Change your study load

Your ‘study load’ refers to the units of study (subjects) you choose as part of your course. Most courses require you to take a certain number of subjects every semester to make up your designated full-time or part-time study load.

You can make a request to change your study load in some circumstances. You can request to reduce your load, or increase your load ('overload'). Discuss your situation with your course coordinator first.

For international students, it is a requirement of your visa that you must complete your course within the time stated on your Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE).

Course structure
You can reduce your load if you are not able to enrol in a normal load due to the structure of your course or if a subject becomes unavailable.
Compassionate circumstances
You can reduce your load if you are not able to study a normal load due to illness, injury, bereavement of close family members or involvement in a traumatic experience.
Academic progress
You can reduce your load if you are at risk of making unsatisfactory progress, and your college has recommended a reduced study load to help you meet course requirements.

Increasing your study load ('overloading') may also be an option if you need to make up for delayed progress through your course e.g. due to failing units, or adjusting from part-time to full-time study. Permission to overload during a regular study period (semester one or two) will not be granted if your college believes it could have a negative impact on your academic progress (e.g. where you are repeating failed units).

Domestic students

Higher education students can add or remove units from their enrolment using the Unit of study enrolment amendment (higher education) form. You can amend your enrolment without incurring Unit of Study charges or late withdrawal/fail results until the relevant Census date in each semester.

For TAFE students, there are two forms used to amend your units, either the Unit of study addition (TAFE) form to add units, or the Course or Unit of study withdrawal application (TAFE) form to remove units.

International students

Submit your completed Reduced Study or Overload form to Victoria University International. The University will notify the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) when you have been granted a reduced study load.

Study in summer or winter school

You can study during our summer or winter school programs to help you complete your course faster, or make up for missed or failed units. To find out if you are eligible to attend summer or winter schools, speak to your college staff or course coordinator.

Credit for previous study

You may be eligible to skip certain units of study with full credit if you have already completed them at another university, or have relevant industry qualifications. Gaining credits or exemptions for previous study is referred to as advanced standing or recognition of prior learning (RPL). To apply for credit for previous study, please fill out and submit the application form relevant to your study level (higher education or TAFE).