Returning to study: your questions answered

I haven’t studied in a while. What supports are available for me?

Whether you are looking for extra help with assignments online or on-campus services, you have many options for support.

Our Tertiary Preparation Program is 100% online and designed to build your academic skills and confidence for returning to study.

You can take advantage of our student services. From dedicated career services and study support to childcare and counselling, we provide a range of support services to help you thrive.

Our library team also run regular study workshops to help students with topics like assignment writing, referencing and study skills.

Explore support services

Are there any financial supports to reduce my course fees?

We understand that studying a degree is an investment in your future, so we have some supports in place to help manage the costs.

All undergraduate and many of our postgraduate courses offer government-subsidised places for domestic students. These are called Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs). Securing a CSP will save you a significant amount on course fees. To find out if you’re eligible, take a look at Commonwealth Supported Places.

We also have a range of scholarships that can help you reduce the costs associated to studying while rewarding your achievements or helping you with your circumstances.

Explore CSP courses

How does studying online work?

With La Trobe Online, you can study anywhere, anytime, with added enhanced online support services to help you keep on track.

With all the course material available online, you simply need to develop a flexible learning style that works for you.

The learning outcomes for online students are the same as those achieved through face-to-face study, and the same highly qualified staff teach both, so you will get the same experience.

You’ll also benefit from the same local work placement opportunities, and industry network connections.

Study at La Trobe Online

What is StudyFlex and does it apply to me?

StudyFlex offers the flexibility to add online study to your on-campus degree – or the other way around.

La Trobe already offers world-class, industry-designed, on-campus and online learning, but with StudyFlex, you can experience both.

Choosing a StudyFlex subject can shape your degree to balance your commitments, or tailor your study experience with a subject from another study area or campus.

Explore StudyFlex courses

How will I balance work, family and study commitments?

If you are enrolled but struggling to balance your work, life and study commitments, we have a few support options in place. The first option is to reduce your study load. Most courses offer both full-time and part-time options.

Part-time study reduces the number of contact hours per semester. You have the option to complete your degree at a pace that leaves more time for work or other commitments.

You can also explore options like increasing your online study options to work around your commitments, or choose evening classes to avoid clashing with your commitments.

Explore support services

Do you have double degrees and how do they work?

Yes! La Trobe offers double degrees across a range of courses like Law, Arts, Business, Nursing and Psychological Science.

Double degrees give you two Bachelor degrees in less time than if you did the two courses separately. For example, Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Arts would take seven years, but as a double degree could take just five.

Double degrees can be a great way to mix something you’re passionate about with something more vocational. Or help you develop a niche specialisation!

Explore all the degrees La Trobe offers

Can I study overseas?

Study abroad opportunities are available for a lot of La Trobe courses and are a great way to build connections and experiences around the world.

One option is through a semester-or-two exchange at one of La Trobe’s partner universities abroad.

Another option is a short-term program for anywhere between two to six weeks.

You’ll need to plan your study abroad opportunities in advance, so be sure to get in touch with the Ask La Trobe team as soon as you can to check your eligibility and get planning early!

Get in touch with ASK La Trobe

How many contact hours will I have on campus?

The number of contact hours your course requires will depend on the units you enrol into.

Some units have lectures, tutorials and a lab or workshop, while others might only have one class for the week.

As a general guide you can expect around 10 contact hours a week per unit. You might also need some more contact hours when you’ve got assessments due.

To see how many hours your units require, check out La Trobe’s Study Plan Guide.

Check out your unique plan with our Study Plan Guide