for applicants

More information about ATAR requirements for individual programs can be found on the ANU website.

The National Register of higher education providers is an authoritative source of information that will help you confirm your institution of choice is registered to deliver higher education in Australia.

The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) website allows you to do side-by-side comparisons of Australian universities, so you can find out more about the universities that interest you.

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs as required.

The admission requirements listed on this page are a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.

There are no formal program prerequisites and many first-year science courses assume little specific knowledge. The exceptions are:

• For many of the biology majors, chemistry is a requirement, therefore it is recommended that students have an ACT major in chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multistrand science in NSW, or equivalent. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in the biological streams of biochemistry and cell biology, microbiology and immunology, molecular genetics, animal and human physiology, and some parts of botany and neuroscience. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au
• CHEM1101: ACT major in Chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multistrand science in NSW, or equivalent, is required. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in chemistry. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au
• MATH1003: Assumed knowledge: ACT Mathematical Methods (major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/ Specialist Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent
• MATH1005: ACT Mathematical Methods (major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/ Specialist Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent
• MATH1013: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics Major - Minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent. Students with a good pass in ACT Mathematical Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent will be considered
• MATH1115: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics double major or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 2 or equivalent. Students with excellent marks in either ACT Specialist Mathematics major-minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent may be permitted to enrol
• PHYS1101: There is a corequisite of MATH1013/1115. See the entries above. There is no formal physics prerequisite but preparation is assumed and recommended. Recommended preparation is - NSW: a high standard in 2 unit physics or a multistrand science; ACT: a high standard in physics (major).

ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Subject and performance-based adjustments do not apply to programs with a minimum selection rank of 98 or higher. Visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.