FAQs for students

FAQs for students

Keeping you COVIDSafe

Visit the University's dedicated COVID-19 website for the latest public health advice and everything you need to know about staying COVIDSafe on campus.

Find out what you need to know and do when you come to campus or another University site.

Attending campus information

If you test positive or need to isolate

The University's Public Health Network is dedicated to supporting students and staff who test positive or know someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Find out what to do if you have symptoms, or if you or someone you know tests positive for COVID-19.

  • What happens if I miss classes or assessments on campus because I am isolating due to COVID-19 (including as a close contact or because I have symptoms)?

    Please follow the health guidance on our testing and notification page in the first instance, then:

    If you feel well

    Contact your Subject Coordinator/s for advice, you may be able to study remotely during this time. Your Subject Coordinators’ details are published on the subject’s Handbook page under Dates and times.

    • If classes are not available online, you may ask your Subject Coordinator/s if attendance/participation requirements can be waived or whether other arrangements can be made.
    • If your absence due to isolation impacts assessment, you may request an extension to assessment and/or apply for special consideration if required.  Please note, under current policy, students can request an extension for up to ten days via the Subject Coordinator/s.  If you need an extension beyond ten days, or when end-of-Semester exams are impacted, please apply for Special Consideration submitting substantiating evidence as required.

    If you feel unwell

    • Request an extension to assessment and/or apply for special consideration as required.  Please note, under current policy, students can request an extension for up to ten days via Subject Coordinator/s. If you need an extension beyond ten days, or when end-of-Semester exams are impacted, please apply for Special Consideration submitting substantiating evidence as required.
  • Do I need to apply for special consideration if I test positive for COVID-19 or am staying away from campus as I have physical symptoms?

    It depends on the extent to which your illness impacts your studies and your ability to complete your assessment tasks on time.

    If you have COVID-19 and the illness has a minor detrimental effect on your studies and ability to complete your assessment tasks on time, existing policy allows you to apply for extensions of up to ten days directly via your faculty. You should request an extension via your Subject Coordinator/s as per the standard process. Your Subject Coordinators’ details are published on the subject’s Handbook page under Dates and times.

    If the impacts of illness are more substantial and/or affect end-of-semester examinations, you should apply for Special consideration.

  • What documentation will be required for COVID-related special consideration requests?

    There are no changes to the documentation required by current policy for special consideration applications.

    Please follow the current University guidelines if you are unwell with COVID-19 or COVID-related symptoms, or if you are a close contact. You are encouraged to speak to your subject coordinators as soon as possible about available options if you will miss classes or assessments.

    For all special consideration applications, you need to provide the required documentation of the impact of the illness on your ability to complete, attend or prepare for the assessment task by the designated deadline, including medical documentation.

    If you are a carer with an Academic Adjustment Plan (AAP), you can apply for special consideration when those you are caring for are unwell and it affects your study, even if you are not unwell yourself. You need to provide relevant documentation regarding those you are caring for that includes the impact on your ability to complete, attend or prepare for the assessment task by the designated deadline as per the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF 1326).

    For more details on supporting documents and how to apply, please visit Special consideration.

Advice for students in dual-delivery subjects

  • Can I change my classes from on-campus to online, or switch to on campus classes from online?

    If you are enrolled in dual-delivery subjects, it may be possible to change your class allocations between the on-campus and online delivery modes for individual activities in that subject (eg seminars, tutorials, studios etc) in limited circumstances and up until the end of the third week of semester.

    You can either swap classes in My Timetable, or submit a Timetable Assistance Form.  For more information, visit Review and adjust your timetable.

    Once you have finalised your timetable, you are expected to remain in your timetabled classes for the rest of semester .

    If you are unable to attend on-campus classes temporarily during semester because you are isolating for COVID-19 purposes, please follow the advice: If you test positive or need to isolate.

  • What if I arrive in Melbourne after classes start – will I still be able to attend classes on campus?

    If you are enrolled in Dual-Delivery subjects, it may be possible to change your class allocations from online to on campus for individual activities in that subject (eg seminars, workshops, tutorials, studios etc) when you arrive in Melbourne. Discuss your options further with your Subject Coordinator.

    If it is possible to attend on campus classes when you arrive in Melbourne, you can either swap classes in My Timetable, or submit a Timetable Assistance Form. For more information, visit Review and adjust your timetable.

  • What if I miss classes or assessments due to arriving in Melbourne after the start of semester?

    While all students are strongly encouraged to return to Melbourne before orientation and classes start, if you’re late due to flight cancellations, carer responsibilities for family members with COVID-19 etc, follow the tips below to make the most of your semester:

    1. Refer to the subject information in the LMS and promptly contact your subject coordinator/s (listed in the Handbook subject entries) for advice about the best way to catch up on any classes that you have missed. Do this as soon as possible, as subject content is often highly sequential, and some assessment (including hurdle requirements) may occur early in the semester.
      • Note that enrolment in subjects after the last day to self-enrol (stated in the subject entries in the Handbook) requires permission from the subject coordinator, and this must be attached to an Enrolment Assistance Form. It is not possible to enrol in subjects after the census date noted in the Handbook.
    1. Be aware of subject withdrawal options and the key dates listed in the subject entries in the Handbook (such as census date, and last day to withdraw without fail).
    1. Seek Stop 1 Course Planning advice if you need course planning or enrolment assistance, including discussing the implications of reducing study load. Stop 1 can also provide visa advice.

Support if you are concerned about attending campus

  • How is the University supporting students who are concerned about attending campus for health reasons?

    Please visit our Covid Safe campus information page to find out what measures the University has put in place to support your safety and wellbeing to enable you to study on campus.

    If you are enrolled in an Undergraduate program, you are expected to be on campus to make the most of in person teaching and learning and engagement with your teachers, fellow students and all that campus life has to offer. If you are enrolled in a Graduate program, you are also expected to be on campus noting there are some subjects in some programs where dual-delivery or online may be available.

    While most courses and subjects are offered on campus from 2023, dual-delivery or online subjects may be available as part of your course and you can check the Handbook to see if this is the case. 

    If you are not able to find appropriate subjects to take online, and your medical condition is appropriately documented via a Health Professional Report which includes restrictions for on campus activity, contact SEDS for advice regarding ongoing support and reasonable adjustments. If your condition is not documented and you remain anxious about attending campus, you may wish to contact Counselling and Psychological Services, the University Health Service, or your local GP for further advice.

  • Will there be online learning options for students who are anxious about attending campus due to health concerns?

    From Semester 1, 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only, with flexible options limited to a select number of graduate programs and individual subjects.

    Options for students concerned about attending campus are:

    1. Students who are immunocompromised should contact Student Equity and Disability Services for advice as they may be able to register for ongoing support.
    2. Students who are anxious to attend campus can make an appointment with a counsellor from Counselling and Psychological Services or the Health Service to talk through their concerns and develop strategies to manage the return to campus life. The Health Service is also offering a Hotline – 03 8344 6905 – that students can contact for advice and support. The service is offering telehealth consultations (if appropriate) for patients who have attended a face-to-face appointment within 12 months before their proposed telehealth appointment.
    3. Refer to the 2023 Handbook to see if there are online or via dual-delivery subjects that you can take as part of your course.
    4. Students who are required to enrol in subjects with mandatory on-campus components may need to defer (commencing students) or take a period of Leave of Absence (continuing students) until they are able to attend campus.

    If you need assistance managing your enrolment or candidature, seek course advice (coursework students), or contact your supervisor(s) in the first instance (graduate researchers).

Vaccination requirements

You do not need to provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination to access campus. However, there are some circumstances under government legislation and in some host workplaces for student placements where vaccination is required.

We continue to encourage you to stay up to date with your vaccinations, as this is still the best way to reduce your risk of severe illness.

Head to the Vaccination at the University of Melbourne page for more information.