Applications involve choosing courses

Before you can start at VU, you need to find a course that you want to study.

Every course page has specific information about what you need to do to apply for a course.

If you're an international student, make sure to search for courses available to 'non-residents', as not all of our courses accept international applications.

Ways to apply

The way to apply for a VU course depends on your circumstances and courses you want to apply for.

1. At certain times of the year domestic students use the independent Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). See more about this organisation below.
2. At other times of the year domestic students can submit a direct application to VU.
3. International students can also apply online at the International applications system.

For more information about the application process, see how to apply.

VTAC entry

Most year 12 students apply through VTAC, an independent office that administers the application and offer process for universities in Victoria.

VTAC applications usually open around the month of August every year for courses starting the following year.

There's usually a chance for mid-year applications for some courses in April/May. In these cases, the courses would start in the second half of the year.

You can also change your preference to Victoria University during a period when VTAC allows it.

Direct entry

If you are a domestic student and your course allows it, you can apply directly to the University to study.

First, check your course page to see what options are provided in the ‘How to apply’ section. The way to apply directly depends on what you intend to study.

For example:

• If you want to study a TAFE course that is Certificate I-III, you should complete the direct entry application form – A120.
• For Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Bachelor Degree and Honours Degree, use our online Admissions Centre to submit and manage your applications. This is the fastest way for us to get your application.
• If you want to do a postgraduate research course you will need to use the form Apply for Research Course – A125.

Once your application is received you will receive an acknowledgement email.

Regardless of the way you apply you may need to submit additional information, depending on the course.

Many of our direct entry courses have ongoing 'rolling' start dates, not the traditional start of year, and mid-year intakes.

Check the course page to see when the closing date is and make sure you apply before then. It is recommended that you apply as soon as possible, as courses will close when places are filled.

International students

If you're not a permanent resident of Australia or New Zealand, the application process is slightly different. Find out more about the application process for international students.

Accept your offer

If there are places available in the course you've applied for, and you meet all the prerequisites, you may be offered a place in the course.

Domestic students

You will be emailed a letter of offer from the University (you may want to check your spam or junk folder).

The email will include details of what you need to do next, such as attending an enrolment session where you can accept your offer and enrol in the subjects you'll be studying as part of your course.

International students

After you have accepted your offer and received your Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment, you will then need to:

• Apply for a visa for the duration of your study
• Organise health cover

If you are coming from overseas you also need to book your flights and prepare to move to Melbourne.

Enrol

After your offer is confirmed, you'll be asked to enrol in the specific subjects or units that you'll be taking as part of your course.

You'll receive an email with information as to the location you'll need to attend to complete your enrolment. It's a great opportunity to discuss your unit options with your course coordinator or other teaching staff. Find out more about enrolment.

While application only occurs once, enrolment happens every year that you're doing your course.

After your first year, the next time the process is called 're-enrolment'. When you're a re-enrolling student you may receive enrolment information online, as an email to your student email account or via SMS from the University.

Whatever situation you're in, we're here to help. The staff at VU are willing to help you at every step of the way.

Find out more about how courses work at Victoria University.

If you have specific questions, you can lodge your own question or see questions other people have asked us.