About eligibility
Every course has minimum entry requirements you must meet before applying. They help ensure you’re academically prepared to succeed. Meeting the requirements means you're eligible to be considered for the course, but it doesn't guarantee selection.
Graduate certificates and graduate diplomas
Minimum entry requirements differ by faculty and course. For many courses at this level, you'll need to have completed undergraduate study, while other courses may base entry on professional experience in a related field. Some international students will not be eligible for graduate certificates or graduate diplomas as they may not meet the minimum study duration requirements of a student visa.
Masters by Coursework
To apply for a masters degree, you must have completed an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) from a recognised institution. Entry into most Masters by Coursework programs also requires a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) based on your previous studies. The graduate coursework grade conversion eligibility calculator can provide an indication of whether you’re eligible for a specific masters degree.
Depending on your previous studies and experience, you could also be eligible for advanced standing (credit).
Looking for information on research degrees?
To go on to study a Masters by Research or Doctorate (PhD), you first need to have completed an honours and masters degree in the relevant discipline. Visit Graduate research study for more information.
English language requirements
All graduate coursework courses have a specific English language standard you must meet. The required scores are published on each course page.
As an international applicant, you'll need to show evidence of your English language proficiency through previous study in English or by taking an approved English test. Learn more at Graduate English language requirements.
Visa requirements
All international students require a student visa or other visa that allows study to undertake a graduate coursework program at the University of Melbourne.
For most international students who are in Australia on a student visa, you can only take full-time study in a CRICOS-registered course. You also need to have met genuine student, character and any additional health tests, as well as have acceptable Overseas Student Health Cover.
Other conditions may apply for alternative visas. To understand the conditions, check the Australian Government’s Visa information for study in Australia.
You apply for your visa after you receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). First you submit your course application.
How you're selected
The selection panel will consider a range of factors when assessing your application, including eligibility, prior academic performance and sometimes work experience or other criteria.
For highly competitive programs, eligible applicants are ranked based on the published selection criteria. Offers are made to the highest-ranked applicants until all available places are filled. Some courses may waitlist applicants if all the places in a course are filled. If this happens, you'll be notified.
Other courses may use a rolling assessment process, issuing offers to applicants as they meet the published selection criteria.
Selection tasks
Some graduate courses require additional selection tasks as part of the admissions process. Depending on the course, these may include submitting a portfolio, providing referee details, sitting an aptitude test, demonstrating relevant work experience through a CV, or completing an interview or audition. You can find the specific requirements for each course on the entry requirements tab of each course page.
Other requirements
Some graduate degrees also have additional requirements you’ll need to meet to undertake the course. These may include a valid Working With Children Check, a police check, or up-to-date immunisations. You may not need to provide this documentation at the time of application, but you might need to meet these requirements before certain subjects, placements, or course activities. Check the course page for details.
Undergraduate to graduate degree pathways
If you’re completing your undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne, you may be eligible for a secure pathway into one of our professional graduate degrees.
Graduate entry guarantees give you certainty about your future study while still allowing flexibility to refine your interests during your undergraduate degree. There are three types of guaranteed entry: Graduate Degree Packages, ATAR-based guarantee, and Graduate entry guarantee.
Graduate Degree Packages
If you were offered a Graduate Degree Package with your undergraduate Melbourne offer, you'll still need to successfully complete your undergraduate degree to secure your guaranteed place in a graduate degree. Some graduate courses also require specific subjects or majors during your undergraduate studies or a certain overall minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM). It’s important to understand these requirements to ensure you can progress to your next degree.
ATAR-based guarantee
ATAR-based guarantees are available to international students who complete an Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in Australia.
If you’re in your final year of high school and know you want to complete both your undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Melbourne, but aren’t yet sure which area to specialise in, you can still secure a place based on your ATAR. With guaranteed entry, you’ll have the flexibility to choose your graduate specialisation later, using your ATAR and your undergraduate performance to confirm your spot.
Graduate entry guarantee
If you weren't eligible for a Graduate Degree Package or ATAR-based Guarantee determined by your Year 12 results, and you've commenced your undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne, you can work towards a Graduate entry guarantee by meeting the required Weighted Average Mark (WAM) and any additional criteria for your chosen graduate degree.
Need help?
If you're not sure if you qualify for one of these undergraduate to graduate degree pathways, contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Entry requirements vary by course but typically include completing of an internationally recognised undergraduate degree, meeting the required academic threshold (such as a minimum WAM or GPA), and satisfying the English language requirements.
The University assesses international qualifications using global standards and recognised equivalency frameworks. Course pages list minimum academic benchmarks, and your qualification will be formally assessed by our admissions team when you apply.
No. Meeting minimum requirements makes you eligible for consideration, but entry is competitive. Applicants are ranked according to the published selection criteria, and offers are made based on available places.
Some courses consider relevant professional or industry experience as part of your application or as a formal requirement. Each course page outlines what type and duration of experience is accepted and what you need to provide as evidence.
Entry requirements for your degree are separate from visa requirements, but you’ll need to meet Australian Government criteria – including English language proficiency, financial capacity and genuine student status (if applicable) – to obtain a student visa after you receive your electronic confirmation of enrolment (CoE).