Undergraduate applications for domestic students studying outside Australia
If you're an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian permanent resident completing your secondary studies outside Australia, you apply as a domestic student. Learn how to apply through VTAC from overseas.
Important information about applying from overseas
If you're completing secondary school outside Australia and applying for undergraduate study, there are a few important differences to understand.
- You must apply through VTAC. Domestic undergraduate applicants cannot apply directly to the University of Melbourne.
- Your overseas qualification will be assessed in its original grading system. You do not need to convert your results into an ATAR.
- Final results are required before offers are made. Conditional offers based on predicted grades are not available for domestic applicants studying overseas.
- You may still need to show evidence of meeting English language requirements. Depending on the country you live in, your secondary school qualification and any English subjects studied, you may automatically meet the requirements.
- You cannot apply through an authorised education agent. Domestic undergraduate applicants apply independently through VTAC.
The sections below explain the requirements and application process in more detail.
Before you apply
If you're one of the following and studying overseas, you must apply apply as a domestic student:
- An Australian citizen (including dual citizens)
- A New Zealand citizen
- An Australian permanent resident
- A holder of a humanitarian or Pacific Engagement visa.
If your citizenship or permanent residency is not confirmed by the application deadline, you will need to apply as an international student. Dual citizens cannot apply as international students.
Students with any citizenship or residency status not listed above should apply as an international student.
To be considered for an undergraduate course or Graduate Degree Package at the University of Melbourne, you must:
- Complete an approved secondary school qualification
- Meet the subject prerequisites for your chosen course
- Meet the University’s English language requirements.
Your results will be assessed using the grading system of your existing qualification. You do not need to convert your results into an ATAR.
Common overseas and globally recognised qualifications assessed by the University include:
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
- GCE A-levels
- US High School Diploma with SAT/ACT or Advanced Placement
- Other recognised national secondary school qualifications.
Some qualifications may be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Entry scores for domestic students studying overseas may differ from those listed for international applicants, so you should always review the domestic entry requirements for your course based on your secondary school qualification.
On the course page, navigate to the Entry Requirements tab and select the qualification you're completing to view the entry scores and prerequisites required.
For some approved international qualifications, the listed entry standards apply to international students, but they also provide domestic students with a guide to the minimum level of achievement required. For domestic students, achieving these minimum entry standards may not guarantee selection.
Selection into the University of Melbourne is always competitive and will be determined by the number of places available and the number of applicants. For domestic applications, the exact entry standard required for each intake is not determined (known) until after selection has taken place.
Many undergraduate degrees require specific prerequisite subjects for entry (for example, mathematics).
If you're completing an overseas qualification, the subjects you study may be assessed as equivalent to these prerequisites. Check the course page for the required subjects and minimum grades.
There are alternative ways to meet the prerequisites if your secondary studies do not meet the standard required. See How to satisfy subject prerequisites.
Even if you're a domestic student, you may still need to demonstrate that you meet the University’s undergraduate English language requirements, depending on your high school qualification and subjects studied.
Some international secondary qualifications may require additional evidence of English proficiency if you did not study English at the required level at secondary school.
See English language requirements for details.
All domestic undergraduate applicants – including those studying overseas – apply for tertiary study in Victoria through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). Other states in Australia have different admissions centres.
VTAC is an independent, central application service for undergraduate courses. Instead of applying directly to each university, you submit one VTAC application, list your course preferences across all universities, and VTAC forwards your application and results to those universities. Once universities complete selection, VTAC manages offer rounds and sends offers to successful students on behalf of the universities.
The application process is online and can be completed from anywhere in the world.
VTAC allows you to:
- List multiple courses in order of preference
- Update your preferences before offer rounds
- Receive offers based on your highest eligible preference.
Understanding how preferences and offer rounds work and knowing the key application and offer dates can help you plan your application.
You should explore and apply for accommodation options early. You may be able to apply for accommodation before you receive a course offer.
Quality purpose-built student accommodation is available via University Accommodation, and includes a program to support your move to Melbourne and transition to university life, as well as engagement activities and 24-hour staff and wellbeing support. You can choose from fully furnished rooms or apartments owned or approved by the University close to campus.
There are also a number of residential colleges and other housing options on or near the Parkville campus.
There are a number of scholarships and bursaries that can help with the cost of accommodation. Find scholarships.
Applying through VTAC
Victorian universities offer two main intakes via VTAC for undergraduate study. All application opening, closing and offer dates are determined by VTAC.
Start year intake (Semester 1/March)
This is the main intake for most courses.
- Applications open early August
- Applications close end of September for timely applications, end of October for late applications and early December for very late applications
- Offers are released in rounds between December–February.
Mid-year intake (Semester 2/July)
Some courses offer mid-year entry, subject to availability. The application process and turnaround times for mid-year intake can be tighter than for the start year intake, so it is important to be aware of application deadlines.
- Applications open early April
- Applications close in June
- Offers are released late June–July
You must submit your VTAC application by the published deadlines. However, you may be able to provide final transcripts and exam results after the deadline, provided they're received before the relevant VTAC offer round.
Students graduating from Northern Hemisphere school systems may be able to apply for mid-year entry or accept a mid-year offer and defer to the following start year, depending on the course.
Check the domestic undergraduate applications information for full details and help with submitting your course application.
VTAC allows you to list multiple courses in order of preference. You should list courses in the order you would most like to study them. You will be considered for your highest eligible preference during each offer round.
Read through VTAC’s How to apply for courses information to learn more about preferences.
If personal circumstances have affected your academic performance, you may be eligible for Access Melbourne, the University’s equity entry scheme.
Access Melbourne allows the University to consider the impact of difficult circumstances on your studies and may enhance your selection opportunities. We recognise a number of circumstances, some of which will not be relevant to students who have undertaken secondary school study outside Australia, there are still many circumstances that may apply to you.
To be considered under Access Melbourne, you need to submit an equity schemes and scholarships application through VTAC alongside your course preferences by the published deadline (which is usually earlier than the course application deadline).
Once you have applied through VTAC, you may need to provide supporting documents or final exam results so your application can be assessed.
Depending on your qualification, this may include:
- Final academic transcripts
- Official exam results from your school or examination board
- Evidence that you have completed your secondary qualification.
Documents are typically uploaded to your VTAC application account.
Your results must be received before the relevant VTAC offer round for your application to be considered.
If you're completing your final exams later in the year, check the VTAC website for deadlines and instructions for submitting results.
After you apply
You should explore and apply for accommodation options early. You may be able to apply for accommodation before you receive a course offer.
There are a number of scholarships and bursaries that can help with the cost of accommodation. Find scholarships.
Quality purpose-built student accommodation is available via University Accommodation. All University Accommodation includes the Residential Life program to support your move to Melbourne and transition to university life.
You’ll also have access to student engagement activities and 24-hour staff and wellbeing support, which will provide a sense of community and security. You can choose from fully furnished rooms or apartments owned or approved by the University close to campus, at a range of price points.
There are also a number of residential colleges and other housing options on or near the Parkville campus.
Once you've submitted your VTAC application, the University will assess your application based on your academic results and course requirements.
If your application is successful, you'll receive an offer through the VTAC offer rounds.
You'll receive instructions explaining how to:
- Accept your offer
- Enrol in your course
- Prepare for starting at University of Melbourne.
See Offers and enrolment for more information.
Fees
All domestic undergraduate students are offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). This means the Australian Government subsidises part of your tuition fees, and you pay a student contribution amount based on the subjects you study.
See Student contribution amounts and Fees and payments for more information.
Scholarships
The University offers a range of scholarships for domestic students based on academic merit and financial need. However:
- Some scholarships available to Year 12 students studying in Australia may not apply to students who completed secondary school overseas
- International student scholarships are not available to domestic applicants.
Information sessions and events
Throughout the year, University representatives run events and information sessions for students living outside Australia, including:
- Online information sessions and webinars
- Virtual course information sessions
- In-person information days
- Attendance at third-party events and exhibitions.
You can also register for updates about the study you're interested in.
Need help?
Our support team can help you with choosing a course or understanding entry requirements, fees and applications.
Frequently asked questions
No. Domestic applicants studying overseas cannot receive conditional offers. Your final results must be submitted before the relevant VTAC offer round for your application to be considered.
No. The University assesses overseas qualifications using the original grading system of your qualification. You do not need to convert your results into an ATAR.
Yes. VTAC requires applicants to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). If you cannot create one while overseas, contact VTAC directly. They can issue a temporary USI so you can complete your application.
Yes. Domestic applicants currently studying at another university overseas must still apply through VTAC for undergraduate study. You may be eligible for advanced standing (credit) once you enrol, depending on your previous study.
If you do not hold Australian or New Zealand citizenship or Australian permanent residency by the application deadline, you must apply as an international student.
If your status changes later, your eligibility for domestic tuition fees and Commonwealth Supported Places may be reassessed. Once you are an enrolled student, you can get support from Stop 1 to manage this process.
Our Guide to university for domestic high school students can help you navigate each step of the process, from choosing a course to accepting your offer, clearly outlining the essential steps you must take and optional considerations to explore.