Frequently Asked Questions

As the pathway to UTS, the Diploma of Science is developed in collaboration with UTS Faculty of Science, which has the same first-year outcomes as first-year UTS students.

The main difference though, is support. When you’re studying at UTS College, you get extra support to prepare you for university study and the transition to UTS Bachelor of Science.

Successful completion of your diploma is how we guarantee your place at UTS.

Articulation requirements can be found here.

Unlike first year uni, when you graduate from UTS College, you also receive a higher education diploma.

The Diploma of Science is available to study across three programs:

Accelerated: 8 months.

Our Accelerated mode is the fastest way to get into the UTS Bachelor of Science, but it’s not for everyone. The workload is intense and you’ll need to be dedicated to your studies to succeed.

Standard: 12 months.

This is the course mode most of our students select. Standard covers the same content as accelerated, but is spread out across 12 months and ideal for studying at a steady pace.

Extended: 16 months.

The Extended mode is spread out over 16 months (4 semesters) and is ideal for students who need to build academic and foundational skills before moving on to their Physical Sciences or Life Sciences stream subjects.

In Semester 1, you will start with your academic and foundational skills subjects which include Academic Communication, Physics Fundamentals and Introduction to Mathematics.

From Semester 2 onwards, you will then begin your Physical Science or Life Sciences stream subjects.

If you are a Domestic student, you don't need an ATAR for entry to UTS College. Instead, entry is based on your HSC subject average of English and your top three board-developed subjects. You need a minimum HSC subject average of 63% for entry to UTS College.

Entry to UTS College - HSC subject average example:

Sam received the following marks for their HSC board-developed courses:
 
    English Standard (65%)
    Earth and Environmental Science (71%)
    Mathematics Standard 2 (73%)
    Music 1 (63%)
    Japanese Beginners (68%)
 
Sam's UTS College subject average is calculated as English Standard (65%), plus their best 3 board-developed courses of Earth and Environmental Science (71%), Mathematics Standard 2 (73%) and Japanese Beginners (68%). Average (65+71+73+68) / 4 = 69.25%.
 
Based on this ATARNotes calculator, Sam receives an ATAR of 51.10. However, their UTS College subject average is 69.25%. Sam wants to study a Diploma of Science and can study a Standard 12-month diploma (min. 67% average).

Below are the minimum HSC subject averages needed for entry to our diplomas:

  • 75% for the Accelerated (eight month) diploma
  • 67% for the Standard (12 month) diploma
  • 63% for Extended (16 month) diploma

If you are a Domestic student, you won’t be assessed on your ATAR. Entry is based on your HSC subject average which must include English and your top three board-developed subjects. Below are the minimum HSC subject averages needed for entry to our diplomas:

  • 75% for the Accelerated (eight month) diploma
  • 67% for the Standard (12 month) diploma
  • 63% for Extended (16 month) diploma

You will be learning from enthusiastic teachers who have a passion for science. Your curriculum is aligned to UTS Bachelor of Science students' first year, which means you will be joining the second year of Science at UTS at the same level as your peers.

In your UTS College Diploma of Science, you will benefit from smaller class sizes and more support compared to UTS first-year students, which will allow a smooth transition from your diploma to 2nd year bachelor degree.

On successful completion of your diploma, you will receive up to 48 credit points towards most UTS Science degrees*.

No. If you successfully complete an accelerated or standard Diploma of Science at UTS College, you won’t need to start uni from the very beginning - in fact, if you study an Accelerated or Standard Diploma, you won't lose any time at all.

You will receive up to 48 credit points towards your UTS Bachelor of Science degree, allowing you to start at UTS in the second year of your Bachelor of Science.

Firstly, a “credit point” (cp) is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. A typical UTS Bachelor of Science subject contains 6 credit point.

Studying a UTS College Diploma of Science gives you 48 credit points towards your UTS Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics, Biomedical Science, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences or Nanotechnology.

Or, you can put your 48 credit points towards UTS bachlor degrees in Advanced Science, Biotechnology, Environmental Biology, Forensic Science, Marine Biology or Medical Science.

Alternatively, if you are interested in mathematics or statistics, studying a UTS College Diploma of Science gives you 24 credit points towards UTS bachelor degrees in Science in Analytics or Science (majoring in Mathematics ot Statistics).

Putting these credit points towards your UTS degree gives you the advantage of a reduced workload throughout your UTS bachelor degree in a science-related field.

Physical Sciences streams - subject exemptions

By completing your UTS Diploma of Science, you will not need to complete the following subjects (up to 48cp) in your UTS Bachelor degrees:

 

Life Sciences streams - subject exemptions

By completing your UTS Diploma of Science, you will not need to complete the following subjects (up to 48cp) in your UTS Bachelor degrees:

Generally, yes. The course content in the UTS Diploma of Science covers the same course material in subjects studied in a Bachelor of Science. This is how you can put credit points towards your UTS degree.

Lab work is conducted on-campus. Other classes, resources and materials are Live Online. The UTS College campus is only a short walk from the UTS campus and UTS College students also have access to facilities like the UTS Library and ActivateUTS.

You’ll get the best of both worlds with a mix of on-campus and Live Online classes.

UTS College Science students have access to the latest scientific software and lab equipment, along with UTS College’s Live Online learning management system. You will experience practical lab work, small team projects and have the benefit of using world-class facilities including the UTS Science Super Lab and Anatomy facility.

You’ll need the following minimum hardware to conduct your studies.

The Diploma of Science provides guaranteed entry* to your UTS degree:

  • Bachelor of Advanced Science (Pharmaceutical Sciences)
  • Bachelor of Advanced Science (Pre-Medicine)
  • Bachelor of Biotechnology
  • Bachelor of Environmental Biology
  • Bachelor of Forensic Science
  • Bachelor of Marine Biology
  • Bachelor of Medical Science
  • Bachelor of Science (Majors: Applied Physics/ Biotechnology/ Medical Science/ Biomedical Science/ Chemistry / Environmental Sciences/ Flexible / Maths / Statistics / Nanotechnology)

No. There is no previous scientific study required for entry into the Diploma of Science program.

UTS College’s Live Online is a leading learning management system where students can work in small online classes, get 1:1 support in-class or outside of hours, submit work for feedback and collaborate with fellow students or consult with teachers and advisors for support.

You can ask teachers questions via live video chat, messages, calls or email. Live Online means students are well-equipped for their studies, whether they’re on-campus or online.

Yes. Access to UTS Science facilities are arranged by teachers as part of subject-specific activities. Access to non-subject-specific study spaces in the Science Faculty can be freely booked by students via the UTS Library website.

Articulation requirements can be found here.

Unlike first year uni, when you graduate from UTS College, you also receive a higher education diploma. That’s why when you successfully complete a UTS College diploma, you’ll receive guaranteed entry to your UTS Bachelor of Science.

Check with one of our Study Success Advisors to discuss your options.

Our teachers are often working in industry concurrent to their teaching, and all have had extensive involvement in scientific projects, collaborations, and research.

Completion of the Diploma of Science will give you enough knowledge and skills to work in junior positions within scientific and research fields.

Entry requirements for domestic non-recent school leavers or mature students
 
Domestic non-recent school leavers or mature students are not assessed on ATAR.
 
You are eligible for entry to a UTS College diploma if you meet one of the following conditions:
  1. Your HSC subject average of English plus your best three board-developed subjects is 67% or higher <click here for subject average criteria and example>, OR
  2. You completed Year 11 or 12, along with additional study recognised by UTS College. Additional study may include, but is not limited to:
    • TAFE Certificate IV or higher
    • Other tertiary studies
Please provide all transcripts and completion certificates to be considered as part of your application assessment.
 
You may also include any work experience you consider to be relevant to your application.
 
Please call 1800 896 994 or email courses@utscollege.edu.au for more information.
 

 

*Based on successful completion of your diploma with the required Grade Point Average (GPA) for the program you choose at UTS. See course page for details.