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Monash University > Science > Faculty policies

Undergraduate admission requirements and course selection

1. Introduction: 1.1 Scope of these guidelines; 1.2 Sources of informaton; 1.3 Responsibility
2. Policy: 2.1 Eligibility for admission; 2.2 Selection; 2.3 Credit for previous studies or recognition of prior learning
3. Procedures: 3.1 Selection; 3.2 Types of applicants; 3.3 Alternative admission schemes
Definitions

Background

In accordance with university statutes and regulations the faculty has responsibility to ensure all students admitted to undergraduate courses managed by the Faculty of Science satisfy the Monash University minimum entrance requirements and course specific pre-requisites.

The Faculty of Science has, over time, developed and published individual policies and guidelines in respect to selection and admission to its undergraduate programs (including credit transfer) but has not compiled these policies and guidelines into a coherent set of policies and procedures for staff and students. The purpose of this policy and associated procedures is to provide a framework for decisions regarding selection and admission (including advanced standing). The attached paper “Faculty of Science – Undergraduate admission requirements, course selection and advanced standing – Policy and Procedures for good practice”, endeavours to achieve that purpose, and bring together the variety of current policies, practices and procedures into a single document.

1. INTRODUCTION

The Faculty of Science seeks to admit a cross-section of applicants, with different qualifications and experience, into its undergraduate courses and is committed to the principles of access and equity.

To facilitate a diverse and suitably qualified student intake, and to ensure that students are selected for admission in a fair and equitable manner, the faculty has established policies, procedures and guidelines (for selection) to ensure transparency and consistency in the selection and admission of students, irrespective of the method and/or timing of application or the basis for admission.

1.1 Scope of these guidelines

Under Statute 6.1.1 University entrance and admission to courses, the faculty (through the Faculty Board) hasresponsibility to ensure that all students admitted to courses managed by the faculty satisfy the minimum university entrance requirements. In addition the faculty has responsibility to determine academic prerequisite admission requirements that ensure that students gaining admission have an appropriate background for each course of study.

The following policy and guidelines apply to all applicants seeking admission to a course managed by the Faculty of Science.

1.2 Sources of information

In drafting this paper, a range of published sources of information have also been used, to clarify university and faculty policies and responsibilities, and to inform the drafting of these procedures.

Relevant government and AV-CC guidelines
AQF Qualification guidelines

Relevant university policies and procedures
Statute 6.1.1 University entrance and admission to courses
Statute 6.1.2 Courses and Degrees
Statute 6.1.4 Admission with credit
Statute 2.2 – The Academic Board
University entrance and admission to courses regulations
Faculty Regulations
Establishing and Amending Courses and Units Policy and Procedures
Indigenous Australian Student Access Scheme (Academic Board 7/2000)
Monash University Special Admissions Scheme (Academic Board 3/2003)
Deferment Policy (Academic Board 5/2005)
Recognition of Prior Learning Policy (December 2002)
Credit Transfer Policy (December 2002)
Internal Transfer Policy (Academic Board 5/2005)

Relevant Faculty of Science policies and guidelines 2000-2005
Honours degree of Bachelor of Science – Policy, Procedures and Guidelines for Good Practice (FEC meeting 01/05)
Courses: credit arrangements (FEC 01/02)
Faculty Admissions and Scholarship Committee (FEC 03/04)

1.3 Responsibility

The Faculty Academic Manager is responsible for compliance with this policy and associated procedures. For the purposes of selection, the Faculty Academic Manager acts as the Faculty of Science Selection Officer for all undergraduate courses managed by the Faculty of Science.

2. POLICY

The purpose of this policy is to ensure selection of students for undergraduate courses managed by the Faculty of Science is in accordance with University and faculty policies and that under the guidance of the Faculty Academic Manager that selection and admission decisions are made in accordance with an agreed framework.

2.1 ELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION

To be eligible for admission in to a Monash undergraduate degree course each applicant must satisfy both the Monash University minimum entrance requirements and course specific prerequisites.

2.1.1 Monash University minimum entrance requirements

In accordance with Statute 6.1.1 University entrance and admission to courses to be eligible for admission each applicant must satisfy the Monash University minimum English language proficiency and age requirements

2.1.2 Course specific prerequisites

In accordance with Statute 6.1.2 Courses and Degrees academic prerequisites for each course will be established as part of the course approval process and are subject to approval by Faculty Board (in accordance with Faculty Regulations).

The academic pre-requisites for each course (including minimum academic achievement levels) are published in the VTAC Guide and Monash University Undergraduate Course Guide and associated publications. The pre-requisites are expressed as VCE areas of study (units 3 and 4 or equivalent) and include minimum levels of achievement (expressed as a study score) in these studies.

The Faculty of Science Admissions and Scholarships committee (an advisory group convened by the dean) will consider and recommend, through the Faculty Education Committee, to Faculty Board any proposed amendments to course prerequisites.

2.2 SELECTION

Satisfying the University minimum admission requirements, course specific prerequisites, and minimum academic standards (eligibility score or indicative standards as stated in Monash publications) does not guarantee an offer of a place (admission).

Selection will be conducted in accordance with:

the selection criteria that is published in the VTAC and VICTER Guides and Monash University publications;
VTAC’s system rules and privacy policy guidelines;
the VTAC Undergraduate Selection Timetable; and
the Faculty of Science direct admission and internal-transfer timetable.

2.3 CREDIT FOR PREVIOUS STUDIES OR RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Students who have previous study from Monash or another tertiary institution who are selected and subsequently admitted are eligible to apply for credit for university level studies successfully completed at Monash or at another tertiary institution in the unified national system or on the basis of recognition of prior learning. Credit will not normally be granted for tertiary studies completed more than ten years ago.

See limits given for science undergraduate and graduate courses

3. PROCEDURES

Selection into undergraduate courses for the local campuses is primarily managed through VTAC for admission to on-campus programs for students commencing in Semester 1. Selection into undergraduate courses offered by off-campus learning , Semester 2 commencements and for courses offered at any of the overseas campuses are made through direct application. The following procedures and guidelines apply to all applicants.

3.1 SELECTION

To be eligible for consideration for selection all applicants must be checked to ensure that they satisfy the University English language proficiency and age requirements and the course specific prerequisites. A list of tests that may be used to meet the English requirement is available from the University Admission unit.

There are a number of ways of meeting academic admission requirements; however the principal means if by attaining a prescribed level of performance in the VCE or its interstate or overseas equivalents. Monash University has established that applicants with a VCE ENTER Score (or equivalent) below 70 are not eligible for admission to an undergraduate (Bachelors degree) program.

Subject to the criteria outlined below, the Selection Officer on behalf of the Faculty Board shall seek to admit students who satisfy admission requirements and have the aptitude for academic study.

Irrespective of the basis for admission and time or method of applying the following selection procedures will be followed:

3.1.1 Minimum achievement levels

Having satisfied the Monash University minimum age and English language requirements all applicants must be checked to ensure that they satisfy the minimum academic requirements in prerequisite studies.

3.1.2 Course specific prerequisites

Any applicant who does not achieve the published academic requirement for any of the course specific prerequisites is ineligible for selection irrespective of any further bonus or reranking that may be appropriate for VTAC middle banding, SEAS or special consideration (the adjustment is made to the aggregate score not individual study scores).

An applicant with an ENTER score (or equivalent) below 70 but entitled to reranking on the basis of middle banding (additional studies), SEAS or Special Consideration that may result in an adjustment to their VCE (or equivalent) ENTER score to 70 or above (or above the published eligibility score) should be discussed with the Faculty of Science Selection Officer.

3.2 TYPES OF APPLICANTS

3.2.1 GROUP A - SCHOOL LEAVER APPLICANTS

“School Leaver Applicants” are those students who are seeking admission on the basis of their current Year 12 qualification (completed in the previous year). Selection is made on the basis of:

Study Scores in individual subjects (Units 3 and 4 of VCE English (any) for all courses and where stated (published) in additional prerequisite subjects;
Overall ENTER score, or equivalent for non VCE students (interstate and international qualifications);
Subjects completed in Year 12 (where middle banding is available); and
Reranking as advised by the Monash University Admissions Unit due to SEAS or Special Consideration.

3.2.2 GROUP B - NON YEAR 12 APPLICANTS

There are a number of avenues by which Non-Year 12 applicants may satisfy the admission requirements and thus become eligible for selection.

There is no quota applied to non year 12 applicants. Academic performance shall be the substantial consideration in the selection of students in this group. All Group B applicants seeking admission must satisfy course specific prerequisites.

The minimum academic requirement to be eligible for consideration for admission from an applicant who completed the VCE more than five years ago or has not completed the VCE (or equivalent) is:

(a) VCE more than five years ago (including VCE Units 3 and 4 of English (any) and then the successful completion within the last two years of:

1.1 the equivalent of a Certificate IV in Science (graded assessment); or
1.2 two university level units.

(b) Applicants without VCE seeking admission must have completed within the last two years either:

2.1 the equivalent of a Certificate IV in Science (graded assessment); or
2.2 two university level units (these would normally be in an “English rich” area of study to satisfy the minimum English language requirement).

The Selection Officer may also take into account evidence of relevant work experience, motivation to study science, and the fact that a poor academic performance in a previous course was due to exceptional circumstances.

Eligibility for consideration of admission will be based on an assessment of achievement or potential success and will be based on academic achievement.

60% for single degree programs for courses with an ENTER score of between 70-79;
70% for combined degree programs and for single degree programs with an ENTER score between 80-94;
80% for single and combined degree programs with an ENTER score of 95 and above.

3.3 ALTERNATIVE ADMISSION SCHEMES

3.3.1 INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS WITH FORECAST RESULTS

International applicants whose final A Level (or equivalent) results are not available at the time of selection can apply for admission to Monash University on the basis of their forecast results.

Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If forecast results are above the entry score for a Monash degree, but not sufficient to be offered normal admission, an applicant may still be eligible for enrolment on a provisional basis.

An applicant seeking admission on the basis of forecast results should be discussed with the Faculty of Science Selection Officer. A full or provisional offer may be made.

3.3.2 ABORIGINAL APPLICANTS

Indigenous students who apply through VTAC for entry into courses managed by the Faculty of Science but just miss out, may apply to undertake the Monash University Science Faculty Non-Award Unit Pathway for Australian Indigenous students.

3.3.3 LOCAL FULL-FEE APPLICANTS

In addition to the University’s Admissions and Quota Policy local applicants may be admitted as full-fee paying in Groups A and B to courses offered on any of the local campuses. The number of full-fee applicants that can be admitted is limited by the Higher Education Support Act

To be eligible for admission to a full-fee paying place an applicant must satisfy both the University entrance requirements and the course specific prerequisites and have an ENTER score (or equivalent ranking) no more than five points below the Clearly-in ENTER.

3.3.4 INTERNAL TRANSFER APPLICANTS

Current Monash students who seek admission to a course managed by the Faculty of Science (from other faculties of Monash University, or from one science course to another managed by the Faculty of Science), should be made direct to the faculty. Applications will be assessed according to Group B (including testing of prerequisites) and an offer of a place will be based on the availability of places. Students would normally have completed the equivalent of 48 credit points of studies. A list of courses accepting internal transfers in any given semester will be published on the faculty website.

The following principles of admission for internal transfer applicants will be applied:

(a) Students currently enrolled in a single degree course managed by the Faculty of Science seeking admission (transfer) to another single degree course managed by the faculty will need to have achieved across the previous 48 credit points of study an average of:

50% for transfer from a single or double degree to single degree for courses where the published ENTER score is between 70-79);
70% for transfer from a single or double degree to single degree (for courses where the published ENTER score is between 80-94);
80% for transfer from single or double degree to single degree (for courses where the published ENTER score is 95 and above).

(b) Students in a single or double degree course managed by the Faculty of Science seeking admission (transfer) to a double degree course managed by the faculty will need to have achieved across the previous 48 credit points of study an average of:

60% average for courses where the published ENTER score is between 70 – 80
70% average for courses where the published ENTER score is between 80 - 94;
80% average for courses where the published ENTER score is 95 and above.

(c) Students in a single or double degree course not managed by the Faculty of Science seeking admission (transfer) to a course managed by the faculty will need to have achieved across the previous 48 credit points of study an average of:

Transfer to single degree:

60% for transfer to a single degree where the published ENTER score is between 70 - 79;
70% for transfer to a single degree where the published ENTER score is between 80-94.
80% for transfer to a single degree where the published ENTER score is 95 and above.

Transfer to double degree

70% average for double courses where the published ENTER score is between 80 - 94;
80% average for double courses where the published ENTER score is 95 and above

Definitions

Admission– An offer of a place to an applicant who satisfies Monash University minimum entrance and course specific requirements who is made an offer to enroll in a Monash University undergraduate program. This is the outcome of a competitive selection process (see selection).

Credentialled learning – Relevant skills, knowledge or competencies that have been acquired from an ANTA credited provider other than a university, TAFE college or other tertiary institution. For example, education or training provided through employer-based programs, professional bodies and private providers.

Exemption – Where a student is not required to take a certain unit or subject on the basis of University studies/work already completed but is required to undertake an alternative subject of equivalent credit points.

FEC – Faculty Education Committee (Faculty of Science)
Prior learning portfolio – A series of documents that provide evidence of learning experiences.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) – The knowledge, skills, attitudes and/or attributes which have been acquired other than from an Australian university or TAFE college (or equivalent). RPL involves the systematic assessment and acknowledgement of relevant and verifiable skills, knowledge and competencies acquired formally or experientially. Claims are assessed and given recognition by granting admission to and/or credit towards an education program. For the purposes of this policy, the term Recognition of Prior Learning includes both credentialled and uncredentialled learning.

Selection – A process whereby all applicants (irrespective of time, basis or method of application) are tested to ensure that they satisfy University and course specific minimum entrance requirements. Selection is a competitive process and satisfying the University minimum admission requirements, course specific prerequisites, and minimum academic standards (eligibility score or indicative standards as stated in Monash publications) does not guarantee an offer of a place.

TAFE – Technical and Further Education

Types of credit available – students may be granted three types of credit:
BLOCK CREDIT: Credit granted in the form of whole stages or semesters of a course.
SPECIFIED CREDIT: Credit granted in the form of specific unit(s) from which a student is exempted.
UNSPECIFIED CREDIT: Credit which is not matched to a particular unit in the student’s new course. It is often given in the form of credit points or exemption from a course’s elective requirements.

Uncredentialled learning – Learning acquired through work and life experience.

(Approved by Faculty Board at meeting 02/2006)