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Request to overload in a study period

Overloading is the enrolment in more credit points in a study period than would normally be permitted in a full-time study load.

Request to overload in a study period

  • Overloading by adding a fifth credit point (one additional credit point only) to a study period is permitted only if a number of conditions are met.
  • You can meet with a Student Adviser to discuss your options prior to submitting your application.
  • Overloading your enrolment will increase your commitment and workload during the study period, which may impact on your future results and Weighted Average Mark (WAM). Enrolling in more than four credit points per study period is therefore not recommended.
  • If you are approved to overload your enrolment and undertake more than four credit points per study period, you are not able to request extensions, special consideration or remission of debt in special circumstances on the grounds of workload.
  • You should refer to the important dates in the University Handbook and make yourself familiar with the dates relating to withdrawal of units and any related financial or academic penalties.
  • Please note that if a study period overload results in a course overload (more than the maximum credit points required for your course, eg, 24 credit points), there will be additional fees and full fee rates would normally apply to these units. Commonwealth Supported Students should discuss the implications of this with a Student Adviser.

Criteria

To be considered for an overload of units you must meet the following criteria

  • You have at least the minimum WAM for your faculty
    Faculty Minimum WAM
    Arts and Education 65
    Business and Law 65
    Health

    65*

    * Some courses do not permit overloading. These include:

    Nursing: All postgraduate Nursing courses and H771 students with a specialisation

    Psychology: All postgraduate courses except H603

    Medicine: All courses except where H911 students are wishing to concurrently study the Graduate Certificate of Health and Medical Research.

    Science, Engineering and Built Environment

    65 *

    Some courses do not permit overloading. Including:

    Architecture: S700 Master of Architecture

  • You are enrolled full time in one course
  • You have not have failed a unit in the last two study periods and
  • You have demonstrated satisfactory completion of four credit points in one study period

How to apply

To apply to overload your units in a study period please complete this online form.

  • Applications can be submitted prior to result release. You will be notified of the outcome of your application by the end of the second week of trimester to align with the last date to add units.
  • Please ensure you provide relevant information in the 'reason for application' section, as this is taken into consideration in the assessment process.
  • Applications that do not meet the above criteria will only be considered in exceptional circumstances on a case by case basis.

Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).

Your information
Course information
Declaration
Requirements to understand and be aware of *
  • I understand that to be considered for an overload of units I must have a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) for my faculty, in the study period prior to applying; have completed four credit points in one study period; have not failed a unit in the last two study periods; and be enrolled full time in one course.
  • I understand that enrolling in a fifth credit point in a study period will add one credit point to the study period.
  • I understand that enrolling in more than four credit points per study period is not recommended by the Faculty and that I may discuss my options with a student adviser.
  • I understand that in undertaking more than four credit points per study period, I am not able to request extensions or special consideration on the grounds of workload.
  • I have referred to the important dates in the Handbook and am aware of the dates relating to withdrawal of units and any related financial or academic penalties.
  • I am aware that by overloading my enrolment my study time will increase and the extra workload may impact my results and WAM.
  • I understand that my application will be assessed after result release of the prior study period.

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