Melbourne degrees top Victorian applications

The University of Melbourne has the most popular degrees offered by Victorian universities, as measured by first preference applications through the Victorian tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). Melbourne's Arts and Science degrees are first and second respectively - totaling 4898 applications - and Melbourne has five of the 10 most sought degrees in the state. VTAC data shows first preference applications for Melbourne's degrees have jumped by 21 percent overall from last year, the largest increase in Victoria. There has also been a 24 percent increase in applications through the Access Melbourne program for disadvantaged students, including large increases for those from rural areas and low socio-economic backgrounds. The University has made 6183 first-round offers, which is 49 more than last year. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement), Professor Sue Elliott, said the demand reflected the growing awareness of the new programs at Melbourne and their attractiveness to students from all backgrounds. Professor Elliott said it had also contributed to a rise in the Australian Tertiary Admission Ranking (ATAR) for all degrees, a 24 percent increase in interstate offers and 21 percent more Access Melbourne offers.