Benefits of the Program

Academic challenge

The Extension Program is designed to challenge the most able students. If you are passionate about a particular subject area at school, the Program gives you the opportunity to explore it in greater depth at university level. If you are selected for the Extension Program, you will be joining around 400 other high achieving students who take part in this stimulating and challenging program.

Get a taste of university life

Students who do Extension Program subjects have a unique chance to gain a university experience before they officially begin their tertiary studies. Many subjects can be studied on the Parkville campus, and all of the subjects give an important introduction to the teaching styles and learning techniques particular to university study.

Gain an increment to your ENTER

Successful completion of a full year of extension studies earns you an increment of 4.0, 5.0 or 5.5 points which is added to your ENTER (Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank) aggregate before calculation of your final ENTER. The increment is determined by your overall performance relative to other students enrolled in the subject. For more information on the ENTER increment, click here.

Pay no HECS or University fees

Subjects studied as part of the Extension Program are not subject to HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme) payments and the University charges no fees for these subjects. For information about other costs, click here.

Get credit for your extension studies

Credit for Extension Program studies is available upon enrolment in an undergraduate course at the University of Melbourne, provided that the subject taken can be studied as part of that course.

Be eligible for University of Melbourne Extension Program prizes

Many of the teaching departments that offer extension studies award a prize to the highest achieving Extension Program student in their subject area. Prize recipients will have their achievement permanently recorded on their University of Melbourne academic transcript. For more information about the prizes, click here.

Have access to University of Melbourne services and facilities

Some of the services and facilities that might be of particular interest to Extension Program students are:

• the University libraries - your student ID card is also your University library card giving you access to resources for your Extension Program subject and VCE studies;
• the Academic Skills Unit - provides help with study skills, learning styles, referencing, reading and writing strategies, exam preparation, stress management;
• the Sports Centre; and
• a University email address.

For a full range of the services available, please refer to the services website at www.services.unimelb.edu.au.

No penalty if you withdraw or fail

If for any reason you withdraw from the program or fail a subject, you are not disadvantaged if you apply to study at the University of Melbourne or any other tertiary institution.