Change your study load

To complete an award course, you need to pass the right number of units for your course structure – and gain the credits points needed for your course completion requirements.

Your study load is determined by your total unit credit points. 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 apply to change your study load for either of the following:

reduce your load (International students only)
increase your load (called 'overload').

Applications will only be granted in some circumstances.

Equivalent full-time study load (EFTSL) & credit points

Equivalent full-time study load (EFTSL) is one of the measurements used to calculate your student contribution.

At Victoria University, 0.125 EFTSL is equivalent to 12 Credit Points (CP).

The normal full-time study load for undergraduate and postgraduate courses is the equivalent of 48 CP or 0.5 EFTSL in each half year (first half-year is January to June; second half-year is July to December), or a maximum of 96 CP/1 EFTSL per year.

Most units of study are calculated at 12CP – but in some disciplines, a unit of study can be greater, e.g. 24 CP, or 36 CP or even 48 CP.

To complete your course, you need to pass a set number of credit points. Check your course outline for more information.

Study load requirements

Domestic students

Domestic students on Austudy and/or Youth Allowance must maintain a full study load.

In most cases, you must be enrolled in an equivalent full time study load of 0.375 EFTSL / (36 Credit Points) or higher to be eligible for payment.

Check out the Department of Human Services website for more detailed information on what is considered a full-time study load.

International students

International students on student visas are required to complete their course by the end date of their Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). To achieve this, a standard study load of 96 credit points per year must be maintained.

Reduced study load

If you are enrolled in an 8-week block, trimester or semester-based study period, you may be eligible to apply for a reduced study load (RSL). RSL cannot be approved if you are not enrolled in any credit points during a compulsory study period.

A reduced study load application will only be approved in exceptional circumstances.

: You have failed a pre- or co-requisite unit and cannot enrol in the required 48 CP in the current study period, or have repeatedly failed a unit(s) and it is disrupting your study plan progress; or
The College has decided not to run certain units; or
You have changed your major and not all units are available in a particular study period; or
Limited core units are available in your major area of study
Evidence required: Letter or email from the College.
: The University has identified you as making unsatisfactory academic progress.
Your progress is unsatisfactory if you:
fail 50% or more of the units you were enrolled in for the study period
fail the same unit more than once.
If you have been identified as making unsatisfactory progress, you need to meet with your Student Advisor and develop a personalised academic action plan. As part of the plan, it may be suggested that you reduce your study load for a set period of time.
Evidence Required: Copy of the signed Academic Action Plan and recommendation from the Student Advisor.
: Compassionate or compelling circumstances are situations that are beyond your control and which affect your wellbeing and course progress in the current study period.
All claims must be evidenced with accompanying relevant official documentation.
If the document is in a language other than English, it must be translated into English by an accredited Translator or Interpreter, or an overseas notary department with a common seal.
Acceptable reasons and evidence may include, but are not limited to:
Reason Supporting documentation
Course-related circumstances outside student's control Study plan provided by CUA
Serious illness or injury Detailed medical certificate outlining severity of illness
Death of a close family member, such as a parent, sibling, spouse, or child Death certificate
Involvement in a traumatic experience, such as being a victim of, or witnessing, a serious crime or critical incident. Police report
Political upheaval or natural disaster in home country requiring emergency travel Notification from the Department of Foreign Affairs and an airline ticket
Unavailability of prerequisite units due to unusual course structure or provider default College email confirming unusual course structure or provider default
Military service in home country Official notice from the Home Government department managing conscription
An academic progress decision resulting in an intervention strategy Academic Action plan and recommendation from the Student Advisor
The supporting documentation for compassionate or compelling circumstances must be from an independent authority or source, and clearly indicate:
what the compassionate/compelling circumstances were
when they occurred
how long they lasted (or are expected to)
the level of impact the circumstances have had (or are likely to have) on your studies.
Invalid reasons for an RSL application may include, but are not limited to:
timetable clashes
financial hardship
retrospective LOA due to neglecting to enrol by the published deadlines
dislike of the available unit(s) on offer, including major electives
employment reasons
failure of non-requisite units
dislike of students or study group you are working with (group work)
missing classes or not submitting assignments on time (for non-compassionate or compelling reasons)
unavailability of elective units (you are expected to enrol in available elective units that form part of your study plan).
: Please be aware that taking a reduced study load can affect your visa. Before requesting RSL, you are encouraged to visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
To apply for a reduced study load (RSL):
complete the reduced study load form including all signatures
write and sign a personal statement outlining your reason for wanting to take a RSL
provide certified or original copies of any relevant supporting documents.
Reduce study load application (PDF, 2.39 MB)
Submit your completed application form along with supporting documentation for assessment by via AskVU .
Students who don't maintain a full-time study load and haven't been granted a reduced study load will not be approved for a CoE extension.

Reason	Supporting documentation
Course-related circumstances outside student's control	Study plan provided by CUA
Serious illness or injury	Detailed medical certificate outlining severity of illness
Death of a close family member, such as a parent, sibling, spouse, or child	Death certificate
Involvement in a traumatic experience, such as being a victim of, or witnessing, a serious crime or critical incident.	Police report
Political upheaval or natural disaster in home country requiring emergency travel	Notification from the Department of Foreign Affairs and an airline ticket
Unavailability of prerequisite units due to unusual course structure or provider default	College email confirming unusual course structure or provider default
Military service in home country	Official notice from the Home Government department managing conscription
An academic progress decision resulting in an intervention strategy	Academic Action plan and recommendation from the Student Advisor

Overload (increase your study load)

An 'overload' is when you enrol in more than 12 credit points in a 4-week block or more than 24 credit points in an 8-week block.

It is only approved in exceptional circumstances and needs approval from your course chair.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for an overload, you must meet the following criteria:

You are in your final year or final semester of study and require an overload to complete your degree without extending your course duration.
You have met all relevant prerequisite unit requirements.
The units you would like to enrol in don't have timetable clashes. Please refer to the Timetable Planner to check your schedule.

More about overloading

Overloading is not recommended by the University or the College. Block Mode is designed to complete 12 credit points in a 4-week block or 24 credit points in an 8-week block. Managing the workload, and any resulting consequences, is fully the student’s responsibility.
Requests for Short Extensions or Result Reviews will not be approved on the grounds of Overloading.
If you fail one or more of your units, remission of HECS or refund requests won't be granted as a result of Overloading.
At the time of enrolment you will be charged fees for both units and expected to meet the relevant payment deadlines.

Applying for overloading

If you believe you meet the eligibility criteria and agree to these conditions, please submit a completed Overload Request Form through AskCUA.

Enrolment overload (PDF, 202.89 KB)

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