Students finishing a Russian or most CIS school systems cannot enter a University of Melbourne bachelor's degree directly: the Russian certificate is not on the university's list of accepted qualifications, so the usual route is a Foundation year at Trinity College. Trinity's Standard program asks for an attestat average of at least 4, and its Fast Track program an average of 5. Either costs $32,850 (AUD 46,770) in 2027. In 2027 the first bachelor's year costs an international student $30,840–45,900 (AUD 43,904–65,344), depending on the degree and subjects, and the Bachelor of Oral Health $60,290 (AUD 85,840).
Founded in 1853, Melbourne is a Group of Eight university ranked equal 22nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027, second in Australia after UNSW.
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| City and campus | Melbourne, Victoria; main campus in Parkville, seven campuses across the state |
| Codes | CRICOS 00116K, PRV12150 |
| Study model | broad bachelor's degrees; medicine, law and engineering at graduate level |
| Russian/CIS certificate | no direct entry; route through Trinity College Foundation Studies |
| Foundation, 2027 | $32,850 (AUD 46,770) Standard and Fast Track; $40,770 (AUD 58,050) Comprehensive |
| Bachelor's tuition, 2027 | $30,840–45,900 (AUD 43,904–65,344) for the first year; Oral Health $60,290 (AUD 85,840) |
| English | IELTS Academic 6.5, no band below 6.0; no online or at-home tests |
| Deposit on acceptance | $11,940 (AUD 17,000), credited to tuition |
| Application fee | $110 (AUD 154) |
| 2027 scholarships | 20% tuition remission for the whole degree; citizens of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus compete only for the merit-based Excellence awards |
| Housing | accommodation offer for all commencing students new to Melbourne, subject to availability |
How study is structured: the Melbourne model
Melbourne differs from most Australian universities in when you specialise. At bachelor's level you choose a broad degree such as Arts, Biomedicine, Commerce, Design, Science, Agriculture or Music, with a major plus required subjects from other fields. Professional qualifications in medicine, law and engineering come afterwards at graduate level: the Doctor of Medicine, Juris Doctor and Master of Engineering.
What this means for you:
- Professional routes take longer. A future doctor studies Biomedicine or Science for three years and then applies to the Doctor of Medicine, while some universities offer medicine as one undergraduate program.
- You can decide later. Your specialisation is chosen at university, and changing direction does not mean restarting a degree.
- Graduates get set progression routes. Melbourne bachelor's graduates with a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 65% are entitled to an international fee place in the Master of Engineering, Master of Information Technology and Master of Information Systems.
This suits students who are still choosing a profession or want a strong general foundation before a master's. If you need a professional degree straight after school, compare Melbourne with Monash University, UNSW or the University of Queensland.
Entry after a Russian or CIS school
There is no direct entry. The international qualifications list on the Bachelor of Commerce page covers many countries but not Russia. For Kazakhstan it lists only the Grade 12 certificate of Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS): NIS graduates can apply to a bachelor's degree directly, while other Kazakh and CIS school leavers also need a preparatory year. Russian school leavers therefore need a preparatory year, most often Trinity College Foundation Studies, which replaces the Australian final school year for admission.
Trinity College Foundation Studies, 2027
| Option | Russian applicants | IELTS | Start | 2027 fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | attestat average of at least 4 | 6.0, no band below 5.5 | 11 February or 5 August 2027 | $32,850 (AUD 46,770) |
| Fast Track | attestat average of at least 5 | 6.0, no band below 6.0 | 15 June or 28 September 2027 | $32,850 (AUD 46,770) |
| Comprehensive | no Russian requirement published | 5.5, no band below 5.0 | 12 January or 13 July 2027 | $40,770 (AUD 58,050) |
Trinity also charges a non-refundable $220 (AUD 310) enrolment fee and $280 (AUD 400) for each laboratory subject (biology, chemistry or physics). Students whose sibling or parent completed the program receive a 5% fee reduction.
Trinity accepts English tests taken only in your country of citizenship, last education or current residence, and it does not accept online or at-home versions.
Foundation scores that lead to a bachelor's place
Completing Foundation with the guaranteed score and the required subjects secures a bachelor's place. The thresholds below come from Trinity's table with 2026 prerequisite subjects; check the current version before you start.
| Bachelor's degree | Guaranteed score | Required Foundation subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | 75 | English for Academic Purposes (EAP), English, History of Ideas, Mathematics 1 |
| Arts | 77 | EAP, English, History of Ideas |
| Design | 80 | EAP, English, History of Ideas |
| Science | 80 | EAP, English, History of Ideas, Mathematics 1 and biology, chemistry or physics (or Mathematics 1 and 2) |
| Biomedicine | 84 | EAP, English, History of Ideas, Chemistry, Mathematics 1 |
| Commerce | 85 | EAP, English, History of Ideas, Mathematics 1 |
| Oral Health | 90 (indicative only) | EAP, English, History of Ideas, biology or chemistry |
The final score is the average of your best four subjects, and the prerequisites must be among them. You also need at least 50% in EAP, and students must be at least 16 when they start. Other routes for Year 11 graduates are compared in studying in Australia after Year 11.
Tuition fees
Melbourne charges by subject rather than by degree, so for bachelor's programs it publishes a first-year range plus an estimate for the whole course. The figures below come from the university's official 2027 international fee tables (published 12 August 2026) for students starting in Semester 1, 2027. The whole-course estimate already includes the annual increases allowed under university policy.
| Degree | First year, 2027 | Whole course (university estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Fine Arts (all streams) | $30,840 (AUD 43,904) | $99,140–100,390 (AUD 141,147–142,918) |
| Bachelor of Music | $30,840–31,470 (AUD 43,904–44,808) | $99,300–103,440 (AUD 141,377–147,267) |
| Bachelor of Arts | $31,160–40,570 (AUD 44,356–57,764) | $100,120–131,450 (AUD 142,535–187,154) |
| Bachelor of Design | $32,260–44,900 (AUD 45,928–63,924) | $105,450–142,090 (AUD 150,130–202,294) |
| Bachelor of Agriculture | $38,520 (AUD 54,848) | $123,850–126,620 (AUD 176,331–180,265) |
| Bachelor of Science | $39,020–45,900 (AUD 55,556–65,344) | $127,350–148,490 (AUD 181,310–211,405) |
| Bachelor of Commerce | $39,650–43,870 (AUD 56,451–62,464) | $126,930–140,580 (AUD 180,714–200,139) |
| Bachelor of Biomedicine | $40,800–45,860 (AUD 58,084–65,288) | $143,500–157,970 (AUD 204,306–224,905) |
| Bachelor of Oral Health | $60,290 (AUD 85,840) | $201,210 (AUD 286,463) |
Graduate courses in the same tables are priced per full study year (100 credit points):
| Graduate course | Annual fee, 2027 | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Data Science | $43,150 (AUD 61,440) | 2 years |
| Master of Management | $45,830 (AUD 65,248) | 2 years |
| Master of Engineering | $46,890 (AUD 66,752) | 3 years (less with credit) |
| Master of Information Technology, Master of Computer Science | $48,100 (AUD 68,480) | 2 years |
| Juris Doctor | $44,800 (AUD 63,776) | 3 years |
| Doctor of Medicine | $91,550 (AUD 130,336) | 4 years |
In Arts and Design, the gap between the cheapest and the most expensive first year reaches AUD 13,000–18,000, depending on the discipline band of the subjects you take, so budget from the top of the range. The 2027 rates are also above 2026: a first year of Commerce cost AUD 52,360–59,052 in 2026.
Payment sequence:
- Deposit. To accept an offer you pay at least $11,940 (AUD 17,000), credited as your first tuition instalment.
- OSHC. If the university arranges your health cover, you pay it together with the deposit; the CoE follows.
- Semester invoice. After enrolment you pay the balance for the study period by telegraphic transfer, card, BPAY or CIBC foreign exchange.
- Refunds follow the university's terms for international students; approved special circumstances may qualify for a full refund.
Students under 18 pay for a separate university supervision program. For payment routes from Russia see how to pay for studies abroad from Russia; for price comparisons see the cost of studying in Australia.
How to apply
- Choose the degree and route — usually Trinity Foundation for school leavers and direct master's entry for graduates.
- Check English — most bachelor's degrees require Level 1: IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0.
- Prepare documents — certificates and transcripts with certified English translations, test results and passport; some degrees add essays, portfolios or auditions.
- Apply directly on the university website and pay the $110 (AUD 154) fee.
- Meet the offer conditions, pay the deposit, arrange OSHC and receive your CoE.
- Apply for the student visa. The university warns it may ask for extra information to assess the Genuine Student requirement.
Direct international applications for bachelor's degrees close on 30 November 2026 for the February–March 2027 start and on 31 May 2027 for the July intake. Degrees with auditions or selection tasks, such as Fine Arts and Music, close earlier, before September. Late applications are accepted only if places remain, which can leave too little time for the visa, so apply early, especially if you are finishing Foundation first.
English: three levels
Melbourne groups degrees into English levels. Online and at-home test versions are not accepted.
| Level | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | C1 Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (most degrees) | 6.5, no band below 6.0 | 81 | 64, no band below 60 | 169 |
| Level 2 | 7.0, no band below 6.5 | 91 | 72 | 178 |
| Level 3 | 7.5, no band below 7.0 | 100 | 78 | 187 |
TOEFL, PTE and Cambridge also have section minimums at each level; check them on the requirements page.
Scholarships for 2027
The university refreshed its international awards for 2027. All are tuition reductions rather than living allowances, and applicants are considered automatically once they apply for a course.
| Scholarship | Value | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Melbourne International Excellence Scholarship (Undergraduate) | 20% for the whole degree; at least 140 awards | international fee place in a bachelor's degree from 2027, no previous tertiary study; ranked by entry score |
| Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship | 20% from 2027 (previously 25%); 225 awards | citizens of a closed list of countries with nominal GDP per capita up to US$10,000 |
| Melbourne International Excellence Scholarship (Graduate) | 20%; at least 180 awards | international fee place in a master's degree; excludes dentistry, medicine, optometry, physiotherapy and veterinary medicine |
| Melbourne International Graduate Scholarship | see scholarship page | the same closed country list |
| Melbourne International Pathway Scholarship | see scholarship page | Melbourne graduates continuing to a master's |
Excellence outcomes arrive within five working days of a course offer. Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus are not on the country list for the Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships, so holders of those passports can realistically count only on the Excellence Scholarship, which ranks applicants by entry score. The list does include Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, and among other former Soviet states Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The graduate Excellence award cannot be held with another scholarship or sponsorship that reduces tuition. See also scholarships in Australia.
Accommodation prices for 2027
The university makes an accommodation offer to all commencing students who are new to Melbourne, subject to availability. Applications for 2027 are open.
| Option | Weekly price, 2027 |
|---|---|
| Lisa Bellear House (university residence) | $320–450 (AUD 459–639) |
| Little Hall | $340–520 (AUD 481–744) |
| The Lofts | $310–550 (AUD 448–786) |
| International House (residential college) | $530–660 (AUD 759–939) |
| Wilam Hall (single-semester contract) | $610–650 (AUD 870–922) |
For comparison, the median rent for a one-bedroom flat in metropolitan Melbourne, from Victorian Government data cited by the university, is $330 (AUD 475) a week.
Visa, work and staying on
- Student visa (subclass 500): lodged online in ImmiAccount after the CoE; the charge is from $1,760 (AUD 2,500) since 1 July 2026. Home Affairs tells you whether and where to give biometrics.
- Funds: first-year tuition, travel and $20,870 (AUD 29,710) for 12 months of living costs for one student.
- OSHC for the whole visa period.
- Work: up to 48 hours per fortnight while classes run; research master's and PhD students have no limit after their course starts.
- After graduation: a 485 visa of 2 years after a bachelor's or coursework master's and 3 years after a research master's or PhD. You must be 35 or under when you apply, or under 50 if you use a research master's or PhD; the charge is $4,040 (AUD 5,750).
Visa decisions belong to Home Affairs. See our guides to the Australian student visa and working while studying and the 485 visa.
Who Melbourne suits
| Strengths | Trade-offs |
|---|---|
| Equal 22nd in QS 2027, Group of Eight | Russian school leavers must add a Foundation year costing $32,850 |
| Broad bachelor's degrees with a later career choice | Medicine and law only at graduate level |
| Guaranteed Foundation scores and guaranteed master's pathways | Subject-based pricing: up to AUD 18,000 a year between the ends of one degree's range |
| Accommodation offer for newcomers | Scholarships are 20% reductions, and two of them exclude Russian, Kazakh and Belarusian citizens |
| Large city with a deep job market | Rent and residence prices are high |
Melbourne suits strong school leavers ready for Foundation and a longer path through a broad degree, and graduates heading into IT, data or engineering master's programs. Compare it with RMIT, Monash and Adelaide University, or read our guide to universities in Melbourne and studying in Australia.
Costly mistakes
- Applying to a bachelor's degree with the Russian certificate alone. Russia is not on the list.
- Choosing Fast Track with an average below 5. Trinity sets that threshold for Russian applicants.
- Taking IELTS online or at home. Neither the university nor Trinity accepts it.
- Budgeting on the bottom of a fee range. Your subjects set the final fee, so plan with the upper 2027 figure.
- Counting on a country-list scholarship. With a Russian, Kazakh or Belarusian passport the Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships are not available.
- Expecting a full undergraduate scholarship. International awards are 20% reductions.
FAQ
What attestat average do I need for Trinity Foundation?
At least 4 out of 5 for Standard and 5 for Fast Track, plus IELTS 6.0 (no band below 6.0 for Fast Track).
Does Foundation lead to a place at Melbourne?
Yes, if you reach the guaranteed score and complete the required subjects: 85 for Commerce, 80 for Science and Design, 77 for Arts. The 90 shown for Oral Health is indicative only.
How much is the first bachelor's year?
The university's 2027 tables give AUD 43,904 (Fine Arts) up to AUD 65,344 (top of the Science range), and AUD 85,840 for Oral Health. On top of that come residence costs from AUD 448 a week, insurance and the visa charge.
Can I do a master's with a Russian degree?
Yes, with a recognised bachelor's or specialist degree assessed against the course's requirements, and English at Level 1 or higher depending on the course.
When does study start?
The main intake is Semester 1 (February–March), and some courses also admit students in July. Direct international applicants must apply by 30 November for the February start and by 31 May for July. Trinity Foundation starts in February, June, August or September for Standard and Fast Track.
Is there housing for first-year students?
The university offers accommodation to all commencing students new to Melbourne, subject to availability; 2027 university residences cost AUD 448–786 a week.
How does StudyU help?
Under a service agreement we help choose the degree and Foundation option, prepare the Trinity and university applications, documents and visa file. Trinity and the university decide on admission; Home Affairs decides on the visa.
Sources
- University of Melbourne: 2027 Tuition fee tables, international students (PDF, 12.08.2026)
- University of Melbourne: Bachelor of Commerce and 2026 fee pages for Arts, Science, Biomedicine, Design, Master of IT, Master of Data Science
- University of Melbourne: International undergraduate fees and payments, Application fee, English language requirements
- University of Melbourne: International scholarships, Excellence Scholarship (Undergraduate), (Graduate), International Undergraduate Scholarship, eligible countries
- University of Melbourne: Accommodation, Cost of living
- Trinity College: Entry requirements, 2027 dates and fees, Foundation Studies Program
- Home Affairs: Student visa (subclass 500), Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), Study Australia: visa charge increase
- QS: University of Melbourne
Dollar amounts are converted at the ECB reference rate of 28.09.2026 (AUD 1 = $0.7024) and rounded to the nearest $10.
If you want to know whether Standard or Fast Track fits you and which Melbourne degree is realistic after Foundation, send us an application.
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.
Next steps
- Australian University Entry After 11 Years of School: Foundation, Diploma or a Year at a Home University
- Working While Studying in Australia and the 485 Graduate Visa in 2026: Hours, Pay, Tax and Post-Study Stay
- Scholarships in Australia for International Students in 2026–2027: What Is Actually Available
- Cost of Studying in Australia in 2026–2027: University Fees, Living Costs, Visa and a First-Year Budget
- Scholarships abroad 2026: where international students study for free
- How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026
