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1. What are my responsibilities as a student?
1.1. Privacy legislation
1.1.1. What we collect and why
1.1.2. Accuracy, security and storage of information
1.1.3. Disclosure of information
1.1.4. Access to personal information
1.1.5. University Privacy Officer/Privacy policy
1.1.6. Questions
2. Who can help me find out...?
3. Intellectual property
4. Melbourne Scholarships
5. Semester dates 2003
6. Enrolment
7. Summer Semester enrolment
8. Credit for previous study
9. Additional subjects
10. Community Access Program (for enrolled students)
11. Changes to subjects/courses
12. Booklists and timetables
13. Workloads
14. Attendance at lectures
15. Assessment
15.1. Subject grades and marks
16. Cross-institutional enrolments (complementary courses)
17. Additional general studies of importance
17.1. Diploma of Arts
17.2. Diploma in Creative Arts
17.3. Diploma in Information Systems
17.4. Diploma in Modern Languages
17.5. Diploma in Music (Practical)
18. Studying at an overseas university as part of an exchange program
19. Course planning/re-enrolment
20. Subject descriptions
21. Taking time from study
22. Cancellation of enrolment
23. What do I do if things start going wrong?
24. Special consideration
25. Study skills
26. English language assistance
27. Student Support Services
28. Supplementary assessment
29. Unsatisfactory progress
30. HECS liability
31. Amenities and services fee
32. Late enrolment fee
33. Fees
33.1. Fees refund policy
34. Financial assistance
35. Youth Allowance workload requirements
36. Course and subject changes
37. HECS census date
38. Transferring to another course
39. Resuming a course
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:
to be well informed about courses and course requirements;
to plan a course which satisfies course requirements;
to attend all set classes;
to be aware of rights and obligations - see the Student Diary for the most comprehensive coverage;
to abide by the University's rules and regulations.
The University of Melbourne has a statutory obligation to comply with the Information Privacy Act 2000 and the Health Records Act 2001 in its treatment of personal and health information regarding students.
The University collects information about a student for a number of purposes. The main purposes are to enable proper administration of an individual's course of study and to assist the University to organise programs for the health and welfare of students. Information is also collected under Commonwealth or State Government legislation for the purposes of reporting annually to these governments and for the administration of, but not limited to, the following schemes of the Higher Education Contribution Scheme, the Postgraduate Education Loans Scheme, the Bridging Courses for Overseas Trained Professionals Loans Scheme and the Youth Allowance (Austudy and Abstudy). Information may also be collected to facilitate internal planning.
The University holds personal information on computer and paper based records. It takes all reasonable steps to ensure that the information it holds is accurate and complete and that it is protected from misuse, loss, unauthorised access or disclosure.
Information concerning enrolled students is maintained by the Student Administration section in the University's Academic Services Division. The University will not disclose personal information about you without your permission or unless permitted or required by law.
Examples of instances when personal information about you may be disclosed are:
informing Centrelink of your enrolment details if you are in receipt of payments;
releasing statistical information to the Department of Education, Science and Training;
releasing statistical information to the Office of Training and Tertiary Education;
informing the Australian Taxation Office of your taxation liabilities;
assisting the police with personal information about you if you are alleged to have been involved in a criminal offence;
releasing your academic details to another tertiary institution or tertiary admission centre if you apply to transfer studies; and
publishing the names of graduates.
Access to and correction of your information are handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982. Data obtained via the Enrolment Questionnaire that is reported to the Commonwealth Government can be viewed (and, if necessary, corrected) at http://sis.unimelb.edu.au.
The University's Privacy Officer is the University Secretary, Mr Len Currie. The Privacy Officer's website contains the University's Privacy Policy and provides detailed information about the contact details, complaints procedures and other aspects of the University's privacy regime.
If you have an enquiry about your privacy rights in relation to the collection of information from students, please contact the University's Privacy Officer.
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 student cards, organises examinations and notifies you of your results.
In general, students of the University of Melbourne retain ownership of intellectual property they create while enrolled. There are exceptions in cases where, for example, the student and the University may have an employer/employee relationship.
The general law governs student ownership rights in relation to intellectual property (IP). The creator of an original work as defined by the Copyright Act 1968 (includes the rights relating to literary, including computer programs, dramatic, musical or artistic works) owns the work and all the rights which attach to it, unless (in most cases) the work was created as part of an employment relationship. In relation to other intellectual property, such as inventions and designs, if the creator wishes to protect their rights they must take action to register their rights in some way, for example by taking out a patent or registering a design.
The University's policy requires that students who are working on a project where the intellectual property rights that come out of the project have been contractually assigned to a third party, such as a commercial partner, must be made aware of the rights of the third party before agreeing to work on the project. The student's consent to work on the project must be informed. See http://www.unimelb.edu.au/compliance/5.html#5.1.
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.
For the nation's best school leavers.
For top students from rural areas.
For students with excellent academic results who have experienced ongoing difficulties during their school years.
For high-achieving students to study a particular discipline.
For high-achieving students to enable them to undertake part of their undergraduate degree at an overseas institution.
For high-achieving Australian and international students entering the second and later years of a fee-based undergraduate course.
For outstanding students from around the world to commence their undergraduate course at the University.
Melbourne Scholarships Office
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Email: ugrad@scholarships.unimelb.edu.au
Web: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/scholarships
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Some faculties operate different academic year dates. Where applicable, these will be published on notice boards.
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 2003 Welcome Day is Friday 24 January. The purpose of Welcome Day is to:
welcome new students to the University;
provide information on course structures;
let students experience lectures, find their way around etc.;
give students the opportunity to think seriously about what studies they want to undertake in the coming year.
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 on to campus to re-enrol.
You can complete study towards your degree by undertaking subjects in Summer Semester. By completing subjects during Summer Semester you may be able to either complete your degree earlier than expected or repeat failed subjects and resume a standard course structure.
Consult your faculty office about Summer Semester enrolment and the availability of subjects. Low demand by students or the lack of availability of teaching staff may result in some subjects being withdrawn.
Your Summer Semester enrolment is normally on a fee basis although subjects available only in Summer Semester can be undertaken on a HECS basis by HECS-liable students.
Credit for studies already completed at tertiary level will be granted if any of your previous studies are:
comparable in content;
equivalent in standard; and
suitable to be included as part of your University of Melbourne course.
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.
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 (if a HECS-liable student) or additional fees (if a fee-paying student) for each additional subject you undertake. See also Community Access Program (below).
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 (CAP). 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 take the subject as either an assessed (ie. 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 advice and application forms contact the relevant faculty/ies. Application forms can also be obtained from the Information Centre on Swanston Street.
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, assessment, timetables, lecturers and coordinators of subjects may change from the details appearing in this Handbook or in other University publications, and in some cases it may not be practicable to offer particular subjects, streams within a course, or a course itself. 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 are 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 available quota places, if applicable). The changes will be incorporated in the version of this Handbook appearing on the web at http://www.unimelb.edu.au/HB/.
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.
The timetable for the Parkville campus will appear on the web at http://sis.unimelb.edu.au/. Subject timetables may also be available from some faculty offices and relevant departments, during Orientation Week.
If you have any enquiries about booklists or timetables, you should contact the relevant department or faculty.
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.
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.
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:
Student Information System (SIS) at http://sis.unimelb.edu.au/
Student Infoline (Interactive Voice Response System), telephone +61 3 9349 4731
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.
There is a standard grading system for all subjects studied at the University. These are the grades and corresponding ranges of marks:
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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.
Applications for the following concurrent diplomas can only be made after an offer of a place in a course at the University has been made.
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 of 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 of Arts can not be taken on its own; it must be taken in conjunction with a bachelors 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 bachelors degree course.
More information on the Diploma of Arts can be obtained from the Faculty of Art Office, see also the Diploma of Arts section of this Handbook.
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 bachelors 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 bachelors 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.
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 conjunction 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.
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 section of this Handbook.
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).
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 adviser 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.
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, in mid-December you will automatically be issued 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.
The subject descriptions in this Handbook contain the following details:
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.
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:
Band 1 - arts, humanities, social studies/behavioural sciences, education, visual/performing arts, nursing, justice and legal studies
Band 2 - mathematics, computing, other health sciences, agriculture/renewable resources, built environment/architecture, sciences, engineering/processing, administration, business and economics
Band 3 - law, medicine, medical science, dentistry, dental services and veterinary science
For example, a student commences a Bachelor of Education course in 2003. In first year, eight subjects comprise a standard full-time load. The student enrols in five education subjects, and three science subjects.
Therefore, the student's HECS liability for 2003 would be calculated as follows: 5/8 x Band 1 rate (the education band) + 3/8 Band 2 rate (the science band).
Your HECS payment is based on the subjects you study, not the course.
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.
The teaching period(s) in which the subject is taught. The following descriptors are used:
Year long - The subject is available once only and is taught over the full academic year;
Semester 1 - The subject is available once only in Semester 1;
Semester 2 - The subject is available once only in Semester 2;
Summer - The subject is available in Summer Semester;
Semester 1, repeat 2 - The subject is available in Semester 1 and is repeated in Semester 2;
Semester 1, repeat Summer - The subject is available in Semester 1 and is repeated in Summer Semester;
Semester 2, repeat Summer - The subject is available in Semester 2 and is repeated in Summer Semester;
Semester 1, repeat 2, Summer - The subject is available in Semester 1, is repeated in Semester 2 and again in Summer Semester.
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.
Subjects which you must pass or have credited to your course before you are eligible to enrol in this subject.
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 reasons. 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.
Your enrolment will be cancelled if you have not re-enrolled or been granted an extension of deferment/leave of absence before 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.
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.
If a situation beyond your control is affecting your studies, you should apply for 'special consideration'. The reasons for applying for special ccnsideration are many. If you are not sure whether you should apply, please consult your faculty office.
Special consideration is not given if pre- or co-requisites have not been successfully completed or for 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) is due.
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 8344 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.
The Centre for Communication Skills and English as a Second Language (CCS&ESL) offers local and international students from non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB) assistance with developing their academic English language skills. CCS&ESL offers three main types of language assistance - Free Individual Tutorial scheme; Free Academic Short Courses and Workshops; and a large range of credit subjects (in ESL and Communication Skills) for undergraduate and postgraduate students who wish to improve their academic performance in all disciplines. The Centre, located at level 2, 138 Cardigan Street, Carlton (telephone 8344 4491), can make a difference to your academic performance at the University of Melbourne.
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 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 8344 6550, or the Student Union Contact Office on 8344 6546.
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 July for Semester 1 assessment and in February of the following year for Semester 2 assessment (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.
'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 Semester 1, 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 adviser in your faculty office.
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 per 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 are 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 Semester 1 and in July for Semester 2, 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 until you join the workforce and earn above a set taxable income.
Permanent residents (other than New Zealand citizens), may be affected by new legislation if they gained permanent resident 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 enrolled 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 email 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.
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.
A late enrolment fee is levied on students who do not complete their re-enrolment by the prescribed date - Tuesday 11 February 2003 for the 2003 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.
If you do not finalise your re-enrolment, your enrolment will be cancelled. 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 non-refundable reinstatement fee. Please note that these penalties are currently under review.
For further information, please contact Student Administration.
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.
If you are required to pay an amenities and services fee, it must be paid by Tuesday 11 February 2003 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.
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 Tuesday 11 February 2003 for Semester 1 and by Friday 25 July 2003 for Semester 2.
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:
| Yearly: | 11 February 2003 |
| Semester: | 11 February 2003, 25 July 2003 |
| Instalments: | 11 February 2003, 31 March 2003, 25 July 2003, 29 August 2003 |
Enrolments will be cancelled if fees are not paid by the due date and a reinstatement fee 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.
Full details of the fee refund provisions are set out in the booklet Arrangements Relating to the Payment of Student Fees available from your faculty office or Student Administration and at
http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/admissions/coursefees/policy/index.html
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 within two weeks of the commencement of classes (by the close of the first day of teaching for subjects offered by intensive mode ie. less than six weeks duration).
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. After 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.
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.
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 Semester 2 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.
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.
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* changes may not be approved
No changes can be made after these times.
If you withdraw from a subject by the HECS census date, you will not be charged HECS for the subject in that semester. In 2003, the HECS census dates are:
Semester 1: 31 March 2003
Semester 2: 31 August 2003
If the subject is less than six weeks long, the end of the first day of teaching in the subject;
If the subject is six or more weeks in length, the end of the second week of teaching in the subject.
After this time you will be charged HECS for the subject in that semester.
If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate course at the University of Melbourne and wish to transfer to another undergraduate course* within the University you should apply for an inernal transfer via the Student Information System (SIS). Applications usually open in October and close in early December. Note that the process for internal transfers is currently under review and interested students should consult with their faculty for up-to-date procedures.
*with the exception of applications for social work, veterinary science, later year physiotherapy, or graduate medicine (consult relevant faculty/school office on how to apply)
If you wish to apply to resume a course in which you were previously enrolled you should contact the relevant faculty for application procedures.
| 1. | Approval will only be given in exceptional circumstances. |
Status: Official 2003 Last Modified: Monday April 28 22:11 SGML to HTML Conversion: Information Division - CWIS (SDI) Authorised by: Academic Registrar Enquiries: http://unimelb.custhelp.com/
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