Please contact us if your question has not been answered below.
1) How is UC different from the other residential colleges?
While the colleges all share similarities (such as single occupancy rooms, all meals provided, academic support, intercollegiate activities etc), each college has its own unique characteristics. The following factors are some of things you may like to consider that impact on a particular college’s culture:
- College ethos/values
- Size of the college
- History of the college
- Make up of the student community
- Care and wellbeing support
- Academic success/support
UC is well known for its friendly, relaxed and supportive community.
2) Where do your students come from?
While there are no set quotas, below is the approximate break-down of our student population.
- 40% rural Victoria
- 40% domestic interstate
- 20% international
Around 75% of our students are studying at University of Melbourne, with the remaining 25% studying at RMIT, Monash (Pharmacy), ACU and other nearby universities. Now that our building project is complete, our community consists of 340 students, making us one of the medium-sized colleges on the crescent. We also try to avoid a big intake of students from any one particular high school in order to minimise formation of ‘cliques’.
3) What kind of students are you looking for?
UC is a community, and in order for it to function as your ‘home away from home’, the students need to be accepting of others, flexible and inclusive. When we screen applicants we consider a variety of factors, including academic performance, extra-curricular activities and community engagement, but ultimately we are looking for friendly ‘all-rounders’ who we think will be a good fit for the residential college community.
4) What student events occur throughout the year?
- Welcome Saturday
- Commencement Dinner
- Intercollegiate sports
- Intercollegiate cultural activities such as public speaking and debating
- Musical soirées
- Careers activities and Pathways Dinner
- UC Ball
- Musical production
- Art and Design Week
- Battle of the Bands
- Valedictory Dinner (and many more)
5) What cultural/arts/music/committees can residential college students become involved in?
See above plus below for committees:
Student Club
- Student Club executives
- Sustainability Committee
- Sports Committee
- Community Service Committee
- Social Committee
- Wellbeing Committee
College Council
As with all of our committees, the chance to actively participate in College Council will help students to develop strong leadership skills.
We also offer unpaid student internships in various areas and other opportunities, such as marketing, student photographers and school ambassadors.
6) How much does it cost to live at UC?
College fees are updated yearly. For current fees, please see our Residential College Fees page.
If you are considering other accommodation options, it is important to consider what is included in the fees and ensure that all expenses are included. There are intangibles to think about too, such as an easier transition to life in Melbourne and tertiary study and the community atmosphere that colleges provide.
7) What financial support/scholarships do you have available?
There are scholarships available for students who need financial assistance to live at UC. There are also academic excellence, leadership and music scholarships to name a few.
To be eligible for one of the scholarships, UC must be placed as your residential college of first preference on your online application form. Please enquire about financial support when you apply.
View a comprehensive list of our scholarships.
8) What is the application process?
Please view the University College application process.
9) Are there flexible meal plans?
No. The vast majority of students want to use their time at College for studying and student activities. Therefore, all meals (three meals a day, seven days a week) are provided. Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements are catered for.
10) What do college fees include?
You can find a complete University College Fees break down.
11) Is there parking available at the residential college?
There are limited car spaces available for an additional fee of $416 per semester.
Please note that UC is located close to four universities (the University of Melbourne, RMIT, Monash Pharmacy and ACU) and is on a tram line, so most students get by easily without a car.
12) How many students live at the residential college?
There are 340 places available at UC (including undergraduates and graduates).
13) What is Passivhaus?
Passivhaus is a German concept and is a rigorous, voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a building, which reduces the building’s ecological footprint. The redevelopment of UC saw that our new buildings were built to Passivhaus standard. Read more in our Passivhaus FAQs
14) How is security and wellbeing managed at the residential college?
The main entrance is locked between 6pm and 8am and entirely over the weekends. Students have their own electronic fob keys and are free to come and go at any time by swiping their fob over the sensor. The residential college reception is staffed from 8am – 6pm, Monday to Friday. Outside of these hours there are Resident Tutors on duty to help if students get locked out. The College also has a number of Youth Workers that are trained in first aid to support students overnight (when the Dean of Students and Student Wellbeing Coordinator are not onsite).
15) What do the college rooms include?
We offer the best sized rooms on the Crescent! Residential college students don’t have to share rooms and are encouraged to decorate them. Each room comes fully furnished with a bed, desk, desk lamp, chair, bedside table, bookshelf, and wardrobe. 95% of our rooms have double beds.
Rooms for new college students will be allocated in order of receipt of application. For returning college students, rooms are allocated based on a points system – the higher your room points (earned by helping out around the college) the more likely you will get your preferred room.
Unlimited wifi, heating and fans are provided, and rooms are vacuumed fortnightly by cleaners.
Kitchenettes and laundry facilities are available in each wing.
Take a look at our virtual tour to get a feel for some of our rooms.