BlogUniversityWhat Adjustment Factors (Bonus Points) Does Macquarie University Offer?

What Adjustment Factors (Bonus Points) Does Macquarie University Offer?

Macquarie University Bonus Points - Featured Image

Got your mind set on studying a degree at Macquarie? Considering using some adjustment factors (bonus points) to your advantage to get into the degree of your dreams at Macquarie University?

No worries, we’re here to help! We’ll be taking you through some of the adjustment factors offered at Macquarie and everything else there is to know about them.

Let’s get started!

What are adjustment factors (bonus points) at Macquarie University?
Achievement Based Adjustment Factors
Location Based Adjustments Factors
Equity Based Adjustment Factors 

What are adjustment factors (bonus points) at Macquarie University? 

We’ve got some good news for you — just because you didn’t get the ATAR you were hoping for doesn’t mean you have to trade in your desired degree at your dream university.

If you want to study at Macquarie University, it’s a great idea to have a look at the different adjustment factors they have on offer which can help boost your selection rank when applying for your degree.

We’re going to take you through all the different options so you have a better idea of how adjustment factors work and what ones you might be eligible for.  

While there are a number of different adjustment factors on offer, the maximum you can attain is 15 points across eight different schemes — so be sure to keep that in mind when applying for them! 

Achievement Based Adjustment Factors

Achievement Based Macquarie University Bonus Points

Academic Advantage

If you’ve performed well in relevant HSC subjects to your desired degree, you may be eligible for academic advantage adjustment factors. You can receive up to the three bonus points for each subject with a maximum of six bonus points in total.

However, if you’re interested in studying law and a double degree, then you can only receive a maximum of 4 bonus points. For actuarial studies and a double degree, you’re capped at a maximum of 2 bonus points.

It’s good to keep in mind that anyone can apply for academic advantage if they’ve performed well in a subject related to their degree. 

You’re probably thinking: ‘But how do I know which subjects are relevant to my degree and how many points can I get?’

Well, Macquarie University has made it easy for you to work out with this very helpful adjustment factors calculator. 

Let’s say, you want to study a Bachelor of Media and Communications at Macquarie University. Now if you studied any of the following subjects and received either a Band 4, 5 or 6 or for the Extensions subjects, a Band 3 or 4:

  • HSC Drama
  • English (Advanced)
  • Legal Studies
  • Modern History
  • Music 1
  • English Extension 1
  • English Extension 2
  • Music Extension

…then you’re able to get additional points which helps boost your selection ranking! 

Big History Scheme 

Now, this is something really exciting! The best part is that everyone is eligible providing they successfully complete the course and plan on studying at Macquarie University within the next three years.

So, you can complete this course while you’re still at school and upon successful completion, you’re provided with a certificate that you can then upload to your UAC application which automatically gives you three extra points! And guess what?!

The course can be completed in approximately 29 hours, deadlines are flexible and it’s all online. The other advantage of it is that you’re also learning something at the same time! 

If you enjoy learning new things, want to develop skills to get you ready for university and want to gain three extra points, check out all the information right here! 

Elite Athletes and Artistic Performers Scheme

If you’re an elite athlete or artistic performer whose commitment to sport or performances impacted your studies within the last two years, then you may be eligible for four extra points. The university’s ranking committee makes the final decision, taking into consideration your situation and whether you meet at least one of the criteria below. 

Elite Athletes Scheme Elite Performers Requirements

It’s important to note that you’ll also have to provide documents of your track record and evidence of how being an elite performer impacted your studies. 

For more information, have a look here! 

Duke of Edinburgh, Queen’s Scout and Queen’s Guide Awards Scheme 

Receiving one of these awards is a big accomplishment which reflects your commitment to learning more about yourself, carrying out community service and developing skills in the great outdoors. Macquarie University recognises this accomplishment by granting you additional points! 

You can receive a maximum of six additional points as follows: 

  • Gold Duke of Edinburgh award – 3 additional points 
  • Silver Duke of Edinburgh award – 2 additional points
  • Queen’s Scout Award – 3 additional points
  • Queen’s Guide Award – 3 additional points

Have a look here to find out more! 

Location Based Adjustments Factors

Location - Australia

Depending where you live, you might be up for some additional points! It’s worth having a look! 

Catchment Adjustment Factors

If you live in Macquarie’s catchment region, you’ll receive five additional adjustment factors — now, that’s pretty cool! 

Now, if you’re not sure whether you live in the Macquarie catchment area, don’t worry — Macquarie University has a postcode searcher right here which will tell you if you do!

So, be sure to check it out because five additional adjustment factors will help boost your selection rank! 

Regional Entry Scheme

You can receive up to nine additional adjustment factors if you come from regional or rural Australia! Once again, there’s a spot right here where you can enter your postcode to see how many extra points you’re able to receive depending on where you live. 

There are four different categories which include: 

  1. Inner regional Australia – 5 adjustment factors 
  2. Outer regional – 5 adjustment factors 
  3. Remote – 7 adjustment factors 
  4. Very remote – 9 adjustment factors 

Equity Based Adjustment Factors 

Equity with scales

Macquarie University will assess your individual situation to see whether you’re eligible for equity based adjustment factors — sometimes, things happen beyond your control! 

Educational Access Scheme

If you’ve experienced any hardship beyond your control that has affected you during Year 11 and/or 12, you may be eligible for the Educational Access Scheme. When applying for this scheme, you need to explain your situation and how it affected your studies in Year 11 and/or 12.

You’re able to lodge your application for EAS at the same time you apply to UAC (Universities Admissions Centre). 

Have a look here to get all the details! 

COVID-19 Impact Points 

We’ve got some great news which will reassure you! Macquarie University is aware that COVID-19 has made it more difficult for high students to study and perform well due to huge disruptions it has caused.

That’s why they’re giving 5 adjustment factors to every student starting in Semester 1, 2022. You’ll automatically receive these points when you apply to UAC! 

So, don’t stress if you didn’t get the ATAR needed to study your desired degree — these extra points will help you! 

And there you go! 

We’ve taken you through all the different adjustment factors and schemes on offer at Macquarie University. We hope you’re able to apply for some of them and get those bonus points to help you get into your desired degree at Macquarie University! Good luck! 

If you’re applying to different universities and are curious about their bonus points, check out the other unis below:


Tanna Nankivell is a Senior Content Writer at Art of Smart Education and is currently in Germany completing a year of study for her double degree in Communications (Journalism) and Bachelor of Arts (International Studies). She has had articles published on Central News – the UTS Journalism Lab and wrote a feature piece for Time Out Sydney during her internship. Tanna has a love for travel and the great outdoors, you’ll either find her on the snowfields or in the ocean, teaching aqua aerobics or creating short films.

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