University Extension

The program

The University Extension Studies program gives the most able students the chance to extend their special ability in a particular area during their Year 12. Each student selected for the program is able to include an extra study as part of his/her VCE program or in addition to his/her IB program.

University studies in the program are

equivalent in content and assessment in every respect to one or more current first year university studies and are at least 20 percent of a full-time first year university course;
of a level for an exceptional student and, therefore, a clear advance on the designated preparatory VCE/IB Year 12 study, and commensurate in workload with an additional VCE/IB study;
of a level which will normally allow the student, on successful completion, to proceed to second year study at the university in that discipline (subject to the approval of the university).

Normally, students enrolling in university studies will have demonstrated outstanding achievement and have a VCE study score of 41 or more in the preparatory study. Where students have not had the opportunity to complete the preparatory Units 3 and 4 sequence prior to enrolment in a university study, a student may be recommended to the University on the basis of the University Extension Co-ordinator's evaluation of the student's Year 11 performance.

Note: The final selection of students for participation in a university study remains the perogative of the university at which the study is offered.

The student must

be judged overall as an excellent student;
be judged as having demonstrated exceptional achievement in at least Units 1 and 2 of the preparatory VCE study;
realistically be evaluated as likely to achieve a VCE study score of 41 in the preparatory study;
undertake the designated preparatory Units 3 and 4 concurrently with their university study.

ENTER increment

Extension studies are reported on the VCE Statement of Results, with a maximum of one study contributing to the Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank (ENTER) as a sixth study only.

The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) has advised that for extension studies there will be a grading of the ENTER increment for any result of a pass or above.

If a student's results are above the 80th percentile of the enrolled students for each of the units, the student will receive an increment of 5.5 points.
If a student's results are above the 60th percentile of the enrolled students for each unit (but not above the 80th percentile), the student will receive an increment of 5 points.
If the student passes all units, but is not placed above the 60th percentile of enrolled students for all units, the student will have an increment of 4 points.
If a student does not pass all units, the student will receive no increment.

Subjects available as University Extension Studies

Melbourne and Monash Universities offer a wide range of subjects at the first year level.

The subjects offered by these institutions in 2009 include Art History, Australian History/Politics, Chemistry, Economics, English Literature, German, Japanese, Physics and Psychology. Individual subjects are undertaken at a variety of metropolitan schools and, in some cases, on campus at the particular institution. Specific information regarding location can be obtained from the University Extension Co-ordinator.

Application procedure

Students who wish to apply for an extension study initially should register their interest on their Subject Selection form, and submit a separate application to the University Extension Co-ordinator, Dr Julie Wetherbee. Final approval to make a formal application to the University will only be given subject to a satisfactory interview with the University Extension Co-ordinator. All applications must be made on the official application form which must be lodged with the Co-ordinator.

The due dates for applications are as follows:

Melbourne University: Friday 7 November 2008 (tentative date only)
Monash University: Friday 28 November 2008 (All subjects except Japanese), Friday 31 October 2008 (Japanese)

Those intending to apply need to contact the University Extension Co-ordinator, julie.wetherbee@carey.com.au, during Term 3.

Cost

Fees for individual programs vary but are normally of the order of $475 per semester. This fee includes provision for teaching, course materials and the organisation and marking of assignments, examinations and other forms of assessment. It is approximately equivalent to the current fee charged to students with a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)enrolled at a tertiary institution.

Cross-accreditation of subjects