Diploma in General Studies (Extended) course guide
Resources for current students of the Diploma in General Studies (Extended) – your pathway into further study for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who may not meet the regular Diploma in General Studies entry requirements.
Welcome to the Diploma in General Studies (Extended)!
Congratulations on receiving your offer to study the Diploma in General Studies (Extended)! We know that you have lots of questions about your studies and we want to ensure that you have a smooth transition to university life here at the Faculty of Science.
Accepting your offer
Accept your offer via the Student Portal or the Application Portal.
Getting started
Become an official University of Melbourne student with Get Started at Melbourne: your step-by-step guide to accepting your offer and completing your uni admin.
Here’s a handy checklist to make sure you’ve taken care of administrative tasks, including getting your student card, accessing your student email, and accessing the LMS.
Planning your course
Remember to regularly check in on the University’s Current Students page, where you can access a range of study resources and information.
Before you enrol in subjects you will need to start planning your course. This involves checking the course rules and structure in the Handbook and your faculty resources before deciding which subjects you will study. If you need assistance choosing or enrolling in your subjects, you can book an appointment with a Course Adviser.
Course planning tool
To make the most of your course, it’s important to understand your course structure, choose the right subjects and explore the options available to you. These tools do not replace the normal enrolment process. They are to be used as a guide only to plan out your subjects and specialisations. You will still need to add and enrol in subjects via your Study Plan.
Class timetable
MyTimetable is the tool you use to plan and build your class timetable. Class timetabling is a preference-based process where you rank your preferred class times, and MyTimetable's sorting process finds the best fit for everyone's individual timetable. Each step has a deadline, so be aware of the key dates.
Learning Management System (LMS)
The Learning Management System (LMS) is the online home of everything related to your enrolled subjects. Once you've enrolled in subjects, you'll use the LMS to access readings, lecture recordings and assignment information, and to submit your assignments as well as check your grades.
Q Fever screening and vaccination
If you are undertaking subjects at the Dookie campus, providing evidence of Q Fever inoculation is compulsory as part of your enrolment and participation in the course.
Learn about Q Fever vaccinations
Subject selection and enrolment
Find out how to plan your course, enrol in subjects and set out your timetable by visiting the Manage Your Course page.
Handbook
The Handbook is the University’s ultimate course and subject guide – your official source of course and subject information. You can explore your subject options, get to know the course structure, find the rules of the Diploma in General Studies (Extended) and read information on subject timetables and prerequisites.
Diploma in General Studies (Extended) handbook
Quota subjects
Several subjects offered by the University have limited enrolment numbers. These 'quota subjects' are usually laboratory or fieldwork subjects where enrolment capacity is limited by available resources.
Student Life
During your Diploma in General Studies (Extended), you will also have the support of a peer mentor and an academic adviser through the new Student Life program.
Peer Mentoring
To help you settle in, meet new people and learn more about everything the University has to offer, you will be matched with a peer mentor and a group of first-year peers from your course who you will meet with throughout your first few weeks of Semester 1. These sessions will take place via video call for students learning online.
Having a peer mentor and group will help you get the most out of your first year. You can:
- Meet fellow students and build on your University experiences together
- Learn helpful tips and tricks from your peer mentor about studying and getting involved at the University
- Share fun and memorable experiences with your group
- Build friendships with your cohort and share your experiences to contribute to other students’ development
- Grow your skillset to complement your academic studies.
Academic Advising
In Semester 2, you will be matched with an academic adviser. Your adviser will be an experienced member of the Faculty’s teaching team and will take an active interest in your wellbeing, progress and success throughout your degree.
Navigating opportunities and challenges at university and the options in the Diploma in General Studies (Extended) can be a lot to think about. Your meetings with your academic adviser will be a space for you to think, share ideas, talk about your goals and explore opportunities with someone who can provide guidance and advice, and who’ll be able to help you connect with our vibrant, diverse and inclusive community outside of the classroom.
Where can I find my meeting schedule?
Once you’ve accepted your offer, you will be asked to select your preferred meeting times when preferencing for your regular subjects through my.timetable. Once you have been matched, you can connect with your Peer Mentor group and Academic Adviser, as well as find information on upcoming sessions, in your my.unimelb Student Portal.
You can find out more about our Student Life programs below:
If you have any questions, you can contact the Advising and Mentoring Team.
Stay with us
Accommodation at Dookie
Dookie campus is your home away from home, where you’ll experience a unique student lifestyle in a cohesive community of peers, with supportive and inspiring teachers on hand to provide guidance. Find out about accommodation at Dookie and the amenities available to you.
Fees
Your fees will vary depending on what type of student you are (e.g. domestic or international, undergraduate or graduate) and the course you are studying. Learn more about what fees you're required to pay and how they're calculated here:
Domestic students
If you are intending to use FEE-HELP to pay your tuition fees, please lodge your FEE-HELP application immediately after you enrol in subjects. Some subjects have early census dates. Applications for FEE-HELP must be lodged by the subject census date if you wish to defer payment to a FEE-HELP loan. If the census date has passed you must pay the fee for the subject upfront to the University.
More information about FEE-HELP
International students
When you accept your offer to study, you must pay a minimum tuition fee deposit of $10,000 (AUD). This fee deposit will be deducted from your remaining tuition fees. The deposit can be paid with your Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) as outlined in your offer letter.
Fees for international students
Academic progress
Keeping track of your academic progress is important during your time as a student. At the end of each semester you should be aware of your results in each subject and know what to do if you have any problems.
Course progression
An overview of what happens if you do not meet academic requirements can be found on the University’s Academic Progress webpage.
You may find extra information on the conditions of your academic progression in the ‘notes’ section of the Handbook entry for your course.
Changing your study load
If you withdraw from a subject, make sure it is not required as a pre-requisite for subjects you intend to study in the future or that it is not required as a co-requisite for subjects you are currently studying.
Find information on withdrawing from a subject.
For information about changing from full-time to part-time study, read the Stop 1 FAQs
International students, read more here: Reduced study load information and application form
Failing a subject
If you have failed a single subject, you can read about the steps you can take here
If you have failed more than one subject, failed a core or compulsory subject, or withdrawn from all your subjects after the census date, you may be at risk of unsatisfactory progress. For more information about unsatisfactory progress, please see the University's Academic Progress page.
Leave of absence
Sometimes life is unpredictable. If circumstances arise that mean you need to take a break from study, you will need to apply for a leave of absence.
Withdrawal
Course withdrawal means you have permanently withdrawn from your course prior to completion with no plans for readmission.
Find out more about course withdrawal.
Before you apply to withdraw from your course, it is recommended that you seek course advice to ensure that course withdrawal is right for you. If you withdraw from your course but decide in the future to resume your studies in the same course, you will need to reapply.
For more information, see: Course withdrawal and re-admission.
Help
If you want to discuss strategies to improve your academic progress, please contact Stop 1.
Relevant Policy: Academic Progress Policy (MPF1291)
Further information
Student code of conduct
Students – especially students working with animals – must abide by certain standards of behaviour. The Student Code is to be followed alongside and in addition to the University of Melbourne's policies on student conduct.
Writing style guides
Resources to help you achieve consistency and accuracy in your writing, formatting and referencing of essays and reports.
Personalised support
For personalised support or assistance, get in touch with Stop 1. Stop 1 can connect you with the full range of student services to support you while studying at the University.
These services include Academic Skills, Course Planning, Student Equity and Disability Support, Special Consideration, Counselling and Psychological Services, the University Health Service, Careers and Employability, Study Overseas and more.