Academic Calendar & Timetable

Melbourne Dental School has an alternative calendar to the University of Melbourne's Key Dates. All students will need to pay close attention to the timelines of their course requirements, as year levels may also vary, as well as examination times, academic breaks and orientations.

Timetables for Melbourne Dental School Students are facilitated directly by the School and communicated to Students via Email and LMS (DCD & Grad Dip Students will have their timetable communicated to them by their Convenors). Due to the nature of courses requiring both class, lecture and clinical attendance, timetables may change due to extenuating circumstances and all Students are expected to regularly check their email for updates.

Melbourne Dental School Student Communications

As a Melbourne Dental School Student, it is your responsibility to be proactive with updating your contact information and keeping the School informed of any changes regarding your enrolment, clinical placement or circumstances pertaining to course work and assessments. You will need to be familiar with the various areas around the University that you may need to communicate with, regarding important matters relating to the Student Life Cycle.

Please note the following contacts as to the best source of information depending on what your immediate needs may be.

• UoM Stop 1

  Enrolments, Student Advice, Fees and Information

  For information or advice pertaining to general University of Melbourne Student Administration matters such as enrolment issues, fee information or advice, or other services including Student Equity Disability & Support can be directed to Stop 1. Stop 1 also facilitate services such as enrolment planning or confirmation, skills and development workshops, as well as general administration such as Student Card replacements, transcripts and graduation.

  Stop 1 and 13MELB also facilitate all enquiries for anyone considering studying the Bachelor of Oral Health or the Bachelor of Oral Health (Degree with Honours) at Melbourne Dental School.

  To contact Stop 1 you can visit, call or enquire online.

  IN PERSON
  757 Swanston Street
  Ground floor of Building 199, corner of Swanston and Grattan Streets

  PHONE
  13 MELB (13 6352)
  9am - 5pm: Monday to Friday
  Outside Australia: +61 3 9035 5511

  ONLINE
  Stop 1

• Faculty of MDHS Health Hub

  Graduate Prospective Student Enquiries, Clinical Placement Compliance

  The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Health Hub facilitates Student Enrichment programs through its Faculty and School affiliated groups and Student Societies as well as overseeing the Clinical Placement Compliance Policy.

  The Melbourne Dental Student Society (MDSS) is one of the groups that the Health Hub supports in its enrichment activities and it is advisable to contact them directly with initiatives or ideas to further student enhancement or development opportunities.

  The Health Hub oversees the Clinical Placement Compliance Policy on behalf of the entire Faculty, ensuring that all students who are required to undertake any kind of clinical placement as part of their curriculum is meeting the minimum requirements for their placement. This includes:

  • a recent National Police record Check.
  • a valid Working with Children Check for the relevant state/territory, and
  • be immunised against particular infectious diseases.

  Melbourne Dental School Students undertaking the Bachelor of Oral Health, Doctor of Dental Surgery, Doctor of Clinical Dentistry and Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Implants) will all need to submit their relevant documentation to the Health Hub via the appropriate channels.

  To contact the Health Hub, you can visit, call or enquire online.

  IN PERSON
  Health Hub
  Level 1, Brownless Biomedical Library
  The University of Melbourne (Parkville Campus)
  Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm

  PHONE
  +61 3 8344 5890

  ONLINE
  Health Hub

• Melbourne Dental School Office

  Melbourne Dental School – Academic Programs Office

  The Academic Programs Office can assist current MDS students with various enquiries related to their studies at the school.
  
  All timetable, placement and pre-placement requirement related enquiries be directed to the Academic Programs Office via dental-timetable@unimelb.edu.au.
  
  For all other general enquiries from current students such as building access or special assessments, please complete the following web forms:

  • Current students enquiring about the curriculum and Handbook - Curriculum and Handbook enquiry webform.
  • Current Students general enquiries - Enquiries webform.

Current Student Orientation Information

Each year current students may still require further Orientation in order to be introduced to new aspects of their degree including new systems or Hospital and Clinic activities. Further information regarding details of your orientation can be accessed below. All students undertaking any kind of Clinical Placement as part of their degree must satisfy the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences Clinical Placement Compliance Policy on an ongoing basis each year.

Please note: The orientation timetable may change as updates and availability of staff or presenters are confirmed.

Melbourne Dental School Student Enrolments

As a University of Melbourne student, it is your responsibility to ensure that administrative requirements of your degree are completed, as directed by both the Enrolment Policy and Enrolment Procedure.

Administrative requirements include selecting your subjects each year within the enrolment period, and ensuring your enrolment is finalised prior to the census date of each semester. Students are also required to notify the University of changes to enrolment status or contact details. Students must always ensure that contact details are current and local as you may need to be contacted by the University using the information provided.

The University will almost always communicate via student email accounts ie my.unimelb, so please ensure that you are checking your email regularly for new information or updates.

Melbourne Dental School will require a mobile telephone contact, especially with regard to clinical placements, on call and other immediate curriculum matters. It is advised that you ensure the most up to date mobile information is provided, and if you do not already have a phone or local mobile number, that this is organised prior to course commencement.

• What are the first steps involved in enrolling or re-enrolling?
  • Refer to The University of Melbourne Handbook for information on the course outline of your degree; this will assist you in knowing any core/compulsory subjects you must enrol into.
  • Visit The University of Melbourne’s New Enrolments page, for new students, or my.unimelb, for returning students, to commence your enrolment.
  • Complete the enrolment declaration and accept the terms and conditions.
  • Commence enrolling in subjects for each semester of the year.
  • It is expected that Students enrol in all subjects within their course for the calendar year.
  • Student not enrolled into a subject may not be allowed into classes, practicals, clinics, etc.
• How do I enrol in subjects?
  • If you are a New Student, you may finalise your enrolment on the Student Services website for Domestic or International Students.
  • If you are a current student, enrol in your chosen subjects in my.unimelb. Detailed instructions and assistance on how to enrol and can be found on the University’s Enrolment for Current Students website.
  • If you find my.unimelb does not allow you to enrol in one of your subjects, please contact Stop 1.
  • Ensure you finalise your enrolment before semester begins. Timetables are made available to Students via the Learning Management System (LMS).
• How many subjects can I enrol in?
  • All Melbourne Dental School courses are fixed structures and you may only enrol into the subjects outlined as part of the course configuration.
  • All of the coursework degrees (except for the Graduate Diploma of Clinical Dentistry (Implants)) are full time courses, and students are expected to manage their enrolments as such.
  • Students must seek special permission in order to be enrolled in less than the full time load of any given study period.
  • Students do not have the discretion in undertaking the Bachelor of Oral Health, Doctor of Dental Surgery, or Doctor of Clinical Dentistry part-time, without prior consent from a Course Coordinator, and will only be granted approval on the basis of extenuating circumstances.
• Can I discontinue my Course?
  • Withdrawing from a course will cease your enrolment as a University of Melbourne student, which will also mean that you are no longer entitled to the various privileges or access to the University’s Services or Facilities. This may also affect entitlements you receive as a student, such as Concession cards, or Government payments.
  • If you are serious about withdrawing from your course, you are encouraged to speak with your Course Coordinator and Student Advisor.
  • Once your withdrawal is confirmed you cannot change your mind and recommence, unless you apply for readmission. You will be evaluated as a new student, and may not necessarily be granted any Advanced Standing/Exemption.
  • Students have the option of discontinuing from their course at any stage during their studies, you must simply ensure to formally apply for a Course Withdrawal in my.unimelb. Detailed instructions and assistance on how to enrol and can be found on the University’s Withdrawing from a Course website.
  • Students are advised to familiarise themselves with Census Dates and other key dates relevant to their subject enrolments within the University Handbook with regard to fee liability or academic penalties as an outcome of their withdrawal.
• Can I apply to take time away from my studies?
  • Students who are accepted into Melbourne Dental School courses are not allowed to defer before commencing their studies.
  • Students who are currently enrolled in a course but wish to take time off will need to apply for Leave of Absence of up to one year for extenuating personal, medical, compassionate reasons only.
  • Due to the prescriptive nature of the Melbourne Dental School course structures, any time away should be discussed with a Course Coordinator and Student Advisor, in order to evaluate how time off may alter or affect your Study Plan and clinical practice skills.
  • You can apply for Leave of Absence in my.unimelb. Detailed instructions and assistance on how to enrol and can be found on the University’s Applying for Leave of Absence website.
  • Any Student who does not have an approved Leave of Absence and does not enrol into their subjects risks being cancelled from their course and will be required to reapply for admission.
• Can I get any Advanced Standing (Credit)?
  • Melbourne Dental School currently does not offer any Advanced Standing or Credit Exemptions for other qualifications obtained from other universities, both domestic and international.
• Can I undertake paid work outside of my studies?
  • If you are enrolled in a fixed full-time structured course within Melbourne Dental School it is strongly advised that you consider the implications of extra activities that you undertake during your studies.
  • Students are encouraged to speak with their Course Coordinators in order to evaluate how paid employment can impact their studies.
  • If a Student engages in paid employment they will not be eligible for any Special Consideration, Extensions or any considerations toward their studies as a result of any negative affects this may have on their studies.
  • Students are required to always attend any and all curriculum mandated activities as part of their course requirements and are not exempt from attendance due to extracurricular activities.

Melbourne Dental School Student Assessments

Each subject within the Melbourne Dental School will have its assessment components outlined within the University of Melbourne Handbook or School issued Course Guides. It is the responsibility of the Student to ensure they attend required classes, submit all course work within a timely manner and be available for any examinations or other prescribed tests. Please refer to the Academic Integrity Guidelines for the University.

Any assessment that needs to be submitted in hardcopy to the Melbourne Dental School office will require an Assignment Cover Sheet to be attached. Any assignment submitted without a cover sheet will not be forwarded to the relevant academic staff member for assessment.

Assignment Cover Sheet

• Attendance

  Bachelor of Oral Health and Doctor of Dental Surgery courses have a 75% attendance hurdle for Lectures and 100% attendance hurdle for all tutorials, seminars, pre-clinical, clinical, placement, on-call, emergency and other curriculum mandated requirements. Students must not fall below the required attendance rate for risk of failing their subjects. Any Student who does not attend a required class must provide appropriate supporting documentation to their Subject Coordinator for approval. Submission of documentation is not approval of the absence. It is the responsibility of the Student to demonstrate their compliance to attendance hurdles. Where the School is not satisfied with the reasons pertaining to an absence, supplementary assessments may be required at the discretion of the Subject Coordinator or Board of Examiners.

• Deferred Exams & Assignment Extensions

  Deferred exams will only be approved on medical or other serious grounds, where a student is physically unable to present for examination at the scheduled time. Students must apply for Special Consideration via my.unimelb in order to be considered for a Deferred Exam. Assessment Extensions may be applied for directly to the Subject Coordinator, and only for up to ten working days. Where an extension is required beyond this period, Special Consideration should be sought.

  It is important that students do not make travel plans until the official release of results in case they are required to undertake supplementary assessment. Being interstate or overseas will not be considered a reasonable excuse for postponing supplementary assessment or missing remedial sessions. All applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis and must be substantiated by relevant supporting documentation.
• Alternate Exam Arrangements

  Students with Student Equity and Disability Support office endorsed alternate exam arrangements (that have also been reviewed and approved by the School) will be contacted individually regarding their examination details. Any student not registered with the Student Equity and Disability Support office who feels they require special exam arrangements should make book an appointment with a Student Advisor to find out more about the process. Other Special/Alternate exam arrangements will only be approved in exceptional circumstances, in consultation with the Course Coordinator and/or Subject Coordinator.

• Resources

  There are several resources available to Melbourne Dental School Students throughout the University, such as the Learning Management System (LMS), Brownless Biomedical Library, and Graduate Research Resources. One of the most valuable resources available to Students includes the Academic Skills office, which offers Students assignment draft feedback, individual tutorials, effective presentation skills and language, as well as English for Academic Purposes for International Student, along with a calendar of specialised academic skills and writing workshops.

  Graduate Research Students can also access Pubget; a service that streamlines the journal paper-retrieval process.
• Special Consideration

  Students who experience difficulties during their semester, due to extenuating circumstances, may wish to speak with their Subject Coordinator and Student Advisor regarding seeking Special Consideration for their assessments. Special Consideration is evaluated on case-by-case basis and only upon receipt of an application via my.unimelb, along with supporting documentation. For further information regarding Special Consideration, please view the University's Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326) which outlines; eligibility, documentation required, and submission process. Except in extenuating circumstances, acute problems (problems involving no more than 3 consecutive days, or a total of 5 days, within the teaching period of a semester) are not considered sufficient grounds for Special Consideration to not undertake future assessments or exams. If you are physically capable of sitting an examination, you will be expected to do so even though your studies may have been interrupted.

• Course Academic Progress Committee

  Melbourne Dental School students who have failed a component of their enrolment will normally be required to attend a Course Academic Progress Committee meeting. The Committee interview is an opportunity for Students to address reasons as to why they were unable to successfully complete their subjects. In considering a student's progress, the Committee will work with the student to identify specific difficulties which have contributed to unsatisfactory performance. The Committee will determine whether the student can be reasonably expected to successfully complete his or her course if permitted to continue.

Student Absences – Planned and Unplanned Leave

Students are expected to participate in all timetabled activity, including clinical placements.

Where students are absent timetabled activity, including clinical placement, it is a requirement that the appropriate personnel at MDS and at the clinic are notified.

BOH and DDS students can find further details below:

Links to MDS notification forms:

• Unplanned leave - HANDS form
• Planned leave - PASTeL form

For unplanned leave:
1. Notify your year level coordinator and subject coordinators via email, that you will be away and missing their respective curriculum activity.
2. If you are on clinical placement, email or phone the clinic to notify them of your absence as soon as you can.
3. Email dental-timetable@unimelb.edu.au to notify of your absence.
4. Submit your HANDS form including your supporting evidence (e.g., medical certificate) no later than 3 working days after an absence has occurred.
5. If absence coincides with exam/assessment –submit application for Special Consideration with relevant evidence.

For planned leave:
1. Speak with your year level coordinator as soon as you can about your planned leave.
2. Submit a PASTeL form no later than two weeks prior to the proposed date of absence.
3. If leave request conflicts with assessment, special consideration required.
4. If leave is more than 10 days, a special consideration application must be submitted.



If you have any questions about your absence, please speak with your year level coordinator and subject coordinator.  Alternately, you can email the Academic Programs Office via dental-timetable@unimelb.edu.au.