Moving to Perth

There are plenty of reasons to move to Perth and study your degree on-campus with us. Murdoch University has courses for every passion and interest area. You’ll learn from our industry experts, get hands-on experience and the flexibility to study online or on campus. Whatever your goals, Murdoch gives you the freedom to shape your own study journey.

And as a regional or remote student, you may have access to our educational access scheme, Murdoch RISE.

More about moving to Perth

Leaving home

Things to know before leaving home for the first time.

Support for moving to Perth

Find out about support services for moving the Perth.

Flexible study options

Students may choose to study part-time instead of full-time. This will mean you study fewer units per semester and the time it takes for you to complete your study will take longer, but can be a great option for students who need extra flexibility.

You may also consider studying one or two units while taking a gap year. This approach will allow you to get a taster of studying at university and keep up your study habits and academic writing skills. And if you decide to move to Perth to study down the track, your workload for your first semester may be reduced, helping you transition to life in Perth.

Learn more about studying part time

Many of our degrees can also be studied in a hybrid format, with some classes on campus and some classes online, reducing your in-person contact hours and allowing you to spend most of the week at home.

You may be able to create a timetable where you are only on campus one or two days per week, meaning you can live at home and travel to uni for just that on campus contact time. Ask our Student Centre how this might be an option for you.

If you work best surrounded by other people, or if you just need a helping hand in-person, the Regional University Study Hubs are a great asset for students studying any degree or enabling program at any university in Australia.

Remote study gives you the freedom to balance education with real life. You can save money on rent and travel, keep your job, and stay connected to the people and places that matter most. You may also like to study your degree completely online for the first year or two of your study before making the move to the city.

With online classes, digital resources and support wherever you are, you can progress towards your goals while still enjoying your hometown lifestyle,

Learn more about studying online

Murdoch University allows students to defer (take a gap year) for up to 2 years for all Bachelor degrees except the Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. This means the university will hold your place for that period, and you can return to your course in any semester during those two years.

Applying to defer is an easy process. Once you receive your full offer, click on the defer button and let us know how long you would like to defer for. We will then keep your place for you.

You can also defer (intermit) at any point for up to two semesters once you have studied one semester of university.

Some students may decide to study online for one or two semesters either part-time or full-time and then move to Perth for the rest of the degree. Studying online at home, even for just one unit, can help you to keep your mind in study mode, allow you to save money and enable you to study fewer units when you do first make the move to Perth.

Pros for taking a gap year

Time to rest and recharge. A break can help students return with more motivation and focus.
Work and save money. Help to support yourself while living away from home, meet Centrelink requirements.
Gain life experience. Build confidence, learn new skills and grow as a person.
Clarify goals and study path. Not sure what to study? A year off can help with the decision.
Travel or volunteer. These experiences often build resilience, independence and global understanding.
Health or family reasons. Some students need time off to deal with mental or physical health challenges, to support family, before focusing on studies.
To meet entry requirements or improve ATAR. A gap year can be used to complete enabling or bridging programs, or work on alternative university entry pathways.

Why you might want to start straight away

You're ready to start. You're feeling motivated and focused after Year 12, and want to keep the momentum going.
You don't want to lose study habits. Some students worry that taking a year off will make it harder to get back into study mode, routines or academic discipline.
You're keen for independence or a fresh start. Meet new people.
Some degrees require you to start immediately. You cannot defer an offer for the Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. If you wish to take a gap year you will need to reapply.
Financial support or scholarships. Some scholarships and Centrelink payments are only available if you start studying right away, or may require reapplication if deferred.
You're unsure what you'd do instead. If you don't have a clear plan for your gap year (like work, travel or goals), starting uni may offer more structure, purpose and opportunities.
You want access to uni support services. Uni offers career advice, mental health support, study skills help, and community.

Contact us

We understand that sometimes you need help from a real person on the other side of the phone. If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us.

Contact our Student Centre