Master of Genetic Counselling : Entry requirements

Graduate Coursework

Course code: MC-GENCOUN

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Domestic students

International students

Duration

2 years full time / 3 years part time

Mode (Location)

On campus (Parkville)

Intake

February
Key dates

Fees

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available
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Entry schemes

Access Melbourne is available
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How to apply

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Entry requirements

Domestic student Change

You're considered a domestic student if you're an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or have a permanent humanitarian visa. This applies even if you're studying abroad or have dual Australian citizenship.

Admission criteria

To be considered for entry into this course, you must:

Have completed a bachelor degree (AQF7) in a cognate (relevant) discipline with a weighted average mark (WAM) of 65%, or equivalent.

Cognate (relevant) disciplines include: Science, health sciences, social work, nursing, psychology, medicine or related discipline.

And

Have completed below prerequisite subject(s):
- At least one first year undergraduate biology subject, and
- At least one second year undergraduate genetics subject (preferably human genetics).
  
  Subjects must be completed in the last 10 years and with subject marks of at least 65%, or equivalent.
  
  Applicants should attach relevant biology and genetics subject descriptions (in English) to their application.

And

Have 6 months of documented experience in providing peer/counselling support to others at times of need or crisis.

Work or volunteer experience relevant to this course may include roles at organisations such as Very Special Kids, Life Line, The Genetic Support Network of Victoria, Down Syndrome Victoria, Cystic Fibrosis Victor or other organisations that provide support to people living with a disability/genetic condition.

Relevant experience may include peer support helplines, patient support at hospitals, disability support work, support for people of refugee background or support for those experiencing homelessness.

The University of Melbourne is committed to maintaining a transparent admissions policy by clearly communicating all entry scores to prospective students. Entry requirements to the University of Melbourne are regularly reviewed to ensure they align with the University's Selection and Admissions Policy. The entry requirements published for this course will apply from the start year 2027 intake onwards.

Relevant experience is measured in full-time years but may be completed within a part-time equivalent timeframe.

Where degree levels are referenced, levels align with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Applications are assessed against these standards.

Where our admission criteria includes a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) and/or specific subject criteria, these are based on University of Melbourne grades and subjects. If you've studied elsewhere, we'll assess your relevant prior studies and equivalent grades. Your final WAM may be adjusted depending on your previous institution's accreditation, subject grading, and pass marks.

Don't meet the prerequisite subject requirements?

You may have the option to enrol in specific single subjects through the University's Community Access Program, even if you are not enrolled in a course. Completing these prerequisite subjects may qualify you for entry into this course. This option is not available to student visa holders or applicants. Learn more about single subject study.

You can use our graduate coursework grade conversion eligibility calculator to get an indication of whether you are eligible for this course based on your previous studies and Weighted Average Mark (WAM).

Calculate your eligibility

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

English language test score requirements
If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:
IELTS
7.0
with writing 7.0; speaking 7.0; reading 7.0; listening 7.0
TOEFL
91
with writing 26; speaking 24; reading 22; listening 22
PEARSON
72
with writing 75; speaking 76; reading 72; listening 72
CAMBRIDGE
178
with writing 193; speaking 194; reading 179; listening 175
LANGUAGECERT ACADEMIC
73
with writing 78; speaking 82; reading 71; listening 67
MET
62
with writing 74; speaking 59; reading 63; listening 61
*Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE); LanguageCert Academic; Michigan English Test. If a test displays N/A, it is not accepted for this course.

About selection

As part of your application, you must also:

Provide a curriculum vitae (CV) detailing relevant education, work experience, skills and achievements
Provide three referee reports
Attend an interview (if shortlisted)
Provide a 500-word personal statement outlining motivation for applying to the course. The statement should include relevant supporting information such as skills, experience, achievements and potential contributions to the program

Please ensure each of your three referees individually complete the online Master of Genetic Counselling Referee Report.

Missing information or documents may result in your application being deemed ineligible.

When assessing (and where relevant, ranking) applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

Prior academic performance
Relevance of previous study
Performance at an interview
Motivation to complete the course
Capacity to complete the course
Relevant prior (research and/or professional) experience

The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission Policy.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

Additional information

Indigenous pathway

Applicants of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent are given priority access to the Master of Genetic Counselling at the University of Melbourne.

Prospective Indigenous applicants are encouraged to:

Complete the relevant section under the Graduate Access Melbourne requirement in the application form.
Contact the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science Indigenous Student Support Office for application and admission support and to complete the Confirmation of Identity process.

Work experience requirements

Work experience should be at least 6 months in duration, noting that the quality and duration of the experience are an important part of selection into the program. References from coordinators or supervisors will enhance the application.

Please note that administrative support or observing genetic counselling sessions is not considered as valuable as directly supporting people in times of need/illness/crisis.

Volunteer programs that provide education/training to volunteers are highly valued, for example Very Special Kids in Victoria or Lifeline/Aidsline nationally.

Inherent requirements

This course has inherent requirements. Refer to the Master of Genetic Counselling Handbook for important information on these requirements.

Shortlisted applicants – interview information

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an in-person or virtual interview to demonstrate their interpersonal skills to the Selection Panel. The interview will involve:

Writing a 500-word reflective piece on a relevant topic as determined by the Selection Committee
Completion of a genetics quiz to demonstrate mastery of basic genetic/genomic concepts
Completion of a resilience survey.

Clinical placements

Clinical Placements are undertaken as part of this course. All students must undertake a Police Record Check, obtain a Working with Children Check and comply with immunisation requirements. Refer to the following pages for important information:

Exit award information

Students may choose to exit the course with a Graduate Diploma in Genetic Counselling following successful completion of the first 100 credit points. The Graduate Diploma in Genetic Counselling is only available as an exit award. Completion of the Graduate Diploma in Genetic Counselling does not satisfy the requirements to register as a practising Genetic Counsellor.

Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM)

We encourage domestic students to explore eligibility for Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM). GAM offers an opportunity for admission to this course even if your tertiary marks are below the standard entry requirements. GAM applicants may also be considered for financial bursaries and Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) where available.

GAM categories include coming from a rural area, being an Indigenous Australian, experiencing financial hardship or personal difficulties, having refugee status, or living with a disability or medical condition. In assessing applications, we look to balance opportunity and your capacity to succeed.

Advanced Standing

Prior studies may be credited towards your degree and potentially reduce the duration of your course. This is known as Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning).

For additional, in-depth details on entry requirements and admissions for this course, refer to the University Handbook.

Need more information on the University’s general entry requirements?

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