Final subject assessment

An additional assessment opportunity for students who can't complete their course because of a failed subject.

About final subject assessment

If you fail a subject in the final stages of your course, you may be eligible for final subject assessment (FSA).

This provides eligible students with an additional opportunity to pass a failed subject and complete their course.

Final subject assessment is:

  • An additional assessment opportunity
  • Only offered to eligible students completing their final two half-year periods of enrolment
  • Not available in all courses or all subjects.

Key considerations:

  • FSA can only be offered for one subject during a course
  • The highest mark awarded after successfully completing an FSA is 50 per cent (Pass)
  • Students completing an FSA may need to graduate in a later ceremony round.

More information about these considerations is available below.

Eligibility

You cannot apply for final subject assessment. After final results are released, students are automatically assessed against the policy requirements.

Important: Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee that FSA will be offered.

You may be considered for FSA if:

  • You have no more than 12.5 credit points remaining to complete your course
  • The failed subject was undertaken in one of your final two half-year periods of enrolment
  • The failed subject is worth 12.5 credit points or less
  • Your final result in the subject is between 40 and 49
  • The failure was not due to academic misconduct
  • The failure was not due to a hurdle requirement that was not met
  • The failure was not due to non-attendance or failure to participate in required subject activities.

For detailed eligibility requirements and conditions, refer to the University's Assessment and Results Policy.

Scheduling

If you are approved for FSA, we'll contact you directly with details about the assessment and any deadlines.

FSA is usually held during special or supplementary assessment periods. Occasionally, it may be scheduled outside standard assessment dates.

You'll receive at least three days' notice of your assessment date. You must be available to attend.

Date results are released byDate eligible students will be contacted by
Sunday 5 July 2026Thursday 9 July 2026
Sunday 9 August 2026Thursday 13 August 2026
Sunday 6 September 2026Thursday 10 September 2026
Sunday 29 November 2026Thursday 3 December 2026
Monday 4 January 2027Friday 8 January 2027
Sunday 21 February 2027Thursday 25 February 2027

Re-enrolment advice

We can only consider you for FSA after your final semester results are finalised. This applies even if you failed a subject in your penultimate semester.

Re-enrolling puts you in the best position to continue your studies if you are not offered FSA or or don't pass the assessment.

  • If possible, you should plan to meet your course requirements in your final semester rather than relying on a future FSA offer.

    For elective subjects, consider re-enrolling in the failed subject or another subject that satisfies your course requirements.

    Because FSA is not guaranteed, continuing to work towards completing your course gives you the best chance of graduating on time.

  • You should re-enrol and attend classes as though you are not eligible for FSA.

    This ensures you can continue your studies if you are not offered FSA or do not successfully complete the assessment.

    If you later receive and successfully complete FSA, your enrolment can be adjusted accordingly.

Student visa considerations

If your student visa is due to expire and you think you may be eligible for FSA, you should:

  • Enrol in the subject required to complete your course
  • Request an extension of your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
  • Apply for a new student visa before your current visa expires

This is recommended because:

  • You may not be offered FSA
  • The assessment may be scheduled after your visa expiry date
  • You may need to repeat the subject if you do not pass the assessment

Courses excluded

If you are enrolled in one of the courses listed below, a final subject assessment is not available.

Faculty or graduate schoolCourse type
Melbourne Medical SchoolAll courses
Melbourne Dental School
All courses
School of Biomedical Sciences
All courses except Bachelor of Biomedicine
Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences
All courses except undergraduate psychology subjects and Graduate Diploma in Psychology subjects
Faculty of Fine Arts and Music
All courses except Bachelor of Music

Further information

  • Final subject assessment (FSA) can only be granted for one subject within a course.

    Where multiple failed subjects meet the eligibility requirements, priority is generally given to:

    1. A compulsory or core subject
    2. A subject completed in the most recent study period
    3. The subject with the highest mark

    Any failed subjects not selected for FSA will need to be repeated or replaced in accordance with your course requirements.

    Visit the Failing a subject webpage for further advice.

  • If you successfully complete the assessment:

    • You will pass the subject
    • The highest final mark awarded is 50 per cent (Pass)

    If you do not successfully complete the assessment:

    • The result awarded for the additional assessment becomes your final subject mark
    • Your final mark may be lower than your original mark

    If you decide not to complete the assessment when offered:

    • Your original subject mark remains your final result.

  • Final subject assessment is usually held during the special or supplementary assessment period.

    Students who receive FSA may not be assessed in time to graduate in the main graduation round for that study period.

    These students may instead graduate in a later ceremony round.

  • Failing a subject

    Understand your options after failing a subject and access support to help plan your next steps.

  • Maximum course length

    Understand how long you have to complete your course and what happens if you reach the limit.

  • Course progression rules

    Understand the rules that determine when you can move from one subject level to the next in your course.