Master's Degree in Australia 2027: Entry Requirements and GPA Conversion

To get into a master's degree in Australia with an overseas bachelor degree, you need three things: a recognised undergraduate qualification, a grade average that meets the course minimum once it is converted to the university's own scale, and an English test score. As a 2027 example, The University of Queensland (UQ) asks for a GPA of 4.5 on its 7-point scale for the Master of Business, which UQ equates to about 3.34 out of 5 in Colombia or 59% in South Africa. The usual English standard at UQ and the University of Sydney is IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0.

There is no national conversion formula. UQ and the Australian National University (ANU) use a 7-point GPA, UNSW Sydney uses a percentage weighted average mark (WAM), and each university converts your transcript its own way. This guide explains Australian master's entry requirements and GPA conversion for 2027 entry, using figures taken from university websites. Requirements change every year, so always rely on the university's website and your letter of offer. Information current as at 2026-11-13.

Contents

• 1. Key points at a glance
• 2. Types of master's degrees, AQF Level 9 and course length
• 3. Academic entry requirements
• 4. How your grades are converted
• 5. English language requirements
• 6. Other documents you may need
• 7. Pathways if you fall short
• 8. Timeline for February and July 2027 entry
• 9. After graduation: the 485 visa in brief
• Frequently asked questions

1. Key points at a glance

Several universities state plainly that meeting the minimum requirements does not mean you will receive an offer. Courses with limited places select competitively.

2. Types of master's degrees, AQF Level 9 and course length

Coursework and research

Most international students enrol in a master's by coursework, built around taught subjects, assignments and a project. A master's by research is thesis-based. The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) says research applicants generally need a relevant bachelor degree, must show research potential, and submit a short research proposal after talking with a UTS academic. A small number of professional degrees are classed as extended master's. Master's degrees sit at Level 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), while a graduate certificate is Level 8.

Why the same degree can vary in length

Length usually depends on whether your bachelor degree is in a related field and whether you have relevant work experience. A related background earns credit for foundation subjects.

Elsewhere, the University of Sydney's Master of Commerce runs for 1.5 years, and UNSW lists its Master of Commerce at 1.7 years and its Master of Information Technology at 2 years. For the length, intakes and grade requirements of Monash's Master of Business, please rely on Monash's website. Course length also matters for post-study visas, as section 9 explains.

3. Academic entry requirements

The common baseline is a completed bachelor degree, or equivalent, from a recognised institution. The University of Melbourne adds that most master's degrees also set a minimum WAM. UNSW says postgraduate applicants generally need a university-level undergraduate degree, and its Master of Information Technology describes this as a bachelor degree equivalent to AQF Level 7. Adelaide University accepts a completed bachelor degree, graduate diploma or graduate certificate from a recognised higher education institution.

Three practical points for applicants from Latin America and Africa:

• Degree length. Deakin University's entry requirements page for international students lists at least a three-year undergraduate degree, or equivalent, among its postgraduate requirements. Whether a particular licenciatura, bacharelado or three-year bachelor degree is treated as equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree is decided by each university when it assesses your application.
• Related field. Many business and management courses accept any discipline. Specialised courses can require a related background. At UNSW, Master of Information Technology applicants from an unrelated field enter through a Graduate Certificate in Information Technology pathway, with the same total length of 2 years.
• Work experience. Some courses count it. UQ's Graduate Certificate in Business considers applicants with post-secondary study plus 5 years of full-time work experience, or 7 years of full-time work experience, assessed case by case.

4. How your grades are converted

UQ: converted to a 7-point GPA

UQ grades on a 7-point scale where 4 is a pass and 7 is the highest grade. When you apply, UQ converts your results to its own scale and includes any failing grades. Each UQ program page has a "GPA equivalent" tool. These are the results for Semester 1, 2027:

Source: The University of Queensland program pages, GPA equivalent tool, accessed 2026-11-13. UQ describes the figures as a guide and notes that entry requirements are subject to change.

ANU: indicative country tables

ANU also uses a 7-point GPA and publishes indicative postgraduate tables by country. ANU stresses that these are general guidance and that actual conversions vary with the institution's rating, grading scale and pass mark.

Source: Australian National University, Postgraduate program indicative entry requirements (Colombia; Chile), accessed 2026-11-13

UNSW: a percentage WAM and an official calculator

UNSW states most requirements as a WAM. Its Master of Commerce asks for a credit average (WAM 65% or higher), and its Master of Information Technology asks for a related bachelor degree with a WAM of at least 65%. For applicants from countries without specific instructions, UNSW's Postgraduate Coursework Entry Score Calculator works like this:

1. If your transcript shows numbers, use the numerical grades calculator.
2. If it shows only letters or descriptions, use the non-numerical grades calculator.
3. If your result is within 5% of the listed requirement, UNSW says you should still consider applying.

UNSW notes the score is a guide only and is not an offer. The University of Melbourne also has a graduate coursework grade conversion eligibility calculator. Because each university converts differently, check each one separately rather than relying on a generic conversion chart.

5. English language requirements

Accepted tests differ between universities. For example, UQ and Sydney do not accept IELTS Online. See our guide to essential exams for studying in Australia. If you meet the academic requirements but not the English ones, some universities issue a conditional offer packaged with an English program.

6. Other documents you may need

The University of Sydney lists the core documents as academic certificates and transcripts, proof of English proficiency and proof of identity such as your passport. Documents in Spanish, Portuguese or any other language must be translated by a government-accredited translator such as NAATI, or by your institution's registrar. Depending on the course you may also need:

• CV. Often needed when you ask for credit based on work experience or earlier study. RMIT's MBA says applicants who also want to be assessed for Recognition of Prior Learning must submit a detailed CV with the application.
• Personal statement or portfolio. UTS says some courses check work or research experience through a CV, portfolio or personal statement.
• References, interview or test. UQ notes that some programs add an interview, aptitude test, referee reports or professional registration.
• GMAT. UNSW's Master of Commerce may consider a WAM of 60–64% with a GMAT score of at least 600 (565 for the GMAT Focus Edition).
• Older degrees. RMIT's MBA asks for evidence of ongoing professional work or development if your qualification is more than 10 years old.

7. Pathways if you fall short

• Graduate certificate. UQ's Graduate Certificate in Business takes half a year and requires a bachelor degree in any discipline with a GPA of 4.0 on the 7-point scale. Completing it with a GPA of 4 leads into the Master of Business. UNSW's Graduate Certificate in Commerce is a similar pathway into its Master of Commerce, with credit for completed courses.
• A lower-level offer. UQ says you should still consider applying if your GPA is below the minimum, as you may be offered a lower-level program in the same discipline.
• Pre-master's. UNSW College's Pre-Masters (Information Technology) requires a related bachelor degree with a minimum 50% average overall, including 50% across at least three mathematics subjects, and IELTS 6.0 (writing 6.0, no score below 5.5).

Pathways add time and tuition. To compare costs, see Affordable Universities in Australia 2027.

8. Timeline for February and July 2027 entry

UQ's 2027 semesters start on 22 February and 26 July (accessed 2026-11-13). UNSW currently runs three terms a year and has announced a new academic calendar from 2028. Closing dates vary by course: for UQ's Master of Business, international applications for Semester 2 (July 2027) close on 31 May of the year of commencement (accessed 2026-11-13). The Semester 1, 2027 closing date is too close to list here, so check UQ's website directly. UNSW warns that high-demand programs with limited places may close earlier.

This table is a planning suggestion, not an official deadline. Starting in November 2026 for February entry leaves very little time, so confirm with the university first. Remember that the Australian academic year begins in February, which may not line up with graduation dates in your home country. Once you accept an offer and pay, the university issues an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), which you need for a student visa (subclass 500). For the full process, read How to Prepare to Apply to Australian Universities and our guide to the student visa application process.

9. After graduation: the 485 visa in brief

Coursework, extended and research master's degrees are all listed as eligible degrees for the Post-Higher Education Work stream of the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). According to the Department of Home Affairs:

• You must meet the Australian study requirement: two academic years of study, which equals 92 weeks of CRICOS-registered study, through either a single eligible qualification of at least two academic years or more than one qualification adding up to that, completed in no less than 16 calendar months in Australia. Weeks are counted by the standard duration registered on CRICOS, so check the Department's page before choosing a course length.
• You must be aged 35 or under when you apply. Under the listed exceptions, including applicants using a research master's or doctoral degree to meet the study requirement, you can be under 50.
• Length of stay: 2 years for coursework and extended master's degrees, 3 years for research master's degrees. Different periods apply to some passport holders.

This is general information only and not migration advice. Conditions may change, so check the Department's website. More detail is in our 485 visa guide.

Frequently asked questions

Q1: What GPA do I need for a master's degree in Australia?

It depends on the university and the course. As published examples, UQ's Master of Business asks for a GPA of 4.5 on a 7-point scale and its Master of Data Science asks for 5.0, while UNSW's Master of Commerce asks for a WAM of 65% or higher. Always check the course page and your letter of offer.

Q2: Can I convert my GPA to the Australian scale with a simple formula?

No. Universities convert according to your country's grading scale and pass mark, not by simple proportion. For UQ's GPA 4.5, the equivalent is 3.34 on Colombia's 5-point scale and 59% in South Africa. Use the tool or calculator on the website of the university you are applying to.

Q3: Can I study a master's in a different field from my bachelor degree?

Often, yes. Many coursework master's degrees accept any discipline but take longer. At UQ, the Master of Business takes 2 years from an unrelated field and 1.5 years from a related one. Specialised courses may require a related background or a graduate certificate pathway first.

Q4: What if my grades are slightly below the requirement?

Universities publish several options. UNSW suggests applicants within 5% of the listed requirement consider applying, and its Master of Commerce may accept a WAM of 60–64% with a GMAT score. UQ may offer a lower-level program in the same discipline. A graduate certificate or pre-master's program is another route.

Q5: Does meeting the minimum requirements mean I will get an offer?

No. UQ, ANU, the University of Melbourne and UNSW all state that meeting the minimum requirements does not secure a place. Courses with limited places select competitively, and you must also meet English and any course-specific requirements.

Further reading

• How to Prepare to Apply to Australian Universities
• Essential Exams for Studying in Australia
• Affordable Universities in Australia 2027: Tuition Compared
• Top Australian Universities and Higher Education Guide
• 485 Visa Australia: Requirements, Fees and Family Rules

Sources

• The University of Queensland – Review entry requirements (postgraduate coursework), accessed 2026-11-13
• The University of Queensland – Master of Business (2027), accessed 2026-11-13
• The University of Queensland – Master of Data Science (2027), accessed 2026-11-13
• The University of Queensland – Graduate Certificate in Business (2027), accessed 2026-11-13
• The University of Queensland – English language requirements, accessed 2026-11-13
• Australian National University – Postgraduate program indicative entry requirements: Colombia, accessed 2026-11-13
• Australian National University – Postgraduate program indicative entry requirements: Chile, accessed 2026-11-13
• UNSW Sydney – Postgraduate Coursework Entry Score Calculator, accessed 2026-11-13
• UNSW Sydney – Master of Commerce, accessed 2026-11-13
• UNSW Sydney – Master of Information Technology, accessed 2026-11-13
• UNSW Sydney – English language requirements, accessed 2026-11-13
• UNSW Sydney – International entry requirements, accessed 2026-11-13
• UNSW College – Pre-Masters Program entry requirements, accessed 2026-11-13
• The University of Sydney – How to apply: international students, accessed 2026-11-13
• The University of Sydney – English language requirements, accessed 2026-11-13
• The University of Sydney – Master of Commerce, accessed 2026-11-13
• RMIT University – Master of Business Administration, accessed 2026-11-13
• University of Technology Sydney – International academic entry requirements, accessed 2026-11-13
• Adelaide University – International entry requirements, accessed 2026-11-13
• The University of Melbourne – Graduate coursework entry requirements (international), accessed 2026-11-13
• The University of Melbourne – Master of Management entry requirements, accessed 2026-11-13
• Monash University – Master of Business, accessed 2026-11-13
• Deakin University – Entry requirements for international students, accessed 2026-11-13
• Australian Government Department of Home Affairs – Australian study requirement, accessed 2026-11-13
• Australian Government Department of Home Affairs – Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) Post-Higher Education Work stream, accessed 2026-11-13

Disclaimer: 1. This article is general information only and does not constitute migration or legal advice. 2. We have a qualified education agent counsellor (QEAC #2822) who can help with study planning, but visa decisions rest with the Australian Government. 3. Figures and rules are based on official pages accessed on 2026-11-13. 4. Course details, fees, start dates, and migration policies are subject to change. Please check the latest announcements from the school and the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
For personalised study or migration planning, please contact our professional advisory team.
Registered Migration Agent MARA: 2519162
Qualified Education Agent Counsellor QEAC: 2822