Selection and admission procedure

Procedure

Intent and objectives

The intent of this procedure is to support implementation of the principles articulated in the Selection and admission policy.

Scope

All programs and courses on the RMIT University scope of registration or which RMIT University accredits.

Exclusions

None.

Procedure statement

Admission standards

1. In order to be eligible for selection, applicants must satisfy:

1.1. the relevant university entry requirements for the level of program to which they are applying, including:

1.1.1. the minimum age requirement;

1.1.2. the minimum academic requirement or equivalent, or training requirement; and

1.1.3. the minimum English language requirement; and

1.2. the relevant program entry requirements and any selection tasks.

2. If an applicant does not satisfy the university minimum academic entry requirement, the applicant may be able to satisfy the requirement if they can produce evidence of professional or work experience deemed to be equivalent.

University entry requirements

Minimum age requirement

3. In order to be eligible for admission, an applicant must reach at least 16 years of age as at the commencement date of the program in which they will enrol as a student if their application is successful.

4. If an applicant does not meet the minimum age requirement, the Dean/ Head of School responsible for the program may provide written permission to offer the applicant a place in the program.

5. Admission of international applicants to some programs may require approval from the relevant regulatory authority to admit students under 18.

6. International applicants who will be under 18 years of age as at the commencement date of the program in the year that they will enrol as a student if their application is successful must satisfy additional requirements and provide written consent to enrol from a parent or legal guardian. The additional requirements will be advised at the time of offer.

Minimum academic entry requirements

7. Applicants must satisfy the relevant academic entry requirement or equivalent, or training requirement, for the level of program or course to which they are applying.

8. The minimum academic entry requirement for each level of program is stated below, expressed in terms of Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualification levels. International qualification equivalents to these AQF levels are assessed by RMIT International and approved for publication by Policy and Programs Committee. A list of approved equivalent international qualifications is maintained by RMIT International and available on the RMIT website.

9. RMIT International will consult with RMIT campuses outside Australia in the process of assessing university-wide equivalent academic requirements for applicants with qualifications from the country in which the campus is located.

10. Preparatory programs

Preparatory programs include:

The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE);
The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL); and
Foundation studies

There are no university-wide minimum academic requirements for these programs, however, applicants must satisfy program entry requirements, which may include an academic requirement.

11. Certificate I, certificate II, certificate III and certificate IV programs

There are no university-wide minimum academic requirements for certificate I, certificate II, certificate III or certificate IV programs.

12. Apprenticeship and traineeship programs

Applicants for apprenticeships and traineeships must present a current, signed and valid Australian Apprenticeship Centre Training Agreement.

13. Diploma and advanced diploma

There are no university-wide minimum academic requirements for these programs, however, applicants must satisfy program entry requirements, which may include an academic requirement.

14. Associate degree and bachelor degree programs

14.1. To be eligible for selection for associate degree and bachelor degree programs, applicants must satisfy the minimum academic requirement in the form of VCE or other equivalent Australian Senior Certificate of Education (or international equivalent) or results of previous tertiary study, as specified in the table below.

14.2. If an applicant does not possess any of the academic qualifications specified below, the applicant may satisfy one of the following equivalent requirements:

14.2.1. the applicant may sit for and provide results from an approved aptitude test as an equivalent means of satisfying the minimum academic requirement. A list of approved tests is available on the University website. Applicants may also submit a supplementary form and or a VTAC personal information form, where available; or

14.2.2. the Pro Vice-Chancellor or nominee of the College to which the applicant is applying has discretion to deem the applicant eligible for selection if the applicant presents evidence of experience that satisfies the College that the applicant is capable of succeeding in the chosen program.

Qualification type	Minimum academic requirement
Australian Year 12 (Victoria)	The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), including all work requirements for eight units at levels 3 and 4; or The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning at Senior Level. See also the English language entry requirements for school-leaver applicants in section X below.
Australian Year 12 (other states)	An Australian Senior Certificate of Education deemed equivalent to the VCE. See also the English language entry requirements for school-leaver applicants in section X below.
New Zealand Year 12	The National Certificate of Educational Achievement.
International Baccalaureate Diploma	The International Baccalaureate Diploma.
Foundation Studies	A Foundation Studies program offered by a registered TAFE, university or private provider that is accredited as a TAFE Certificate IV or accredited as compliant with the Australian National Standards for Foundation Studies.
International secondary schooling	A qualification recognised by RMIT as equivalent to an Australian Senior Certificate of Education. Recognised qualifications are specified on the Entry requirements by country RMIT website.
Australian tertiary studies	The satisfactory completion of at least six months’ consecutive study or equivalent, taken at any Australian University (including Open Universities Australia), either on an award or non-award basis.
Open Universities Australia studies	The satisfactory completion of two Open Universities Australia units. Scored or graded results are required.
International tertiary studies	Satisfactory completion of at least six months’ consecutive study in a program deemed equivalent to an Australian Qualifications Framework level qualification of at least level 5. Recognised qualifications are specified on the Entry requirements by country RMIT website.
TAFE	The satisfactory completion of at least one year of an AQF accredited award at Certificate IV or above.

15. Programs above bachelor degree level

The entry requirements for programs above bachelor degree level, stated below, are expressed in terms of the minimum level of qualification an applicant must have completed to be eligible for selection. Programs at a higher level on the AQF than the stated minimum level meet this requirement.

16. Bachelor degree honours year programs

Applicants for bachelor degree honours year programs must hold a bachelor degree in a relevant discipline with a grade point average of at least 2.0.

17. Graduate certificate, vocational graduate certificate, graduate diploma and vocational graduate diploma programs

Applicants for graduate certificate, vocational graduate certificate, graduate diploma and vocational graduate diploma programs must hold:

17.1. a bachelor degree; or

17.2. an appropriate level of advanced professional experience relevant to the discipline area.

18. Masters by coursework programs

Applicants for masters by coursework programs must hold:

18.1. a bachelor degree; or

18.2. an appropriate level of advanced professional experience relevant to the discipline area.

19. Masters degree (extended) programs

Applicants for extended masters programs must hold a bachelor degree.

20. Masters by research programs

Applicants for masters by research programs must hold:

20.1. a first degree from RMIT with at least a credit average in the final undergraduate year; or

20.2. another recognised award deemed to be equivalent in character and standard to a first degree from RMIT with at least a credit average in the final undergraduate year; or

20.3.evidence of appropriate experience which satisfies the College/School that the applicant has developed knowledge of the field of study sufficient to undertake the proposed program.

21. Professional doctorate research programs

Applicants for Professional Doctorate Research programs must have:

21.1. qualified for an appropriate honours degree or Masters degree of RMIT in the core discipline areas of the proposed doctoral program; or

21.2.qualified for another award deemed to be equivalent in standard to an appropriate honours degree or Masters degree of RMIT in the core discipline areas of the proposed doctoral program; and

21.3. the appropriate level of advanced professional /industrial experience relevant to the discipline area.

22. Doctor of Philosophy programs

Applicants for Doctor of Philosophy programs must have completed one of the following:

22.1. a degree of Masters by Research of RMIT, or

22.2. a degree of Masters by Coursework of RMIT which includes a research program with a duration of at least one semester full-time (or part-time equivalent).

22.3. a degree of Bachelor of RMIT with a minimum of upper second class honours, or

22.4. another award deemed to be equivalent in character and standard to the above degrees, or

22.5. have such other qualifications or experience as the College Pro Vice-Chancellor or nominee considers appropriate; or

22.6. have current candidature for an RMIT masters program approved for transfer to the Doctor of Philosophy program through the process prescribed by Regulation 5.1.4 Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

23. Senior Doctorate by Publication programs

Applicants for a Senior Doctorate program must be graduates of RMIT University or have been full-time academic members of staff of RMIT University for at least five years.

No application may be made for candidature until eight years after the award of the applicant’s first qualification.

English language requirements

24. Applicants must satisfy English language entry requirements. English language requirements may be satisfied through a variety of means, including:

24.1. the study of an English language subject in an Australian Senior Certificate of Education;

24.2. a specified level of achievement in a recognised English language test;

24.3. successful completion of an English language program approved by RMIT;

24.4. a specified period of study at a tertiary institution where English is the language of instruction;

24.5. a specified period of work in an organisation where English is the language of communication.

25. The English language entry requirements for applicant cohorts are specified below.

26. Language proficiency entry requirements for programs and courses taught in a language other than English will be specified as program entry requirements.

27. The University English language requirements for entry to each level of program, and equivalents to these requirements, are approved by Policy and Programs Committee, and published on the English equivalency information for applicants website.

28. Information contained on the English equivalency information for applicants website will be revised annually (or more frequently as required) by RMIT International and the content approved by the Policy and Programs Committee.

29. If the English language entry requirements for a particular program are varied, the equivalent English language entry requirements will be amended accordingly.

30. Any requests for variations or exceptions to the English language entry requirements should be made by the relevant College Pro Vice-Chancellor to the Policy and Programs Committee. Such requests would normally be on a student cohort basis and require justification. Policy and Programs Committee has the discretion to approve the variation on a trial basis and accept or revoke the variation following a report of the trial period.

31. Minimum English language requirements are a component of the minimum University entry requirements. Where a program requires a higher level of English language proficiency than the minimum English language entry requirement, this will be a program entry requirement, as program entry requirements are additional to University entry requirements. As for other program entry requirements, the level required of applicants to be eligible for selection to the program must be approved by Policy and Programs Committee and clearly identified in published program information.

32. Where applicants satisfy more than one English language entry requirement, only the most relevant will be considered in the selection decision.

33. While the English language test scores specified on the English equivalency information for applicants website are acceptable for meeting RMIT’s English language entry requirements, the requirements of the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) may differ. It is recommended that international applicants contact an Australian Embassy or High Commission in order to ascertain English requirements for obtaining a student visa.

34. Minimum VCE English study score prerequisites for school-leaver applicants to undergraduate programs

34.1. To be eligible for entry to RMIT undergraduate programs, applicants for whom the most recent, relevant qualification is the Victorian Certificate of Education or the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning must achieve the following:

34.1.1. for entry to bachelor degrees, a minimum of 30 in VCE English as a Second Language or a minimum of 25 in any other VCE English study (except for SNAP applicants);

34.1.2. for entry to associate degrees, a minimum of 25 in VCE English as a Second Language or a minimum of 20 in any other VCE English study.

34.2. SNAP applicants must achieve a minimum of 25 in VCE English as a Second Language or a minimum of 20 in any other VCE English study in order to be eligible for entry into bachelor degree and associate degree programs.

34.3. Applicants for whom the most recent, relevant qualification is:

34.3.1. interstate year 12;

34.3.2. New Zealand year 12;

34.3.3. the International Baccalaureate; or

34.3.4. international year 12

will need to demonstrate achievement equivalent to the relevant minimum VCE English study score.

34.4. The minimum VCE English study score prerequisites do not apply to applicants for undergraduate programs seeking to enter on the basis of:

34.4.1. Foundation Studies;

34.4.2. previous tertiary studies;

34.4.3. overseas tertiary studies; or

34.4.4. current or previous TAFE studies.

English language requirements for international applicants

35. International applicants for whom English is not a first language and who will be studying on a student visa must satisfy the English language test scores specified on the English equivalency information for applicants website, or satisfy one of the equivalent English language requirements listed below.

36. English language test scores will be accepted as valid if the test was taken within 24 months prior to the proposed date of commencement of study at RMIT.

37. Applicants who satisfy one of the following English language requirements are deemed to have attained the equivalent of one of the English language test scores published on the English equivalency information for applicants website. The following requirements pertain to equivalence for entry to an undergraduate degree, and represent a bench mark for determining equivalence to the required English test scores for entry to other program levels and as such slight adjustments may be made.

38. RMIT English Worldwide (REW)

38.1 For entry to VET programs, satisfactory completion of REW Upper Intermediate.

38.2. For entry to associate degree programs, satisfactory completion of REW Advanced or REW Advanced 1.

38.3. For entry to other higher education programs, satisfactory completion of REW Advanced 2 or REW Advanced Plus.

39. Secondary studies

39.1. Students who have within the past 12 months successfully completed the final two years of secondary studies in an approved secondary school with English as the language of teaching and assessment, and have gained a score in an approved final-year English subject equivalent to the Victorian Certificate of Education study scores outlined above.

39.2. Satisfactory completion of secondary studies in a country where English is the language of teaching and assessment, including a satisfactory pass in an approved final-year English subject. Applicants from countries with more than one official language will need to meet the standard English language requirements.

40. Foundation studies

Successful completion of an appropriate RMIT Foundation Studies program or equivalent.

41. Tertiary studies

41.1. Successful completion, where English is the language of teaching and assessment, of either:

41.1.1. at least the equivalent of one year of a university degree within the past two years; or

41.1.2. at least the equivalent of a two year tertiary program of at least AQF Level 5 within the past five years

41.2. Students entering a postgraduate program must normally hold an undergraduate degree, taught and assessed in English, from a recognised university.

Program entry requirements

42. Program entry requirements may include:

42.1. a specified level of previous study, or equivalent;

42.2. a specified minimum level of achievement in previous study, or equivalent; and

42.3. specific prerequisite courses or subjects, and specified minimum scores in these.

43. Program entry requirements will wherever possible be set and reviewed in light of evidence that applicants meeting these requirements are likely to succeed in the program.

44. If a program sets selection tasks, these must be used to assess applicants in relation to the program entry requirements and/or the applicant’s capacity to succeed in the program.

45. Program entry requirements as stated in the Program Guide will apply to the location to which the Program Guide applies.

46. The program entry requirements represent the minimum standard an applicant must satisfy to be eligible for selection. If an applicant satisfies the program entry requirements, however, this is not a guarantee that the applicant will be selected, it merely qualifies the applicant for selection. Where the program is in high demand, the minimum level of achievement in previous study which is required of successful applicants may be higher than the minimum as stated in the program entry requirements.

Approval of program entry requirements

47. When a new program is proposed, the program entry requirements must be endorsed by the relevant College Board prior to submission of the program to Policy and Programs Committee, Academic Board and Council for approval.

48. The College Board may subsequently amend program entry requirements, selection tasks or selection methodology, except in the case of research programs, where amendments may be made not by College Boards but by the School of Graduate Research.

49. Any amendments to program entry requirements must be reflected in the Program Guide.

Publication of program entry requirements

50. Every program must have documented program entry requirements, selection tasks (if used), and selection methodology used to select students for the program.

51. The official source of program entry requirements is the Program Guide. Publication of program entry requirements elsewhere, such as on program websites or in marketing materials, must accurately reflect the Program Guide and should refer to the Program Guide as the official source of information.

Selection tasks

52. Programs may set selection tasks designed to assess an applicant’s capacity to satisfy the program entry requirements or demonstrate that the applicant is capable of success in the program.

53. Program selection tasks must be documented, approved by the relevant College Board (or the School of Graduate Research for research programs), and in possession of the relevant School. Program selection tasks are published in program information and the VTAC Guide.

54. The use of selection tasks should be as objective as possible. Applicants should be scored on the basis of the extent to which the material assessed through the selection tasks addresses the program entry requirements or the applicant’s capacity to succeed in the program.

Selection methodology

55. The selection methodology for each program must be documented, approved by the relevant College Board (or the School of Graduate Research for research programs), and in possession of the relevant School. Selection methodology is not, however, required to be published externally or to applicants.

Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) publications

56. The VTAC Guide and Victorian Tertiary Entrance Requirements (VICTER) Guide are updated each year.

57. College Admission Managers or equivalent must advise the Manager, University Admissions and Selection Services of program approvals, amendments, discontinuances and cancellations, which are to be reflected in the VTAC Guide.

58. Each program that accepts applicants through VTAC must prepare an entry for the VTAC Guide. These program entries must be approved by the relevant Deputy Head, Learning and Teaching prior to submission to University Admissions for publication in the VTAC Guide.

59. For roles, responsibilities and further details, see the VTAC Publications Instruction.

Selection process

60. Deans/Heads of School may appoint selection officers to make selection decisions on their behalf.

61. Selection officers will identify applicants who meet the University entry requirements, including minimum age, minimum academic requirement, and English language requirements. Of these applicants, selection officers will identify applicants who meet the program entry requirements.

62. Program entry requirements and selection methodology will be applied consistently to all applicants for a program.

63. The applicant’s entire application will be considered. The selection officer may give greater weight to the applicant’s most recent and/or relevant previous qualification, study, or experience.

64. Program entry requirements must be used to select applicants for the program wherever it is taught.

65. As far as possible, applications will not be pooled (held for competitive selection at a later time).

66. Approval to use pooling for selection of applicants to a program must be sought from the relevant College Board. If a program wishes to pool applicants for competitive selection, the impact upon selection of international applicants must be considered. Pooling international applicants for competitive selection may result in a limited pool.

67. If programs select competitively, applicants who are eligible for admission will be ranked in comparison to one another and offers will be made in order of highest rank. Ranking must occur in accordance with documented ranking methodology for the program. Ranking methodology is documented as part of selection methodology for programs employing ranking.

68. Domestic and International offshore applications for research programs are ranked in a centralised process by a subcommittee of the Research Committee, convened by the School of Graduate Research, when Schools have confirmed that applicants satisfy the relevant University and program entry requirements. International applications for onshore research programs are processed by RMIT International when Schools have confirmed that applicants satisfy the relevant University and program entry requirements.

69. In order to be considered for a place, applicants must submit their application on time, in the correct manner, and complete with all required documentation.

70. Application submission deadlines will be published in program brochures, and on the University website, and, if application is offered through VTAC, in the VTAC Guide and on the VTAC website.

71. The University reserves the right to request additional information from an applicant relevant to their application. Failure to supply the information requested may adversely affect the success of the application.

72. The University reserves the right to request an applicant to authorise the University to obtain further information about the applicant from relevant external bodies, such as VTAC. Failure to supply such authority may adversely affect the success of the application.

Integrity of selection decisions

73. If any staff member involved in a selection decision has, may have, or may be perceived to have a conflict of interest, they must disclose this conflict to their manager in accordance with the Conflict of interest policy, procedure and guideline.

74. If any staff member involved in a selection decision becomes aware of any attempt to breach the Selection and admission policy and procedure or the Conflict of interest policy, procedure or guideline, he/she must immediately notify the relevant Dean/Head of School. If the Dean/Head of School is unavailable or in any way compromised in their ability to make a decision regarding the conflict, the staff member must notify the relevant College Pro Vice-Chancellor or the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

Selection of applicants for programs offered through partnered delivery

75. If a program is delivered at RMIT’s Melbourne campuses and at another RMIT campus, the program entry requirements must be the same.

76. If a program is delivered not only at an RMIT campus but also with a partner, the program entry requirements must be the same. The contract with the delivering partner must specify the program entry requirements as documented in the program guide.

77. Staff of partner institutions may shortlist applicants. This shortlist of applicants is sent to the relevant program selection officer in the School to make a selection decision. Staff of partner institutions must supply the relevant School with a copy of all applications.

Information for applicants

78. Program entry requirements and any selection tasks that an applicant must undertake to be eligible for selection are published in the Program Guide.

79. The Program Guide is the official source of program entry requirements. All subsequent publication of program entry requirements must be consistent with the program entry requirements documented in the Program Guide.

80. Published program entry requirements will inform applicants about how these requirements are used and what weighting they have in selection.

81. Applicants are responsible for locating official, up-to-date information regarding selection and admission.

Applications through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)

82. Programs will be made available for applications through VTAC in accordance with the rules governing institutions' participation in the VTAC system.

83. Prospective students applying for undergraduate study must apply for admission through VTAC if the program exists in the VTAC system and the applicant is:

83.1. an Australian citizen;

83.2. an Australian permanent resident;

83.3. a New Zealand citizen; or

83.4. a temporary resident currently studying an Australian Year 12 or International Baccalaureate in Australia or New Zealand.

84. Applicants must submit their applications to VTAC in the format required according to type of applicant and the relevant closing dates for application and change of preferences published by VTAC in the VTAC Guide and on the VTAC website.

85. Applicants are required to complete all selection tasks and submit all required documentation by the due dates in order to be considered for selection.

Applications from prospective international students

86. All prospective undergraduate onshore international students apply to RMIT International directly or through an RMIT registered representative.

Change of visa status for international applicants in Australia

87. When permanent residency has been granted to a current year 12 student before VTAC applications close, onshore international applicants must follow the instructions in the VTAC guide to ensure that their applications can be amended so that they can be considered with other Australian Resident citizens, permanent residents of Australia, and New Zealand citizens.

88. Applicants who have pending permanent residency status must apply directly through RMIT International. Applicants who are granted Permanent Residency after being made an offer and before enrolment, shall be made an offer of a domestic full-fee place.

Transferring international students in Australia

89. International applicants currently studying in Australia may be required to provide RMIT with a release letter from their current provider if they have not yet completed at least six months’ study in their previous principal program, unless exceptional circumstances exist as defined by the ESOS Act 2000 or future similar legislation. If a release letter is required, the release letter must be provided to RMIT International before the applicant may be accepted by RMIT. Transferring international applicants are advised to refer to the Transfer of Provider guidelines published by RMIT International.

Offer

90. Verbal offers of admission will not be made or accepted as they are not formal offers and are not binding on either party.

91. The University reserves the right to withdraw an offer and/or cancel the enrolment of an applicant where such an offer was made on the basis of incomplete, inaccurate or fraudulent information supplied by the applicant.

92. Offers of admission will specify the program, attendance mode, load and campus for which the offer is made, and will contain details of the financial cost of enrolment.

93. Offers can be conditional on the provision of proof of completion of prerequisite qualifications or upon other factors detailed in the letter of offer. If conditions are not met, no full offer will be made and the applicant cannot enrol.

94. A decision to cancel (discontinue) a program should be made before offers are made to applicants. If this is not possible, however, the University may cancel the program once offers have been made, and cancel those offers of admission.

95. A decision to cancel a program once offers have been made and to cancel those offers will be made by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) having regard to the following factors:

95.1. the reason for the program cancellation,

95.2. the reason why the program was not cancelled before offers were made,

95.3. the number of applicants in receipt of an offer, and

95.4. alternative programs for which the applicants will be invited to apply.

Equitable access to education

96. The University is committed to equitable selection across all programs. The University maintains the following schemes to facilitate equitable access to education in diploma, advanced diploma and undergraduate programs by Australian citizens and permanent residents.

Alternative Category Entry Selection Scheme (ACESS) and Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS)

97. These schemes allow applicants who are within specified categories to seek additional consideration in selection for entry to programs above AQF level five.

98. To be eligible to apply through these schemes, applicants must be:

98.1. an Australian or New Zealand citizen; or

98.2. a permanent resident of Australia.

99. The categories under which applicants may apply for entry through ACESS or SEAS will be published.

100. ACESS and SEAS applicants are required to satisfy university entry requirements and program entry requirements.

Schools Network Access Program (SNAP)

101. SNAP is a capability-based equitable access scheme for Year 12 students of designated Victorian secondary schools.

102. To be eligible to apply as a SNAP applicant, the applicant must:

102.1. be a current student of a SNAP school; and

102.2. follow the prescribed application process for SNAP applicants as published on the University website.

103. SNAP applicants are required to meet university-wide entry requirements and program entry requirements to be eligible for admission.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Scheme

104. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Scheme assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants to apply for programs at RMIT.

105. RMIT supports the identification of capabilities and capacity through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Scheme. Where applicable a range of factors can be used to demonstrate satisfaction of program entry requirements. The Ngarara Willim Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students and the Equity and Diversity Unit will assist selection officers with the selection of applicants who apply under the scheme.

106. Applicants who wish to amend their application following advice regarding a study plan from Ngarara Willim may submit a direct application to University Admissions.

Quotas

107. College Pro Vice-Chancellors may establish sub-quotas.

108. When setting quotas, many factors may be considered, including but not limited to:

108.1. profile;

108.2. limitations of teaching and learning spaces;

108.3. limitations of teaching and academic staff; and

108.4. availability of external or work integrated learning placements, such as clinical or teaching placements.

Deferment

109. Heads/Deans of School have discretion to offer deferment for particular programs at particular locations. Not all programs offer deferment. The following provisions are applicable only to applicants for programs where deferment is available.

110. An applicant may only defer once, prior to enrolment.

111. If an applicant has been offered a place in a sequenced program, only the place in the first of those programs may be deferred. Deferment is not available prior to enrolment in the later programs that comprise the sequenced program.

112. The period of deferment is normally until the commencement of the following academic year. If an applicant declines to enrol at this point, the offer will lapse and the applicant must submit a new application.

113. Applicants seeking deferral for a longer period must seek approval from the relevant Dean/ Head of School. Possible grounds for deferment of more than one year are military service, a period of work required to establish eligibility for Youth Allowance at an independent rate, or other exceptional circumstances.

114. International onshore applicants may only apply for deferment through RMIT International prior to enrolment. If an international applicant has already accepted their offer, the University must report the deferral to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

115. On application, programs may offer deferment to domestic applicants who have been offered Australian government-funded places.

Internal applications

116. Students who are currently enrolled in an RMIT program may apply for another RMIT program.

117. Students may apply through an internal administrative process designed to facilitate the application process.

118. Internal applicants must meet the University entry requirements and the program entry requirements.

119. Application to a program may be competitive and there is no guarantee that an internal application will be successful.

Articulation

120. Articulation agreements will clearly specify the relevant program entry requirements for graduates of one program to articulate to another.

Foundation Studies

121. RMIT Foundation Studies students are guaranteed entry into an RMIT program if they achieve the result in Foundation Studies required for admission to the program as published at the time of their enrolment in the Foundation Studies program.

122. The guaranteed entry scores for Foundation Studies students are approved by Policy and Programs Committee.

123. The scores are reviewed every three years, having regard to factors including but not limited to the academic progress and performance of Foundation Studies students in the programs to which they are admitted.

Refusal of admission

124. The University may refuse admission on the grounds specified in the Selection and admission policy.

125. If an applicant meets the university entry requirements and program entry requirements and is eligible for selection, but has previously been excluded from a program of a tertiary institution on the grounds of unsatisfactory academic progress, selection officers will consider a number of factors when deciding whether to admit the applicant, including:

125.1.the applicant’s academic performance in the program from which the applicant was excluded;

125.2. the fact of the exclusion and any available reasons for the exclusion;

125.3. the extent to which the applicant has addressed the reasons for the exclusion;

125.4. the relevance of the program from which the applicant was excluded to the program for which the applicant is applying; and

125.5. the applicant’s academic performance in any other tertiary study or secondary school results.

126. Academic results and previous exclusion may be taken into account as relevant factors in the primary decision of the selection officer as to whether the applicant is capable of succeeding in their chosen program. A previous exclusion on the grounds of academic progress, however, does not disqualify the applicant from the program and such applications should not be summarily dismissed and must be treated fairly, and all relevant factors taken into account.

Review of decision

127. If an unsuccessful applicant seeks reasons for their failure to obtain a place in the program applied for, reasons should be provided. It is advantageous if information can be provided that would enable the applicant to improve their application should they wish to apply for a future intake.

128. An applicant may seek a review of a selection decision on the following grounds:

128.1. the applicant satisfied all relevant entry requirements; and

128.2. the application was lodged on time, in the correct manner, and all of the relevant documentation was provided to the University; and

128.3. the Selection and admission policy or the Selection and admission procedure were improperly applied.

129. An application for review should be submitted within 15 working days of being notified of the selection decision to the Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) of the relevant College, or, in the case of research applicants, to the Dean, School of Graduate Research

130. The Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) or Dean, School of Graduate Research will arrange an investigation within two working days and on the basis of this investigation, advise the applicant in writing of the outcome of the review within a further 15 days. This decision is final.

131. An application for review may be dismissed as without substance where the applicant did not meet the published admission requirements of the program to which admission was sought.

132. An application may be dismissed where the applicant fails to produce evidence substantiating the grounds of review.

Waiver of requirements

133. In some cases, an applicant may not meet the standard university entry requirements or program entry requirements, but is able to demonstrate through other means that they are capable of success in the program. In these cases, the relevant university entry requirements and or program entry requirements may be waived by the following process.

133.1. For applicants to coursework programs, the requirements may be waived by the relevant College Pro Vice-Chancellor or nominee. Any such decision and the reasons for the decision must be reported to the following meeting of Policy and Programs Committee by the Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching).

133.2. For applicants to higher degrees by research programs, the requirements may be waived by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) or nominee. Any such decision and the reasons for the decision must be reported to the following meeting of Research Committee by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation).

134. Such a decision may only be made if the applicant demonstrates that he/she possesses the capabilities required to succeed in the program. The applicant must provide satisfactory evidence attesting to these capabilities.

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