Parkville campus
The following subjects are available to study at the Parkville campus.
Semester 1 classes will commence during the week commencing 1 March 2027.
Subject details
- Semester 1: BIOL10008 – Foundational Biology: Life’s Machinery
- Contact hours: 2 x 1-hour interactive seminar per week, 5 x 3-hour practical classes approximately fortnightly across the semester, 6 x 2-hour workshops fortnightly across the semester.
- Semester 2: BIOL10010 – Foundational Biology: Life’s Complexity
- Contact hours: 2 x 1-hour interactive seminar per week, 5 x 3-hour practical classes approximately fortnightly across the semester, 6 x 2-hour workshops fortnightly across the semester.
No annual fee.
Entry requirements
VCE prerequisite/corequisite subjects required*:
- Completion of Biology 3/4 with a study score of 38.
Minimum grades across non-prerequisite/corequisite subjects^:
- At least a B+ average.
Subject details
- Semester 1: PHYC10003 – Physics 1
- Semester 2: PHYC10004 – Physics 2: Physical Science and Technology
One 2-hour lecture-workshop per week for the Victorian School calendar year. Approximately 15 hours of practical work consisting of 6 x 2.5-hour laboratory sessions. These practical classes will be run during the Victorian school holidays at the University of Melbourne Parkville campus, between Term 1-2 and Term 2-3.
No annual fee.
Entry requirements
VCE prerequisite/corequisite subjects required* (one of the following):
- Completion of Physics 3/4 and Mathematical Methods 3/4 with study scores of at least 37; or
- Enrolment in Physics 3/4 and Mathematical Methods 3/4 after completion of Physics 1/2 and Mathematical Methods 1/2 with at least A averages.
A Physics Selection Test will be required for all applicants who:
- Have not achieved study scores of 37+ in both Unit 3/4 Physics and Unit 3/4 Mathematical Methods, or
- Have not completed both VCE Unit 3/4 Physics and VCE Unit 3/4 Mathematical Methods, or
- Are completing the IB Diploma.
Minimum grades across non-prerequisite/corequisite subjects^:
- At least a B+ average.
Class timetable:
- Semester 1 lecture workshops: every Tuesday, 5pm - 7pm (starting from 3 February to 9 June)
- Semester 2 lecture workshops: every Tuesday, 5pm - 7pm (starting from 14 July to 13 October)
- The laboratory sessions for each semester will be on 2 days in the Autumn and Winter holidays respectively.
- Semester 1 labs will take place on 8 and 9 April.
- Semester 2 labs will take place on 29 - 30 June.
Subject details
- Semester 1: PHIL10002 – Philosophy: The Big Questions (1 x 1-hour lecture and 1 x 1-hour tutorial per week)
- Semester 2: PHIL10003 – Philosophy: The Great Thinkers (2 x 1-hour lecture and 1 x 1-hour tutorial per week)
No annual fee.
Entry requirements
VCE prerequisite/corequisite subjects required* (one of the following):
- Completion of any humanities 3/4 subject (with an essay-writing component) with a study score of at least 37; or
- Completion of any humanities 1/2 subject (with an essay-writing component) with at least an A average.
Students may be concurrently enrolled in Philosophy 3/4.
Minimum grades across non-prerequisite/corequisite subjects^:
- At least a B+ average. An average of at least an A is also required in essay writing subjects.
Subject details
- Semester 1: PSYC10003 – Mind, Brain and Behaviour 1 (2 x 1-hour lectures, 1 x 1.5 hours of practical classes and tutorials per week, plus 5 hours of research participation across the semester)
- Semester 2: PSYC10004 – Mind, Brain and Behaviour 2 (2 x 1-hour lectures, 1 x 1.5 hours of practical classes and tutorials per week, plus 5 hours of research participation across the semester)
No annual fee.
Entry requirements
VCE prerequisite/corequisite subjects required* (one of the following):
- Completion of Psychology 3/4 with a study score of at least 37; or
- Enrolment in Psychology 3/4 after completion of Psychology 1/2 with at least an A average.
Minimum grades across non-prerequisite/corequisite subjects^:
- At least a B+ average.
School centres
Study at one of the following participating school centres.
Subject details
Entry requirements
VCE prerequisite/corequisite subjects required*:
- Completion of Hebrew 3/4 with a study score of at least 30. Applicants will also be required to complete a placement test.
Minimum grades across non-prerequisite/corequisite subjects^:
- At least a B+ average.
School centres
| Location | Timetable | Annual fee | Start date |
|---|---|---|---|
Bialik College, Hawthorn East | During school hours – not available to external students | No fee | TBC |
| Mount Scopus Memorial College | During school hours – not available to external students | No fee | Friday 30 January 2026 |
Subject details
- Semester 1: MAST10018 – Linear Algebra Extension Studies (2 –3-hour classes per week depending on school centre)
- Semester 2: MAST10019 – Calculus Extension Studies (2 –3-hour classes per week depending on school centre)
Entry requirements
VCE prerequisite/corequisite subjects required*:
One of the following:
- Enrolment in Specialist Mathematics 3/4 and completion of Mathematical Methods 3/4 with a study score of at least 37; or
- Enrolment in Mathematical Methods 3/4 and Specialist Mathematics 3/4 after completion of Mathematical Methods 1/2 with at least an A average and Specialist Mathematics 1/2 with at least a B+ average.
Minimum grades across non-prerequisite/corequisite subjects^:
- At least a B+ average.
School centres (timetable and start dates to be confirmed later in 2026)
| Location | Timetable | Annual fee | Start date |
|---|---|---|---|
Braemar College, Woodend | Wednesday, 3:45pm –5:30pm | $50 | Wednesday 4 February 2026 |
| Camberwell Grammar School, Canterbury | Tuesday, 4:00pm – 6:00pm | No fee | Tuesday, 3 February 2026 |
| Geelong Grammar School, Corio | Tuesday, 4:00pm – 6:00pm | Government school students free of charge, independent school students $250. | Tuesday, 3 February 2026 |
| John Monash Science School, Clayton | Wednesday, 1:30pm – 4:30pm | No fee | Wednesday, 28 January 2026 |
| Melbourne Grammar School, Melbourne | Wednesday, 4:00pm – 6:00pm | No fee | Wednesday, 4 February 2026 |
| Presbyterian Ladies College, Burwood | Monday, 4:00pm – 5:00pm and Friday, 4:00pm – 5:30pm | No fee | Friday, 30 January 2026 |
| Scotch College, Hawthorn | Tuesday, 3:30pm – 5:30pm | No fee | Tuesday, 3 February 2026 |
Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES)
In partnership with the CHES, Year 12 students from government schools can undertake extension subjects in Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.
CHES offers both online and in person learning options for students with classes commencing in February/March of 2027.
Subject details
Entry Requirements
VCE prerequisite/corequisite subjects required* (one of the following):
One of the following:
- Enrolment in Specialist Mathematics 3/4 and completion of Mathematical Methods 3/4 with a study score of at least 37; or
- Enrolment in Mathematical Methods 3/4 and Specialist Mathematics 3/4 after completion of Mathematical Methods 1/2 with at least an A average and Specialist Mathematics 1/2 with at least a B+ average.
Minimum grades across non-prerequisite/corequisite subjects^:
- At least a B+ average.
Subject details
One 2-hour lecture-workshop per week for the Victorian School calendar year. Approximately 15 hours of practical work consisting of 6 x 2.5-hour laboratory sessions. These practical classes will be run during the Victorian school holidays at the University of Melbourne Parkville campus, between Term 1-2 and Term 2-3.
Entry requirements
VCE prerequisite/corequisite subjects required* (one of the following):
- Completion of Physics 3/4 and Mathematical Methods 3/4 with study scores of at least 37; or
- Enrolment in Physics 3/4 and Mathematical Methods 3/4 after completion of Physics 1/2 and Mathematical Methods 1/2 with at least A averages.
A Physics Selection Test will be required for all applicants who:
- Have not achieved study scores of 37+ in both Unit 3/4 Physics and Unit 3/4 Mathematical Methods, or
- Have not completed both VCE Unit 3/4 Physics and VCE Unit 3/4 Mathematical Methods, or
- Are completing the IB Diploma.
Minimum grades across non-prerequisite/corequisite subjects^:
- At least a B+ average.
Class timetable:
- Semester 1 lecture workshops: every Wednesday, 5pm - 7pm (starting from 4 February to 10 June)
- Semester 2 lecture workshops: every Wednesday, 5pm - 7pm (starting from 15 July to 14 October)
- The laboratory sessions for each semester will be on 2 days in the Autumn and Winter holidays respectively.
- Semester 1 labs will take place on 8 and 9 April.
- Semester 2 labs will take place on 29 - 30 June.
Subject details
Entry requirements
VCE prerequisite/corequisite subjects required* (one of the following):
- Completion of Psychology 3/4 with a study score of at least 37; or
- Enrolment in Psychology 3/4 after completion of Psychology 1/2 with at least an A average.
Minimum grades across non-prerequisite/corequisite subjects^:
- At least a B+ average.
What is a B+ average?
All VCE studies (Units 1 and 2 plus any Units 3 and 4 subjects you have already completed) that you have completed by the end of Year 11 will be used to calculate the average across non-prerequisite/non-corequisite subjects.
The University takes into consideration each school’s own grading scale when calculating the B+ average. An internal calculator is then used to derive the non-prerequisite and non-corequisite average. All schools have different approaches to assessment, but we generally follow the below grading scale.
| Grade A+ | Numeric result: 90 –100 |
| Grade A | Numeric result: 80 - 89 |
| Grade B+ | Numeric result: 75 -79 |
| Grade B | Numeric result: 70 - 74 |
Subject prerequisite notes:
* Prerequisite units are completed prior to the commencement of the Extension Program subject area. Corequisite units may be studied at the same time as the Extension Program subject area. Prerequisite/corequisite subjects for students completing the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma are available upon request by emailing extension-program@unimelb.edu.au.
^ Any completed Units 3/4 subjects (which are not prerequisites) will also be included in this calculation
Frequently asked questions
Mathematics and Hebrew are delivered at approved School Centres around Melbourne.
Mathematics, Physics and Psychology are offered at the Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES) for students from government schools. CHES offers both online and in-person attendance options.
Biology, Philosophy, Physics and Psychology are delivered at the University of Melbourne Parkville campus.
Subjects delivered at the University of Melbourne Parkville campus are available after normal school hours (after 4:00pm), although this cannot be guaranteed. Subjects with a practical component may require attendance during school hours or holidays. Extension Program students have priority access to classes when preferencing in MyTimetable.
Subjects delivered on campus follow the standard University timetable. For subjects delivered off campus, CHES and school centres determine their own timetable and hours of study per week.
Please note that the timetable is likely to change between Semester 1 and Semester 2.
Students studying their extension subject at a school centre or the University of Melbourne campus are expected to physically attend classes. At CHES, students have the option to attend their classes online.
The number of classes and the time commitment each week depends both on the subject area studied and where classes are held. It is important to note that many subjects have a compulsory attendance requirement, particularly for tutorials. In addition to formal class time, all subjects require several hours of private study each week.
Assessment can include assignments, essays, tutorial work, practical work and exams. Assessment is normally conducted by University academic staff and varies between subject areas.
If Extension Program assessment tasks or exams clash with your VCE or IB assessment tasks or exams, the Extension Program coordinator may organise for these tasks to be rescheduled so they do not compromise your existing school commitments.
More information about credit for students who have completed Extension Program Mathematics is available from the Extension Program Mathematics page.
Unfortunately, offers cannot be made to students who do not meet the published entry requirements.
The Physics Selection test is required for all Physics applicants who a) are VCE applicants who have not completed both VCE Unit 3 and 4 Physics, and VCE Unit 3 and 4 Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics, or b) are completing the IB.
Our Physics Selection Test will require you to demonstrate your proficiency in mechanics and electricity calculations as per your VCE Unit 1 and 2 Physics studies. Upon completion of the test, your results will be assessed, and you will be contacted regarding the outcome of your application.