Frequently Asked Questions

There are 161 undergraduate students predominantly from regional Victoria, but we also have several students from interstate and overseas, including exchange students. St Mary’s aims to maintain a diverse mix of students – so although we’re a Catholic college, we welcome students from all religious traditions and none. Our residents are primarily students of the University of Melbourne (with representation across the undergraduate courses); however, we also welcome a very small number of students from ACU and RMIT.

Yes. Each day, our chef and kitchen team prepare delicious, home-style cooked meals. All dietary requests can be accommodated. See College Facilities – Meals.

If you know in advance that you’ll need to eat early or late, then it’s easy to notify the kitchen ahead of time, and there will be an early/late dinner put aside.

In addition, there is a kitchenette which is open 24 hours a day, where you will find bread, cheese, cereal and milk – so you’ll never go hungry! See College Facilities – Meals

Yes, students have their own warm and comfortable bedrooms, all recently renovated. Each room has its own basin with hot and cold water, WiFi, plus all the furniture you’ll need. Each room has individually adjustable hydronic heating and a security screen on the window.
See College Facilities – Accommodation

Each bedroom door is accessed via an electronic security fob, which is also used to enter all external doors in the college.

You can come and go from college as you please, but if you’re going to be away over the weekend or for an extended period, please advise one of your Floor Mentors. See College Facilities – Accommodation

Friends and family are welcome to visit during the day, at any time. We simply ask that you escort your visitors and be considerate of others.

Each College resident may bring up to five guests for dinner throughout the year.

There is a charge of $10 if you have a guest to stay overnight. This includes the hire of mattress and linen.

Yes: Through social activities such as the extensive Intercollegiate Sports events, Cultural activities and the various College Balls. The Academic Centre is shared with Newman College.

There is also the opportunity to meet people from other Colleges through the Academic Tutorial System.

St Mary’s offers a high quality academic support program in the evenings, and most of your University of Melbourne subjects will be included.

There is limited car parking available for senior students, with an associated cost.

Many students take the first few months to settle into College life, before looking for part-time work. There are often job opportunities at the University campus, or around the restaurants, cafés and shops of Lygon Street, or in the CBD, a short tram ride away.

On any given weekend, there will be some students who go home and some who stay. You’re free to come and go as you please, depending on work, study or social commitments. A St Mary’s calendar is distributed at the beginning of the year, so that students can plan weekends home. However, for many regional, interstate and overseas students, it’s too far to make regular trips home.

Your fees cover the entire academic year from February to October/November including the winter break at the end of Semester 1. However, you will need to move out at the end of Semester 2 in October/November. Your fees cover you until 24 hours after your last exam.  We are unable to offer accommodation to students over the Summer Term or vacation period as the College hires out our rooms to conference guests during this time. Any special requests or variations need to be made in writing to the Principal. See Fees – Fees and Charges.

Our Academic Centre offers all the facilities you will need for your coursework, including PCs, printer/photocopier and document binder.

Each wing also has its own printer.