Frequently Asked Questions for Non-School Leavers
(also known as Mature-Aged applicants)
- How do I apply?
- What are the entry requirements?
- If I meet the minimum entry requirements, am I guaranteed a place in the course?
- Which pathway is the best: TAFE, OLA or single units?
- I am a Mature-Aged applicant, do I apply differently to other applicants?
- If I undertake some tertiary studies to gain entry to a Monash Arts course, will I get advanced standing for those studies?
- I started a university degree once before, how will this affect my application?
- I started a university degree but got very bad grades and dropped out, will that hinder my chances of getting in now?
- I started a university degree in a completely different field of study. Will that help me gain entry to a Monash Arts course and is there a possibility of getting advanced standing for those previous studies?
- I did year 12 some time ago, is it still valid?
- Will my life or work experience help me get into a Monash Arts degree?
- Can I study part time?
- How long do I have to complete my degree?
- Can I change from part-time to full-time or vice versa?
- Can I transfer from another Monash course to a Monash Arts course?
- I have studied overseas, does that count?
- How much will my study cost and when do I need to pay?
- Will I have help planning my degree?
- What if I have problems with my studies?
- What support services are available?
- Should I make an appointment to see the selection officer or telephone to discuss my application?
1. How do I apply?
You apply through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). VTAC acts as a central agency, co-coordinating the selection process for tertiary institutions. This means that you submit one application for all the university courses you'd like to do and VTAC distributes your information to the course selection officers. VTAC applications open in July and close at the end of September each year. You can contact VTAC at www.vtac.edu.au or 1300 364 133.
Mid-year intake: normally the Faculty of Arts has a second semester intake, depending on the availability of places. Applications for this intake are made direct to the Faculty and can be found on the web . To give yourself the best opportunity for success, ensure attach to your application form, all the requested certified copies of previous study results.
2. What are the entry requirements?
There are a number of ways that you can meet the entry requirements for a Monash Arts Course
- Year 12: satisfactory completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE ) with a study score of at least 25 in English and 20 in any other 3 VCE studies, or interstate, overseas or other year 12 programs deemed equivalent.
- Open Universities Australia (OUA ): completion of at least two open learning units with a credit (60%) average.
- OUA (previously Open Learning Australia) is a cooperative arrangement between a number of Australian universities. There are no entry requirements, so it allows normally unqualified applicants to complete university studies at home. You can contact OUA at www.open.edu.au or 1300 363 652.
- Single Units : completion of at least two fee-paying single university units with a credit (60%) average
- When units are not full, applicants normally considered unqualified are allowed to enrol. These units are full-fee paying and the cost can be found in the Fees web site. Contact 9905 2107.
- TAFE : completion of a Certificate IV (which is the first year of a diploma or associate diploma program), preferably in an arts-related area (e.g. liberal arts, media and communications, professional writing and editing) with a Distinction average. Make sure you enrol in a TAFE that provides graded results. For information on TAFE call the TAFE Course Line 131 823.
3. If I meet the minimum entry requirements, am I guaranteed a place in the course?
No. Admission to Monash Arts is highly competitive and depends on the standard of students applying at any given time.
4. Which Pathway Is the Best: TAFE, OUA or Single Units?
Each of these options is equally valuable. You need to consider which suits you best in terms of the time you have available, your financial situation, whether you want to study from home or in an institution. You also need to remember that you must achieve the results outlined above (in question 2) to be considered for a place in a Monash Arts degree.
5. I am a Mature-Aged applicant, do I apply differently to other applicants?
No. All applicants follow the same application process. For information about please read the Monash Access Schemes section of the Monash Prospective Students (PSO) site - please note: these schemes still use VTAC (for non-direct entry courses) details on this are on the PSO site.
6. If I undertake some tertiary studies to gain entry to a Monash Arts course, will I get advanced standing for those studies?
In most cases you could gain advanced standing for OUA units, single subjects, or TAFE studies above Certificate IV. Advanced standing applications are individually assessed at enrolment.
7. I started a university degree once before, how will this affect my application?
If you have started a degree previously, the studies you completed, and the marks you achieved, may help you gain admission to Monash Arts. The selection officers will be looking for a credit (60%) average in your previous studies.
You may receive advanced standing for the studies you did within the last 10 years. Studies done more than 10 years ago can help you gain admission, but will not count towards advanced standing. Advanced standing is assessed at enrolment.
8. I started a university degree but got very bad grades and dropped out, will that hinder my chances of getting in now?
When considering your application, we look at both previous university studies and at your year 12 performance. If you performed well in year 12, but not at university, we would consider your application if there were extenuating circumstances as to why you did badly at university. You are welcome to provide additional information in writing to the selection officer.
9. I started a university degree in a completely different field of study. Will that help me gain entry to a Monash Arts course and is there a possibility of getting advanced standing for those previous studies?
If you achieved a credit average (60%) in your previous studies, you have a good chance of getting into a Monash Arts course. You may gain advanced standing, as some Monash Arts degrees allow you to take electives from another faculty, so your previous studies could be counted as electives. Advanced standing is assessed at enrolment.
10. I did year 12 some time ago, is it still valid?
Yes. Current year 12s are selected on their Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank (ENTER). When you apply, VTAC calculates a notional ENTER based on your year 12 results, whether they are old VCE results or a previous year 12 program. We will assess your application in light of the current year 12 entry standards.
11. Will my life or work experience help me get into a Monash Arts degree?
Notifying a selection officer of relevant work or life experience is valuable as supplementary information, but the minimum academic requirements must be met before any student is admitted to a degree. As degrees in Arts are highly academic, we must feel confident that you will be able to cope with the intellectual demands before we admit you to the course, that's why we look favourably on students who have done some OUA, single units or TAFE . By doing some preliminary studies, students show a commitment to returning to study and rebuilding the skills necessary to succeed in an Arts degree, such as researching a topic and essay writing.
12. Can I study part time?
Yes, you can study part time, however you should be aware that there are limited study options available during the evening. If you can study part-time during the day, you will have access to the full range of disciplines offered.
13. How long do I have to complete my degree?
You must complete your degree within eight years for all single degrees, and within ten years for all double degrees..
14. Can I change from part-time to full-time or vice versa?
Yes, you can alter your time-fraction at re-enrolment.
15. Can I transfer from another Monash course to a Monash Arts course?
Yes. The Arts Coursework Office can give you an application form. Keep in mind that you need a credit (60%) average in your current studies to be granted a transfer, so even if you don't like the course you are in, you need to perform as well as possible to maximise your chance of a transfer.
16. I have studied overseas, does that count?
Yes, overseas study results will be considered.
17. How much will my study cost and when do I need to pay?
Most students are offered a Commonwealth-Supported Place (CSP, previously HECS). Different courses have different fees depending on how may units are involved and what disciplines are included.
For information on tuition fees, Student Learning Entitlements, payment options, etc. you should visit the Monash Fees website. Information on amenities fees is also available on this site.
18. Will I have help planning my degree?
Successful applicants receive an invitation to a preenrolment session. This is an opportunity to find out how your course is structured, what disciplines are available, and to speak to staff. It also means that your actual enrolment, a few days later, will be much quicker and easier. Naturally there are course advisers available to help you on enrolment day as well.
There is also detailed course and discipline information available on the Arts Course, discipline, and Unit Information site.
20. What if I have problems with my studies?
Course advisers are available by appointment all year and can help you structure your course, make changes to your enrolment, and advise you on the study plan best suited to you. If you are having trouble with the work, Language and Learning Services can assist you with essay writing, exam and time management skills, conventions of academic writing etc.
21. What support services are available?
Monash provides a comprehensive range of support services including childcare, health care, counselling, study skills and employment assistance. The Mature Age and Part-time Student Association (MAPS) is a great place to meet other mature age students and to find out about the range of services available. MAPS is located upstairs in the Clayton Campus Centre (building 10).
22. Should I make an appointment to see the selection officer or telephone to discuss my application?
If you have additional relevant information or you want to notify the selection officers of any special circumstances, the best way to do this is via the VTAC supplementary information form, or by writing directly to the Arts Selection Officer. Interviews are not part of the selection process. As selection officers deal with thousands of applications, it is much more effective to state your case in writing, rather than via the telephone. The address is:
Selection Officer, Faculty of Arts, PO Box 11A, Monash University, Vic, 3800.
More information:
Faculty of Arts Coursework Office
Email coursework@arts.monash.edu.au
Phone (03) 9905 2107
Arts website: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au