Here is the short version. Many universities reward strong results in certain subjects with bonus points, often maths and English, or subjects relevant to your course such as a science for engineering. These subject adjustments are usually applied automatically for local Year 12 students. Which subjects count, and how many points each is worth, vary by university and by course, so always check the specific course.
Subject bonus points are the easiest kind to earn, because they often come automatically for studying the right subjects well. The trick is knowing which subjects count.
Below is a guide to the subjects that often earn points, and how to check. To estimate yours, use our bonus points calculator.
Key takeaways
- Many universities reward strong results in certain subjects.
- These are often maths and English, or course-related subjects.
- Subject adjustments are usually automatic for local students.
- Which subjects count varies by university and course.
- Points within a scheme may not all add up.
- Interstate or IB students may need to apply for them.
The subjects that often count
While it varies, some subjects come up again and again. Here are the most common.
The most common are maths and English, often at higher levels. Beyond those, many universities reward subjects relevant to the course, such as a science for engineering or a language for an arts degree.
Maths and English
Maths and English are the classic subjects for bonus points. Many universities reward strong results in them, especially higher-level maths, because they are useful across so many courses.
The exact result you need, and the points it earns, vary by university. As a rule, the stronger your result and the higher the level, the more it tends to count.
Course-related subjects
Beyond maths and English, many universities reward subjects relevant to your chosen course. For an engineering degree, that might be physics or higher maths. For a language degree, a language subject.
This rewards students who have already studied what the course builds on. To find out which subjects count for your course, check that course's adjustment page. See our bonus points guide.
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One thing surprises students: subject points often do not all add up. Many schemes give you the points for your best qualifying subject, not the sum of every qualifying subject.
So studying several qualifying subjects may not give several lots of points. Check each scheme's rules, since this varies. The total is also capped by the university.
Usually automatic, with exceptions
The good news is that subject adjustments are usually applied automatically for local Year 12 students. You do not need to apply, and you may already be getting them.
There are exceptions. Interstate students, and those with International Baccalaureate results, may not have subject adjustments applied automatically, and may need to contact the university. Check early if this is you.
It is worth knowing exactly who falls into the automatic group and who needs to act, because a subject bonus you are entitled to but do not get is a wasted advantage. For a local student sitting the standard senior certificate in the same state as the university, subject adjustments are typically applied by the admissions centre without any action from you: the system already knows your subjects and results, and the points appear in your selection rank for eligible courses. The students who most often slip through the cracks are those whose results sit outside that standard flow, interstate applicants whose subjects the getting centre may not map automatically, International Baccalaureate students, and in some cases students returning from a gap year or applying as non-recent school leavers. If you are in one of those groups, the safe move is to check the university's admissions or adjustment page and, if in doubt, contact them before the offer round to confirm your subject bonuses will be counted. It is also worth verifying, whatever your situation, that the specific course you want actually offers the subject adjustment, since schemes are course-specific and a bonus that applies to engineering may not apply to an arts degree. A quick check costs nothing; an uncounted bonus can cost a place.
Common questions
Which subjects give bonus points?
Often maths and English, or subjects relevant to your course, such as a science for engineering or a language for an arts degree. Which subjects count, and how many points, vary by university and course.
Do you get bonus points for maths?
Often, yes. Many universities reward strong results in maths, especially higher levels, because it is useful across many courses. The exact result needed and the points earned vary by university.
Do languages give bonus points?
At many universities, yes, particularly for relevant courses such as a language or arts degree. As with all subject adjustments, which languages count and how many points vary by university and course.
How many bonus points do subjects give?
It varies by university. Many schemes give the points for your best qualifying subject rather than the sum of all of them, and the total is capped. Check each course's adjustment page for the detail.
Are subject bonus points automatic?
Usually, for local Year 12 students. Interstate students and those with International Baccalaureate results may not have them applied automatically, and may need to contact the university to have them allocated.
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This guide is general information for students and parents, not formal admissions advice. Adjustment factors, schemes, caps and course cut-offs are set by each university and can change every year. They differ from one institution to another, and from course to course within the same institution. Always confirm the current details with the specific university and your state admissions centre (UAC, VTAC, QTAC, SATAC or TISC). A useful starting point is UAC's guide to selection rank adjustments. Reviewed by the ATARCalculators Editorial Team.