Application procedures

• Application forms and details
• Required documentation and attachments
• Biostatistics coursework programs application procedures
• Qualifications from overseas institutions
• Credit/Exemption for a compulsory unit of study

To apply for candidature in a coursework program at the School of Public Health you must complete the following application form. Before returning your application, please ensure that all parts of the application form for admission have been completed. Your application cannot be processed by this School unless it is complete, and is accompanied by the necessary documentation and attachments.


For Local students - Australian citizens or permanent residents

• Application form (PDF)

You must send the completed application form and necessary attachments and documentation to:

Postgraduate Administration
Edward Ford Building (A27)
University of Sydney
NSW 2006 AUSTRALIA

For International students

• International students - application form (PDF)

You must send the completed application form for international students and necessary attachments and documentation to:

International Office
Services Building (G12)
University of Sydney
NSW 2006 AUSTRALIA

The School bases its criteria for acceptance into its programs on academic qualifications, work experience and current employment; entry is competitive, and all entries are ranked. As such, your application form for admission to a coursework program in the School of Public Health should be accompanied with the documentation shown below. Please note there are additional requirements for Biostatistics coursework programs (see below).

1. Curriculum Vitae - CV

This is particularly important if there is any possibility of doubt about your eligibility. In your CV you are advised to provide sufficient details about the following:

Personal information:

• as listed on the application form

Academic qualifications:

• highlight aspects relevant to public health/clinical epidemiology
• provide academic transcripts to show grades
• if your qualification is from an overseas institution, provide any evidence you might have of its assessment relative to local qualification

Work experience:

• highlight experience relevant to public health/clinical epidemiology - give sufficient details of the nature of the work involved, including a list of positions held (indicating the number of years you were involved and the level of responsibility held) and a brief statement of the duties involved (if these are not apparent from the occupation title)
• list any publications and indicate your role in the work reported

Note that work experience is considered during the acceptance process and is particularly important for candidates who have not completed a minimum four-year full-time course leading to a recognised university degree (see entry requirements).

2. Academic Transcripts

You must provide originals of your degree(s)/diploma(s) and your academic records - except any qualifications obtained through the University of Sydney, unless they have been obtained through Cumberland Campus. You can provide copies of your academic transcripts provided they have been certified by:

a) the awarding institution(s), or
b) a Justice of the Peace (JP), or
c) the School of Public Health Student Office

If your qualifications have been obtained from universities or institutions other than the University of Sydney, your application will only be processed with an attached transcript of your complete academic record - all courses taken and all results obtained - see also Overseas qualifications information.

Original transcripts will be copied and certified at the University and returned to you. Uncertified photocopies of academic transcripts, or testamurs or diplomas alone, are insufficient evidence of eligibility for enrolment.

3. Proof of Citizenship

You must provide original evidence of Australian citizenship or Australian permanent residency status - that is, original or certified copies (by a JP or the Student Office) - of your birth certificate or passport. If you do not have Australian citizenship or permanent residency status you must apply as an international student through the International Office.

4. Explanatory letter (optional)

If desired, you may include an explanatory letter outlining why you are applying for the course.

For Clinical Epidemiology applicants, a brief explanatory letter outlining why you are applying for the course is a mandatory attachment.

In addition to the standard application procedures - including submission of the application form and required documentation and attachments - all applications for Biostatistics coursework programs must also include:

• a completed choice of biostatistics units of study form;
• a completed student contact details form;
• evidence of your aptitude for advanced mathematical work; and
• evidence of having passed an introductory statistics course.

If your qualifications are not from an institution previously recognised by the University of Sydney, or are not easily determined to be equivalent to a four year full-time university degree, processing of your application may be delayed pending a decision on your eligibility by a special University committee established for this purpose.

If your qualifications were obtained from a University or other institution where the language of instruction was other than English, you must provide evidence of English proficiency. The Graduate Studies Committee has recently determined that only the following English tests are acceptable for graduate entry:

• IELTS with a minimum score of 6.5 and a minimum of 6.0 for each band or
• CULT with a minimum score of 70% or
• TOEFL with a minimum score of 600 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5

If your degree is from a non-English speaking country but your instruction was in English you should provide us with a statement and evidence to that effect.

An exemption or credit for a compulsory unit of study may be granted if the candidate is able to show that they have recently attained at least the same standard in another degree. You may be required to pass a challenge examination.

Requests for exemptions or credits should be made in writing to the appropriate unit coordinator before the semester commences or during its first week. Your application form should be accompanied by a detailed curriculum from the university at which you took the unit of study.

Exemptions or credits for elective units of study are only considered if special circumstances apply.