Arrangements between the two institutions mean graduates from some Chisholm courses will be guaranteed places at Monash to complete a bachelor's degree.

Pro-vice chancellor of Monash Peninsula and Berwick, Leon Piterman, said the initiative was still in its early stages. It offered a "terrific opportunity" for students to further their studies while gaining practical experience in the field.

"Monash and Chisholm have always had pathway arrangements in place but this is the first time Monash has allocated a set number of places aside specifically for Chisholm graduates," Dr Piterman said.

The places would be offered to suitably qualified students who had completed a diploma at Chisholm and meant students who didn't get the marks to go straight into university could complete a diploma, and gain recognition for their studies before entering the second year of a bachelor's degree.

"Those students who don't get a high enough Australian Tertiary Admission Rank score to gain direct entry into Monash will be able to get there through an alternative pathway," Dr Piterman said.

"By the time they finish their studies at Monash, they will have completed a diploma and a degree so they will have a broader range of skills to meet the needs of employers in the region."

Monash has already accepted its first group of graduates to take up places this year.

There have been 50 places offered to nursing graduates, 25 places to health promotion graduates and 25 offered to social welfare graduates. The initiative will be expanded to other courses next year.