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About subject prerequisites
How to satisfy undergraduate subject prerequisites
You can complete subjects through the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or equivalent secondary school qualifications to meet subject prerequisites. We recognise a broad range of Australian and international secondary school qualifications that are considered equivalent to the VCE.
You must have completed VCE Units 3 and 4 to meet the subject prerequisite and achieve the minimum study score published on the entry requirements tab for your course.
If you are studying in another Australian state or studying the International Baccalaureate (IB), you can use VTAC's VCE prerequisite conversion tool to check which studies from your home curriculum will meet VCE prerequisites.
You can complete single subject study through our Community Access Program (CAP) which will enable you to meet the prerequisites for our undergraduate degrees.
Single subject study can be taken in two modes – non-assessed or assessed. Non-assessed mode is suitable if you’re taking a subject for interest or personal development. To be recognised as meeting a prerequisite for entry, you must take any single subjects in assessed mode and complete all the assessments, exams or requirements of that subject. This type of study is called enabling study.
- For prerequisite VCE subjects that require a study score of 25, a minimum pass grade (50–64 per cent) in the corresponding first-year subject (in assessed mode) will be required to satisfy the prerequisite.
- Completing a single subject as enabling study through CAP does not guarantee you an offer.
| Table | |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate course prerequisite | Equivalent University of Melbourne subject |
| VCE Biology 3/4 |
BIOL10008: Introductory Biology: Life's Machinery BIOL10010: Introductory Biology: Life's Complexity |
| VCE Chemistry 3/4 | CHEM10007: Fundamentals of Chemistry |
| VCE Mathematical Methods 3/4 | MAST10012: Introduction to Mathematics |
| VCE Physics 3/4 | PHYC10009: Foundations of Physics |
| VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4 | MAST10005: Calculus 1 |
Refer to the University of Melbourne Handbook for more information about these subjects.
This option is not available to international students (student visa holders or applicants).
The Uni Ready Enabling Program (UREP)is an on-campus, six-month pathway designed to help you meet the Mathematical Methods 3/4 entry requirements for the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Commerce.
The UREP is free for students as it is fully funded by the Australian Government under the ‘FEE-FREE Uni Ready Courses’ initiative.
Through four full-time subjects, you’ll build the academic skills you need for university study, including mathematics subjects that can satisfy key entry requirements. Places are limited, and meeting eligibility doesn’t guarantee an offer, but successfully completing the program can put you on a clear pathway into your chosen degree.
This option is not available to international students (student visa holders or applicants).
Undertaking an adult VCE program and selecting the relevant prerequisite subjects can help you meet entry requirements. Organisations that offer adult VCE include:
- Adult Community Education (ACE)
- Technical and Further Education (TAFE)
- Centre for Adult Education (CAE)
For more information about adult VCE programs, visit VCAA - Return to Study.
Foundation studies is a pathway option for international students who don’t yet meet the entry or subject prerequisite requirements for their chosen undergraduate course.
By completing a recognised foundation program, you can build the academic knowledge, study skills and subject background needed for university-level study, and progress to applying for undergraduate degrees once you meet the required results.
We accept a broad range of foundation studies programs for entry.
Examples of other ways to satisfy the University of Melbourne prerequisites are detailed below, but this list is not exhaustive. Contact us to discuss these options and others in more detail.
| Table | |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate course prerequisite | Equivalent study and requirements |
| VCE Biology 3/4 | Successful completion of UniLearn Biology, which must include a minimum of 20 hours of online lab activities, with an overall grade of at least 75%. |
| VCE Chemistry 3/4 | Successful completion of UniLearn Chemistry, which must include a minimum of 26 hours of online lab activities, with an overall grade of at least 75%. |
| VCE English 3/4 |
Successful completion (pass grade) of a minimum of one year of full-time study (100 credit points) in a graded tertiary program (delivered and assessed in English). OR Achieve the minimum scores set for an English language test approved by the University. Where English is your first language, the preferred test is the Pearson Test of English. |
| VCE Mathematical Methods 3/4 |
Successful completion of UniLearn Senior Mathematics with an overall grade of at least 60%. OR Successful completion of the University of Melbourne's Calculus and Probability Online subject with a pass grade of at least 50% in one or both modules, as required. Required modules in Calculus and Probability Online will depend on your previous studies. Applicants completing this subject in the Summer intensive period are unable to use their results to be considered for a Bachelor of Agriculture, Bachelor of Biomedicine, Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Science in the Semester 1 (start-year) offer in the same year. Applicants will need to consider applying for admission to their preferred undergraduate degree in the Semester 2 (mid-year) intake. OR Successful completion of the University of Queensland’s Pure Mathematics online bridging course. |
How to satisfy graduate subject prerequisites
For a select number of graduate degrees, you can complete specific single subjects through the Community Access Program (CAP) to meet course prerequisites.
Refer to the Entry requirements tab of your chosen course to check for prerequisites. If you don't meet these through previous study, you may be able to satisfy them by completing subjects in assessed mode via CAP. Where University of Melbourne–specific subjects are recommended, they will be listed in the course entry requirements (and some examples are provided below).
Single subjects are offered in two modes: non-assessed and assessed. Non-assessed study is suitable if you're undertaking a subject for personal interest or development. To meet a prerequisite for course entry, you must enrol in assessed mode and complete all required assessments, exams, and subject requirements – this is known as enabling study. Completing a subject as enabling study through CAP does not guarantee you an offer.
While subjects may be considered as part of your application, enrolling in or completing enabling study does not guarantee admission to a course.
| Table | ||
|---|---|---|
| Graduate course | Subject code | Subject name |
| Doctor of Dental Surgery | ANAT20006 | Principles of Human Structure |
| BCMB20002 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | |
| BIOL10004 | Biology of Cells and Organisms | |
| BIOL10005 | Genetics and the Evolution of Life | |
| CHEM10003 | Chemistry 1 | |
| CHEM10004 | Chemistry 2 | |
| CHEM10009 | Advanced Chemistry for BioSciences | |
| PHYS20008 | Human Physiology | |
| Doctor of Physiotherapy | ANAT20006 | Principles of Human Structure |
| BIOL10004 | Biology of Cells and Organisms | |
| BIOL10005 | Genetics and the Evolution of Life | |
| PHYS20008 | Human Physiology | |
| Master of Architecture | ABPL10004 | Global Foundations of Design |
| ABPL20027 | Architecture Design Studio: Earth | |
| ABPL20028 | Architecture Design Studio: Water | |
| ABPL30050 | Modern Architecture: MoMo to PoMo | |
| ABPL30053 | Formative Ideas in Architecture | |
| ABPL30065 | Introduction to Architectural Design | |
| ABPL30066 | Architecture as Political History | |
| ARCH10001 | Foundations of Design: Representation | |
Refer to the University of Melbourne Handbook for more information about these subjects.
This option is not available to international students (student visa holders or applicants).
If you've completed university or TAFE subjects
If you've studied previously at university or TAFE, you may find that subjects you've already completed satisfy the prerequisites for your preferred course. Your results will usually need to be less than 10 years old (with the exception of English).
To have your subjects assessed, submit a syllabus/subject outline with your application.
How to submit a syllabus for assessment
If the subject or qualification you have completed (or intend to complete) does not appear as an already approved option on this page, you must submit a detailed syllabus or subject outline with your course application. This enables your subjects to be assessed by our academics to determine if they satisfy the published prerequisites for your preferred undergraduate degree.
All domestic students, as well as international students who are studying in Australia, apply for undergraduate study through VTAC. To submit supporting documentation for assessment, you'll need to:
- provide a detailed copy of your syllabus or subject outline to our Admissions team via our enquiry form
- include your full name and email address as they appear in your VTAC application, your VTAC application number, and the University of Melbourne course/s you have applied for
- indicate that the nature of your enquiry is ‘Entry requirements’, then briefly outline which of your previous studies you believe may be equivalent to the published course prerequisite.