Ask The University of Melbourne

[12AM]

Hello,

I was considering doing the Bachelor of Commerce and majoring in either Finance or Econometrics. I was wondering, would I struggle if I haven't completed VCE Economics or Accounting?

Thanks

I may not be the official melb uni account, but I'll try and answer this anyway.

Within the commerce degree, as far as I am aware, there is no major of Econometrics. Instead there is an Economics major in which you take econometrics subject(s). There is of course a Finance major available.

First year economics requires no previous knowledge of the subject. Further economics subjects build upon what is taught in previous years. Additionally, Finance definitely doesn't need VCE accounting. Many students within the science faculty, for example, choose to take it as a breadth subject without having taken anything related before.

As long as you are a capable mathematics students at VCE level, you shouldn't have any concern doing either major.

[unimelb]

Hi everyone, hope you’ve had a great start to your week and to Spring! It’s Bronwyn and Miriam here today.

To kick us off, here are our answers to your questions over the past week:

If I apply for seas under categories 1 and 3 and provide the relevant supportig information, does it mean it is guarenteed i get into biomedicine if i have an atar over 95?

Hi Sanguinne,

That’s right, guaranteed entry into Biomedicine is available! If you are eligible for Disadvantaged financial background, and/or from a rural or isolated area, have satisfied the course prerequisites and achieve an ATAR of 95 or above, you will get guaranteed entry into Biomed for 2015. You can access the guaranteed entry checklist here. Make sure that you submit your SEAS application via VTAC by 5pm on Tuesday 7 October 2014 in order to be eligible for Access Melbourne!

- Bronwyn

Howdy UniMelb, hope all is well!

I have a friend who is possibly interested in science communication, and was wondering if UniMelb offered any post-grad course that is relevant to the field? I tried a quick google search, but couldn't find anything, thought you lovely people could help me out.

Hi EulerFan101,

It doesn’t appear there’s a specific course available on science communication, however there are plenty of subjects within various post grad courses that your friend may be interested in studying. For instance, the Master of Science has a subject called Science Communication or the Master of Environment offers the major Governance, Policy and Communication.

To find all options that may interest your friend, try entering key words into the Course Search tool to find degrees that match your friend’s study interests. Once you’ve found possible courses, you can then use the University’s handbook to further search specific subjects/study areas on offer. Hope that helps, and happy course hunting!

- Bronwyn

Hello,

I was considering doing the Bachelor of Commerce and majoring in either Finance or Econometrics. I was wondering, would I struggle if I haven't completed VCE Economics or Accounting?

Thanks

Hi JackSonSmith,

As 12AM mentioned, there’s no major for Econometrics however Finance is available as a major. If you’re interested, here’s a site with all the Commerce majors on offer. The subject prerequisites for the Bachelor of Commerce only include English and Mathematical Methods/Specialist Mathematics, so if you don’t have years 12 subjects such as Accounting, you won’t be at a disadvantage. You usually don’t need to decide on your major until your second year of the degree, so you have plenty of time to explore your options and find which study area bests suits your interests!

- Bronwyn

[TheAspiringDoc]

can someone please explain to me what the kwong lee dow program is?
thanks, TheAspiringDoc

[Rishi97]

can someone please explain to me what the kwong lee dow program is?
thanks, TheAspiringDoc

Hi
not part of the Melb Uni group but I might be able to give you some info since I am a kwong lee dow scholar myself. Basically, it is a program designed to help students throughout yr 10,11 and 12. Melb Uni choose 1 or 2 people from each school (I think schools that are under represented) to be in the program. Some benefits include, revision lectures, activities, cash pay out if you are from a rural area and being a KLD scholar, Melb Uni also lower the atar for many courses. You can find more information on the website but here is what I know
Also please add more info Melbourne Uni representatives... I would love to know more

[daphaneng]

Howdy UniMelb, hope all is well!

I have a friend who is possibly interested in science communication, and was wondering if UniMelb offered any post-grad course that is relevant to the field? I tried a quick google search, but couldn't find anything, thought you lovely people could help me out.

Hey! I'm interested in science comms too, so I thought I'd jump in to add more about your question. I'm in my final year of my science degree and have been looking at post grad options to pursue science comms.

Honestly - there isn't much at unimelb. Your friend can pick up the Science Communications elective in postgrad, but if your friend has already done the undergrad subject (MULT20011 Communicating and Science and Technology), he or she can't do that postgrad subject. It's either one of the other, can't do both.

Your friend could look at the Masters of Global Media Communications, or the Media and Communications course. But if your friend wants to do a course that purely focuses on science comms - he or she may have to look interstate.

From my conversations with many lecturers, and science communicators at uni - the most recommended course is the Masters of Science Communication up in ANU (Australian National University, in canberra). At first I wasn't particularly keen at the thought of moving up to canberra, but I'm warming up to the idea now.

If your friends wants to have a chat more about science comms options and stuff, I'm happy to! I've been doing a fair bit of research about science comms post grad options

[kk243]

is their any sort of confirmation from vtac after sending in the supporting documents for the seas application?

[TheDragonBorn]

Hi there,

Just wondering it says on the UoM site that getting into Graduate Engineering program requires 65% in last 2 years. What is the weight of 2nd year and 3rd year marks or are they equally weighted? How is the WAM calculated? Thanks!!

[unimelb]

is their any sort of confirmation from vtac after sending in the supporting documents for the seas application?

Hi kk243,

Most likely, however it’s best to confirm with VTAC about their processes. Here’s their contact info: http://www.vtac.edu.au/contact-us.html. Let us know how you go.

- Miriam

is their any sort of confirmation from vtac after sending in the supporting documents for the seas application?

Hi TheDragonBorn,

Actually the Melbourne School of Engineering has recently changed their entry requirements so that they will be looking at the overall score from your previous degree(s).
Here’s an extract from the MSE website that explains how the GPA (WAM) is calculated:

“For all programs the overall score from your previous degree(s) is used to calculate an entry score, such as your overall Weighted Average Mark (WAM), GPA (Grade Point Average), etc.
This score is converted to a percentage and then normalised to determine a University of Melbourne equivalent score. This normalisation takes into account a number of factors such as the scoring system used, where you completed your degree, the ranking of your institution, etc.
Please note that these calculations should be used as a guide only. If you have attempted multiple courses we will generally look at your entire academic history and use your most recent relevant study as the basis for determining consideration for admission.
Meeting the minimum entry requirements means you will be considered for assessment but does not guarantee you entry, the academic coordinator has final approval.

How is the University of Melbourne equivalent GPA determined?
Our courses require a minimum equivalent mark of what would be 65–70% at The University of Melbourne. To do this we look at your academic record and then calculate your University of Melbourne equivalent score based on the following factors:
•   Research profile and international standing of the University you received your degree(s) from
•   The ranking of the University you received your degree from — the Times Higher Education Rankings and the Shanghai Jiao Tong World Rankings are good reference points and provide an indication of where other Universities are positioned (against the University of Melbourne)
•   Australian Government guidelines which assess international universities and education institutions. These guidelines are not made public, however take into account a number of factors including scoring systems etc.”

Read more: http://eng.unimelb.edu.au/study/graduate/faqs.html

- Miriam

[TheDragonBorn]

Hi TheDragonBorn,

Actually the Melbourne School of Engineering has recently changed their entry requirements so that they will be looking at the overall score from your previous degree(s).
Here’s an extract from the MSE website that explains how the GPA (WAM) is calculated:

“For all programs the overall score from your previous degree(s) is used to calculate an entry score, such as your overall Weighted Average Mark (WAM), GPA (Grade Point Average), etc.
This score is converted to a percentage and then normalised to determine a University of Melbourne equivalent score. This normalisation takes into account a number of factors such as the scoring system used, where you completed your degree, the ranking of your institution, etc.
Please note that these calculations should be used as a guide only. If you have attempted multiple courses we will generally look at your entire academic history and use your most recent relevant study as the basis for determining consideration for admission.
Meeting the minimum entry requirements means you will be considered for assessment but does not guarantee you entry, the academic coordinator has final approval.

How is the University of Melbourne equivalent GPA determined?
Our courses require a minimum equivalent mark of what would be 65–70% at The University of Melbourne. To do this we look at your academic record and then calculate your University of Melbourne equivalent score based on the following factors:
•   Research profile and international standing of the University you received your degree(s) from
•   The ranking of the University you received your degree from — the Times Higher Education Rankings and the Shanghai Jiao Tong World Rankings are good reference points and provide an indication of where other Universities are positioned (against the University of Melbourne)
•   Australian Government guidelines which assess international universities and education institutions. These guidelines are not made public, however take into account a number of factors including scoring systems etc.”

Read more: http://eng.unimelb.edu.au/study/graduate/faqs.html

- Miriam

I'm studying at BSc a UoM at the moment and am in 2nd year. So the new requirement means that the uni will average my grades from 1st year as well?

Mod Edit: Fixed quote - Phy124

[unimelb]

can someone please explain to me what the kwong lee dow program is?
thanks, TheAspiringDoc

Hi
not part of the Melb Uni group but I might be able to give you some info since I am a kwong lee dow scholar myself. Basically, it is a program designed to help students throughout yr 10,11 and 12. Melb Uni choose 1 or 2 people from each school (I think schools that are under represented) to be in the program. Some benefits include, revision lectures, activities, cash pay out if you are from a rural area and being a KLD scholar, Melb Uni also lower the atar for many courses. You can find more information on the website but here is what I know
Also please add more info Melbourne Uni representatives... I would love to know more

Hi TheAspiringDoc and Rishi97,

In order to give you the best assistance, we've contacted the Kwong Lee Dow expert at the University. We'll post an answer as soon as we hear back 

- Miriam & Bronwyn

Update 10/09/2014
Hi TheAspiringDoc and Rishi97,

Our Kwong Lee Dow expert has passed on the following information for you! If you have any further questions, Kwong Lee Dow details (including contacts) are located here.

"KLD is an academic enrichment program designed to support high-achieving Victorian and select NSW & SA bordering students. The program provides students with the opportunity to experience University life whilst utilising University resources and attending KLD specific events at our Parkville Campus.

Opportunities within the program include: KLD revision lectures, workshops, overnight adventures on campus,  a guaranteed place at Melbourne following Year 12 if an ATAR of 95 is achieved (or 90 if your school is under-represented), eligible to receive a scholarship (Melbourne Global Scholars Award) to study overseas on exchange, access to the University of Melbourne library collection, a relocation allowance for KLD students from regional Victoria and interstate enrolling into a University of Melbourne undergraduate degree in the year following Year 12.

KLD not only provides students with unique opportunities, the program also provides students with the chance to forge friendships with fellow KLD participants and to engage with university of Melbourne academics. Importantly, the program assists students during the transition between high school and university."

- Bronwyn

[unimelb]

Hi TheDragonBorn,

Actually the Melbourne School of Engineering has recently changed their entry requirements so that they will be looking at the overall score from your previous degree(s).
Here’s an extract from the MSE website that explains how the GPA (WAM) is calculated:

“For all programs the overall score from your previous degree(s) is used to calculate an entry score, such as your overall Weighted Average Mark (WAM), GPA (Grade Point Average), etc.
This score is converted to a percentage and then normalised to determine a University of Melbourne equivalent score. This normalisation takes into account a number of factors such as the scoring system used, where you completed your degree, the ranking of your institution, etc.
Please note that these calculations should be used as a guide only. If you have attempted multiple courses we will generally look at your entire academic history and use your most recent relevant study as the basis for determining consideration for admission.
Meeting the minimum entry requirements means you will be considered for assessment but does not guarantee you entry, the academic coordinator has final approval.

How is the University of Melbourne equivalent GPA determined?
Our courses require a minimum equivalent mark of what would be 65–70% at The University of Melbourne. To do this we look at your academic record and then calculate your University of Melbourne equivalent score based on the following factors:
•   Research profile and international standing of the University you received your degree(s) from
•   The ranking of the University you received your degree from — the Times Higher Education Rankings and the Shanghai Jiao Tong World Rankings are good reference points and provide an indication of where other Universities are positioned (against the University of Melbourne)
•   Australian Government guidelines which assess international universities and education institutions. These guidelines are not made public, however take into account a number of factors including scoring systems etc.”

Read more: http://eng.unimelb.edu.au/study/graduate/faqs.html

- Miriam


I'm studying at BSc a UoM at the moment and am in 2nd year. So the new requirement means that the uni will average my grades from 1st year as well?

Hi TheDragonBorn,

Current UoM students who apply for Masters by Coursework programs (including the Graduate Certificate of Information Systems) for the 2015 intake, will be assessed using the WAM. However if their WAM falls below the required 65%, then MSE will use all level 2 and 3 subjects including fails. If this also falls below 65% then they are not eligible.

Note: this does not apply to the PhD or MPhil (our research programs).

For all applications from UOM students for 2016 and beyond, MSE will just use the WAM for assessing applications.

- Miriam & Bronwyn

[LiquidPaperz]

Hi unimelb, what makes your commerce degree different to monash? i was also thinking of doing engineering as well, and would it best to do double degree at monash or do commerce at UoM then after my three years do engineering?

[ChickenCh0wM1en]

Hi guys,

I wanted to ask a question for a colleague of mine. He has relatives overseas (India) and they are looking to study over here. I'm really bad with finding information on this stuff so would you guys mind helping me out?

Thanks so much!

[TheAspiringDoc]

hi UoM, thanks so much, just curious, if i was from a really top regional school and scored 90 ATAR and was in KLD could i definately do Biomed?

[Special At Specialist]

Hey UoM, I was wondering if there are any indicative scores for transferring into the semester 1 intake of undergraduate degrees. You've published indicative scores for mid-year (85% for Commerce, 75% for Science, etc.), but I can't find any for the start of the year.

Also, do you look at the marks at RMIT or only the GPA? For example, someone with 79% in one subject and 100% in 7 subjects is going to have a lower GPA than someone with 80% in 8 subjects, despite getting a much higher average mark.