Credit points

Understand how credit points work, how they relate to workload, and how they contribute to your course requirements.

What are credit points?

Credit points indicate the value or weighting of a subject in your course.

A standard subject is worth 12.5 credit points. Some subjects have higher or lower values depending on workload and learning outcomes.

Credit points reflect the total time you're expected to spend on a subject, including:

  • Scheduled classes and seminars
  • Tutorials, workshops and laboratories
  • Assessment tasks
  • Independent study and preparation.

You can find the credit point value for each subject in its entry in the University Handbook.

Credit points and study load

Credit points also determine your study load.

A standard full-time load is 50 credit points per half-year period. This is usually four standard 12.5-point subjects.

Study load Credit points Typical number of subjects
Single subject
 12.5 points 1
Half-year period (full-time)
 50 points 4
Full year (full-time)
 100 points 8

Some subjects have non-standard credit point values. These can range from 6.25 to 100 credit points.

For information on full-time and part-time enrolment, overloading and reduced study load options, visit the Study load webpage.

Why do subjects have different credit point values?

Most subjects are worth 12.5 credit points, but some carry a different value.

The number of credit points generally reflects the workload involved.

For example:

  • A 25-point subject involves roughly twice the workload of a standard 12.5-point subject
  • A 6.25-point subject involves roughly half the workload of a standard subject
  • Higher-value subjects may include research, professional placement, project-based work or extended study.

Credit point value doesn't indicate how difficult a subject is.

It reflects the expected volume of learning and study required.

How credit points count towards your course

To complete your course, you must successfully complete the required number of credit points in your course structure. Your course may also include rules about how those points must be completed.

These rules may include minimum or maximum credit point requirements for:

  • Core or compulsory subjects
  • Elective subjects
  • Majors, minors or specialisations
  • Particular disciplines or study areas
  • Different subject levels.

For example, a course may require a certain number of Level 3 subjects, a minimum number of breadth subjects, or completion of all compulsory subjects.

You can find these requirements in your course entry in the University Handbook.

Typical credit point requirements by degree type

The total number of credit points required varies depending on your qualification.

The figures below are intended as a guide only.

Always check your course entry in the University Handbook for the specific requirements that apply to you.

Degree typeTypical credit point requirement
Three-year Bachelor degree 300 points
Four-year Bachelor degree400 points
Honours degree100 points in addition to bachelor requirements
Graduate Certificate50 points
Graduate Diploma100-150 points
Masters by Coursework100-200 points

Finding credit point information

You can use the University Handbook to:

  • Find the credit point value of a subject
  • View your course structure
  • Check completion requirements
  • Review major, minor and specialisation requirements
  • Understand any subject and credit point restrictions that apply to your course.

Visit the University Handbook .

Need help with course planning?

Contact a course adviser for help with course rules and structure, subject enrolment, prerequisites, study plans and graduation requirements.

Submit an online enquiry or book an appointment to get started. Please include your My Course Planner link in any enquiry or booking.

Submit an enquiry Book an appointment