What is the Melbourne curriculum?
The Melbourne curriculum enables you to explore your passions and strengths, while giving you the flexibility to specialise when you're ready.
Learn how you can create a degree that’s uniquely yours from a choice of over 100 study areas.
How does our curriculum work?
You start with a three-year bachelors degree. Once completed, you can enter the workforce with a broad knowledge base and career-ready skills. Or, gain specialised knowledge via a graduate degree or in graduate research.
We offer seven bachelors degrees in the Melbourne curriculum – arts, biomedicine, commerce, design, fine arts, music, and science – covering over 100 different study areas. We also offer specialist degrees in agriculture and oral health, where everything you study is structured for your chosen discipline.
Making up one third of your subjects, a major is the subject area you’ll focus on during your undergraduate degree. Each degree has a different set of majors. For example, if you’re studying a Bachelor of Design, you might choose to major in Architecture or Construction. Or in a Bachelor of Commerce, you might pick a major in Management or Finance. In some of our courses, you can choose to do a double major.
In your first year you can focus on your major straight away or explore other subjects before deciding on what major you want to pursue.
Breadth study
In addition to the subjects offered in your core area of study, you can also take subjects from other disciplines – like marketing, genetics or philosophy – or test out subjects you’re thinking of pursuing in a graduate degree – like law, development studies or urban design.
Breadth allows you to explore beyond your study area to build an interdisciplinary skillset, so you’ll be capable of critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and leadership in a vastly broad range of professions.
Concurrent diplomas
You have the option to study an extra qualification alongside your degree. If you’re a passionate musician, programmer or mathematician, or have an interest in languages, you can enrol in one of four concurrent diplomas alongside your bachelors degree - computing, languages, mathematics or music.
Designed to support your introduction to University, discovery subjects are core first-year subjects within each undergraduate degree that offer varying experiences and delivery modes. These subjects connect your studies to outside the classroom, showing you how your degree can address real-world problems.
Hansen Scholarship Program
Valued at up to $108,000, this scholarship offers a fully-funded place to call home at Little Hall for the duration of your undergraduate course alongside other benefits. Current Year 12 students will need to apply by 31 March 2025 to be considered for the 2026 intake.
Join us at an online information session to learn more and hear from the program director and current Hansen Scholars.
Freedom to choose
Select majors, electives and breadth subjects that focus on your chosen career from day one. Or explore a range of diverse subjects to discover new passions.
Learn from global leaders
Work alongside world-renowned academics, researchers and industry experts to inspire you and prepare you for a broad range of careers.
Proven career outcomes
Our curriculum helps you build an interdisciplinary skillset sought after by employers – that's why we rank #8 in the world for graduate employability.
Hear from our students
Hear current and past students share their experience of the Melbourne curriculum.
I have taken breadth subjects in Psychology, Philosophy and Interactive Art Media. They all feed back into my music, in one way or another. Due to the wide variety of experiences I have had in this course, I feel prepared to work different types of jobs using my creative skills.
Sue-Anne Tan, Bachelor of Music (Composition)![]()
As much as I love science, I also wanted to explore how science has worked throughout history, society and in practice. I got to dive deep into historical resources and writing a meaningful argument through my breadth subjects. I've expanded my knowledge from formulas and theories to one of knowledge derived from an activity - a crucial concept in generating new scientific knowledge.
Lachie Talbot, Bachelor of Science (Neuroscience)![]()
Where will our curriculum take you next?
Graduate with the skills, knowledge and adaptable mindset you need to tackle future opportunities head on.
Whether beginning your career or pursuing further study, you’ll be prepared for whatever path you choose next.
How can we help?
There are a number of ways you can find out more about the Melbourne curriculum.
Watch videos at your convenience, attend an in-person or online event, email us via a form, or talk to us direct on the phone.