How To Apply

UNSW Canberra offers undergraduate programs in Arts, Business, Computing and Cyber Security, Engineering, Science, and Technology to current serving members of the Australian Defence Force.

1. ADF Process

Students must:

a) be recommended and approved by the ADF to enter one of the three ADF Schemes: RAAF - AAA, RAN - SEA, ARA - RAEME;

b) have served a minimum of five (5) years in the ADF;

c) have met the minimum entry requirements for UNSW Canberra as outlined in Point 3 below.

2. Entrance Requirements

To be eligible for admission to UNSW Canberra applicants must meet the lowest tertiary entrance rank to gain admission to the relevant degree program.

To have your entrance rank determined, you must complete the Preliminary Assessment Form by no later than the end of August of the year before the commencement of study. If possible, this application should include a supporting statement from the ADF (e.g. confirming the conditional posting order – if applicable) and attaching other relevant documentation.

As part of your application you will be asked to submit certified copies of any formal academic qualifications that you may have including previous secondary, tertiary (TAFE, or University) or Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited awards.

Please note that awards received from your service are not assessable unless they have been given Civilian Accreditation. 

Ineligible applicants will be directed to UNSW Canberra's Alternative Entry Pathways to provide them with an opportunity to achieve the requirements for admission.

3. Assumed Subject Knowledge Requirements

It is assumed that students will have achieved a level of subject knowledge (as listed below) that is considered desirable for successful university level study.

If you do not have the minimum level of assumed subject knowledge, you are NOT prevented from applying for admission or enrolling in any courses, but you will be placed at a considerable disadvantage and your service may require you to undertake a bridging program or other preparation courses such as Unilearn, Hubbard's School or any TAFE.

4. Academic Admission Standards

If applicants have multiple qualifications, then each qualification (from university or VET study) is assessed separately and the qualification/assessable item with the highest derived entrance rank is used for admission purposes.

Below is a list of qualifications accepted for entry, and their relevant derived entrance ranks.  

5. Application via UAC

If you are approved by your Service for a transfer to ADFA and you meet the University's entrance requirements, you must lodge an application through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).  Applications open early August and close at the end of September of the year before the commencement of study. Late applications after the end of September will incur late fees. A formal offer of admission will then be made to you through UAC in January of the year you plan to commence your studies.

If requested by UAC to forward any academic qualifications or transcripts, you MUST do so. Because of the Privacy Act, Student Administrative Services cannot forward your documentation to UAC on your behalf.

UAC offers are released via email in the first week of January. You will normally have up to one week to accept the offer. If you meet the entrance rank and been informed by UNSW Canberra that you are eligible for admission, but have not heard anything by the end of the first week in January, you should contact Student Administrative Services on (02) 6268 6000 or at sas@adfa.edu.au.

6. Arrival at UNSW Canberra

ADFA Induction Week

On your arrival at ADFA you will commence a week of military induction activities.

Academic Preparation Program

The UNSW Canberra Academic Language and Learning (ALL) Unit run an Academic Preparation Course for new advanced students before the commencement of the semester.  By the end of this program, students will be in a better position to know what to expect when their official program begins and will be better prepared for the demands of their academic studies. This program aims to:

• Welcome students to UNSW Canberra;
• Prepare students for the demands of academic study at UNSW Canberra;
• Provide students with essential information about facilities and services such as the computer labs, library catalogues, subject specific databases and internet search facilities;
• Give students practical experience in critical analysis, reading and note-taking, researching sources, avoiding plagiarism and writing assignments.

UNSW Canberra at ADFA offers an exciting range of undergraduate degree options for high-performing students in Arts, Business, Engineering, Information Technology, Science, and Technology, known as the Chief of Defence Force Students Programs (CDFSP). These unique programs have been designed to provide academically gifted students with a rich and challenging educational experience that will develop their critical thinking and research skills.

CDFSP have objectives and learning outcomes in common with the standard degree program but extend the educational principles embodied in the standard program to a higher level. In the programs, students will be introduced to research in their discipline areas and will be offered significant extensions to the ideas and analysis performed in the standard program. This will allow the CDF students to undertake research projects at the appropriate level in their later years, thereby more fully integrating research into the standard undergraduate degree. The individual projects undertaken in close association with academic staff on research topics of mutual interest underpin the program and give students the ability to develop their full potential.

Students in the CDFSP will undertake individual research projects working closely with academic staff on projects from their area of interest. Upon completion of their degree, students will receive a unique award that reflects their involvement in this outstanding program.

All students enrolling in the CDFSP are expected to maintain a high level of academic performance over all semesters in order to remain within the program. Students who do not maintain the required level of performance will be transferred to the standard degree program offered, with credit for all courses completed.

Admission to these programs will be via the standard degree programs above. On acceptance of offer to the standard program, eligible students will be notified by Student Administrative Services of transfer options to the equivalent CDF Student Program.

CDF Programs available include:
B Arts (CDFSP)
B Business (CDFSP)
B Information Technology (CDFSP)
B Science (CDFSP)
B Technology (Aeronautical Engineering) (CDFSP)
B Aeronautical Engineering (Honours) (CDFSP)
B Civil Engineering (Honours) (CDFSP)
B Electrical Engineering (Honours) (CDFSP)
B Mechanical Engineering (Honours) (CDFSP)

ADFA welcomes individuals and groups who are considering a career in the Australian Defence Force through the Academy to visit our facilities and speak with current cadets and staff. For further information regarding Academy Visits, please see here.