How to apply directly to the University of Melbourne
This page is your step-by-step guide to submitting a direct online application to the University of Melbourne. It provides essential information to ensure a smooth and successful direct application process, from checking entry requirements to submitting your application and documentation.
Who should apply directly to the University?
Applicants for graduate courses apply directly to the University. Most domestic undergraduate students must apply via VTAC. International undergraduate students should refer to International applications to find the correct application method for start year or mid-year intake.
Before you apply
Before you begin the online application process, you must ensure you meet the entry requirements for your preferred course(s). Every course page lists the relevant entry requirements.
Your University application must include supporting documentation and information about any previous study you've completed. Failure to upload supporting documentation will delay your application.
If your supporting documentation is not in English, you will need to provide an official translation in addition to the original document.
What documents do I need to provide?
- If you have previously studied at university, upload copies of your academic transcripts for all attempted tertiary study. Transcripts must show all subjects attempted and your academic results, including incomplete courses, study abroad or exchange subjects. How to provide an academic transcript.
- If you're an undergraduate applicant, supply transcripts for your final secondary studies.
- You’re welcome to complete an online application without your final results by providing your most recent academic results. The University may make an offer that is conditional upon completing your studies and achieving the required grades, and/or satisfying the course English language requirements.
- Additional documents such as personal statements, portfolios or results from aptitude tests may also be required – check your preferred degree's entry requirements before you start your application.
- You must also provide the University with proof of English language proficiency. This documentation may be uploaded after you have submitted your application.
Verification of your supporting documents
- The University will verify all results and documentation with the issuing institution upon receipt of your application. If you have applied through one of our authorised education agents, certified academic results submitted by your agent will be accepted.
- You may be required to present your original documents to the University at any time during the application process or throughout your enrolment at the University. If documents on which your offer was based are found to be incomplete or fraudulent, you will face serious penalties including withdrawal of enrolment.
- If any of the following circumstances apply to you, refer to Previous study documentation for specific information about the provision of documents:
- Previous study at the University of Melbourne
- Previous study in China, Pakistan, India or the USA
- Previous tertiary study in Australia or elsewhere.
Translating your documents into English
- The University accepts translations by authorised translators accredited as a ‘Professional Translator’ for the source language into English by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). In countries where there are no NAATI accredited translators, students are advised to contact the nearest Australian Diplomatic Mission for the contact details of authorised translation services.
- Each page of the authorised translation must bear the translator’s signature, the date translated and the translator’s accreditation details and/or the official stamp or seal of the translator’s accrediting organisation.
- Translations of educational documents, such as academic transcripts, issued by the awarding institution are also accepted.
- For all documents translated into English, you must also submit the document in the original language.
- Translations of official documents by the applicant are not accepted.
Submit your application
If you have applied to study with us previously (it doesn't matter if you did not commence with us), please use your existing University of Melbourne account. If you have any issues logging in, see Application portal help.
If you have not applied before, please apply as a new student. Complete the registration form with personal details and educational background and provide confirmation of your information. This will generate your unique application ID and temporary login details. You can then return to complete your application later.
You will receive a confirmation email after you save your personal details in our application system. If you can't find the email, check your spam folder.
Choose the degree you want to apply for. Add any additional courses as your second and third preferences.
Your course applications will be assessed by the University in the preference order indicated in your application. You can change your course preferences at any time prior to submitting your application.
Complete all required information and upload the supporting documents to meet the eligibility requirements.
See 'Step 2. Gather supporting documentation' for further information.
Once you've completed the steps above and paid any required fee, you can submit your application.
About the application fee
International students must pay a non-refundable application fee of AUD $150 for each application that you submit. This is paid at the end of the online application process by credit card.
Exemptions
You will not be charged the application fee if you meet any of the following criteria:
- You are a current University of Melbourne student
- You are a current Trinity College Foundation Studies student
- You have been given a waiver form signed by a University of Melbourne staff member at an exhibition or interview session
- You are being sponsored (fully funded) by a government or private employer (supporting evidence must be attached and provided along with your application)
- You are a Research Higher Degree applicant
- You are a Study Abroad or Exchange student.
After you apply
Once your application is successfully submitted and the application fee has been paid (if required), you will receive a confirmation email. It will summarise your application and, if required, provide details about uploading any further documentation.
If you can't find the email, please check your spam folder.
To find out when you're likely to receive an application outcome, see Indicative turnaround times.
Your application will likely be assessed more promptly if you apply for one intake and provide all the required information at the time of application. If your application is put on hold to request missing information or documents, turnaround times may be longer.
Previous study documentation
If you've completed previous study in any of the following circumstances, additional information applies:
You don’t need to provide transcripts for previous study completed at the University of Melbourne, however you will still need to provide transcripts for other tertiary study you may have undertaken at different institutions. You must apply using your previous University of Melbourne student ID number (so that your previous results can be matched to your application).
You may provide any supporting documentation via My eQuals, an online system that allows Australian and New Zealand university students to access and share electronic transcripts and graduation documents. This will reduce the time required to process your application.
If you are an international applicant, you can select Digitary VIA during your online application submission. This will allow you to provide the University with an independently verified, translated, and evaluated academic record online.
Obtaining verified digital copies of academic records can help fast-track your application. You may retain digital copies of your academic records to accompany any other applications you wish to make.
The Digitary VIA option incurs a one-off charge. Please refer to the additional information below if you studied in China, Pakistan or India.
If you have studied in China, you can share your academic transcript through the Centre for Student Services and Development (CSSD) formerly known as the China Higher Education Student Information and Career Center (CHESICC). This is an authoritative institution under the Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE).
Alternatively, you can apply through one of the University’s authorised education agents who can verify your academic transcripts.
If you are an international applicant who has completed tertiary study in India, you are required to apply through one of the University’s authorised education agents, who will verify your documentation.
If you have completed tertiary study in India, please provide individual marksheets for each semester of study completed. If your tertiary institution only provides a consolidated transcript, please request from them a statement that your transcript shows all subjects and results and that there are no backlogs or results withheld, and upload this to your application with your transcript.
If you are an international graduate applicant who has completed tertiary study in Pakistan, you are required to apply through one of the University’s authorised education agents, who will verify your academic transcripts.
Applicants who studied in the USA must share their academic transcripts using Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse.
How do I use Parchment?
Parchment is a secure and reliable end-to-end credentials support service, which allows students from US institutions to access and share electronic transcripts and graduation documents, removing the need for transcripts to be verified. This is the preferred method as it has a faster turnaround time.
After you have selected Parchment, you will be asked to provide your Parchment Delivery ID (DID). You will receive this once you have submitted your order with Parchment.
Log in to the Parchment website. Click on ‘Order Now’ and start by selecting your school to order or create an account. Please nominate the University of Melbourne by selecting ‘I am sending this order to another individual’ and provide the email address: grad-admissions@unimelb.edu.au (for graduate applications) or undergrad-admissions@unimelb.edu.au (for undergraduate applications). Please also include your University of Melbourne student ID/application ID in the recipient information section.
You can learn more about how to create a Parchment account and how to order a transcript through the following links:
- Creating a Parchment Account - Parchment Student Users
- Ordering a Transcript - Parchment Student Users
As an alternative option, applicants that already have their US academic transcripts that carry the digital security feature from Parchment can upload their transcripts directly into their application.
How do I use National Student Clearinghouse?
If you are unable to share your documents via Parchment, we will also accept academic documents via the National Student Clearinghouse. Please click on ‘Order a transcript’ and start by selecting your school.
When ordering delivery of your verified documents, please arrange for them to be sent directly to grad-admissions@unimelb.edu.au (for graduate applications) or undergrad-admissions@unimelb.edu.au (for undergraduate applications).
Please also include your University of Melbourne student ID/application ID with the delivery details, if possible.
You may find the information at ‘Submitting an Order – Transcript Ordering’ useful as well.
What if my institution does not use Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse to send documents?
If your institution does not use either of these services, our Quality Assurance and Compliance team will need to verify your transcripts directly with the institution before your application is assessed.
Need technical help with the application portal?
If you're experiencing an 'application error', 'unauthorised access' or any other technical or access issue with your application, visit our application portal help page.
Application portal helpFAQ
For help filling out your application contact the support team at Stop 1:
- Book a 1:1 in-person appointment*
- Submit an online enquiry
- Call from inside Australia 13 6352
- Call from outside Australia: +61 3 9035 5511
*New times for face to face appointments are released up to 5 days in advance.
To find out when you're likely to receive an application outcome, visit Indicative turnaround times for course applications.
Your application will likely be assessed more promptly if you apply for one intake and provide all the required information at the time of application. If your application is put on hold to request missing information or documents, turnaround times may be longer.
If you're a current student and your enquiry is about applying for anything other than a new course (such as information on leave of absence, application for cross-institutional study, or special consideration), find help at Stop 1.
If you are a future research student trying to contact a potential supervisor, see Find an Expert.