DIPLOMA IN GENERAL STUDIES

DIPLOMA IN GENERAL STUDIES Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences Learn more on our website fvas.unimelb.edu.au Your pathway into a University of Melbourne degree. Discover your passion by completing subjects in agriculture, commerce, environments and science. Delivered in collaboration with Goulburn Ovens TAFE and Wodonga Institute of TAFE Receive guaranteed entry into a University of Melbourne degree Join us at Australia s No. 1 university

Diploma in General Studies fvas.unimelb.edu.au OPEN UP A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES The Diploma in General Studies opens up a range of exciting possibilities:» Give yourself some breathing space to decide what you really want to do» Get a taste of study in agriculture, commerce, environments or science» Complete pre-requisite subjects that you may have missed out on at secondary school» Enrol in a single subject for professional development» Improve your career outcomes by obtaining a University of Melbourne qualification» Receive guaranteed entry into selected University of Melbourne bachelor degrees (with the requisite score). 3,4 & 5 Your pathway into a University of Melbourne degree Provided you receive the requisite average score, you will receive guaranteed entry into a University of Melbourne bachelor degree in agriculture, biomedicine, commerce, environments or science. 1 Academic Ranking of World Universities 2013 2 QS World University Rankings 2013-2014 A University of Melbourne qualification We are the number one ranked university in Australia and are consistently ranked among the leading universities of the world. We are also No. 10 in the world for graduate employability. 1, 2 Even if you decide that further university study isn t for you, your Diploma in General Studies from the University of Melbourne is a great investment in your career. A supportive environment Study locally and feel supported while you develop an understanding of what university is all about and prepare yourself for success. This is the perfect opportunity for you to try new subjects, pursue a particular interest or undertake pre-requisite subjects that you missed out on at secondary school.

QUICK FACTS Duration 1 year full-time 2 years part-time Campuses Dookie, Benalla, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Wodonga and Seymour Entry requirements A study score of at least 25 in English/ English Language/Literature or at least 30 in EAL (or demonstration of equivalent standard) An ATAR of at least 50 (or demonstration of equivalent standard) Please note: attendance at an interview as part of the selection may be requested. Intakes Semester 1, February Semester 2, July Contact hours Full time: approximately 20 hours Part time: approximately 10 hours Single subject enrolment is also available. Please note: contact hours are listed per week and depend on chosen subjects. Explore your interests Choose from a range of interesting subjects, from animal systems and climate change to economics and management. We ll help you to choose the subjects that best fit your goals. If you re already working in your chosen career you can also undertake single subjects for professional development. Personalised learning Enjoy small class sizes and both face-toface and online learning. It s a learning environment that merges the best of both worlds and allows you to access support and form important study networks. A collaborative approach Delivered in partnership with Goulburn Ovens TAFE and Wodonga Institute of TAFE, this course gives you access to our combined shared strengths, including experienced teaching staff, industry connections and subject choice. A large campus network You have a choice of study location from our large campus network: Dookie, Wodonga, Benalla, Shepparton, Seymour and Wangaratta. This means you can study close to home, family and friends, or you could be eligible for the living away from home allowance, housing support and scholarships for subsequent study. A home away from home The Dookie campus offers comfortable accommodation at affordable prices. Stay in a peaceful country setting with access to a swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, cricket nets, a gym, billiard room and footy oval as well as a range of catering options. Our modern buildings, equipped with the latest technology, connect you to your fellow students sitting in other classrooms across the region. For more information about accommodation at the Dookie campus visit the Faculty website. Scholarships are available Scholarships are available for the Diploma in General Studies, with special allocations to Indigenous students. Scholarships are designed to support students in meeting the costs associated with studying at university. Scholarships are worth up to $5000 with funds going towards course costs, such as Student Services and Amenities fees, books, discipline-specific equipment and technological devices. Course structure There are two semesters each year. Fulltime students undertake four subjects per semester for two semesters. Part-time students undertake two subjects per semester for four semesters. All students in the Diploma in General Studies must complete the compulsory subject Academic Writing and Communication in the first semester. Students can also undertake single subjects as pre-requisites into degree courses, during a GAP year or as professional career development. Subjects Subject choice is one of the benefits of the Diploma in General Studies. You have the opportunity to find out whether what you think you may be interested in is really for you. Do you want to join the agricultural boom? Are you hoping to join the fight against climate change? The choice is yours. Subjects include: Academic Writing and Communication Animal Systems Climate Change and Impacts Foundation Studies in Chemistry Fundamentals of Mathematics Introduction to Accounting Introduction to Economics Land Resources and Management Landscape Information Systems Organisation and Management Plant Systems Systems Biology Please note: subject availability varies according to the relevant Semester.

Further information Please contact the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352) Email: 13melb@unimelb.edu.au Online: fvas.unimelb.edu.au Entry requirements and Pathway to University of Melbourne degrees Eligible applicants: School leavers and TAFE students, mature aged students and employees Entry Requirements: VCE English 25, demonstrated equivalent or EAL score of 30 ATAR 50 Diploma in General: Studies (8 subjects covering agriculture, commerce, environments and science) Guaranteed entry for Access Melbourne students to University of Melbourne degrees Bachelor of Agriculture Bachelor of Biomedicine Bachelor of Commerce Bachelor of Environments Bachelor of Science How to apply Direct entry and VTAC applications are accepted. This course is available to domestic students only. Applications from VCE graduates and mature age applicants are welcome and students from indigenous or disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Enquiry forms, application forms and special entry forms are available from our website: www.fvas.unimelb.edu.au For more information on scholarships visit: www.fvas.unimelb.edu.au Course fees Commonwealth Supported Places(CSPs) are available. Students pay a contribution, with the amount determined each year by the Australian Government and the subjects in which you enrol. Payment can be made at enrolment (upfront), or deferred through HECS-HELP for eligible students. See the Federal Government s Study Assist website for more details: studyassist.gov.au/sites/studyassist Exact costs depend on the subjects chosen, not the course you are studying. In 2015, this course cost $8613 per year. 6 Visit the Future Students website for more details: futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/ admissions/fees/ug-dom/subject-fees All University of Melbourne students are also required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). A government-funded loan scheme allows eligible students to defer payment of the SSAF. The 2015 SSAF was $281 for full-time students and $210 for part-time students. Visit the Future Students website for more details: futurestudents.unimelb.edu. au/admissions/fees/ug-dom/subject-fees 3 Guaranteed scores apply only for those eligible for Access Melbourne at the time of application for the Diploma in General Studies. 4 Students without a 25 in VCE Mathematical Methods 3/4 cannot meet the mathematics prerequisites for the Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Biomedicine or Bachelor of Science using MAST10017, and must meet the prerequisite in other ways, for example, via Unilearn Mathematics. 5 If one of first year Biology or first year Chemistry has been used to meet the laboratory science prerequisite for the Bachelor of Science, or first year Chemistry has been used to meet the Chemistry prerequisite for Bachelor of Biomedicine, then no credit for that subject can be taken into the degree. 6 These figures are estimates only and subject to change based on the fee structures determined by the Australian Government. GUARANTEED ENTRY INTO A UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE DEGREE There is guaranteed entry from Diploma in General Studies into the following University 3, 4, 5 of Melbourne Bachelor degrees: Bachelor of Agriculture (requires a pass in all 8 subjects) credit is awarded for most of first year. Bachelor of Science (requires graded average score of 75%) Bachelor of Environments (requires graded average score of 75%) Bachelor of Commerce (requires graded average score of 85%) Bachelor of Biomedicine (requires graded average score of 90%) Shepparton Dookie Campus Wangaratta Melbourne

PROFILE BREEANA PRICE BREEANA PRICE WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO DISCOVER THE DIPLOMA IN GENERAL STUDIES AT THE RIGHT TIME. Once I completed Year 12 I realised that I wanted to study science, but I had not done some of the prerequisite subjects and thought that my only option was repeating, she said. Breeana learned the Diploma in General Studies program at the University of Melbourne offers guaranteed entry into a Bachelor of Science and many other courses if students meet the grade requirements. That made me determined to study this course, she said. The DiGS program let students explore study options at a university level, including biology and animal science, chemistry, economics, management and climate change subjects. Graduates can gain guaranteed entry into Science, Commerce, Environments or Biomedicine degrees if they meet grade and subject prerequisites. The course is taught at the University of Melbourne s Dookie campus in the Goulburn Valley. Many students choose to live in oncampus housing and cottages. Breeana said moving two hours away from home was a big step, but, having most of her fellow students also living on campus has benefited her studies. We are all one big group of friends that study and have fun with each other in our spare time, she said. The units and houses have everything we need to comfortably live away from home. Living on campus has also meant that she can have constant access to all of the learning facilities and spaces. Even some of the teaching and office staff live on campus, so it is easy to contact them for help. I enjoy how this course gives you an authentic university experience without the rushed feel of a bigger metropolitan campus, Breeana said. Many of the subjects have regular field trips which enhance your learning experience. I would definitely recommend the Diploma in General Studies to anyone who wants a guaranteed pathway into a University of Melbourne course, regardless of their past education. Breeana hopes to transition to the Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne next year and work in forensic science.

PROFILE SHAUN MARTIN Shaun Martin completed the Diploma in General Studies, studying part-time on a scholarship after his employer suggested that he undertake some study as a positive career move. He works for DindiAg in Yea and previously hadn t undertaken any study since he completed his VCE in 2007. Having a qualification in agriculture is more important than other industries, because so many working in the industry are unqualified, he said. Shaun said the qualification gave him more credibility with his clients. Client interaction is much better as now I can explain the science behind many things much better, he said. Rather than being just an operator, I have taken a bigger consultation role on with the business as I can communicate things such as plant development, landscape management, chemical reactions and other things at a cellular level to clients, whereas beforehand I had very limited knowledge. This also gave him self-assurance at his own workplace. I have the confidence to create new ideas and pathways for our clients and business, as I can back up my ideas with the scientific and agriculture information that I learnt at Dookie, he said. The networking skills I developed while doing the DiGS program has also been beneficial as I know people in various industries whom I have often contacted for assistance. It s such a supportive environment and fantastic to tie in with your work. It gives you a leg-up. Further information Please contact the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences In association with: Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352) Email: 13melb@unimelb.edu.au Online: fvas.unimelb.edu.au Disclaimer Authorised by: Dean, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, July 2015 CRICOS Provider code: 00116K Intellectual Property: Copyright University of Melbourne 2015. Copyright in this publication is owned by the University of Melbourne and no part of it may be reproduced without permission of the University. For further information refer to www.unimelb.edu.au/statutes Statement on Privacy Policy: When dealing with personal or health information about individuals, the University of Melbourne is obliged to comply with the Information Privacy Act 2000 and the Health Records Act 2001. For further information refer to www.unimelb.edu.au/unisec/privacy/ Disclaimer: The University of Melbourne has used its best endeavours to ensure that the material contained in this publication was correct at the time of printing. The University gives no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of information and the University reserves the right to makes changes without notice at any time in its absolute discretion.