MUSSE

Changes to the University’s Access Melbourne program will make it even easier for students from rural or isolated areas and whose families are in disadvantaged socio-economic situations to gain entry to the University of Melbourne.

General Manager of Future Students Undergraduate, Ms Wendy Holden, says the changes provide extra clarity to the Access Melbourne process.

Students will now be guaranteed a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) in a New Generation degree (except Music, for which students have to audition) if their ENTER is 78 or above for Arts, Environments or Science, and is 88 or above for Biomedicine and Commerce.

Ms Holden says that students with ENTERs that fall below these figures are still eligible, depending on circumstances as the University considers each case individually.

For students who can now be guaranteed entry though these changes, it means they will have certainty about where they’re headed to University, giving them more time to consider and implement the big move to Melbourne, and to the University.

Eldest daughter of drought- stricken sheep and grain famers in Boort, Northern Victoria, Lacey Verley was accepted through Access Melbourne and is about to complete First Year Bachelor of Arts.

“I chose the University of Melbourne because I wanted to continue studying French,” she explains.

Lacey also received a scholarship through Access Melbourne to assist with relocation, and though it’s been a big adjustment, she loves meeting so many different people and making so many new friends.

“I have never before been in an environment where I have been exposed to so many different cultures, customs, and people, – that has been fantastic,” she says.

Zoe Shackleton, originally of Shepparton and now a third year Arts/ Science student and former President of the University’s Joss Whedon Appreciation Society also applied through Access Melbourne, because she knew that her particular disadvantages would be taken into consideration.

“Coming from the country, transition is particularly difficult, as it involves moving far away from home as well as into a new learning environment,” she says.

This veteran Access Melbourne student has some advice for prospective applicants: “Don’t disregard applying to the University even if you think it’s too difficult to get in and too expensive to move to Melbourne. If Melbourne is the institution for you, then you should definitely apply!”

While these changes relate to just the rural and disadvantaged socio-economic categories of the Access Melbourne program, there are myriad other categories through which that future students can apply.

Eligible students include those who are of a mature age, are from a non-English speaking background, are recognised as Indigenous Australians, have difficult family circumstances, attended an under-represented school, have a disability or long-term medical condition or have held refugee status at some point in their lives.

Staff across all faculties who are involved with the admissions process have been briefed on the changes.

For more information on Access Melbourne and to check eligibility, see http://www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/ugrad/accessmelb