University of first choice

Victorian school leavers have again voted Monash the local university of first choice, reflecting strong interest in flexible, career-focused degrees and the newly-launched Monash Passport, which provides a huge range of opportunities to students to maximise their experiences.

Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) data showed that 12,876 domestic school leavers, almost one in four (22.8 per cent) of the total pool, listed Monash as their first preference for 2009, up from 11,274 in 2008. For the second year in a row more students sought to study at Monash than any other Victorian university.

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Adam Shoemaker said it was also the third year in a row that Monash attracted the greatest number of undergraduate first and total preferences after the change of preference period.

The University also recorded its highest ever number of 99.95 or "perfect score" applicants considered for admission.

"Monash, which last year celebrated its 50th anniversary, offers professional degree programs that start from day one, as well as broad generalist degrees. We have a strong international focus, offer support for students to study abroad and volunteer with organisations like Oxfam, and sponsor world-leading research in many disciplines," Professor Shoemaker said.