Cross-institutional study

If you are interested in undertaking a subject that isn’t offered at the University of Melbourne, it may be possible for you to complete this subject at another university and have it count toward your current degree.

To undertake cross-institutional study, the subject you choose must be directly related to your study and be appropriate to your qualification. Approval will not be given if you want to take a subject that is closely equivalent to a University of Melbourne subject, unless exceptional reasons exist (for example an unplanned, short-term work transfer interstate). Approval will not be granted to University of Melbourne students studying the Juris Doctor for any reason.

  • Outgoing University of Melbourne students

    What are the guidelines for cross-institutional study?

    If you are a University of Melbourne student, you must meet the following requirements to be considered for cross-institutional study.

    You must:

    • Maintained a strong academic record (normally 65% average)
    • Have completed at least one full-time semester of study at the University of Melbourne
    • Have appropriate subject content and expectations in terms of contact hours, assessment requirements and graduate outcomes
    • Have a sound academic reason for enrolling in the subject.

    You are permitted to enrol in up to the equivalent of 100 points of study at another institution providing you meet the necessary requirements.

    Note: Capstone subjects are not to be taken cross-institutionally.

    How do I apply?

    Applications for cross-institutional study must be submitted four weeks before the beginning of the teaching period.

    1. Gather supporting documents
      • Ensure you have an official description of the subject you wish to take. For example, a screen shot of a handbook entry of the subject(s).
      • Provide a statement explaining your reasons to request cross-institutional study.
    2. Seek academic approval

      Undergraduate students (excluding Bachelor of Science students): Obtain written approval from the Coordinator of the relevant major (as stated in the Handbook) or the Director of the degree for breadth study.

      Bachelor of Science students: Please submit your application for any subjects without approval, staff will appropriately direct your application to seek approval. Please advise if you are seeking approval for a subject to count towards your major.

      Graduate coursework students: Obtain written approval from your Course Coordinator. Academic approvals should be presented in the form of a letter/email and must confirm the following:

      • Subject/s applied for are deemed to be of an equivalent academic standard to subjects taught at the University of Melbourne. Please note: the Course Coordinator should also indicate the credit points to be awarded upon successful completion of each approved subject.
      • Similar subjects to those you’ve applied for are not available at the University of Melbourne (this may be waived if you’re requesting to study interstate under exceptional circumstances).
    3. Submit a Cross-Institutional Enrolment Application
    4. Submit your supporting documents via an online enquiry:
      • Label your enquiry as "[Student number] - Cross institutional outgoing application - Supporting document"
      • Include supporting documents as outlined in Steps 1 and 2.

    In all cases, you will need to apply to and complete the enrolment requirements at the other institution.

    Fees

    If you are a Commonwealth Supported Student at the University of Melbourne, you may be eligible to study as a Commonwealth Supported student at the other Australian university also. Note that if you are offered a Commonwealth supported place at another institution, you will be required to complete a separate 'Request for Commonwealth Support' form.

    If you are a FEE-HELP student at the University of Melbourne, you will be eligible to undertake any complementary subjects under FEE-HELP (subject to your FEE-HELP limit). Note that you will be required to complete a second FEE- HELP application form for the other institution.

    If you are required, as part of your course, to take a subject offered by another Australian university, and you are a Commonwealth Supported student at the University of Melbourne, then you will be eligible to take this subject as a Commonwealth Supported student at the other institution.

  • Incoming Non-University of Melbourne students

    What are the guidelines for cross-institutional study?

    If you are not a University of Melbourne student and are thinking of undertaking cross-institutional study at the University of Melbourne, you must:

    • Be currently enrolled in a degree course at an Australian university
    • Have a strong academic record (for example, at least 65% average or equivalent at your home institution)
    • Receive approval from your home university
    • Receive approval from the University of Melbourne subject coordinator, except in the following cases:
      • Undergraduate quota subjects offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (MDHS). Visit the MDHS quota subjects page to find out more about how to apply.
      • Graduate Law subjects. Visit the Melbourne Law School single subjects page for more information.
      • All applicants will need to refer to the Handbook in the first instance to search for subjects.

    Please note:

    • Other eligibility criteria may apply to the subject(s) for which you wish to apply. Approval for a cross-institutional study enrolment is at the discretion of the relevant teaching faculty or graduate school.
    • Some subjects are not available through cross-institutional study.
    • Some subjects may have quota restrictions and therefore limited availability for cross-institutional study. Quota subjects may also have earlier application deadlines.
    • Where possible, incoming cross-institutional study students will be enrolled on the same fee basis as their current enrolment at their home institution.
    • Incoming cross-institutional study students are subject to the University of Melbourne's Student Fees and Charges Policy.
    • The University will issue fee invoices directly to the student and is unable to administer sponsorship for incoming cross-institutional study students.

    How do I apply?

    If you are from another Australian university and would like to study a subject/s at the University of Melbourne, you must apply online using the University's Online Application System by the appropriate deadline.

    Alternatively, if you are a student from a university overseas considering study at the University of Melbourne, you must apply as an Exchange or Study Abroad student. To find out more please see visit Melbourne on Exchange or Study Abroad.

    Note: Applications for the following academic year will only open once the University Handbook for the relevant year is available.

    Course codes

    Please select the level of the subjects you are applying for (as listed in the subject Handbook entry).

    Course level Course code
    Undergraduate XC-UG
    Postgraduate XC-PG

    Which study period should I apply for?

    You must check the handbook entry for each subject you are interested in and make note of the study period options and teaching dates. This information is listed under the dates and times in the Handbook entry for each subject, and it is very important to check this section for each subject you apply for, to ensure you apply for the correct study period and are aware of the teaching dates and availability. The teaching start date will determine the course intake you should apply for.  Please refer to this table to check the course intake and application closing date.

    Course Intake to apply for in 2024Subject teaching start date rangeApplication Closing date 
    Summer Intake 1 Dec 2023 to 11 Feb 2024 Sunday 10 Dec 2023
    Start Year Intake 12 Feb 2024 to 8 Mar 2024 Sunday 14 Jan 2024
    Autumn Intake 9 Mar 2024 to 31 May 2024 Sunday 25 Feb 2024
    Winter Intake 1 Jun 2024 to 7 Jul 2024 Sunday 26 May 2024
    Mid Year Intake 8 Jul 2024 to 2 Aug 2024 Sunday 30 Jun 2024
    Spring Intake 3 Aug 2024 to 30 Nov 2024 Sunday 21 Jul 2024

    Example: Suppose a subject has multiple study period options, including a January availability which starts on 30 January. To apply for this availability, you would choose the Summer course intake (as it starts between 1 Dec and 11 Feb) and indicate the January study period within the application.

    If you are applying for more than one subject, please submit your application based on the earliest subject chosen.

    Please note the following:

    • Assessments will still take place after the teaching period is finished.
    • Quota subjects may have earlier closing dates. Refer to the relevant subject entry in the University Handbook and ensure that you apply by the required deadline for any quota subjects and meet any other requirements listed.
    • Late applications may be considered up to the Friday before classes start for non-quota subjects if all required approvals are provided, however it is not guaranteed you will be able to enrol if you apply after the above deadlines. For subjects with non-standard study periods, please ensure that you apply at least 10 working days prior to the commencement of teaching.
    • Please make note of the enrolment deadline and census date for your subject(s) as it may not be possible to enrol late in some subjects, even if you have accepted an offer initially.

    Continuing cross-institutional study

    If you wish to continue your cross-institutional studies and complete further subjects in future intakes you will need to submit a new online application for those subjects. You will be able to enrol in additional subjects only after your new application has been assessed and an offer has been issued.

More information