Ask The University of Melbourne

[spectroscopy]

Hey UoM, just a quick question:
I am looking at doing the bachelor of commerce next year, but i may just miss out and not get a high enough atar. If that is the case, would it be easier to transfer into B.Comm halfway through first year, coming from a UoM bachelor of arts, or from a monash bachelor of commerce? Also, if this were my goal, could i not do the arts foundation unit in first semester, and do it in second semester instead if i dont get into commerce mid year? also what sort of wam would i need to be competitive to get in?

thanks

[LiquidPaperz]

 if you did bachelor of commerce + master of engineering at melbourne, is that the equivalent of bcom + beng at monash?

does the "masters" make you any more employable?

[notveryasian]

Hey UoM, just a quick question:
I am looking at doing the bachelor of commerce next year, but i may just miss out and not get a high enough atar. If that is the case, would it be easier to transfer into B.Comm halfway through first year, coming from a UoM bachelor of arts, or from a monash bachelor of commerce? Also, if this were my goal, could i not do the arts foundation unit in first semester, and do it in second semester instead if i dont get into commerce mid year? also what sort of wam would i need to be competitive to get in?

thanks

At the bare minimum to have a smooth transition from arts at unimelb to commerce at unimelb you'll have to complete Introductory Microeconomics. All other subjects can be postponed for when you transfer to commerce. Depending on how much you enjoy mathematics you may go choose to complete the subject Quantitative Methods 1 in first year, or choose the science department maths subjects( calc 1/calc 2/linear algebra.)

A commerce course at monash would have very similar subjects to unimelb, (since they are both part of the go8)and are relatively easy to cross credit when doing a transfer.

[unimelb]

Hi, Miriam and Bronwyn here. We'd like to introduce our student intern Carol! Carol is currently in her 3rd year of a BA, majoring in Art History and Media and Communications. Here are our answers to the questions you asked during the week. Spectroscopy/Seinfeld/notveryasian- great discussion point! We're getting some advice from our Admissions team and will come back to you soon.

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?

if you did bachelor of commerce + master of engineering at melbourne, is that the equivalent of bcom + beng at monash?

does the "masters" make you any more employable?

Hi LiquidPaperz,

Unfortunately we cannot advise you on which course is better as it is ultimately your personal choice. However, the Faculty of Business and Economics is ranked #21 globally by The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2013-2014, also ranked 8th globally for Accounting and Finance, QS World University Rankings 2013-2014.

Being a higher qualification, a Master degree is likely to make you more employable than having just a bachelor degree. Hence it wouldn’t exactly be the equivalent to a double bachelor degree. Additionally, I have included some links no career pathways and accreditation in regards to Master of Engineering:
http://www.eng.unimelb.edu.au/study/careers/pathways.html
http://www.eng.unimelb.edu.au/study/accreditation.html

- Carol

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?

Hi ChickenCh0wM1en,

You could start off by visiting our Future Student page for international students within South Asia. Information on applications, admissions, visas, scholarships and more are provided here:
http://futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/info/international/south-asia

Depending on what your colleague would like to study, he can search for his preferred course here: http://coursesearch.unimelb.edu.au/

Additionally, the University’s overseas representatives in India will be able to guide him through all aspects of the application process as well as student visa application. You’ll be able to find contact details here: http://futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/contact/overseas_representatives

- Carol

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?

Hi TheAspiringDoc,

The KLD program does offer guaranteed entry for some courses, however Biomedicine has an intake quota which may restrict the amount of places available. In addition, students must achieve an ATAR or notional ATAR of 95.00 (90.00 if your school is considered an under-represented school in the year of application) as well as meet all course prerequisites.

For more information please read: http://futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/info/school-students/kld/benefits_of_the_kwong_lee_dow_young_scholars_program

Make sure you get all the correct applications in, including SEAS if applicable (e.g. if you're a rural student).

- Bron and Carol

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.

Hi Special At Specialist,

The University of Melbourne does look at the GPA for applicants who are looking to transfer from another undergraduate course. When assessing undergraduate applications from domestic students with tertiary results, Selection Officers consider a combination of factors, including:

•   The entire academic record, including Grade Point Average (GPA)
•   Results for particularly relevant tertiary subjects
•   How much tertiary study has been undertaken
•   How recently the study was undertaken
•   The number of places available in the course
•   The calibre of other applicants in that intake

For this reason, we are unable to provide a specific GPA requirement for entry into our undergraduate degrees.
However, we can advise that the rough, indicative GPA for entry in 2013 was as follows:

•   Bachelor of Agriculture
Semester 1: 4.0
•   Bachelor of Arts
Semester 1: 6.8
Semester 2: 6.7
•   Bachelor of Biomedicine
Semester 1: 7.0
•   Bachelor of Commerce
5.5 for both semesters
•   Bachelor of Environments
Semester 1: 4.0
Semester 2: 6.0
•   Bachelor of Science
6.5 for both semesters

The majority of domestic tertiary results are automatically calculated to a GPA score out of 7 by VTAC.
As the indicative GPA varies at each intake, if you have met all other entry requirements, we’d encourage you to apply with your full Academic Transcripts, as applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

- Carol

[unimelb]

Hey UoM, just a quick question:
I am looking at doing the bachelor of commerce next year, but i may just miss out and not get a high enough atar. If that is the case, would it be easier to transfer into B.Comm halfway through first year, coming from a UoM bachelor of arts, or from a monash bachelor of commerce? Also, if this were my goal, could i not do the arts foundation unit in first semester, and do it in second semester instead if i dont get into commerce mid year? also what sort of wam would i need to be competitive to get in?

thanks

Hi spectroscopy,

If you feel like your ATAR may be under, maybe check if you're eligible for Access Melbourne. Without advising, your course preferences should be based on what you want to do, taking into account the entry requirements, and with your highest preference first. Students tend to do better in subjects/courses they are interested in, but it is completely up to you.

If you miss out on entry for start year 2015, you might consider studying at another university in order to increase your academic standing before applying to transfer at a later stage. No greater advantage is placed on a student if they are transferring from one unimelb course to another or from an external institution to a unimelb degree. All students will still need to apply via the VTAC process as new applicants. GPA requirements vary from intake to intake, but the higher your scores, the better your chance of selection (provided you meet the prereqs).

If you complete some tertiary study, you might get credit for prior study (advanced standing). Up to two semesters of course credits can be granted if applicable.

Is there an adviser at your school you can talk to about your course preferences? Might be worth seeking their assistance.

Seinfeld raises some good points, however when it comes to course planning and subject selection it's best to get advice from the Faculty directly (available for current uni students).

- Miriam, Bronwyn and Carol

[uni_student]

Hi unimelb!
I've just got three quick questions:
1. Do you accept unilearn chemistry as a prerequisite for the bachelor of science? (Alongside maths methods)?
2. My friend wants to start science next year but has not completed methods. Can she apply and get an offer to start next year then complete unilearn maths over summer?
3. Is is possible to arrange an appointment to see how much credit would be granted, before applying/accepting an offer?
Thanks so much!

[unimelb]

Hi unimelb!
I've just got three quick questions:
1. Do you accept unilearn chemistry as a prerequisite for the bachelor of science? (Alongside maths methods)?
2. My friend wants to start science next year but has not completed methods. Can she apply and get an offer to start next year then complete unilearn maths over summer?
3. Is is possible to arrange an appointment to see how much credit would be granted, before applying/accepting an offer?
Thanks so much!

Hi uni_student,

1.   Unfortunately we do not recognise unilearn chemistry. However, we do recognise Unilearn Biology as another option for applicants seeking to satisfy the science requirement for entry to the Bachelor of Science. This subject is equivalent to VCE Biology Units 1-4 and is offered as a self-paced distance education subject. Students who complete the subject with a mark of at least 75 will be deemed to have satisfied the science prerequisite. Further details about Unilearn can be found on their website. Note that the science pre-reqs for the Bachelor of Science are Maths Methods/Specialist Maths + 1 of either Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Only students wanting to study the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine as their postgrad are specifically encouraged to do the Chemistry pre-req.

2.   Your friend will need to meet the pre-reqs before applying to be considered for an offer. Unilearn Senior Mathematics is an option if your friend can complete it before applications close. This is equivalent to Maths Methods (1-4). As with Unilearn Biology, students need a mark of at least 75 to satisfy the maths prerequisite.

3.   At the moment we don’t offer appointments for credit evaluations. This is because decisions regarding credit are only made after an offer of a place in the course has been made, so there’s only limited information we can give you as an applicant. However, you can check the Credit calculator to get an idea of how much credit you might receive for prior study.

- Miriam and Bronwyn

[Reus]

I know you guys answer questions on Tuesday, but just in case I forget to ask tomorrow

I'm looking at doing either Biomed or BSci next year and was wondering how well access/SEAS works? Do they actually consider things like that and how often.
I've heard that your clearly-in rank (access one) doesn't mean you get in your course and that its highly unlikely to be considered (because of demand). Is this true?

Thanks. 

[darklight]

Hi unimelb,

If I begin a Bachelor of Science at Uni Melb, am I able to move into second-year Biomed if I realise that it doesn't suit me as well as I expected it to?

Thanks

[unimelb]

I'm looking at doing either Biomed or BSci next year and was wondering how well access/SEAS works? Do they actually consider things like that and how often.
I've heard that your clearly-in rank (access one) doesn't mean you get in your course and that its highly unlikely to be considered (because of demand). Is this true?

Hi Reus,

If you apply for Access Melbourne (SEAS) and are eligible, it means you will be considered even if your ATAR is lower than our specified minimum for the course. We also offer guaranteed entry for rural area or disadvantaged financial background SEAS categories if your ATAR is 78.00 or above for BSci, and 95.00 or above for Biomed. Note, the subject prerequisites still apply under Access Melbourne.

- Miriam

Hi unimelb,

If I begin a Bachelor of Science at Uni Melb, am I able to move into second-year Biomed if I realise that it doesn't suit me as well as I expected it to?

Hi Darklight,

If you begin and decide a course is not for you, you can apply to transfer. This following link explains how: http://futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/admissions/applications/other-applications/transferring-course

Your application would be assessed based on your GPA and ATAR, also depending on how much of the BSci you had completed. The majority of domestic tertiary results are automatically calculated to a GPA score out of 7 by VTAC. As the indicative GPA varies at each intake, if you have met all other entry requirements, we encourage you to apply with your full Academic Transcripts, as applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

We can advise that the rough, indicative GPA for entry in 2013 was as follows:
Bachelor of Biomedicine
Semester 1: 7.0

If you’re offered a place in BBmed you could apply for credit for prior learning (Advanced Standing), but please note that you may not start as a BBmed second year if you need to make up first year BBmed subjects: http://ask.unimelb.edu.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/2951/~/applying-for-advanced-standing%2F-credit-for-prior-learning

It will also be useful to note that BSci has a pathway to Doctor of Medicine. However, you must undertake anatomy, physiology and biochemistry as part of your studies: http://coursesearch.unimelb.edu.au/pathways/3-medicine

- Miriam

[Reus]

Hi Reus,

If you apply for Access Melbourne (SEAS) and are eligible, it means you will be considered even if your ATAR is lower than our specified minimum for the course. We also offer guaranteed entry for rural area or disadvantaged financial background SEAS categories if your ATAR is 78.00 or above for BSci, and 95.00 or above for Biomed. Note, the subject prerequisites still apply under Access Melbourne.

- Miriam

Thanks for that. I additionally wanted to ask that I noticed on the VTAC lodge for scholarships it didn't include UoM. Why is that?

[hang__10]

Hey Melb Uni!

I was wondering about applying to one of your colleges and you might not have your own preferences but I missed out on going to your Open Day - so is there anywhere I can seek for personal opinion (not just the college's websites?)

[unimelb]

Hey Melb Uni!

I was wondering about applying to one of your colleges and you might not have your own preferences but I missed out on going to your Open Day - so is there anywhere I can seek for personal opinion (not just the college's websites?)

Hi Hang__10,

It's probably best to check out the Colleges in person to get an idea of where you might like to live. If you missed out on Open Day, you can still take a tour of the Colleges. It is recommended that you visit at least 3 colleges before deciding on your first preference. You can email the Intercollegiate Office to request a tour at [email protected]. Please include a list of the top 3-4 colleges you’d like to visit and the office will plan an itinerary for you.

Here's a Google map of all the Colleges.

- Miriam and Bronwyn

[unimelb]

Thanks for that. I additionally wanted to ask that I noticed on the VTAC lodge for scholarships it didn't include UoM. Why is that?

Hi Reus,

I've checked with our Admissions team and confirmed that Melbourne Access Scholarship applications are made using the SEAS application on the VTAC website; no additional application is required. If you're eligible and you've applied via VTAC (SEAS), you'll be automatically considered for Access Scholarships.

- Miriam

[spectroscopy]

what sort of atar would get a student into commerce last year with the SEAS categories of underrepresented school, medical condition, and living in an under-represented area(not rural, and not sure if melb uni recognises this)?
thanks