Indigenous students

The University of Melbourne welcomes Indigenous Australian students* to all of our courses and programs. Currently there are around 180 Indigenous Australian students at the University. 

We are committed to helping Indigenous Australians to meet your educational needs and aspirations. The University achieves this through consulting and working with Indigenous communities, through our teaching and research offerings and our community interactions.

Courses

Your first degree

If you are currently studying for the VCE or an equivalent qualification, you'll apply for an undergraduate degree at the University. Our undergraduate degrees offer more than 80 major fields of study in total. View all courses at Melbourne on Course Search, or see how to get to your chosen career via a career pathway.

The following information might also be useful:

The University offers a degree that has been specifically developed for Indigenous Australian students. The Bachelor of Arts (Extended) is an undergraduate program taken over four years. It is ideal for Indigenous Australian students who have not obtained the results for direct entry into the Bachelor of Arts and provides support in your transition to University. You will be supported by the Murrup Barak Institute and live at one of the University's residential colleges.

Access Melbourne is the University's Access Melbourne is the University's combined special entry and access scholarships scheme. It can help you get into the course you want, even if you didn't get the required marks. Recognition as an Indigenous Australian is a recognised category under Access Melbourne, so make sure you submit a Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) application when you apply through VTAC.

View Access Melbourne eligibility criteria here.

This is a pathway to the University for those who finished high school more than seven years ago, or who didn't complete secondary school.

Further study

Once you graduate, or if you are returning to study after working for a while, you might be interested in graduate degrees. These courses can enable you to enter a new profession, or can be undertaken for professional development. You can find a graduate course at the University of Melbourne via Course Search.

Graduate Access Melbourne can increase your chances of securing a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), increase your chance of getting into the course of your choice and also provide access to a $5000 bursary. Recognition as an Indigenous Australian is a recognised category under Graduat Access Melbourne.

    More information

    • Murrup Barak, Melbourne Institute for Indigenous Development
      The Murrup Barak, Melbourne Institute for Indigenous Development provides support to all Indigenous Australian students enrolled at as well as those wishing to apply for a place at the University of Melbourne. With a dedicated team of student support professionals, the Institute offers information, advice and support on a wide range of academic, cultural and personal matters to help make your transition to University studies easier.

    • Indigenous studies at Melbourne
      A comprehensive listing of, and links to, all Indigenous related activities at the University of Melbourne.
    • The Wilin Centre
      The Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development at the Victorian College of the Arts on our Southbank campus is dedicated to providing a holistic approach to supporting Indigenous students and artists.

    *Indigenous Australians are defined as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people