Frequently asked questions

The application process varies with your preferred level and area of study, and whether you are a domestic or international student.

• Domestic students are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.
• International students are a temporary visa holders or a bridging visa holders.

You can find detailed application guides to match your requirements on our How to apply web page.

Current Year 12 students interested in studying at the University, must submit a course application via the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). Applications open each year in August.

Learn more: How to apply

Our selection officers prioritise course application assessments according to their intake, not the date of submission. The selection periods for our key intakes are:

• Start year (February) intake: September of the preceding year
• Mid-year (July) intake: March of the same year.

Once the assessment of your application has begun, you can expect to receive an outcome within the below timeframes:

Course type and indicative application turnaround time:
Undergraduate: 4-8 weeks
Graduate coursework: 4-8 weeks
Graduate research: 8-12 weeks

The indicative turnaround times listed above will not be relevant if the course you have applied for:

• Makes selection decisions only at set times during the year (this can be determined by consulting our How to apply page)
• Requires results from an admissions test that have not yet been released (e.g. GMAT, GAMSAT/MCAT)
• Requires outcomes of auditions or interviews that have not yet been scheduled.

Learn more: Indicative turnaround times

If you receive an error message while completing your online course application, please attempt the following troubleshooting steps:

• Use a computer or laptop when accessing the system.
• Ensure that you are using a compatible internet browser. For optimal performance, please use Google Chrome. The system also operates on the most recent versions of Mozilla Firefox, Opera and Safari.
• Clear the cache (cookies and temporary internet files), then reload the browser before attempting to log in again. Alternatively, try opening the application system in an incognito/ private browsing tab.
• Review your application to check that all sections of the form are complete. If a section does not apply to you, please enter 'NA' into the text field, or upload a blank document where applicable.
• Uploading documents is a two-step process. In each section, first 'Choose' the file(s) and then press 'Upload Files'.
• When attaching supporting documents, ensure the total size of all files in each section is less than 6MB. For example, you can upload three 2MB files in the Personal Statement section of the application system. If the size of all files totals more than 6MB, you might consider compressing one or more files or uploading the document in two separate sections of the application.
• Save all document attachments prior to clicking the 'Save & Continue’ button at the bottom of each page.
• After all sections of the application form are complete, press 'Save', then 'Submit' to lodge your application.
• If you are having difficulty with the Application Fee payment section, check that your postal address is no more than 80 characters and written in the English alphabet. This applies to the postal address provided under the 'Personal Details' section of the application. If you need to change your address to make your application payment you will be able to update it once your application has been submitted.

Need more help? If the error persists, please contact our Future Student Support Team with full screenshots of the error you are receiving and outline all troubleshooting steps you have taken: Submit an online enquiry

To transfer to the University of Melbourne from another institution, you need to follow our standard application process. You can find detailed application guides for all our courses on our How to apply web page.

If your application is successful, you can apply for Advanced Standing (also known as recognition of prior learning or credit) to receive credit from your prior studies, reducing your overall course duration at Melbourne.

If you successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent) but have taken some time off before applying for university courses, please follow the standard undergraduate application process.

If you have taken at least seven years away from any kind of study, you may be eligible to apply for undergraduate study via our Non-school leaver pathway.  

If you have not completed an Australian Year 12 qualification or equivalent (or didn't do well enough in your Year 12 subjects for admission to your preferred degree) you could become eligible by:

• Undertaking Year 12 in an adult learning environment (such as the (such as the Centre for Adult Education or a TAFE institution)
• Using the Non-school leaver pathway (if you are over 23 years of age).

Learn more and explore other options: Mature Age applicants (non-school leaver)

When completing your online course application, you will be prompted to upload supporting documentation.

Most documents can be uploaded directly to your course application. For detailed instructions, please see How to upload documents. Please note that the sum of documents under each section within your course application must not exceed 6MB.

If you have previously completed tertiary studies in China, India or Pakistan, you may need to provide your documentation via an alternative method. If this applies to you, please visit our Supporting documentation guide.

Learn more: How to upload documents

You must apply for advanced standing on entry or in your first year of study.

You can apply for Advanced Standing (also known as recognition of prior learning) to have credit from subjects you have completed at another institution applied to your studies at the University of Melbourne.

To help plan your studies, you can use our credit tool to calculate how much credit you may be eligible to receive.

If you have received an undergraduate course offer you can start the application process and apply for advanced standing. The University does not assess advanced standing applications until an offer has been made.

If you are applying for a graduate course, your advanced standing application will be assessed at the same time as your course application.

Learn more and apply: Advanced standing

If you are applying for a graduate course, your advanced standing application will be assessed at the same time as your course application. If approved, you will be offered a shorter course, as indicated in your offer letter.  

If you receive advanced standing in your offer letter but it doesn't appear on your study plan, sign in and submit an enrolment enquiry. Select ‘credit for prior study’ and attach your offer letter. We will then update your study plan. 

You may still apply once you have been admitted, however your application will take some time to be processed.

Late applications

Late applications may be accepted up until the end of the first week of the semester and we aim to provide an outcome by the end of the second week of the semester.

Applications received after this will be actioned, but it is possible that credit received may not be applied in the current semester.

Students who do not meet the VCE Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 prerequisite can pursue a range of options including:

• Completion of the online Calculus and Probability course offered by the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Melbourne. Completion of Calculus and Probability Online with a score of at least 50% will satisfy the mathematics prerequisite. This course runs at fixed dates throughout the year.
• Completion of the online Unilearn Senior Mathematics. This offers a self-paced distance education option for applicants seeking to satisfy the mathematics requirement for entry to undergraduate courses. Completion of Senior Mathematics with a score of at least 60% will satisfy the mathematics prerequisite.
• Equivalent subjects may also be taken as single-subject study through the University’s Community Access Program (CAP), through an adult VCE program, or by enrolling in an equivalent tertiary subject.

To accept your offer, follow the instructions in your offer email. You can then enrol and start planning your studies.

You can choose to accept it immediately on the Accept your offer page.

To accept your offer and complete your administrative enrolment, you will need your:

• Offer letter/email
• Student ID number (this can be found on your offer letter)
• Unique Student Identifier (USI)
• Tax File Number
• Bank account details (if you will be receiving scholarship payments)
• Emergency contact details
• Proof of citizenship

Learn more: Accept your offer

If your offer is conditional, you will need to meet the conditions in your offer letter before you will receive an unconditional offer letter.

Ensure you accept your conditional offer by the due date.

Once you have the documentation to meet your offer condition, you can upload the required documentation directly into your application.

Learn more: How to upload documents

If you need to start your studies later than originally planned, you may be eligible to defer your course for up to one year.

To apply, please see the Defer my offer website for eligibility details and deferral request deadlines specific to you.

It’s important to note that not all courses permit deferrals. If your deferral application is denied, you will need to start your studies as originally planned or reapply for a future intake.

Learn more: Defer my offer

To find a scholarship that matches your circumstances, you can filter opportunities on our scholarship search. Each scholarship has important information regarding eligibility criteria, the application process and benefits.

Many of our scholarships are merit-based and awarded to eligible students based on their academic performance. Other scholarships are need-based, helping to support students who might otherwise miss out on tertiary education.

If you’re ineligible for scholarships at the time of applying, please note that there are many more scholarships available to continuing students who demonstrate academic excellence throughout their studies at Melbourne.

Learn more: Find the right scholarship