Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Trinity Non-Resident Program?

It is a way for students at the University of Melbourne who are not residents of Trinity College (one of the eleven residential Colleges of the University) to participate in Trinity’s academic, mentoring, and pastoral care programs, and to join with resident students in most extra curricular activities.

What are Trinity tutorials about?

Trinity College conducts around a hundred separate tutorials each week of the academic year, in a range of subjects being studied by students at the University of Melbourne. Trinity tutorials are an opportunity to interact with a small group (no more than six) of other students who are taking the same subject, and a tutor who often is a member of staff of the relevant faculty or a professional (such as a lawyer, doctor, or engineer) in the discipline being taught.

Tutorials usually last for hour at a time and are conducted in the evening (from 5.15 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.) on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. They are conducted at Trinity College.

What is mentoring about?

Any student at Trinity College is able to request a mentor, demonstrating the College’s belief that a high degree of individual attention plays an essential part in transforming students’ lives. Students are required to meet with their mentor formally twice every semester, and are encouraged to meet more often, as needed. Mentors are members of the College’s academic staff, and are often the first port of call for a student who needs advice and assistance. More information on mentoring is available here.

What is pastoral care at Trinity?

Trinity College is concerned with all members of the community as whole persons and takes their welfare seriously.  Dealing with the stresses of a university degree, parental expectations, College expectations, peer group pressures, as well as the other myriad choices and decisions relating to career and daily life can sometimes be overwhelming.

Who do you talk to if you are feeling stressed, unsure, demotivated, or confused by aspects of community life, or when you have family or personal issues?  You can talk to any member of the pastoral care team at Trinity in strict confidence.

How is being a member of the Non-Resident Program different to being in residence at Trinity College?

Non-Resident students can enjoy the same access to tutorials, mentoring, and pastoral care as residential students.  They can use the College’s Library and are given a Trinity student card which they can charge up and use for printing, photocopying, and lunches.

Non-Resident students are welcome to dine in the Trinity Dining Hall, but should seek permission from College Staff to do so (there is a small charge made for meals).

Non-Resident students can also join the Trinity College Associated Clubs (the TCAC) and join a wide range of clubs and societies, from the Art Studio to Outreach, from the Environment Club to the Wine Cellar. They can also use the facilities for music (practice, can take part in the College’s drama program, and use Trinity’s tennis and squash courts.

Non-Resident students can’t represent the College in sporting competitions with others of the University of Melbourne’s residential Colleges.

They also don’t live at Trinity – but in many other respects their involvement in the life of the College is very similar to that of residential students.

Is it possible to go into residence at Trinity after being a Non-Resident student?

Yes. This frequently happens, and is a good way of improving your chance of being selected for residence in the future. The opposite situation also commonly occurs – those who have been residential students at Trinity may opt to join the Non-resident Program once they leave residence.

I’m still 17, but am an Australian citizen. Do I have to have my accommodation approved?

No. You can still be a member of the Non-Resident Program but you don’t have to have your accommodation arrangements approved.

What does membership of the Trinity Non-Resident Program cost?

Details of current fees are given in the Non-Resident Program Prospectus and also in the application form.