Frequently asked questions

Applying to complete an Extension Program subject in addition to your other commitments is a decision that needs to be carefully considered. The following questions and answers may assist with your decision:

Can I study more than one subject area, or study the Program in Year 11?

No. The Extension Program is designed to be taken alongside a full VCE workload. To study more than one subject area at a time would be unmanageable for most students and would compromise the aims of the Program.

What is the learning environment like at university?

Extension Program students may experience a learning environment quite unlike that of Year 12.

  • Subject areas delivered on campus: students will generally attend a combination of lectures and tutorials. In some cases students may also be required to attend practical classes.
  • Duration: lectures are usually one hour long, and tutorials one to two hours long. Some lectures are also podcast and will be available to download.
  • Class size: depending on the subject, the number of students in a lecture can range anywhere from 60–500 people, whereas tutorials are much smaller in size and usually consist of 10–30 people.
  • Students: you can expect to be studying with a much wider range of people than at school — students from different schools; mature age students; students from outside Victoria; and students from different countries and/or cultural backgrounds. All of these students will have varied abilities and interests.

Who delivers Extension Program classes?

Subject areas delivered on campus are taught by University of Melbourne academics, lecturers and tutors. Classes at School Centres are delivered by secondary teachers who have been trained by the University to teach the Extension Program subject.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is generally made on the basis of assignments, essays, tutorial work, practical work and examinations. Assessment is normally conducted by University academic staff and varies between subject areas.

Many subjects have a minimum compulsory attendance requirement for tutorials, usually around 10 per cent.

What costs are involved?

There are no tuition fees for Extension Program students in 2012 however some School Centres may charge a fee to cover teaching and administrative costs. School Centre fees will be indicated on the Extension Program website when confirmed. Other costs that should be considered are those associated with textbooks and transport to and from classes.

What if I become ill or experience other circumstances that affect my study?

In that case, you may apply for special consideration from the University. The University may then grant an extension of time to complete a piece of assessment, or permission to sit an examination at a different time.

Students with a disability or long-term medical condition may be eligible for assistance from the University's Disability Liaison Unit. It is important to advise the University early if assistance may be required, by ticking the appropriate box on the Extension Program application form.

What if I withdraw or fail?

Students who withdraw from the Extension Program will not experience any disadvantage when subsequently applying to study at the University of Melbourne or at any other tertiary institution.

Students who wish to withdraw must formally notify the University using the online withdrawal form (LINK). Students who fail an Extension Program subject will be automatically withdrawn from the Program without penalty.

A student who withdraws from or fails to satisfactorily complete the prerequisite or preparatory VCE subject/s (where they are completing this alongside their Extension studies, during Year 12) will not be eligible for an increment in their ATAR calculation, regardless of their performance in their Extension Program studies.

Can I gain credit for Extension Program studies and use this towards a University of Melbourne undergraduate degree?

Students who successfully complete subject areas as part of the Extension program and subsequently enrol in a University of Melbourne undergraduate course may be granted credit for that study, if the completed subjects can be taken as part of the chosen degree.

Being granted credit provides the option of accelerating through a course, or of having a slightly lighter study load at some stage during the degree. Alternatively, students may decide not to receive credit but instead obtain an exemption from a subject which gives time to take additional subjects and thus gain a broader degree.

Credit for Extension Program Mathematics studies

More information about credit for students who have completed Extension Program Mathematics is available from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.