Frequently asked questions
Information for School Leavers
- What jobs do Muresk graduates get?
- What entry requirements are there?
- How do I apply?
- Do I need to have prior farm experience?
- Where can I live and how much does it cost?
- If I live in University accommodation can I cook in my room?
- Where can I buy food?
- How much class contact is there?
- Where can I buy my textbooks?
- What other fees are there?
- What social and recreational facilities can I use?
- Who do I contact for more information?
What jobs do Muresk graduates get?
Successive Graduate Destination Surveys show that between 90-97% of Muresk's agribusiness graduates are employed within six months of graduating from their undergraduate degree.
Because our undergraduate courses are applied, combining business management with technology, the employment opportunities for Muresk graduates incorporate a wide range of possible career paths.
Graduates from the agribusiness programs are sought for employment in:
- Rural finance Consulting (business and farm) Land care Government departments Import and export marketing Extension
- Production horticulture Research and project officers Teaching
- Commodity marketing Rural media and promotions Animal health
- Farm management Agribusiness management Landscaping
- Farm lobby organisations Parks and gardens
- Viticulture graduates find employment as:
- Vignerons
- Assistant managers or managers of vineyards
- Research and development officers
- Wine marketers in wholesale or retail sectors
- Oenology graduates find employment as:
- Assistant winemakers
- Winemakers
- Extension and research officers
Graduates from the Bachelor of Science programs focussing on aquaculture and resource management of fisheries work in:
- Marine based tourist facilities
- Fish farms
- Marine and aquaculture research
- Seafood processing
What entry requirements are there?
Prospective students have five ways of gaining the matriculation status required to be eligible for enrolment in a course with the Muresk branch of Curtin University of Technology:
Tertiary Entrance Examinations (TEE)
The minimum Tertiary Entrance Ranking (TER) required by Curtin University varies from year to year. In 2003 the minimum TER for Bachelor degrees was 75 and the minimum TER for Associate Degree courses was 68. However many courses cut-off at a higher level than the minimum.
All TEE students must pass English or English Literature. TEE mathematics is highly recommended for all courses. Students without satisfactory maths skills must pass an approved mathematics course as determined by the academic coordinator. Economics, accounting, biology and chemistry are also useful TEE subjects for Muresk courses.
- Agricultural College
Students can matriculate through superior performance in the Year 11 and 12 Certificate of Secondary Education. Students must study Plant Production and Marketing, Senior English, Animal Production and Management and Marketing or Small Business Management. Graduates need at least four As and no grades lower than a B for entry into the Bachelor of Agribusiness, or at least four As/Bs and nothing lower than a C for Associate Degree courses. - TAFE
Completion of any certificate IV, or certain advanced certificates with separate evidence of competence in English or Completion of an accredited diploma, advanced diploma or associate diploma satisfies Curtin admission requirements. Contact the Muresk Academic Office for further information.
- Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT)
Mature age applicants can qualify by sitting the STAT, available through the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC). They must gain at least 145 in at least one section of the multiple-choice test and the written essay test. Contact TISC for further information on (08) 9318 8000 or visit the TISC website.
- Muresk Enabling Course
The Enabling Course involves a year of full-time work on a farming property and successful completion of four subjects [Farm Practice, Computing, Maths and Communication]. Entry is competitive and all applicants must arrange and interview with the Muresk Bridging course coordinator in December or early January. Successful completion of that course will allow students entry into the Bachelor of Agribusiness majors. This course is HECS exempt.
How do I apply?
All undergraduate applications must be sent to the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC).
Applications forms are available from TISC in August each year and should be submitted by the end of September to avoid a late fee.
Website: http://www.tisc.edu.au/
Do I need to have prior farm experience?
No. However, students may wish to spend time prior to commencing full-time study working on a commercial vineyard, orchard, nursery, station or farming property. This type of work experience will prove an invaluable base for your tertiary studies.
Students studying the Viticulture or Agribusiness degrees must work within the industry for minimum of 12 weeks during semester breaks. This work experience is a requirement of graduation and can be carried out on any relevant commercial rural enterprise, such as a vineyard, wheat/sheep farm, orchard, cattle station, dairy farm, horticulture or aquaculture enterprise.
Where can I live and how much does it cost?
Students at the Bentley campus can live in student housing available close to the campus but many find private rentals. Curtin's Housing Services can help students find accommodation.
On the Muresk campus there are three Halls of Residence. Each Hall is divided into four units. Each unit has eight to twelve private bedrooms with shared bathroom facilities and a common room with television, video, refrigerator and tea/coffee making facilities.
A laundry with coin operated washing machines and driers are available to all students.
In 2003 the fee for accommodation on the Muresk campus is approximately $1340 per semester + $350 bond. Meal packages are also available, ranging upwards from $570.00. Please contact the Campus Office on (08) 96901555 or (08) 9690 1547 to confirm accommodation and meal charges.
Alternative rental accommodation is available on local farms and in the nearby towns of Northam and York. A daily commuter train travels between Northam and Perth, which may be of some use to students and staff travelling to and from the metropolitan area.
If I live in University accommodation can I cook in my room?
Cooking in bedrooms is not allowed due to Health Regulations. Therefore, students are not allowed fridges, microwaves, toasters or ovens, etc. in their rooms. However, coffee and tea making facilities and refrigerators are provided in the common rooms where snacks and drinks may be made and stored.
Where can I buy food?
There are numerous food outlets on the Bentley campus ranging from cafeteria, a-la-carte, counter and café style meals. Students on Muresk's Northam campus can purchase meal tickets from the Campus Office for use at the Dempster Homestead dining room on weekdays. You probably need to allow $10 to $20 per day, depending on how many meals you need to buy and the size of your appetite.
How much class contact is there?
The number of lectures per week varies depending on what year the student is in and what units are being studied. However, the average number of lecture contact hours is about 20 per week. Students should plan to spend at least an equal number of hours in private study. Some students aim to double this. There are two semesters per year, each being approx. 12 weeks, with a mid-year break in June/July and a break over summer.
Where can I buy my textbooks?
Books can be purchased from the Curtin Bookshop. The cost of books varies depending on the units studied however, texts are likely to cost around $250 per semester.
What other fees are there?
All students must pay HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme). HECS is approximately $5,242 per year (for full-time students) and can be paid up front each semester for a 25% discount or 'deferred' and taxed from a student's income once it exceeds about $24,365 per annum. HECS is charged pro rata for part-time students. Students Guild Fees are optional, approx. $100 per year. Additional fees of $10.00 to $150.00 are associated with some units to cover the cost of tours, protective clothing, optional text books, field trips or refundable bonds.
What social and recreational facilities can I use?
When you are not studying, Curtin University offers a range of recreational activities including squash, tennis, badminton, volleyball, netball, basketball, cricket, football and a gymnasium. In addition there are a number of clubs and organisations you can join.
The Muresk campus has a swimming pool, squash courts, tennis courts, fully equipped gym and a football oval. In addition, students may have one horse [mare or gelding] on campus, providing the owner abides by the Muresk Horse Club rules. The Muresk horse facilities include stables, round yard, wash-down bay, dressage area, jumps and polocrosse grounds. Horses may be ridden through the Muresk farm. Cats, dogs and other pets are not allowed on campus.
Who do I contact for more information?
The Academic Office
School of Agriculture & Environment
Curtin University of Technology
NORTHAM WA 6401
Tel: (61 8) 9690 1576 / (61 8) 9266 4400
Fax: (61 8) 9690 1500
Email: course@muresk.curtin.edu.au
