Step 3: Find out about your course structure
Steps 3 and 4 will introduce you to the structure of your course and the disciplines you can study. As a new undergraduate student, you will need to make some important decisions about planning your course. To get the most out of your studies you must investigate your options at Monash University. Please read the following information carefully.
Your offer letter will include the course code and title of the undergraduate coursework program in which you have been offered a place. Every course offered by the Faculty of Arts has a particular and predetermined course structure. However, different courses have different requirements. Students must meet the requirements of their course in order to qualify to graduate. In some courses, there are core requirements – i.e. special units or disciplines – that you must complete. The information on this page will help you to understand your course requirements.
Print and read your course description
First, you should read the course description for your degree in the university handbook. Courses do change from time to time, so make sure you are referring to the correct information for your course and year. Students should always refer to the course description in the handbook in the year they began their studies.
It is also a good idea to print a copy of this information to keep. However, you can always access this information from the handbook under the ‘Archived Handbooks’ section.
Download, print and read your course map
Next you need to download and print a copy of your course map. This shows you what you can and must do in your degree.
There is room on the back of your course map for you to put down the units you enrol in online. It is a good idea to keep and refer to this 'map' so that you can keep an eye on your course progression and ensure that you complete all your degree requirements. You should always refer to your course map and course description prior to making unit selections.
Watch the pre-enrolment presentation
Our presentation will provide you with further information on your course structure, the areas of study available in the Faculty of Arts and what you must do to enrol online.
Students commencing during VTAC Round 1 should attend the appropriate pre-enrolment or enrolment session for your course, please refer to the pre-enrolment website for details on sessions at your campus of offer.
Presentations for single degree students
Presentations for double degree students
Do you want to study full-time or part-time?
The normal full-time load for most courses is 24 points per semester (0.500 Equivalent Full-time Student Load or EFTSL ), or 48 points for the whole year (1 EFTSL). Most undergraduate units are worth 6 points (0.125 EFTSL) and most, but not all, postgraduate units are worth 12 points (.250 EFTSL).
In most courses part-time study is allowed without any special permission; accordingly you can choose to enrol in one, two, three or four units in each semester - it is up to you.
If you decide to study on a part-time basis you must remember that you will not be eligible for certain types of Centrelink payments. To be eligible for payments you must undertake a minimum of 18 points (0.375 EFTSL) or more during each semester.
You should also keep in mind that you must complete degrees within specific timeframes: i.e. a single undergraduate degree within 8 years, irrespective of any approved time off you may take during the course of your studies (the standard maximum completion time for double degrees is 10 years). This information is included in the Course, discipline, and unit information section.
If you are a part-time student, you may find that the range of lecture times imposes some restrictions on your choice of units.
Credit for previous tertiary studies
Some commencing students may be eligible to receive credit in their course for previous tertiary studies. This includes students that took enhancement studies as a part of their VCE. Please view appropriate handout for your previous tertiary studies:
- Enhancement Studies (for single degree students)
- Enhancement Studies (for double degree students)
- Previous Tertiary Studies
Pre-assessed credit
Your credit will have been assessed by a course adviser based on the information provided with your application, either to VTAC or directly to the Faculty of Arts. If you have completed tertiary studies in addition to those supplied at time of application and you would like to receive credit for these studies, please bring original transcripts and photocopies (1 per transcript) to the pre-enrolment or enrolment session for your course. We will be able to assess your credit on the day.
You must accept this credit by signing the credit work sheet. Without your approval the credit cannot be added to your course. You will be able to view your credit on the web enrolment system (WES) only after it has been entered in the student database.
VTAC Round 1 students and direct entry - January
You can get your credit work sheet from the appropriate pre-enrolment or enrolment session for your course. Please refer to the pre-enrolment website for details on sessions at your campus of offer.
VTAC Round 2 students - February
You can get your credit work sheet from the appropriate enrolment session for your course. Please refer to the pre-enrolment website for details on sessions at your campus offer.
Semester 2 direct entry students
Your credit will have been assessed by a course adviser based on the information provided in your direct entry application. Please refer to the credit work sheet included in your offer pack for details. If you wish to accept the credit that has been awarded, please sign and return the credit work sheet to your home campus.
Please note if your credit assessment has not been included in your offer pack it could still be in the assessment process.
How to apply for or amend credit after enrolment has finished
To be granted credit that has not been pre-assessed or to make changes later on in your course you will need to apply by completing a credit application form to have credit added, or complete an application to have credit revoked form to have credit removed from your course.
See also:
