Study load

A standard full-time study load is 50 credit points per half-year period. View further details regarding specific study load requirements for domestic students and international student visa holders.

What is study load?

Your study load is determined by the number of credit points you enrol in for each half-year period (defined as January to June and July to December).

A standard full-time study load is 50 points per half-year period. In addition, you may self-enrol in up to 25 points in summer term and/or winter term where course progression rules and subject availabilities allow.

Check whether you are studying full time or part time

Check your study load on your Statement of Enrolment and see the Enrolment Policy for more information.

Study load requirements

Different study load requirements apply to domestic students and international student visa holders. Such conditions are stipulated in the University's enrolment and timetabling policy.

    • A full-time study load is at least 37.5 credit points in one semester (or half-year period), up to a maximum of 50 credit points.
    • A part-time study load is less than 37.5 points in one semester (or half-year period).

    How to manage your study load

    You can usually self-manage your study load by enrolling in or withdrawing from subjects to change from full-time to part-time. You do not need to notify the University of this change. However, some courses or specialisations may require students to undertake a specified study load so please check your course requirements. This will be published on the Handbook entry for your course.

    See below for more information on increasing or decreasing your study load or check your enrolment requirements for further information about how to keep your place in your course each year.

    Considerations when changing your study load

    Your study load status may affect your eligibility for:

    • You are required to enrol in 50 points in each half-year period in order to complete your course within the time limit set by your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), except if you have been approved for a reduced study load or you are on track to complete by your CoE end date.
    • Check your other enrolment requirements for further information about how to keep your place in your course each year.

Increasing or decreasing your study load

During your course you may need to change your study load. This can happen for many reasons, including needing to find a balance with some aspect of your personal life, to improve your academic progress or to accelerate your course progression.

Different processes and applications apply depending on the type of change you want to make and whether you are a domestic or international student. Changing your study load is also likely to affect the duration of your studies. You should be aware that your course has a maximum allowed duration. For student visa holders, a change to your course duration could have significant visa implications.

See below for a brief outline of your options. Remember to check your eligibility before you change your study load, as it may have implications for your student visa and/or graduation.

  • Overloading is enrolment in more subjects during a given study period than your course usually permits. For most courses, this means taking more than 50 points in a standard semester.

    Overloading is normally limited to bachelors and masters coursework students who are in their final semester or who have obtained consistently good results.

    Find out more about overloading

  • As a student visa holder, you are required to complete your course by the end date on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). This normally requires you maintain a standard study load of 50 points in each half-year period.

    However, in certain circumstances you may be able to apply for a Reduced Study Load.

    Find our more about reduced study load

    • A full-time study load is at least 37.5 credit points in one semester or half-year period, up to a maximum of 50 credit points
    • A part-time study load is less than 37.5 credit points in one semester or half-year period.

    How to manage your study load

    Most domestic undergraduate and graduate coursework students can change between full-time and part-time study by enrolling in or withdrawing from subjects. You do not usually need permission or need to notify the University.

    You must still complete your course within the maximum time allowed. Some courses and specialisations also have specific study load requirements. Check the University Handbook entry for your course before changing your enrolment.

    A course adviser can explain your options if you are unsure how a change may affect your course progression.

    Honours and equivalent graduate diploma programs

    Domestic students do not need approval to change between full-time and part-time study. You can manage your study load by enrolling in the subjects you want to complete in each teaching period.

    Thesis subjects must be completed in consecutive semesters. You cannot leave a semester-long gap between part 1 and part 2.

    Speak with your supervisor before withdrawing from a thesis subject. Depending on your progress, you may need approval and may need to restart the thesis from the beginning.

    Before withdrawing from a subject

    Check the census date and the last date to withdraw for each subject. Withdrawing after the census date may result in financial liability or other academic consequences.

    You can find subject dates in the University Handbook. You should also check your enrolment requirements to understand what you need to do to keep your place in your course.

    Considerations when changing your study load

    Your study load may affect your eligibility for:

Need help with planning your course and subjects?

Submit an online enquiry or book an appointment with one of our course advisers, who can help you with course rules and structure, understanding subject pre-requisites, enrolling in to subjects, using the study plan, checking you're on track to graduate and more. Please add your My Course Planner link to any enquiry or appointment booking.

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