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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. Student Grievances Policy
2.1. Preamble
2.2. Principles
2.3. Types of student grievances
2.3.1. Academic grievances
2.3.2. Administrative grievances
2.3.3. Discrimination, equity and harassment
2.4. Grounds for complaint or appeal
2.5. Procedures for the handling and resolution of academic and administrative complaints and grievances
2.5.1. Informal approach
2.5.2. Stage 1
2.5.3. Stage 2
2.5.4. Stage 3
2.5.5. Withdrawal of grievances
2.6. Indicative timelines for resolution of grievances
2.7. Information and contacts
3. Who can help me find out...?
4. Intellectual property
5. University Policy on Academic Honesty and Plagiarism
6. Melbourne undergraduate scholarships
7. Semester dates
8. Enrolment for new students
9. Summer Semester enrolment
10. Credit for previous study
11. Additional subjects
12. Community Access Program
13. Administrative changes to subjects/courses
14. Booklists and timetables
15. Workloads
16. Attendance at lectures
17. Assessment
17.1. Subject grades and marks
18. Cross-institutional enrolments (complementary courses)
19. Additional general studies of importance
19.1. Diploma in Arts
19.2. Diploma in Creative Arts
19.3. Diploma in Information Systems
19.4. Diploma in Modern Languages
19.5. Diploma in Music (Practical)
19.6. Diploma in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
20. Studying at an overseas university as part of an exchange program
21. Study Abroad and Exchange Students from overseas institutions
22. Melbourne College of Divinity
23. Re-enrolment for continuing students
24. Subject descriptions
25. Taking time away from study
26. Cancellation of enrolment
27. What do I do if things start going wrong?
28. Special consideration
29. Study skills
30. English language assistance
31. Student support services
32. Supplementary assessment
33. Unsatisfactory progress
34. Commonwealth Supported Places and student contributions
35. Important information for international students
36. Fees
36.1. Fees refund policy
37. Financial assistance
38. Youth Allowance workload requirements
39. Course and subject changes
40. Transferring to another 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, to assist the University to organise programs for the health and welfare of students and to foster alumni relations and promote University activities. 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 Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) and the Youth Allowance Scheme (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 and Systems Department 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;
releasing enrolment information to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
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 the Student Portal http://portal.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.
The University is committed to providing students with an education of the highest possible quality. However, from time to time, students may raise concerns, complaints or grievances about matters or issues relating to their experiences at the University.
The Student Grievances Policy outlines transparent, fair and timely procedures for addressing complaints and grievances. These procedures will be conducted in accordance with principles of natural justice and all parties will be treated equally and fairly.
The student grievance resolution procedures of the University are based on the following principles:
That the procedures used to review and resolve complaints are fair and must be seen to be fair;
Confidentiality will be respected for all parties, unless the use of the information is authorised by law;
That staff involved in resolving complaints will apply rules of natural justice and conclusions will be based on a fair hearing of each point of view;
There will be no reprisals or any disadvantage arising as a result of a student making a complaint in good faith;
That complaints are processed in a timely manner with achievable deadlines specified for each stage in the resolution of a complaint;
Any student who makes a complaint and any staff member on whom the complaint has a direct impact, is regularly informed of the progress of the matter;
Where the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome proposed by the decision-maker, the student may access appropriate external or higher bodies which may rule on such resolutions and the processes used to arrive at the resolution.
These are usually complaints or appeals against academic decisions. They include:
academic progress decisions;
assessment matters;
a decision of a member of academic staff that affects an individual or groups of students;
selection or admission decisions;
content or structure of academic programs, nature of teaching, or assessment;
supervision issues for research degree students;
issues relating to authorship and intellectual property.
These include decisions and actions related to administrative or academic services. They include:
Administration of policies, procedures and rules by central administrative and student support groups, faculties and departments;
A decision by an administrative staff member that affects an individual or groups of students;
Access to resources and facilities.
Discrimination on the grounds of gender, race or disability;
Sexual harassment;
Bullying.
The following procedures apply to the grievances described in Academic grievances and Administrative grievances. Grievances of type Discrimination, equity and harassment will be dealt with independently of the following processes in accordance with the documented anti-discrimination policies and procedures of the University. Details of these processes are found on the University's website at: http://www.unimelb.edu.au/ppp/docs/21.html#21.2.
Improper, irregular or negligent conduct by the person involved.
Discrimination, prejudice or bias.
Failure to adhere to appropriate or relevant published University policies and procedures.
The decision was made without sufficient consideration to facts, evidence or circumstances of specific relevance to the student.
A penalty, where applied, was too harsh.
When a student has a complaint or a grievance about any of the matters listed in Academic grievances or Administrative grievances. above, he or she should first discuss the matter with the person concerned. If the student is anxious about raising the matter with this person, then he or she should discuss it with the Head of the relevant department or administrative unit or with the Associate Dean or General Manager of the relevant faculty. Problems about a decision of a committee may be raised if appropriate with the Chair of the committee.
The University expects that in most, if not all, cases the discussion of the concern or complaint with the relevant staff member will result in a prompt resolution of the matter which both parties will find acceptable.
If this informal approach to dealing with the student's concerns does not lead to satisfactory resolution then the student should pursue the more formal process for resolution of the matter consisting of the stages described below.
Having first attempted resolution of the grievance though the informal processes, the student who believes that their grievance has not been adequately addressed should then seek information and advice from the central support services of the University or from the services provided for students by the appropriate student associations. Contact details for appropriate staff are provided in Indicative timelines for resolution of grievances below.
Having taken this advice the student may then decide to:
Take no further action, or
Make a formal complaint.
If the student decides to make a formal complaint, they must make it in writing to the Head of the Department or the Dean of the Faculty or the Administrative Manager, as appropriate to the particular complaint. In most cases this will be the Head of the Department but if that person is the subject of the compliant or has a conflict of interest in the case, then the next most senior staff member must be approached. This may be the Dean of the Faculty or the Head of the Administrative Division.
The staff member investigating the grievance will acknowledge receipt of the written complaint in writing within 5 working days from lodgment and indicate when a resolution of the matter can be expected.
The staff member will independently review the complaint and attempt to find a resolution of the problem.
If the complaint is found to be frivolous or vexatious or no grounds or evidence can be found for the complaint, the staff member will not offer any resolution of the grievance.
The staff member investigating the complaint must keep formal records of the actions taken and notify the student in writing of the outcome of Stage 2 of the grievance process and document the reasons that resolution was or was not achieved, as the case may be.
If after Stage 2 of the process the student still does not believe that the grievance has been adequately resolved, then they may appeal to the Academic Board for resolution of the matter. Statute 4.1.2(2)b of the Academic Board states that the Academic Board acts as a final appeal body in all matters relating to students and their grievances against decisions made by University bodies or by individual officers and relating to persons who have ceased to be students because of decisions complained of. However, the Academic Board cannot consider grievances that are related to decisions based solely on academic judgment, or relating to student discipline, for which separate procedures are documented in Statute 13.1- Student Discipline.
The student will submit a written case for appeal to the Secretary of the Academic Board within 20 working days of the date of notification of the outcome of Stage 2 of the grievance process, citing the grounds on which the appeal is based.
The Secretary of the Board will acknowledge receipt of the notice of appeal within 5 working days of lodgment.
The President of the Academic Board will appoint an Academic Board Officer to convene an appeals committee to hear the case, ensuring that the persons chosen have had no prior involvement in the grievance in any of the earlier stages, or in informal discussions with the student about the matter.
The Academic Board Officer will ensure that the Appeals Committee meets within 15 days of nomination, that it investigates the case fully and that it acts according to natural justice and equity principles.
The student lodging the grievance will be given the opportunity of appearing before the Academic Board Appeals Committee to present his or her case, as will the person against which the grievance is made.
The Academic Board Appeals Committee may endorse the Stage 2 findings in relation to the grievance; determine an alternative resolution; and may initiate an internal review of procedures relating to the academic or administrative subject of the grievance.
The Secretary of the Academic Board will confirm the decision of the Board Appeals Committee in writing to the student within 5 working days of the decision being made and will document the outcome of the considerations of the Committee and the reasons for the decision and forward that advice to the Academic Board for confirmation.
The decision of the Academic Board shall be final.
A student may withdraw a complaint at any time during the grievance resolution process and in this case the grievance will be concluded and deemed to be resolved. If the original complaint was made in writing then the withdrawal must also be in writing to the relevant person depending at which of the above stages the withdrawal is effected.
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Students who are concerned about an issue covered by these procedures are advised to seek assistance from one or more of the following:
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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.
The general law governs student ownership rights in relation to intellectual property (IP). The creator of an original work (defined by the Copyright Act 1968 to include dramatic, musical, artistic or literary work and includes computer programs) 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 creators wish 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.
In general, students of the University of Melbourne retain ownership of IP they create while enrolled. There are exceptions where, for example, the student and the University may have an employer/employee relationship. Aditionally, if a student is involved on a project that is funded by an external person or organisation or which is a collaboration between the University and others it may not be possible for a student to own the IP they help to create. There will be contractual obligations which govern ownership of any intellectual property developed as part of the project.
The University's policy requires that students, who are working on a project where the intellectual property developed as part of the project has been contractually assigned to a third party, such as a commercial partner, are made aware of the intellectual property arrangements for the project. The student must be made aware of the rights of the third party before agreeing to work on the project. Such students will be required to sign an agreement in relation to ownership of intellectual property and maintaining confidentiality about the project before being allowed to work on the project. See.http://www.unimelb.edu.au/compliance/manual/ch05.html or http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/ridg/ip/studentinfo/index.html.
The University of Melbourne believes that excellence in learning and teaching can be achieved in an intellectual environment where academic integrity is highly valued and carefully upheld. The University does not tolerate cheating in any form. Its policy on Academic Honesty and Plagiarism is based on two core values:
University policy on Academic Honesty and Plagiarism is based on two elements:
Education and awareness-raising are fundamental in advancing respect for truth and for the ethics of scholarship; and
Work submitted for assessment purposes must be the independent work of students or approved groups of students to demonstrate their mastery of subject objectives.
This position reflects the rules made by University Council under Regulation 12.2.10 (provided for under Statute 12.2) and Statute 13.1, which set down the conduct and discipline of students in relation to both supervised and unsupervised components of assessment.
Statute 12.2 identifies the structures regulating assessment, such as student eligibility for assessment, rules relating to written examinations and determination of components of assessment, Statute 13.1 addresses disciplinary responses to academic misconduct and general misconduct, including breaches of assessment rules.
The University has implemented plagiarism detection software. Student work submitted for assessment may be scanned using this software.
The website for the University of Melbourne's Policy and Procedures for Academic Misconduct (including Plagiarism) is: http://academichonesty.unimelb.edu.au.
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.
The Program places a special emphasis on assisting Indigenous Australians and students from a broad range of equity groups to enter the University.
Melbourne Honours Scholarships reward high-achieving students undertaking an honours year. They are available to currently enrolled students and students entering the university at honours level. Melbourne Abroad Scholarships are available to support currently enrolled students who wish to study overseas.
Melbourne Scholarships for school leavers:
Melbourne National Scholarships
National Medicine Scholarships
Melbourne Access Scholarships
Commonwealth Learning Scholarships
Melbourne Scholarships for currently enrolled students:
Commonwealth Learning Scholarships
Melbourne Honours Scholarships
Melbourne Abroad Scholarships
Melbourne Scholarships for international students:
International Undergraduate Scholarships
Other scholarships, awards and prizes may be offered by individual faculites. Information about these can be found on individual faculty websites, noticeboards and from http://www.unimelb.edu.au/unisec/awards/.
For further information contact:
Melbourne Scholarships Office (Undergraduate)
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/scholarships/ugrad
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Some faculties operate different academic year dates. Where applicable, these will be published on notice boards.
Enrolment for new students enrolling in most courses take place twice each year, during January and February, and July each year. For students commencing at the beginning of the year, enrolment takes place before the academic year starts at the end of February.
Newly enrolling students will receive an enrolment pack including a letter offering you a place at the University, your enrolment dates, enrolment instructions and details of where to go if you are required to attend an on-campus session.
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.
Some Summer Semester subjects may only be offered on a full fee basis. Students undertaking their course in Commonwealth supported places should contact their faculty office regarding the availability of Commonwealth support for Summer Subjects.
Credit for studies already completed at tertiary level may 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.
Your faculty may allow you to enrol in additional or "above-load" subjects which are above the minimum requirements for your degree or diploma. Please note that you will incur additional fees for each additional subject.
If you are in a Commonwealth supported place, and your faculty approves an additional subject as contributing to your award course, you may undertake that subject on a Commonwealth supported basis. Your student contribution amount will increase, as will your consumption of your Student Learning Entitlement (SLE).
Please note that there are strict timeframes for the addition of subjects. 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 the Student Portal http://portal.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 Portal at http://portal.unimelb.edu.au
Student Infoline (Interactive Voice Response System), telephone +61 3 9933 9480
You should note that results statements are not mailed out to all students at the end of each semester. Upon completion of their course, students will receive one complementary copy of the Academic Transcript. If you require a printed official Academic Transcript, you may purchase one at cost at Student Administration.
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 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 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 and adds one year to the duration of your degree course. Psychology, languages and planning and design are not available in the diploma. The Diploma may only be awarded on the successful completion of your bachelors 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.
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 12.5 point one-semester 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 School of 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 as soon as possible after the offer of a place 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).
The Diploma in Geographic Information Systems provides students with a critical understanding of Geographic Information Systems and what associated technologies may achieve. It acts as an entry qualification for a career as an applied GIS researcher or practitioner with a wide range of public and private organisations.
For further information contact the Faculty of Engineering. Telephone: +613 8344 6703, Email: http://eng-unimelb/custhelp.com, website http://www.eng.unimelb.edu.au/.
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.
Each year the University of Melbourne welcomes students into the Study Abroad and Exchange Program from institutions around the world. Students need to be enrolled in a full-degree program at their home institution, meet the Program's entry requirements, and can undertake 6 months or 1 year of study which is credited to their home program of study.
The Study Abroad and Exchange Program allows students to select subjects from across various faculties of the University. Advice should be sought from your home institution to ensure that you select classes that are appropriate for you and meet the requirements of your degree program. This handbook provides extensive information that will be useful for this process, including subject content, text books used, contact hours and assessment.
Further syllabus information or advice on selection of subjects is provided by each of the faculties. Contact details are listed in each faculty section for you to contact academic advisors in each faculty. Further details of the full Study Abroad and Exchange Program is available at http://www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/int/saex.
The Melbourne College of Divinity offers a comprehensive undergraduate degree in theology. The University of Melbourne is an Associated Teaching Institution of the Melbourne College of Divinity, and has established a student exchange agreement. The exchange agreement enables students enrolled in the faculties of Arts, Economics & Commerce and Education to undertake approved studies for up to one year at the College. The Bachelor of Theology may be undertaken as a combined course with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Students interested in undertaking the degree of Bachelor of Theology should refer to the Melbourne College of Divinity website http://www.mcd.unimelb.edu.au. Further information regarding the student exchange agreement is available from the relevant faculty office.
Every year, you must confirm your intention to continue studying the following year by re-enrolling in your course. You will be required to accept the terms and conditions of your re-enrolment for the following year and select your subjects. If you are in a fixed course (such as some medicine or research higher degree courses), your faculty may arrange to automatically update your subject details, but you will be advised of this and you will still be required to accept the terms and conditions of your re-enrolment.
Failure to re-enrol in a timely manner will result in a Failure to Re-enrol Fine. Your enrolment may also be cancelled.
Re-enrolment usually occurs in October/November. You will be notified of the exact timeframes, and details will also appear on the SIS.
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.
If you wish to later alter your course plan for any other reason, you are able to do so within certain timeframes (outlined in the Course and Subject Changes section of this Handbook). Please contact your faculty office for further advice.
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.
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.
Every subject offered by the University has its own census date. Standard semester-based subjects have census dates of 31 March and 31 August respectively. The census date for all year-long subjects is 31 May. Most other subjects will have a month-end census date.
All non-standard subjects will have an individual census date. The census date for each subject in which you are enrolled will appear on your Enrolment Record. If you have a subject with a census date that does not fall on a business day, then you must finalise details for that subject by the last working day prior to the census date.
You become financially liable for a subject on the subject census date.
If you are a Commonwealth supported student, the census date is the date by which you must:
submit your completed Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP form, and
finalise the arrangements for the payment of your student contribution.
If you are a fee-paying student, the census date is the date by which the Commonwealth requires you to submit your FEE-HELP form if you are eligible for, and require FEE-HELP assistance. Please note, however, that if your invoiced due date for a subject is earlier than the census date, you must either pay your tuition fees or submit your FEE-HELP form by the earlier date.
Census dates for all subjects are also published at http://fee.acs.unimelb.edu.au/index.aspx.
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(LOA) 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 you re-enrol for the period following your leave. If you have applied for leave for Semester 1 only, you are still required to re-enrol for Semester 2. If you have applied for leave for a full year, you will be required to re-enrol for the following year while you are on leave. In this case the University will inform you of your re-enrolment requirements by mail and email. Failure to re-enrol or to contact your faculty office will lead to a Failure to Re-enrol Fine and cancellation of your enrolment at the University. If you are not intending to return you must write to your faculty to advise them to cancel your enrolment, or you will continue to be liable for fees and/or student contribution amounts for any future subjects in which you are already enrolled.
It is also important to note that during a period of LOA you are not a student of the University and will therefore not have access to libraries and other University facilities.
International Students
International students holding a Student visa can only be granted LOA on grounds of illness or exceptional circumstances beyond the student's control. You must depart Australia within 14 days of the commencement of your LOA. Please consult International Student Services for further advice on LOA and visa implications. See: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/international/.
Your enrolment will be cancelled if:
you do not have a confirmed enrolment eg. if you have not completed your Enrolment Declaration and Questionnaire, provided citizenship details, or finalised any requirements for Commonwealth support where applicable, etc., or
you have not finalised arrangements for the payment of your tuition fee or student contribution, or
you have not re-enrolled or have not been granted leave of absence by the end of the re-enrolment period.
If you are in any doubt about the cancellation of your enrolment, you should contact your faculty office.
International Students
If your enrolment is cancelled, the University is required to inform the Department of Immigration (DIMA) of the change in your enrolment and must cancel your Confirmation of Enrolment (COE). This may result in cancellation of your Student visa. For further information contact International Student Services http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/international/.
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 consideration are many. If you are not sure whether you should apply, please consult your faculty office.
Special consideration is not given 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.
Submission Guidelines for special consideration are available at https://sis.unimelb.edu.au/functions/special-consid/info/SubmissionGuidelines.html.
Applications for special consideration must be made online at https://sis.unimelb.edu.au/cgi-bin/special-consideration.pl. Applications must be submitted no later than three days after the relevant piece of assessement (including an examination) is due.
Some students benefit from assistance 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 Language and Learning Skills Unit (LLSU) at 723 Swanston Street, Carlton (telephone 8344 0930), can help you with these and any other study-related issues. You can phone or drop in to make an appointment for an individual tutorial with one of our advisers, enrol in one of our online courses, or check out our resources, both prine and online. All individual tutorials are free and confidential. Check out our services http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/llsu.
The Language and Learning Skills Unit (LLSU) offers local and international students from non-English speaking backgrounds assistance with developing their academic English language skills. The LLSU offers a variety of language assistance programs, including individual tutorials, short courses and workshops, online courses, print and electronic resources. All services providedby the LLSU are free to students. You can check out our services at: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/llsu.
The School of Languages and Linguistics offers a number of credit subjects in ESL and Communication Skills. See the individual entries in this Handbook for details.
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.
International Students
International students on Student visas are subject to condition 8202 Meeting Course Requirements. If your enrolment in your course is terminated by the University as a result of unsatisfactory academic progress, you are in breach of this visa condition. Breaching this condition has serious implications for your Student visa and future study possibilities in Australia.
A Commonwealth supported place is a higher education place for which the Commonwealth makes a contribution towards the cost of your education. The amount you are required to pay is known as the student contribution. Each year the Department of Education, Science and Training publishes the 'Information for Commonwealth supported students' booklet. On enrolment you will be given a copy of this booklet and it is important you familiarise yourself with the information it contains, or you can download the booklet from the internet at http://www.goingtouni.gov.au.
Your student contribution amounts are calculated based on your study load per semester.
If your enrolment in a subject is on the basis of a Commonwealth supported place, you will become financially liable for a subject on that subject's census date. More information about census dates is available in the Census Date section of this Handbook. Before each subject census date you will receive a statement of your enrolment from the Student Administration office, or you can check your Statement of Liability on the SIS.
You MUST check this statement and make sure that the details it contains are correct. The semester statement is used to calculate your student contribution 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 Commonwealth Assistance Notice showing your subject enrolment for the census date and your student contribution payment or debt which is reported to the Australian Tax Office.
For more information, please refer to the 'Information for Commonwealth supported students' booklet available on the Commonwealth Government website http://www.goingtouni.gov.au.
Student Financial Aid, Ground Floor, Baldwin Spencer Building, can also provide you with information and advice about the different ways to pay your student contribution.
As a student on a Student visa you must comply with a number of visa conditions. It is your responsibility to make sure that you understand these conditions of stay or seek clarification from International Student Services. See: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/international/.
An overview of the Student Visa Program is available from the web site of the Department of Immigration (DIMA). See http://www.immi.gov.au/students/index.htm.
Notification of change of contact details
You must notify the University of any changes to your Australian residential address within seven days.
Meet course requirements
You must maintain a full time enrolment and complete your course within the time given on your Confirmation of Enrolment (COE). Coursework students can enrol part-time in the last semester of their course in order to complete, however they cannot repeat the same subject twice while part-time enrolled.
You must achieve a satisfactory academic result in each semester of your course. If your enrolment is terminated due to unsatisfactory academic progress, the University is required to inform DIMA and send you a non-compliance notification that requires you to report to DIMA within 28 days. If DIMA is satisfied that you have breached your Student visa condition, or if you do not report to DIMA within 28 days, your visa must be cancelled.
Leave of Absence
The University can only grant Leave of Absence (LOA) on grounds of illness or exceptional compassionate circumstances beyond your control. When applying for LOA you must provide evidence in the form of medical certificates. Usually LOA is granted for a minimum period of 6 months or one semester. You must depart Australia within 14 days of the commencement of your LOA and remain outside Australia during your LOA. If your require LOA for longer than six months, the University is required to cancel your Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) and your Student visa is subject to cancellation. Before returning to Australia to resume your studies, you must obtain a new COE from International Student Services and check the validity of your visa.
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. http://www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/aust/fees/policy/index.html
You can log onto the SIS at any time and check your Statement of Liability at any time. We strongly recommend this be checked in early January, and that you check the SIS regularly after that.
Due dates will be shown against each fee, and you must ensure payment is made by the due date(s). Print your Statement of Liability and you can pay using any of the options listed on the Statement, including BPay or at Australia Post.
All up-front student contribution amounts must be paid by the subject census date(s).
Please note that if you do not pay your fees by the due date(s) your enrolment will be cancelled. You will be reinstated upon payment of a reinstatement fine and any outstanding fees.
More information about fees and due dates is available on the Student Administration website at http://portal.unimelb.edu.au.
If you have paid fees for a subject and withdraw from that subject by the subject census date, or you have discontinued or taken leave of absence from your course before all relevant subject census dates, you may apply for a refund of fees as follows:
Community Access Program students: you would be eligible for a full refund of fees paid for a subject.
Full-fee paying students: full details of the fee refund provisions are set out in the booklet 'Fee-based Enrolments - Arrangements Relating to the Payment of Student Fees' available from your faculty office, Student Administration Office and at http://www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/aust/fees/policy/index.html.
If you are a Commonwealth supported student who has made an up-front payment of your student contribution amounts, you would be eligible for a full refund.
In Special Circumstances (as defined by DEST), students may also apply for remission of HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP debt; refunds of student contribution amounts, tuition fees and reinstatement of Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) where applicable.
Information and forms are available at http://portal.unimelb.edu.au.
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, who 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 enrolment load must normally be at least 0.375 in each semester. If your enrolment load is above this limit, you are classified as 'full-time' by the Youth Allowance authorities. It is not sufficient that your enrolment 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 enrolment load of 0.375 usually equates to 37.5 points. An annual enrolment load of 1.00 usually equates to 100 points.)
Your enrolment load is shown on your enrolment record.
If your enrolment 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 enrolment 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.
If you wish to add or withdraw from subjects, you must do so by the dates detailed below, or by the individual subject census date, whichever occurs earlier.
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* in exceptional circumstances only.
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 the web via the Student Portal at http://portal.unimelb.edu.au or contact your relevant faculty office.
Status: Official 2007 Last Modified: Tuesday October 31 22:19 SGML to HTML Conversion: Information Division - CWIS (SDI) Authorised by: Academic Registrar Enquiries: http://unimelb.custhelp.com/
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