Study load

A standard full-time study load is 50 credit points per half-year period. However, you may be able to increase or decrease your study load if required.

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.

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.

  • Domestic students
    • 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.
    • 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:

  • International student visa holders
    • 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 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 (taking more than 50 points per semester)

    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

  • Reduced Study Load (international students)

    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 out more about Reduced Study Load

  • Part-time study (domestic students)

    Domestic students must be enrolled in at least 37.5 points (three standard subjects worth 12.5 points each) to be considered full-time.

    If you are enrolled in less than 37.5 points (usually two standard subjects worth 12.5 points each) in either first or second half-year period (or both), it is automatically defined as part-time.

    If you intend to withdraw from a subject, make sure:

    • It is not required as a prerequisite for subjects you intend to study in the future
    • It is not required as a co-requisite for subjects you are currently studying.

    Our course planning advisers can help you to understand which subjects you may be able to withdraw from without affecting your ability to progress through your course.

    Find out more about part-time study

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, choosing 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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