The Melbourne Experience
The University of Melbourne aims to give every one of its students their own 'Melbourne Experience'.
Students at the University of Melbourne have increased opportunity to expand their knowledge beyond the traditional learning space. Strong relationships with partner institutions and key bodies locally and across the globe underpin a desire for students to study overseas, undertake professional work experience, become involved in a volunteer program, develop their leadership skills: all experiences that can contribute to the quality of student engagement and to the enrichment of individual learning.
The University achieves this by providing each student with:
- a cohort experience - building connections with their peers;
- and a research experience - building the skills to consider a large project.
By encouraging students to undertake new projects, meet new people, connect with others, build relationships between the University and other bodies, think differently and consider the application of their knowledge, the University of Melbourne provides a distinct experience that produces graduates with an international awareness based on understanding of social, cultural and linguistic diversity, and with respect for the physical environment and individual human rights and dignity.
The University's ideal of the Melbourne Experience is:
- An educationally focussed community, where staff and students work together to strengthen teaching, learning and the pursuit of knowledge;
- An articulate and open community, where freedom of expression is protected, and new and difficult questions are explored;
- An international community, for which the campus experience is made the richer by being located in the heart of a multicultural city;
- A lively community, where students are invited to participate in student clubs, debates, sport and community service;
- A fair community, where diversity is valued and the integrity of the individual is respected;
- A principled community, where explicit codes of academic honesty, of ethics and of good conduct guide behaviour and students and staff accept their obligations to others
- A caring community, where the well-being of each student and staff member is supported according to their individual needs and where service and the support of others is encouraged; and
- A celebratory community, where the University's history and achievements are known and honoured and its living traditions widely shared.
Centred on a campus experience that engages students in the broader university community, the Melbourne Experience is supported by an infrastructure that encourages students to feel part of a cohort, build positive relationships, and to make easier connections with the University. Student Centres are the first port of call for all students and offer advice, support and resources for all student enquiries.