Recognising study, sport and community accomplishments

We offer a range of achievement-based adjustment factors which may improve your chances of receiving an offer for your preferred degree.

Learn more about each scheme below to see if you're eligible.

Academic Advantage Scheme

Our Academic Advantage scheme recognises your achievements in certain subjects. Depending on your performance, you may receive up to six adjustment factor points.

  • You're currently completing the Year 12 Higher School Certificate (HSC) or equivalent in 2023.
  • Scheme open to domestic and international applicants.

You don't need to submit a specific application for Academic Advantage. The Universities Admission Centre (UAC) will calculate eligibility automatically if a Macquarie course is listed in your preferences.

Big History Scheme

Our Big History scheme rewards you with three adjustment factor points for your commitment to learning. To be eligible, you must have enrolled in Big History: Connecting Knowledge through Coursera by 30 September 2023.

You must be a student:

  • studying in Australia or studying the Australian Curriculum overseas or equivalent
  • considering applying to study a bachelor degree at Macquarie University in 2024 or 2025

Note: you will need to verify your completion of the Big History: Connecting Knowledge course to UAC at the time of your application.

  1. Enrol in the Big History: Connecting Knowledge course by 30 September 2023
  2. Verify you've completed the course by obtaining your verified certificate from Coursera by 30 September 2024
  3. When you apply to study at Macquarie through the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) you must declare your course qualification and upload a copy of your verified certificate to your UAC application

Note:

  • you must apply through UAC within three years of completing the course; and
  • you must apply for admission to commence a degree in 2024 or 2025.

Duke of Edinburgh, Queen's Scout and Queen's Guide Awards Schemes

These awards represent some of the highest pinnacles of achievement by young people in personal growth, outdoor learning, community service and leadership development.

You must be a current high school leaver completing the HSC or IB in 2023 and have completed at least one of the following awards:

  • Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award
  • Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award
  • Queen’s Scout Award
  • Queen’s Guide Award.
  • Applications open: 10 August 2023
  • Applications close: 24 November 2023

As part of your application, you will be required to upload proof of the reward completion. If you have not completed or have partially completed The Adventurous Journey and Gold Residential project as part of your Duke of Edinburgh certificate, we still encourage you to apply.

Calculate your adjustment factor
  • You may receive up to six additional points via this scheme. Points are as follows:
    • Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award – three additional points
    • Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award – two additional points
    • Queen’s Scout Award – three additional points
    • Queen’s Guide Award – three additional points.
  • Points for multiple awards could be received (eg Gold Duke of Edinburgh (three) + Queen’s Guide (three) OR Silver Duke of Edinburgh (two) + Queen’s Scout (three)).

Note: applicants can only receive points for one Duke of Edinburgh Award. If you hold both the Gold and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award, you will be given three adjustment points for the Gold award and zero points for the Silver.

Apply now

Elite Athletes and Artistic Performers

The EAAP scheme is for applicants who believe that their performance, training and competition commitments have affected their study preparation in the past two years.

Applicants must be:

  • an athlete or artistic performer whose study performance has been affected within the last two years due to sporting or performance activities
  • in Year 12 or a non-school applicant.
Elite athlete selection criteria

Applications for elite athletes will be assessed using the following criteria. You have to meet at least one of the criteria listed below to be assessed as an elite student-athlete and be eligible for adjustment factors under this scheme, providing that you also achieve the required ATAR.

  • Member of a National Open squad or equivalent (eg AIS, Olympic or Paralympic teams).
  • Member of a National Age squad member or equivalent (eg Australian All Schools team, junior national team, U19 – U21 national teams).
  • Top 5 Open National Ranking or Top 10 Age National Ranking individual sports.
  • Finalist at an age or open competition.
  • Member of a State Age squad or equivalent (eg NSW All Schools team, NSW Swimming).
  • Member of a State Institute of Sport or Academy program (eg NSWIS, SAS).
Elite performer selection criteria

Applications for elite artistic performers will be assessed using the following criteria:

  • demonstrated success outside of the applicant's HSC curriculum or school-based endeavours
  • the applicant's activity must have been at an elite and sustained level.

Examples of elite artistic performers include:

  • member of a National Arts Company (through a successful audition process with a documented track record of the audition process and sustained performances)
  • member of a State Arts Company (through a successful audition process with a documented track record of the audition process and sustained performances)
  • significant success as a performing artist in a major national or international competition (with documented evidence of an extensive and competitive entry process, together with the impact of sustained training, rehearsals and performances on the applicant's studies)
  • under contract with a recognised production company or music producer (with documented evidence detailing the impact of sustained rehearsals, sessions and performances on the applicant's studies)
  • demonstrated success as a recording artist (with a documented track record and evidence detailing the impact on the applicant's studies)
  • demonstrated success as an independent performing artist or creative practitioner (with a documented track record and evidence detailing the impact on the applicant's studies).

Note: Macquarie University's Ranking Committee will consider the applicant's circumstances and determine if they are eligible for four additional adjustment points.

  • Applications open: 10 August 2023
  • Applications close: 24 November 2023

Applicants will be notified by mail of the outcome of their application by December 30.

Note: approval under the EAAP scheme does not guarantee admission but allows you to be assessed as an 'elite' athlete or performer whose competitive commitments have impeded your study performance. Approval under this scheme does not guarantee a successful Sport Scholarship application.

Apply now

Courses not eligible for these schemes include:

  • Bachelor of Actuarial Studies and its double degrees
  • Bachelor of Actuarial Studies with Professional Practice (Honours)
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Last updated: 16 Nov 2023