Victoria University is the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.

The VU Block Model is focused on making your transition to university easier and your chances of study success greater. It is also designed to make sure you're ready to enter the workforce – delivering career-focused activities and programs that you won't find elsewhere.

When you study with us, you'll benefit from this award-winning learning model that's delivering exceptional results – pass rates and academic achievements such as high distinctions have all increased since it was introduced.

Initially for first-year students, the VU Block Model is now offered to students in all degree years.

Vox pop: Why our students love First Year Model - Transcript

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VU Block Model: How it works

The VU Block Model offers you more one-on-one time with educators in an immersive, collaborative learning environment. It develops your confidence and independence as a learner, setting you up for success in your degree and beyond.

The VU Block Model applies to all students at our Melbourne campuses who have commenced the first year of a bachelor degree since 2018, or are currently enrolled with outstanding units to complete.

You'll study in short bursts, called blocks.

Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between blocks to relax and prepare for the next.

We break the year up into 10 four-week blocks: two semesters of four blocks each, plus two optional blocks over winter and summer. If you miss a unit or need to repeat one, you can catch up over the winter and summer blocks.

The first unit you study is set. It's a great introduction to your course that helps build the academic skills you'll need to succeed. If you start your course a bit late, the unit is also offered in block two.

The other seven units you'll need to take in first year can then be studied in any order for most courses, to suit your work and life commitments.

Each unit will have around three 2-3 hour, face-to-face teaching sessions per week.

Teaching sessions will be scheduled over three days, in multiple combinations of days and times (morning, afternoon and evening) allowing you to choose the combination that best suits you.

Units with labs and professional experience (pracs) have additional teaching hours and where relevant, will be scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions.

Teaching sessions will not run on more than two consecutive days, so you'll have one gap day between teaching sessions and two gap days each week.

Part-time study

The VU Block Model provides a more predictable and flexible timetable.

Depending on how you schedule your units, you may have multiple blocks free, giving you more time to devote to the other important commitments in your life.

With the additional winter and summer blocks, you may even find that you can increase your study load and complete your degree sooner.

We’ve changed the way we assess you so that you can achieve your best through early and ongoing feedback.

Assessments have been redesigned for quicker completion within each four-week block, with most of your work completed in class.

The type of assessment will depend on the unit you are taking, and may include:

  • hands-on activities or smaller assessment tasks (conducted in the classroom or online)
  • group presentations
  • a final product or assessment task at the end of your unit.

You’ll have a great sense of how you’re progressing in your course, with final grades for units available soon after a block finishes – much more satisfying than waiting all semester!

All students will have access to a range of integrated complementary activities that build on what you learn in face-to-face teaching sessions.

Designed to enrich your learning experience, our program of activities focuses on:

  • enhancing career outcomes
  • building leadership skills
  • exploring entrepreneurship opportunities
  • strengthening bonds with your community
  • getting to know more like-minded individuals.

Activities are run through the Learning Hub and are typically held face-to-face or online where possible.

I chose VU because the VU Block Model attracted me immensely. It has made my university experience so much more manageable, despite also working two jobs. It has taken away the stress and pressure of juggling multiple subjects.

Emily Gannaway — Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Read Emily's story

Benefits of the VU Block Model

Our revolutionary VU Block Model is designed with your needs in mind.

More success

You’ll have a better chance at succeeding in first year and beyond. Since its introduction in 2018, the VU Block Model has seen our first years’ pass rate increase to over 80%.

Not only are you more likely to pass, you’re more likely to get better grades. Over 40% of students received distinctions and high distinctions, without a change to the assessments given.

Less stress

Find your feet at uni in first year and really get to know your stuff as you progress through your degree. You'll immerse yourself in one unit before moving on to the next. It's a more focused approach to learning and assessment.

More one-on-one time

Students learn best with more access to their teachers. Benefit from greater connections with fellow students and one-on-one support from lecturers who'll know your name.

Flexibility around your life

Each unit typically has three, three hour, face-to-face teaching sessions per week, scheduled over three days. These are available in multiple combinations of days and times (morning, mid-morning, afternoon and evening), allowing you to choose the combination that best suits you. You can even take time off to work or travel and still finish your year on schedule by making up missed units over winter or summer blocks.

Confidence through collaboration

The VU Block Model focuses on interactive learning and group work. You'll feel confident to share ideas, debate concepts and explore learning opportunities.

More time to find your feet

For our international students, the VU Block Model offers more time to become familiar with a new country, culture and university. Along with greater opportunities to connect with teachers and to make new friends, you’ll have the best possible start at VU.

Valuable lifelong learning

Problem-based, hands-on learning gives you the opportunity to develop valuable communication and collaboration skills to succeed at VU and in the workplace.

I find the practical, problem-based style of learning and smaller classes in the Block Model really beneficial.

Nunu Sarum — Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Civil Engineering
Nu Nu's story

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Time for a change

For over 100 years, degrees were taught more or less the same way in Australia and abroad.

But times have changed – and so have industry and employer needs. Students are expected to graduate with practical, real-world skills, able to handle the stresses that come with everyday working life.

That’s why we developed the VU Block Model – with student success in mind.

Since 2018, bachelor degrees taught at our Melbourne campuses have delivered units in a more focused way, one at a time, in this new model.

The model was so successful that we're applying to all years of our bachelor degrees – so that all students can benefit from its flexible timetable and improved results.

Watch our video to find out more – note that our 'First Year Model' described here now applies to all undergraduate VU courses delivered in Melbourne, and is now called the 'VU Block Model'.

 

First Year Model explained in 60 seconds - Transcript

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While there is a vast amount of places to study law, I found that Victoria University was the perfect one for me because of the VU Block Model that it offers to new university students. The program is unique and gives me the best chance of learning to my full potential by smoothly transitioning into uni life.

Joseph Hafoka — Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Business
Joseph's story

Innovation award

2018 International Education Association of Australia’s Excellence Awards - Innovation category

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Excellence award

2018 winner of the Victorian International Education Awards – Excellence in International Education

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Improved grades

Overall student pass rates jumped to over 80% in 2018

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Find out more

While the VU Block Model is an Australian first, several universities in the UK, North America and Scandinavia already use this method, and it works extremely well.

Contact us to find out more about the model:

Phone: 1300 VIC UNI (or 1300 842 864)

Find a course and get started.

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