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University of Melbourne

General Information for all Undergraduate Students


Table of Contents

1. What are my responsibilities as a student?
2. Who can help me find out...?
3. Melbourne Scholarships
4. Semester dates 2000
5. Enrolment
6. Credit for previous study
7. Additional subjects
8. Community Access Program (for enrolled students)
9. Cancelled subjects
10. Booklists and timetables
11. Workloads
12. Attendance at lectures
13. Assessment
    13.1. Subject grades and marks
14. Cross institutional enrolments (Complementary courses)
15. Additional general studies of importance
    15.1. Diploma in Arts
    15.2. Diploma in Creative Arts
    15.3. Diploma in Information Systems
    15.4. Diploma in Modern Languages
    15.5. Diploma in Music (Practical)
16. Studying at an overseas university as part of an exchange program
17. Course planning/re-enrolment
18. Subject descriptions
19. Taking time from study
20. Cancellation of enrolment
21. What do I do if things start going wrong?
22. Study skills
23. Special Consideration
24. Student Services
25. Supplementary assessment
26. Unsatisfactory Progress
27. HECS liability
28. Amenities and Services Fee
29. Late Enrolment Fee
30. Fees
    30.1. Fees refund policy
31. Financial assistance
32. Youth Allowance workload requirements
33. Course and subject changes
34. HECS census date
35. Transferring to another course

 1. What are my responsibilities as a student?

The University is obliged to ensure that the information students need to plan their courses is accurate, timely and generally available. Much of this information is provided through this University Handbook, the Student Diary which is provided upon enrolment, and the Student Information System. In turn, students have responsibilities that include the following:

 2. Who can help me find out...?

Faculty offices carry out the general academic administration of the University. You plan your course, enrol in subjects, change your subjects, change your address, talk to an adviser etc., at a faculty office.

Academic departments, grouped within the faculties, carry out the teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs. Departments offer the subjects you study, organise lectures, practical classes and tutorials, and conduct your assessment.

The Student Administration Office collects your fees, issues students cards, organises examinations and notifies you of your results.

 3. Melbourne Scholarships

The Melbourne Scholarships Program is nationally recognised as a highly innovative and comprehensive scheme which is designed to attract outstanding national and international students to the University; to support students from equity groups; and to assist currently enrolled students who wish to study overseas.

Melbourne Scholarships for school leavers:
Melbourne National Scholarships:

For the nation's best school leavers.

Melbourne Rural Scholarships:

For top students from rural areas.

Melbourne Access Scholarships and Melbourne Faculty Access Scholarships:

For students from government designated equity groups with excellent academic results.

Melbourne Faculty Scholarships:

For high-achieving students to study a particular discipline with the support of industry or another sponsor.

Melbourne Scholarships for currently enrolled students:
Melbourne Abroad Scholarships:

For high-achieving students to enable them to undertake part of their undergraduate degree at an overseas institution.

Melbourne Honours and Later Year Scholarships:

For high-achieving students to undertake the final years of their course.

Later Year Entry and Honours Entry Scholarships:

For high-achieving students who wish to transfer to the University of Melbourne.

Melbourne Scholarships for international students:
Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarships:

For outstanding students from around the world to commence their undergraduate course at the University.

For futher information contact:
Melbourne Scholarships Office
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Email: ugrad@scholarships.unimelb.edu.au
Web: http://www.unimelb.edu.au/ExtRels/Scholarships/

 4. Semester dates 2000

 Table 1

First Semester  

Monday 28 February to Sunday 28 May

No teaching in the period Friday 21 April (Good Friday) to Sunday 30 April.  

Winter Recess  

Monday 29 May to Sunday 23 July

Examinations will normally be conducted within the first three weeks of the Recess.  

Second Semester  

Monday 24 July to Sunday 29 October

No teaching in the period Monday 18 September to Sunday 1 October.  

Annual Examination Period  

Monday 30 October to Friday 24 November

Examinations will commence on Thursday 2 November.  

Summer Term 2001  

Monday 8 January to Sunday 25 Februrary.  

Some faculties operate different academic year dates. Where applicable, these will be published on notice boards.

 5. Enrolment

Enrolment for new students takes place before the academic year starts in February. The letter offering you a place at the University will specify the date by which you must enrol and where to go to enrol. The first day of new student enrolments is referred to as Welcome Day. In 2000 Welcome Day is Friday 21 January. The purpose of Welcome Day is to:

While some students may complete their enrolment during Welcome Day (fixed courses) a majority of students make an appointment to return to the University on another day to discuss their subject options with a course adviser prior to finally enrolling. Contact your faculty office if you have any questions about enrolment procedures.

If you are offered mid-year entry into a course, you will be provided with course advice before you are required to complete your enrolment. You will also be offered a special mid-year entry orientation program.

Continuing students receive advice on when to enrol in December. You will not be required to come onto campus to re-enrol.

 6. Credit for previous study

Credit for studies already completed at tertiary level will be granted if any of your previous studies are:

In some courses you may qualify for credit for experience relevant to a course.

Faculties specify the maximum credit allowable, but will always try to give eligible students maximum credit for previous relevant study. Each faculty publishes Faculty Credit Guidelines and will ensure that credit is awarded at the time of enrolment.

Contact your faculty for further advice.

 7. Additional subjects

With the approval of your faculty you may enrol in subjects that are additional to, and credited towards your course of study. Completion of additional subjects may mean that you complete more than the minimum requirements for your degree or diploma. If your 'above-load' subjects are approved by your faculty as contributing towards your award course, then you will incur a HECS liability for each additional subject you undertake. See also Community Access Program (page 2).

 8. Community Access Program (for enrolled students)

If you would like to take a subject that is not available within your degree course, it may be possible to take that subject through the University's Community Access Program. An up-front fee, based upon the relative weight of the subject, will be charged for CAP enrolment. Most undergraduate and some postgraduate subjects are available through the program. You can either take the subject as an assessed (i.e. complete all assessment and have the subject appear on your academic transcript) or non-assessed (attend lectures only) subject. However those with a significant practical component (such as languages or laboratory-based subjects) are only available as assessed subjects. You will require the approval of your faculty to undertake subjects through this program in addition to normal degree requirements.

For more information you should contact your faculty office or the Information Centre on Swanston Street.

 9. Cancelled subjects

The University may suspend or change the details of any subject. Subjects may be suspended if enrolments are low (less than 16 students), or if teaching staff become unavailable. The content of a subject or the assessment details may be changed, or it may become necessary to change the semester in which a subject is taught. You should note that if it becomes necessary to change any of these details, the changes will be notified by announcements on official notice boards as soon as practicable. If a subject in which you arre enrolled is cancelled or it becomes necessary to teach it in another semester, you will be permitted to enrol in a replacement subject (subject to quota places, if applicable, available). The changes will be incorporated in the version of this Handbook appearing on the web: http://www.unimelb.edu.au/HB/.

 10. Booklists and timetables

Faculties and departments may indicate prescribed reading for particular subjects in this Handbook. However, you will be given a more comprehensive booklist for each subject at the beginning of teaching in the subject. It is recommended that you do not purchase books until you receive advice from lecturing staff in the departments.

Subject timetables are available from faculty offices and from relevant departments, during Orientation Week. The timetable for the Parkville campus will also appear on the web: http://sis.unimelb.edu.au/.

If you have any enquiries about booklists or timetables, you should contact the relevant department or faculty.

 11. Workloads

The workload of many undergraduate courses is represented using a points system. The normal maximum workload allowed for each year of a course is 100 points.

Where this system applies, each subject has a points value which reflects the overall study time a student is expected to apportion to that subject. Overall study time includes class contact time of all kinds and private study time. As class time varies between different subjects and subject areas, there is no simple relationship between points values for subjects, and the number of hours involved in class contact or independent study.

You should check the relevant faculty course entry information in this Handbook for workload details which apply to studies of interest to you. If you are a full-time student, you should make sure that the subjects you have chosen to do for a particular year level add up to not less than 100 points.

 12. Attendance at lectures

Once you have enrolled you are expected to attend all classes (lectures, tutorials, practical work etc.), and submit all set assignments. If you do not meet these conditions, you may be excluded from examinations in the subject concerned.

It is important, therefore, to keep informed of the requirements of each subject you undertake. Make sure that you obtain all programs, instructions and guidelines issued by staff.

 13. Assessment

How your work is assessed depends on the course and subjects you are taking. Generally, assessment is made on the basis of assignments, essays, tutorial work and practical work. There may also be formal written examinations at the end of each semester or at the end of the academic year.

Methods of assessment in individual subjects are included in the subject descriptions provided by faculties later in this Handbook. At the end of each semester, your final results will be made available through the:

You should note that results statements are not automatically mailed out at the end of each semester, except to those students who complete their course. If you require a printed statement of your results, you may order a statement via the SIS or Student Infoline; time limits apply to ordering results statements.

 13.1. Subject grades and marks

There is a standard grading system for all subjects studied at the University. These are the grades and corresponding ranges of marks:

 Table 2

H1  

80% - 100%  

H2A  

75% - 79%  

H2B  

70% - 74%  

H3  

65% - 69%  

P  

50% - 64%  

N  

0% - 49%  

WD  

withdrawn  

 14. Cross institutional enrolments (Complementary courses)

Students who wish to take a subject only offered at another university (for example, Spanish which is only offered at La Trobe University) may be able to enrol in their chosen subject on a complementary course basis. You can find out more about cross institutional enrolments from your faculty office.

 15. Additional general studies of importance

 15.1. Diploma in Arts

If you wish to undertake study in one area of the Humanities or Social Sciences, but do not wish to complete a three-year Bachelor of Arts degree, you may apply to take a Diploma in Arts. To be eligible to apply for the Diploma, you need to have been admitted to a degree course at the University of Melbourne. The concurrent Diploma in Arts can not be taken on its own; it must be taken in conjunction with a bachelor degree. The Diploma normally consists of a three-year sequence in an approved Arts area of study (Psychology, Languages and Planning and Design are not available in the Diploma) and adds one year to the duration of your degree course. The Diploma may only be awarded on the successful completion of your bachelor degree course.

More information on the Diploma in Arts can be obtained from the Faculty of Arts Office, see also the Diploma in Arts section of this Handbook.

 15.2. Diploma in Creative Arts

If you wish to undertake studies in one of the areas of creative writing, media arts and multimedia, theatre studies or visual arts, without completing the full bachelor of Creative Arts degree, you may apply to take a Diploma in Creative Arts. The Diploma in Creative Arts is only available to students admitted to a degree course at the University of Melbourne. The concurrent Diploma in Creative Arts cannot be taken on its own; it must be undertaken in conjunction with a bachelor degree.

The Diploma course normally consists of a three-year sequence in the chosen area of study and adds one year to the duration of your degree course. Students are required to complete 100 points for the Diploma, comprising two one-semester 12.5 point subjects in the first year (25 points), two 12.5 point one-semester subjects in the second year (25 points), and four 12.5 point one-semester subjects in the third year (50 points). The Diploma can only be awarded on completion of your bachelor degree course.

Applications should be made directly to the Administrator, School of Studies in Creative Arts by the first Friday in February of each year. Selection will be based on academic merit. International students who have been offered a place at the University of Melbourne and who wish to undertake the Diploma should contact the School Administrator as soon as possible after the offer has been made.

 15.3. Diploma in Information Systems

The Diploma in Information Systems is designed to provide a core of information systems skills to graduates in other disciplines. The concurrent Diploma in Information Systems is to be undertaken in tandem with a degree in some other discipline in the University.

The Diploma requires students to complete eight core technical subjects from the existing Bachelor of Information Systems course, including programming, database concepts and telecommunications. Students must gain a pass in subjects totalling 100 points.

For further information, please see Diploma in Information Systems in this Handbook.

 15.4. Diploma in Modern Languages

As part of the University's commitment to the study of languages, the Faculty of Arts offers a concurrent Diploma in Modern Languages to students wishing to study a language together with an undergraduate degree course. Students complete a three-year study of a language in a sequence approved by their home faculty and the relevant language department. The diploma will normally add one year to the duration of the student's main degree.

More information on the Diploma in Modern Languages can be obtained from the Faculty of Arts Office, see also the Diploma in Modern Languages (DML) section of this Handbook.

 15.5. Diploma in Music (Practical)

If you have already had musical training and wish to continue that training while pursuing a degree in another area you can now undertake the Diploma in Music (Practical). The Diploma adds one year to the total duration of your main degree course and can only be awarded on the successful completion of your main degree.

The course comprises a three-year sequence of study in music, alongside your existing degree studies. At the conclusion of the course, you should have acquired practical abilities that compare with the end of the second year of the Bachelor of Music course and have a basic understanding of the historical and theoretical knowledge that forms part of advanced musical training.

Selection into the Diploma of Music (Practical) will be based on your performance in a 20-minute audition on your practical instrument and a one-hour musicianship test.

For further information, see Diploma in Music (Practical).

 16. Studying at an overseas university as part of an exchange program

As part of its commitment to internationalisation, the University encourages its students to undertake studies at selected international universities. To foster overseas study the University has established Melbourne Abroad Scholarships which are available to enrolled students of the University.

You may be interested in participating in one of the many exchange programs with overseas universities organised by the University's International Centre. The University of Melbourne has exchange agreements with institutions in the USA, Canada, Japan, Korea, Sweden and many other countries. Exchanges can be arranged for single degree and combined course students, for one or two semesters. You are able to apply in both the second or third-year level of your course. You must act early as applications are normally required two semesters before you intend to go on exchange.

You will normally receive credit (up to 100 points or one full year) for the study you do on exchange. This means that in most cases you can still complete your degree in the normal time.

In some cases you can receive credit for studies taken at a university overseas with which the University does not have a formal exchange agreement.

You must negotiate a credit agreement with your faculty office before commencing your studies at the host university. You will need full details of the subjects you will take overseas (assessment, subject content and contact hours), and details of the university at which you wish to study.

If you are interested in applying for an exchange program, you should make an appointment at your faculty office to speak with the student advisor responsible for exchange students. You can also get information and application forms from the International Centre which is located in the John Smyth Building off Swanston Street.

 17. Course planning/re-enrolment

If you are re-enrolling in a course where there is a significant choice in subjects to be undertaken you must submit in October of each year a course plan for the following year. Course plans are submitted via the Student Information System. If you then pass all subjects you may complete your re-enrolment by mail. If you do not pass all subjects you may be required to re-plan your course. Course advisers are available to assist with subject selection and development of course plans.

Not all re-enrolling students, however, are required to submit a course plan. If you are re-enrolling in a prescribed course, that is, a course with set subjects, and pass all your subjects in the previous year, you will automatically be issued, in mid-December, an authorised enrolment form for the following year. You can then complete your re-enrolment by mail.

If you fail a subject or wish to alter your course plan you should contact your faculty office for advice.

Before you enrol, it is strongly suggested that you examine carefully the course information in this Handbook so that you are familiar with the course structures and subjects in which you are interested.

 18. Subject descriptions

The subject descriptions in this Handbook contain the following details:

Credit points

These represent the value of subjects as a part of a normal full-time year of a course. They also indicate the proportion of your study time that you should allocate to the subject.

HECS band

For the purposes of HECS, subjects are divided into three bands. The amount of HECS you pay depends on the band and the weight of a subject within a course. The subject areas within each band are:

For example, a student commences a Bachelor of Education course in 2000. In first year, eight units comprise a standard full-time load. The student enrols in five education units, two science units and one economics unit.

Therefore, the students HECS liability for 2000 would be calculated as follows: 5/8 x Band 1 rate (the education band) + 3/8 Band 2 rate (the sciences and economics band).

Your HECS payment is based on the subjects you study, not the course.

Contact

The formal classes per week expressed as one or more lectures, tutorials, seminars or laboratory hours. Alternatively, contact may be shown as the total contact hours for the subject.

Semester

The teaching period(s) in which the subject is taught. The following descriptors are used:

Coordinator

The member of academic staff who, at the time of publication, is expected to manage the teaching and assessment in the subject. The staff member listed is the person to whom you should direct your queries about the subject.

Prerequisites

Subjects which you must pass or have credited to your course before you are eligible to enrol in this subject.

 19. Taking time from study

It is possible to defer commencing a course until the following year. However, you must apply in writing to your faculty prior to the date set for enrolment. Deferment may not be granted for students intending to undertake tertiary studies elsewhere.

Leave of absence from your studies can be sought in the event of health, financial and personal difficulties, or for other good reason. Faculties normally grant up to 12 months leave if a student has good reason to be absent from studies and if academic performance is of a standard sufficient to warrant a place in the course being reserved.

Leave is granted on the condition that students undertake to inform the faculty office of their intentions to resume their course, one month before the end of the period of leave. Failure to do this is interpreted as termination of the course. For more information, you should read your faculty entry or contact your faculty office.

 20. Cancellation of enrolment

Your enrolment will be cancelled if you have not re-enrolled or been granted an extension of deferment/leave of absence before first semester begins.

If your enrolment is cancelled, you must then re-apply to the relevant faculty and be considered for selection into courses in competition with other students who are applying at that time. There is no guarantee of re-selection in such circumstances.

If you are in any doubt then you should contact your faculty office.

 21. What do I do if things start going wrong?

Ask for help...

Many students have difficulty in one or more subjects for a variety of reasons. If you find yourself in trouble it may be helpful to discuss your problem with a student adviser at your faculty office. You should always feel free to ask for assistance with any problem affecting your study.

 22. Study skills

Some students need extra help with their studies. Often difficulties are associated with study methods and techniques, or keeping up with assignments, writing essays, managing time and coping with exam nerves. The Learning Skills Centre at 723 Swanston Street, Carlton (telephone 9344 0930), can help students with these and any other study-related problems. You can drop in for a chat, make an appointment for an individual consultation, or meet with groups of students with similar problems. All consultations are free and confidential.

 23. Special Consideration

If a situation beyond your control is affecting your studies, you should apply for 'Special Consideration'. The reasons for applying for Special Consideration are many - if you are not sure whether you should apply, please consult your faculty office.

Special Consideration is not given due to timetable clashes in lectures, seminars, tutorials or other work. You must ensure that there are no timetable clashes when you plan your subjects at the beginning of each year.

If you apply for Special Consideration the details of your situation will be regarded in strictest confidence. Your subject coordinators, however, will be informed of your situation so that they are able to take this into account in the processing of your final result. You may be granted an extension for a piece of assessment, allowed to resit an exam, excused from a component of assessment or given other consideration as appropriate. On the other hand, there may be no action taken.

Application forms for Special Consideration (and Guidelines), are available from your faculty office. The form is also available on the web at <http://www.studentadmin.unimelb.edu.au/exams/specconsid.pdf>. You should submit a form as soon as possible - and no later than three days after the relevant piece of assessment (including an examination) was due.

 24. Student Services

The University of Melbourne delivers a wide range of services which aim to provide all students with the best possible opportunities for enjoying and exploring the many different aspects of University life. Services offered through the central University, faculties, and student associations at various campuses include, for example, health and counselling, sports and recreation, child care, equity programs, financial, housing and employment support, careers advice, computing services, student societies, legal services and many others. Further information about the complete range of services available and how to access them is provided to students at enrolment. If you need further information before enrolment, contact Student Support Services on telephone 9344 6550, or the Student Union Contact Office on telephone 9344 6546.

 25. Supplementary assessment

There are some situations where students who have not passed, or otherwise satisfied subject examiners, may be offered supplementary assessment. This assessment is usually in the form of a written examination held in the February of the following year although it may be organised at any time of the year.

Supplementary assessment is only available to students who have been deemed eligible for Special Consideration, unless a faculty has published details of other grounds on which it may be available.

 26. Unsatisfactory Progress

'Unsatisfactory Progress' is a term used to describe performance which is not up to the academic standard determined by the faculty.

Students whose results are not up to a required academic standard, may receive a letter requesting them to appear before a Faculty Progress Committee to discuss their results and any problems that may have affected results. The focus of the Progress Committee is positive. Its main concern is to look at the options available to enable a student to progress at a satisfactory rate. However, in some circumstances, faculties may recommend to the Academic Board that a student's enrolment be terminated because of poor academic progress.

Some faculties also offer what they call a 'Student At Risk Program' in the first semester, in which students' results are monitored so that any student considered at risk of failing may be given extra assistance. If you are having trouble or are concerned with your progress, please make an appointment to see a student advisor in your faculty office.

 27. HECS liability

Under the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS), you are required to pay part of the cost of your higher education. Each year the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs publishes the 'HECS: Your Questions Answered' booklet. On enrolment you will be given a copy of this booklet and it is important you familiarise yourself with the information it contains.

Your HECS payments are calculated on your study load for a semester. If you undertake more or less than a full-time study load, you will be charged the proportionate HECS contribution. HECS Exemption Scholarships are available for many students in postgraduate research courses, such as masters by research, doctorates by research and PhDs. HECS Exemption Scholarships are also available for some students in undergraduate courses. Australian and overseas students who pay full course fees to the University of Melbourne are exempt from HECS fees.

You will be charged HECS for every subject you were enrolled in at the Census Date in each Semester. In Semester 1, the Census Date is 31 March and, in Semester 2, the Census Date is 31 August. Before each Census Date you will receive a statement of your enrolment from the Student Administration Office. You MUST check this statement and make sure that the details it contains are correct. The semester statement is used to calculate your HECS liability for the semester. If you fail to correct errors in this statement, it is possible that you will be charged more for your studies than you should. After the Census Date you will receive a HECS Information Statement showing the current semester's enrolment and your HECS payment or debt.

If you are an Australian citizen you can pay your HECS charge up-front at enrolment/re-enrolment for first semester and in July for second semester, with a 25 per cent discount. Or, if you supply the University with your tax file number, you can pay up to the Census Date, or defer your payment through the taxation system when you earn above a set taxable income once you join the workforce.

Permanent Residents (other than New Zealand citizens), may be affected by new legislation if you gained your PR status on or after 1 January 1996. If you have met the residency requirements and have not become an Australian citizen, you may no longer be able to defer your liability and will have to pay your HECS up-front with no discount.

New Zealand citizens who enrol in a new course after 1996 are required to pay HECS up-front and do not qualify for the discount.

If you have any questions about HECS liability and HECS payment you should direct them to the Student Administration Office, First Floor, Raymond Priestley Building. Or via e-mail at <HECS@studentadmin.unimelb.edu.au>. More information is available at: <http://www.studentadmin.unimelb.edu.au/hecs/index.html>.

Student Financial Aid, Ground Floor, Baldwin Spencer Building, can also provide you with information and advice about the different ways to pay HECS.

 28. Amenities and Services Fee

You are required to pay an Amenities and Services Fee at enrolment. This fee finances the activities of the Student Union, the Sports and Physical Recreation Centre and the Postgraduate Association. It also covers some aspects of child care and student insurance.

 29. Late Enrolment Fee

A Late Enrolment Fee is levied on students who do not complete their re-enrolment by the prescribed date - Wednesday 12 January 2000 - for the 2000 academic year. Students commencing studies in a new course have five working days from the date authorised for enrolment. Failure to complete enrolment by the deadline will attract a penalty of $60.

Students whose enrolment has been cancelled may apply to be reinstated. If your application is successful, your enrolment will be reinstated upon payment of a $100 non-refundable Reinstatement Fee. Please note that these penalties are currently under review.

For further information, please contact Student Administration.

 30. Fees

The University publishes a comprehensive fees policy that is provided to all fee-paying students at the time an offer of admission is made. Copies of the policy booklet are available from faculty offices, the Information Centre, International Centre and Student Administration Office.

Amenities and Services Fee

If you are required to pay an Amenities and Services Fee, the Fee must be paid by Wednesday 12 January 2000 if you are a re-enrolling student. If you are a new student, the Fee must be paid within five working days from the date on which you are authorised to enrol.

Up-Front HECS

You are required to pay your Up-Front HECS if you are a re-enrolling student and you completed the pre-1998 HECS Options Form and selected the Up-Front Option or if you have not supplied your tax file number. Payment is required by Wednesday 12 January 2000 for Semester 1 and by Friday 21 July 2000 for Semester 2.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees may be paid either yearly in advance (with a discount), one semester in advance or twice per semester (instalments). For re-enrolling students the due dates for payment of tuition fees are:

Enrolments will be cancelled if fees are not paid by the due date and a reinstatement fee of $100 will apply if you are permitted to re-enrol (see Late Enrolment Fee (above)).

Community Access Program students are required to pay fees by semester.

 30.1. Fees refund policy

You may apply for a refund of fees as follows:

Community Access Program students: A full refund is payable for the relevant semester if you cancel your enrolment by the relevant Census Dates (31 March or 31 August).

Full-Fee Paying students: The grounds for a refund of fees are set out in the booklet 'Arrangements Relating to the Payment of Student Fees' available from your faculty office or Student Administration.

Amenities and Services Fee (ASF): Refunds of the ASF for HECS-liable students undertaking an undergraduate degree, graduate or postgraduate certificate/diploma or masters by coursework degree, will be assessed on a semester basis. If you discontinue or take leave-of-absence before the Semester 1 Census Date (31 March), you will be eligible for a full refund of your ASF payment. From 1 April to the Semester 2 Census Date (31 August), you will be eligible for a 50 per cent refund. From 1 September, no refund applies. If you are a HECS-liable student undertaking a degree by research (masters or PhD), your ASF refund will be assessed on a monthly basis.

HECS Up-Front payments: You are entitled to a full refund of any HECS Up-Front payment made to the University for the relevant semester if your discontinuation, leave-of-absence or submission of thesis is effective on or before the relevant Semester 1 (31 March), or Semester 2 (31 August) Census Date.

Refund application forms are available from the Student Administration Office, First Floor, Raymond Priestley Building. If you are unable to apply in person, you may write to request a refund to: General Manager, Student Administration Office, The University of Melbourne, 3010. An application for a refund must be made within six months of discontinuation, submission of a thesis or taking leave-of-absence. Your Student Card must be returned to Student Administration when discontinuing a course; failure to do so will result in $10 being deducted from your refund. You must ensure that you submit your course cancellation to the appropriate faculty office before applying to Student Administration for a refund. A refund will not be processed if any fees or debts to the University are outstanding.

 31. Financial assistance

Should you need help to meet fees or living costs, you could consider applying for assistance through the Youth Allowance (AUSTUDY) Scheme or for a student loan. The Youth Allowance provides assistance to full-time students in approved courses. Awards are subject to a means test and satisfactory academic progress.

You are advised to go to the Student Financial Aid Office in the first instance, where staff will discuss your situation and options. They are experts on students' financial difficulties, and can advise on the Youth Allowance, obtaining loans, bursaries, unemployment benefits, budgeting etc.

Once you are further advanced in your course, there may be scholarships and prizes for which you are eligible. They are generally awarded on the basis of academic excellence in certain subjects, and often contain some financial reward.

You should contact your faculty or the Scholarships Office for further advice.

 32. Youth Allowance workload requirements

Your eligibility for the Youth Allowance is determined on a semester basis. To be eligible for the Youth Allowance your HECS load must normally be at least 0.375 in each semester. If your HECS load is above this limit, you are classified as 'full-time' by the Youth Allowance authorities. It is not sufficient that your HECS load average 0.375 or above over a full year. For example, a first semester load of 0.3 and a second semester load of 0.7 would result in the student being ineligible for the youth Allowance in semester 1, on the basis of the 'part-time' workload in that semester. (Note: A semester HECS load of 0.375 usually equates to 37.5 points. An annual HECS load of 1.00 usually equates to 100 points).

Your HECS load is shown on your Enrolment Record.

If your HECS load falls below 0.375, you will normally cease to be eligible for the Youth Allowance and may incur overpayment necessitating repayment to the Australian Government. To avoid this situation, we encourage you to clarify your course load with a faculty course adviser when selecting subjects and enrolling, or whenever you change the subjects in which you are enrolled.

In certain circumstances students may retain Youth Allowance eligibility despite having a semester HECS load which falls below 0.375. For further information contact Student Financial Aid in the Student Advisory Service, Ground Floor, Baldwin Spencer Building, or a faculty course adviser.

 33. Course and subject changes

If you feel that you have made a wrong choice of course or subjects, or if some personal circumstances cause you to reconsider your enrolment, you should contact your faculty office immediately.

It is possible to change subjects in which you have enrolled, but you must do so within certain time limits. You should be aware of these time limits and the correct procedures for changing subjects, so that your academic record is not adversely affected.

 Table 3: Critical dates for action when adding or deleting subjects

Date

Action

Academic Record

HECS implication

Action required

A. Up to the end of the second week of teaching you may add or delete subjects without penalty  

Full year subject: Friday 10 March

Semester 1 subject: Friday 10 March

Semester 2 subject: Friday 4 August  

Add subject  

Subject will appear  

HECS is payable  

Contact faculty office to effect the change.  

Delete subject  

Subject will NOT appear  

No HECS charge payable  

Contact faculty office to effect the change.  

B. After the first two weeks and up to the HECS Census Dates  

Full year subject: 11 March - 31 March

Semester 1 subject: 11 March - 31 March

Semester 2 subject: 5 August - 31 August  

Add subject  

Whatever result is applicable  

HECS is payable  

Contact faculty office.1  

Delete subject  

WD or Fail  

No HECS charge payable  

Contact faculty office for approval and to effect the change.1  

C. Up to the HECS Census date BUT prior to the final date for withdrawal  

Full year: 1 April - 8 October

Semester 1: 1 April - 5 May

Semester 2: 31 August - 6 October  

Add subject  

Whatever result is applicable  

HECS is payable  

Contact faculty office.1  

Delete subject  

WD or Fail  

HECS is payable  

Contact faculty office for approval and to effect the change.1  

D. After final date for withdrawal  

Full year: 7 October

Semester 1 subject: 6 May

Semester 2 subject: 7 October  

Add subject  

Whatever result is applicable  

HECS is payable  

Contact faculty office.  

Delete subject  

Withdrawal not permitted  

HECS is payable  

 

For Semester Three, you may change subjects in which you are enrolled as follows:

No changes can be made after these times.

 34. HECS census date

If you withdraw from a subject by the HECS census date, you will not be charged HECS for the subject in that semester. In 2000, the HECS census dates are:

After this time you will be charged HECS for the subject in that semester.

 35. Transferring to another course

If you wish to transfer from one course to another within the University, or to resume a course, you may apply using an Internal Transfer form which is available from all Faculty Offices, or from the Enquiry Office, Ground Floor, Raymond Priestley Building.


1. Approval will only be given in exceptional circumstances.

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