Types of subjects

Understand subject types and enrolment requirements as you plan your course

Knowing the different subject types in your course helps you plan your studies and make informed enrolment decisions. Subject types can have different requirements, enrolment rules and teaching formats.

Check your study plan in my.unimelb and the University Handbook for information about subjects in your course.

Core subjects

Core subjects are compulsory. You must complete them to meet your course requirements.

In most cases, you can't substitute a core subject unless the University approves it.

In your study plan, core subjects are identified with a red 'C'.

Elective subjects

Elective subjects let you choose from a range of approved subjects in your course or major. They're not compulsory and give you flexibility to tailor your studies to your interests.

Available electives will be listed in your study plan. Not all electives are offered in every study period.

In your study plan, elective subjects (also referred to as 'optional subjects') are marked with a blue 'O'.

Discovery subjects

Discovery subjects are core first-year subjects in each undergraduate degree.

They're designed to help you settle into university study. They also connect your studies to real-world problems and show you how your degree applies outside the classroom. Delivery modes and experiences vary across degrees.

For more information, visit the Discovery subjects webpage.

Breadth subjects

Most University of Melbourne undergraduate degrees include a breadth component.

Breadth subjects let you study outside your main discipline and build knowledge across different fields.

For more information on the benefits, rules and requirements, visit the Breadth subjects webpage

Selective subjects

Selective subjects (sometimes called core selectives) are compulsory but give you a limited choice.

Instead of one set subject, you choose from a small group of approved options.

For example, your course may require you to complete one subject from a list of two or more.

Capstone subjects

Capstone subjects are usually completed in your final year. They bring together the knowledge and skills you've built across your degree. They also prepare you for work, professional practice or further study.

Depending on your course, a capstone subject may include:

• A research project
• Project-based learning
• Industry or work-integrated learning
• Advanced coursework activities.

Capstone subjects are generally only available to students enrolled in the relevant course or major.

Intensive subjects

Intensive subjects are taught over a shorter period than a standard semester subject. The same amount of learning is condensed into days or weeks rather than a full teaching period.

Intensive subjects may be offered:

• At the start or end of a semester
• During semester breaks
• During Summer or Winter periods
• As an intensive teaching block within Semester 1 or Semester 2.

Before you enrol in an intensive subject, be aware that some intensive subjects:

• Have enrolment quotas
• Have special entry requirements
• May affect your study load calculations
• May require an overload request.

Always check the subject's University Handbook entry for:

• Teaching dates
• Assessment dates
• Quotas
• Prerequisites and other requirements.

Summer and Winter intensive subjects

Many intensive subjects run during Summer and Winter periods. If you're already enrolled in a full semester study load, check whether the subject counts towards your semester load. You may need to submit an overload application.

The teaching period and assessment dates in the University Handbook will help you work this out.

Continuing subjects

Continuing subjects run across multiple consecutive study periods.

They're often listed as Part 1 and Part 2, for example:

• Research Project Part 1
• Research Project Part 2.

You may receive an interim result for the earlier part. Your final grade is awarded when you complete the last part.

Quota subjects

Quota subjects have a limit on how many students can enrol.

Quotas apply when resources such as specialist facilities, placements or teaching capacity are limited.

If a subject has a quota, this will generally be listed in the University Handbook.

Learn more about quota subjects, how places are allocated and faculty-specific information on the Quota subjects page.