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Your Guide to Murdoch

When you're home to Australia's biggest campus there's naturally going to be a lot going on.

This is your guide to some of the great things Murdoch has to offer. Things you need and expect from a globally connected university.

Knowing your ATAR

What ATAR do I need to get into a course for 2013?

Find out more
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A roof canopy in bright sunlight, with a blue sky behind

FAQs

The most common questions we get asked when ATAR results are released

Waiting for ATAR results and then actually finding out your ATAR score can be a pretty nerve racking time overall, but remember you are not alone!

Why Murdoch? Watch Daithi’s story

There are unis all over the world Daithi could have gone to. Find out why he came all the way from Ireland to study at Murdoch.

"Help, I failed English!" The low down on sitting the STAT

Did you know you can just sit the English component of the STAT if you have a decent ATAR but failed year 12 English? Nazli from Murdoch’s Student Centre explains what you need to know about the Special Tertiary Admissions Test.

Should you consider a uni prep course?

The MUPC (that stands for ‘Murdoch University Preparation Course’) is the same as doing a bridging course. It prepares you for uni study and gives you the qualifications you need for entry if you don’t have an ATAR.

Key dates

18 FEBRUARY
Semester 1 starts
19, 21, 23 FEBRUARY
Graduation ceremonies
4 MARCH
Labour Day
Murdoch University is OPEN
27-31 MAY
Semester 1 study break
1-14 JUNE
Semester 1 assessment weeks
3 JUNE
Foundation Day
Murdoch University is OPEN
1 JULY
Semester 1 unit results available
See more dates

How to accept your offer!!

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Changing your preferences

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Courses and ATARs

Biological and life sciences

Studying Biological Sciences would suit those who believe in the future, who value the living world and who want to be part of a problem solving team.

There is much more to science than working in a laboratory. Step away from the ordinary to discover genetics, explore DNA profiling or learn how to protect animal and plant species. Oh, and did you know Murdoch University offers the only Veterinary Science course in WA and has a vet farm and operational vet hospital?

Courses (with minimum indicative ATAR):

Business

Whether you want to start your own small business, help the corporate world become more sustainable or be CEO of a global business empire, a degree in Business is a great place to start. As a Murdoch student, you can create a course to suit your goals, by combining different majors or taking on a double degree. You can combine Business with a degree or major from any other study area.

Courses (with minimum indicative ATAR):

Engineering

A degree in Engineering can lead you to achieve some amazing things in your career. You could end up solving problems in the mining industry, finding new ways to control pollution in big cities or designing new technology that can change lives.

Courses (with minimum indicative ATAR):

Environmental Sciences and Sustainability

It's no secret that creating a more sustainable future is one of the 21st century's biggest challenges. With an Environmental Science degree you can be at the cutting edge of the new technology, behaviours and ways of thinking needed to spark change across every industry – from mining and construction to education, business and international aid.

Courses (with minimum indicative ATAR):

Health sciences

A healthy mind means a healthy body? Or vice versa? You'll get both answers in this area. With a choice of courses in Nursing, Chiropractic Science, Psychology, Exercise Physiology and Sports Science, you can discover how people think and move. Murdoch prides itself of its mix of theoretical learning and providing practical real life experience. Health Sciences is a great example of this.

Courses (with minimum indicative ATAR):

Information Technology

With a degree in IT, you'll have the skills and qualifications to work in absolutely any industry.

Here's what makes an IT degree from Murdoch stand out:

  • We're always adapting our courses to meet global demands and trends – so you'll have a competitive edge in the job market.
  • You can explore real life issues by choosing your own specialty area, like Cyber Forensics, Information Security and Management.

Courses (with minimum indicative ATAR):

Law

A legal career can open up a broad range of opportunities, including working with artists and inventors in copyright law, dealing with big business in corporate law, lobbying for justice in environmental law or representing clients in the courtroom.

Courses (with minimum indicative ATAR):

Physical sciences

Mathematics, chemistry and physics underpin the physical behavior of our world and our universe. If you want to understand the world around you and be part of the scientific community driving technological innovation, then arm yourself with one of these degrees for an interesting and rewarding career.

Courses (with minimum indicative ATAR):

A female student using an iPhone

Café culture

Café culture –
There are cafés and places to eat everywhere. At last count it was ten.

An farmer smiling into the camera, with bales of hay over each shoulder

Should you choose Murdoch?

600,000 African farmers
might just convince you.

There’s a unique bacteria under a microscope at Murdoch that is changing the lives of African Farmers forever. It's called rhizobium. It's just one of the projects the world is coming to Murdoch for.

If you’re thinking about your uni preferences talk to a university the world is talking to.

Murdoch research
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Courses, courses, and more courses

We have around 100 to choose from so there's bound to be one that interests you.

Browse courses
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Figure out your course

Not sure where to start? Find the Murdoch undergraduate course for your personality and what motivates you.

Get started

Explore our campus

Explore our campus

Murdoch Campus 360 views

Get a feel for what the campus is like.

Explore
View our campus maps

View our campus maps

Get your bearings! Our maps show you EVERYTHING!

View the Map
Finding your way around

Finding Your Way Around

Find out the tools that will help you navigate.

Read the blog
The unofficial tour video

The Unofficial Tour Video

For campus oddities, check out Student blogger Ben's video.

Watch on Youtube
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Student talk

There's plenty of tips, advice and stories from current Murdoch students in the Future Student blog.

Read the blog
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No formal subject prerequisites

All you need is English and your options are wide open. Read our blog post "If I did the same subject in year 12 do I have to repeat it in my degree?" for more info.

Read the blog post

A few facts about Murdoch

Murdoch was founded as a research university – For over 35 years we've contributed to the development of new knowledge.

Plus in the Australian government's latest "Excellence in Research" assessment, 85% of our research was ranked world standard or better.

Our Researchers

Portrait of Dr Mike Bunce

Dr Mike Bunce

Research Fellow, School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology

What's your interest?

The field of ancient and degraded DNA – it's all about extracting DNA from stuff like fossil bones, mummified material, ice cores and faecal material. This kind of material contains a heap of biological information that we can access though preserved DNA.

What keeps you busy?

Developing new technologies that enable us to characterise 'shitty' DNA. We then go about analysing and publishing the results. The aim is to discover new things about the environment or to provide a useful DNA service. For example, Customs will send us a piece of ivory and ask, 'Is this elephant or mammoth?'

Why did you choose Murdoch University?

I came to set up an ancient DNA lab. Western Australia is a biodiversity hotspot, but like so many places around the globe, it has suffered from human impacts. Ancient DNA allows us to travel back in time so we can better understand what the environment was like then, and how it has changed.

Who has come to you?

I collaborate on a variety of projects with universities here in Australia and around the world including Denmark and New Zealand. Our ability to isolate DNA from biological material is also useful to large resources companies. They see the potential in using DNA as a tool to audit biodiversity in the areas in which they operate.

What's great about working here?

We've got an internationally competitive research group. We're publishing papers and saying, 'Wow, look what you can do with DNA!' It's leading edge, it's high profile and I love the science.

Portrait of Professor Simon Millal

Professor Simon Mallal

Head, Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases

What keeps him busy at Murdoch?

Research into genetic testing for drug hypersensitivity which has lead to huge improvements in the treatment of diseases, like HIV.

Why did you choose Murdoch?

What attracted me to Murdoch was the ethos, the culture and the adaptability and the ability to do new and exciting things.

Who has come to you?

Royal Perth Hospital, Fiona Stanley Hospital, the United States National Institute of Health and the National Centre for HIV Epidemiology Clinical Research.

What's great about working here?

What matters most is making a difference. In this building are good problem solvers. Be they a nurse or admin clerical staff or computer staff, everyone can make a contribution. Everyone is essential.

Breaking news

GlaxoSmithKline Award for Research Excellence. Professor Simon Mallal has been nominated for his research into genetic testing to prevent drug hypersensitivity. This work has led to significant advancements in both international HIV treatment guidelines and understanding drug toxicity.

Portrait of Professor John Howieson

Professor John Howieson

Centre for Rhizobium Studies, Faculty of Veterinary & Life Sciences

What keeps him busy at Murdoch?

Research into root nodule bacteria in the development of legume crops and their use in helping raise plant productivity in developing countries.

Why did you choose Murdoch?

Murdoch had a couple of really good professors working in nitrogen fixation who asked me to come over and set up this research centre. And we've been going well ever since.

Who has come to you?

The University of Johannesburg, and the N2Africa Project.

What's next?

We are working in sub-Saharan Africa to help put in legumes people eat, like cowpeas, chickpeas and soybeans. We are introducing pasture legumes into the grasslands of South Africa with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research funding. We are also working to develop food crops on Christmas and Cocos Islands.

Portrait of a male Murdoch University student, sitting in a lab

Student profiles

Daithi

From Belfast, Ireland.

Why choose Murdoch?

I came to work with Mike Bunce and the people in the Ancient DNA Lab. His research is recognised around the world. It's a chance to study and understand the effects of environmental change over thousands of years. WA, with its rich biodiversity, is the perfect place for that.

Rebecca

From Beaconsfield, WA.

Why choose Murdoch?

I really wanted to study animation and Murdoch gave me the opportunity to study under Simon Allen, who has worked as an animator at Pixar, Weta Digital in New Zealand and Lucas Arts.

Our Games Art & Design Course

Sofia

From Ghent, Belgium.

Why choose Murdoch?

John Howieson is a professor at Murdoch University working on organisms called root nodule bacteria. They are a key part of future food sustainability and therefore Murdoch is the best place to study these.

Our Sustainability Courses

Some interesting facts about Murdoch University

 

Art Collection – It's amazing with 1,000 pieces that can be seen all around campus.

Asian Food Caravan. Great food and really popular. Be prepared to queue at lunch times.

(It's worth it.)

In 2011, 4,000 native shrubs and trees were planted at the South Street campus.

Last year 866 tonnes of waste were collected for recycling.

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How to get to Murdoch

By Train

It's just 14 minutes by train from Perth to Murdoch Station. Rockingham Station is about 45kms from Perth and around 19 minutes from Murdoch Station. To get to the Peel campus it's around 35 minutes from Murdoch to Mandurah Stations.

See Transperth Timetables

By Bus

There are plenty of buses from Murdoch Station to the uni. Plus other bus routes stop right outside the campus too.

See Transperth bus routes to Murdoch University

By Bike

Cycling, if you can, is good. Bikes are also handy to get you around the grounds. And you'll find 35 bike racks at the South Street campus to park your wheels at.

Search Campus maps for Bike Racks

By Car

There's plenty of parking for cars. Space is not something Murdoch short of.

Search Campus Maps for car parks

Walking

The Getting to Murdoch tool maps your journey and tells you the best way to get here.

Use the tool

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Download the Mini Guide

We've created a Mini Guide to Murdoch, with need-to-know facts about Murdoch and info about courses. It's yours to keep, or even share if you want to.

Download
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Be friends with us

Join our Facebook page, where you can share, discuss and learn about study and uni life from other uni students, high school students and all the other peeps out there who want to find their passion!

Visit our Facebook page

Applying to Murdoch

There are a number of ways you can qualify and apply for university at Murdoch – check out the best way for you.

Find out how to apply
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Scholarships: Not just for the brainiacs

The Scholarship Office offers financial assistance to people who need it, not just for the academically gifted.

Find out more

Need a different path to uni?

The OnTrack and Murdoch Institute of Technology programs let you build the skills you need to succeed at uni. If you've got a Certificate IV or Diploma you may already qualify.

Watch video