Bridging Courses

UNSW Science bridging courses in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics are short, in-depth courses designed to strengthen your knowledge in the key areas required for your first year of study.  

The bridging courses are meticulously designed to help you attain the level of assumed knowledge required to successfully manage first-year course content. 

While the physics bridging course is taught entirely online, the chemistry and mathematics bridging courses give you the option of face-to-face tutorials. This lets you experience how they are taught at UNSW through 40 hours of tuition consisting of:

  • lectures
  • tutorials
  • laboratory classes
  • demonstration sessions.

Registration for all bridging courses will open in November.

The Chemistry and Physics bridging courses are only offered once a year (Jan/Feb), while the Mathematics bridging course is offered three times a year prior to the start of Terms. 

Our Bridging Courses

Assumed Knowledge

Assumed knowledge is what your lecturer or tutor will reasonably expect you to know from the beginning of your course. If you don't have the assumed knowledge for your course, you can still apply to UNSW, however, we strongly encourage you to undertake bridging or other preparation courses to ensure you get the most out of your first year of undergraduate study. 

If you’re not sure whether you meet the assumed knowledge requirements for your degree of choice, you can ask us a question or call us on (02) 8936 7005.

Eligibility

UNSW Science bridging courses are open to domestic or international:  

  • school leavers 
  • mature-age students 
  • deferred students 
  • currently enrolled UNSW students. 

You may undertake the bridging courses at UNSW even if you’re intending to enrol at another university. 

However, we advise you to first ensure that the UNSW bridging course(s) you select is approved by that institution. 

Additional Information

Registration & Payment
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Registration for 2022 Bridging Courses. See individual pages for registration info:

Chemistry

Maths Registration for Summer 21/22 is now open; complete prior to Term 1 commencement at UNSW.

Physics

Indicative cost: $380

Examinations, Results & Certificates
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  • The Mathematics bridging courses include an examination as outlined in the timetable below.
    Students who successfully complete the course(s) including the examination(s) by achieving a mark of 50 or above will be issued a certificate.
  • The Chemistry Bridging course requires all students to have submitted by Thursday 3 February 2022 at 23:55 (AEDT) an attempt for each of the 8 Openlearning assignments and must obtain an average of 80% or above for these assignments (each will be weighted equally) OR attend the final exam on campus on Friday 4 February 2022 at 10 am and obtain >50%
  • The Physics Bridging course does not have a final exam. There are a number of opportunities for students to self-assess; these are submission of three experimental reports (experiments are conducted at home) and sets of tutorial problems to solve each week.

Get in Touch
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 Email us at bridging@unsw.edu.au

 

Withdrawals & Refunds
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You can email Science Student Services to request a withdrawal or transfer from one bridging course to another. 

The last day to withdraw is 3 days after course registration closes.

Withdrawals and transfers will incur a $50 administration fee. 

Refunds are made by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). 

For Maths bridging course refund requests, note they are only provided if student has not completed 20% of the course content and/or participated in 4 hours or more of the online activities.

2022 Timetable
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Physics: Registration is now closed for Jan/Feb 2022. There is no timetable as all lectures are entirely online. More information will be provided when registered.

Chemistry: Registration is now closed for Jan/Feb 2022. Students will receive a timetable for the optional on campus tutorials and laboratories when registered.

Mathematics:  Registration is now open and will close on Friday, 21st January 2022. Online course opens from 1st December for self-study. Optional live classes from Monday 24th January to Friday 11th February (fully online).

It is recommended students aim to complete as much of the online material as they can before the live online classes start on Monday 24th January