Undergraduate entry for mature age applicants
We recognise that not everybody who starts university comes straight from completing a Year 12 qualification. This page explains how to apply if you're a mature age applicant.
Who's considered a mature age applicant?
The University of Melbourne is committed to significantly increasing the participation of students from diverse backgrounds and welcomes mature age applicants who are returning to study after an extended break.
You're considered a mature age applicant if you:
- Are 23 years of age or older on 30 September of the year prior to commencing study, and
- Have no qualifications (secondary school or other study) from the past seven years that could be used as the basis of your application, and
- Are an Australian or New Zealand citizen (or Australian permanent resident or holder of a permanent Humanitarian Visa).
How to apply
All domestic students apply for undergraduate degrees through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). Learn more about the undergraduate application process. As a mature age applicant, you may be eligible to apply for an undergraduate degree through the Access Melbourne equity entry scheme under the Mature age (non-school-leaver) circumstance.
Alongside your VTAC course application, you’ll need to submit an equity schemes and scholarships application.
All Access Melbourne applicants who meet the mature age (non-school leaver) criteria must satisfy the following requirements:
- Meet the course prerequisites for your preferred course and satisfy any additional application requirements, and
- Meet the University's English language requirements, and
- Show your likelihood to succeed in tertiary study by demonstrating academic readiness through an approved aptitude test or by completing single subject study.
The Access Melbourne mature age (non-school leaver) circumstance does not provide applicants with an entry point to the Diploma in General Studies or Graduate Degree Packages.
Pathways to demonstrate academic readiness
You can demonstrate your likelihood of succeeding in tertiary study by achieving competitive results in one of the following studies/tests.
The Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is an aptitude test that can be used to demonstrate your readiness for university study if you are applying as a mature age (non-school leaver) applicant.
STAT is administered by an external provider and must be taken within the last two years to be used for admission. Registration, test dates, locations and fees are managed outside the University.
STAT assesses skills important for tertiary study, including critical thinking, reasoning and written communication. To be considered, you must complete both sections of the test:
- STAT Multiple Choice
- STAT Written English
Strong results are required in both sections, with indicative minimum scores varying by course.
| Course | STAT Section | Indicative minimum STAT score |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Agriculture Bachelor of Fine Arts (all specialisations) | Multiple choice | 140 |
| Written English | 145 | |
| Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Biomedicine Bachelor of Commerce Bachelor of Design Bachelor of Music Bachelor of Oral Health Bachelor of Science | Multiple choice | 150 |
| Written English | 155 |
The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is an international examination that can be used by mature age applicants to show academic aptitude and readiness for university study.
The SAT is administered by the College Board in the United States of America. You must register and take the test through the College Board and check seating options and dates on the official SAT website.
The SAT assesses critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving skills. If you choose this option to support your application:
- You must complete the Evidence-based Reading and Writing and Mathematics sections – the optional essay is not required for University of Melbourne admissions.
- Your results must be no more than 2 years old to be considered.
Different courses require different indicative minimum SAT scores to demonstrate your likelihood of success.
| Course | Indicative minimum SAT score* |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Agriculture | 1100 |
| Bachelor of Arts | 1210 |
| Bachelor of Biomedicine | 1310 |
| Bachelor of Commerce | 1300 |
| Bachelor of Design | 1240 |
| Bachelor of Fine Arts (all specialisations) | 1100 |
| Bachelor of Music | 1100 |
| Bachelor of Oral Health | 1330 |
| Bachelor of Science | 1280 |
*Total of Evidence Based Reading and Writing and Mathematics sections.
You may also demonstrate your readiness for study by completing single subject study through the Community Access Program (CAP) in assessed mode.
To meet this pathway, you must:
- Complete 50 points of CAP study (typically four subjects), AND
- Achieve an overall minimum average of 75%.
CAP study allows you to build academic skills, experience university-level assessment and demonstrate your likelihood of success in a Melbourne degree. Subjects are studied alongside other University of Melbourne students and are assessed in the same way.
Single subject study can be a good option if you prefer a coursework-based pathway rather than sitting an aptitude test.
Other non-school leaver applicant types
If the mature age circumstance doesn't apply to you, you can review our admissions information based on your background to understand if you’re still eligible to apply and how you may be assessed during selection.
Common scenarios include if you are:
- Returning to study after a break from Year 12
- Returning to study after university or TAFE
- Starting university without completing Year 12
- Transferring from another university or TAFE
- Applying with an international qualification.
VTAC also provide useful information for different types of post-school applicants.
If you have questions about applying as a mature age student, you can call us or submit an enquiry online.
Frequently asked questions
You may be considered a mature age applicant if you are 23 years of age or older by the relevant application date and have not completed any qualifications in the past seven years that can be used as the basis of your application. Mature age applicants are assessed through the University’s non-school leaver entry pathway.
If you’re applying as a mature age applicant, you’ll need to show your likelihood of success in tertiary study. This can be done by achieving strong results in an approved aptitude test (such as STAT or SAT) or by completing assessed single subject study through the Community Access Program (CAP). Different courses may have different expectations.
Yes. Mature age applicants must still meet the course prerequisites for their preferred degree and satisfy the University’s English language requirements. If you didn’t complete prerequisite subjects in Year 12, there may be alternative ways to meet them through tertiary study or approved pathways.
Yes. There is an equity entry scheme for mature-age consideration. To be eligible, you must meet the age and study-gap criteria and also satisfy the academic requirements for your course. Access Melbourne provides additional consideration during selection but does not guarantee an offer.