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Reduced study load (student visa holders)
To meet your student visa conditions and complete your course by the end date on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE), you need to enrol in a full-time study load (24 credit points) each study period. The University cannot approve you to reduce your study load unless you are able to demonstrate specific compassionate or compelling reasons.
Study load requirements
If you’re a coursework student, a full-time study load means you enrol in 24 credit points and the majority of your units are completed during the standard semesters:
- For Teaching Period 1 (January - June), at least 18 credit points need to be completed in the Semester 1 session, or sessions other than Intensive January, Intensive February or Intensive June.
- For Teaching Period 2 (July - December), at least 18 credit points need to be completed in the Semester 2 session, or sessions other than Intensive July or Intensive December.
For research, the Equivalent Full-Time Student Load (EFTSL) of each research period varies. A full-time student load is 1.0 EFTSL. A part-time load is 50% of the EFTSL of full-time students. If you're an international student, you'll only be able to change your mode of attendance in certain circumstances.
Check your study load
If you are enrolled, you can check your study load on your certificate of current enrolment in Sydney Student. Go to ‘My studies’, then ‘Enrolment’. Check the units of study you are currently enrolled in.
If you haven't finished enrolling you can make sure you've selected a full time study load in your Tracking totals section on your unit of study selection screen.
Eligibility for reduced study load
The University can only approve reduced study load requests under specific circumstances.
Compassionate or compelling circumstances
These are generally circumstances beyond your control and which have an impact upon your course progress or wellbeing.
These could include, but are not limited to:
- serious illness or injury, where a medical certificate states that the overseas student was unable to attend classes;
- bereavement of close family members such as parents or grandparents (where possible a death certificate should be provided);
- major political upheaval or natural disaster in the home country requiring emergency travel and this has impacted on the overseas student’s studies;
- a traumatic experience, which could include:
- involvement in, or witnessing of a serious accident; or
- witnessing or being the victim of a serious crime, and this has impacted on the overseas student (these cases should be supported by police or psychologists’ reports); or
- where the registered provider was unable to offer a pre-requisite unit, or the overseas student has failed a prerequisite unit and therefore faces a shortage of relevant units for which they are eligible to enrol.
Academic intervention strategy
If you are currently on the progression register and an academic adviser from your faculty or school recommends your study load be reduced to make sure you successfully complete your remaining units of study. In this case your faculty or school may implement a formal intervention strategy.
Reasons that will not be accepted
These include but are not limited to:
- career or transport reasons
- waiting on an outcome for credit for previous study
- not wanting to do certain elective units or waiting for certain electives to be available
- completing an intensive unit or receiving credit for a previous study where there are remaining units left to complete for full-time study
How to apply
Your visa
Reducing your enrolment load may lengthen the time it takes for you to finish your course. This may mean you need to request another eCoE to apply for a further visa. If the University extends your eCoE it does not guarantee you will be granted a visa.
If you reduce your study load without receiving approval, the University will not be able to issue a new CoE needed to apply for a new visa.
Less than 24 credit points available in your final semester
If you are in your final semester and have less than 24 credit points to enrol in, you can reduce your study load without needing to apply. This may happen for example if you've got ahead by completing a unit in an intensive session or if you received credit for previous study.
If you are eligible to for a reduced study load, you will need to complete the Application to reduce study load and provide the required supporting documents relevant to your situation.
You should apply as soon as possible, so that if your request is approved, you have time to make adjustments to your units of study before last day to add.
You should continue attending classes for the unit(s) you have applied to withdraw from until your reduced study load request has been approved.
If census has passed, you cannot apply to reduce your study load further as you are already liable for the units you are enrolled in. If your study in a unit has been impacted by circumstances beyond your control you do have the option to apply to discontinue from a unit of study under special circumstances.
Supporting documents
When applying to reduce your study load, you'll need to provide the following supporting documents. Your faculty or school may require additional documents.
A request without evidence of compassionate or compelling reasons will not be approved.
Documents issued in a language other than English need to be translated into English by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). Both documents in original language and NAATI translation must be provided in the request.
A signed medical certificate/report with appropriate letterhead from a doctor/psychologist stating that you are unable to attend classes.
or
- A detailed statement from a counsellor from the University's Student Wellbeing Service who has been involved in your assessment and/or treatment.
Medical certificates should:
- be issued within three months of the request date
- have a clear duration of recommended time away from studies
- include a treatment plan if applicable
- indicate that you will be impacted for a substantial period of the semester.
- be translated into English by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) if in a language other than English. Provide the original language document and NAATI translation in your request.
Doctor's certificate or hospital statement with expected due date.
Medical certificates should:
- be issued within three months of the request date
- have a clear duration of recommended time away from studies
- include a treatment plan if applicable
- indicate that you will be impacted for a substantial period of the semester.
- be translated into English by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) if in a language other than English. Provide the original language document and NAATI translation in your request.
A confirmation email from the Student Affairs Unit or another University Department.
If your current childcare arrangement is no longer available you should provide:
- a student declaration form, making sure you include a clear explanation of the circumstances and a plan for the new arrangement.
If you are required to look after a sick child you should provide:
- a medical certificate.
Medical certificates should:
- be issued within three months of the request date
- have a clear duration of recommended time away from studies
- include a treatment plan if applicable
- indicate that you will be impacted for a substantial period of the semester.
- be translated into English by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) if in a language other than English. Provide the original language document and NAATI translation in your request.
For bereavement/serious illness of close family members such as parents or grandparents:
- a death certificate/medical certificate
- proof of relationship
Medical certificates should:
- be issued within three months of the request date
- have a clear duration of recommended time away from studies
- include a treatment plan if applicable
- indicate that you will be impacted for a substantial period of the semester.
- be translated into English by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) if in a language other than English. Provide the original language document and NAATI translation in your request.
Involvement in a legal matter/criminal event:
- evidence of duration/bail conditions
Major political upheaval, natural disaster or a traumatic experience:
- any relevant documents such as medical certificates, death certificates, proof of relationship, birth certificates or police reports.
- in the absence of sufficient documents, provide a student declaration including an explanation of why additional documents aren't possible.
Medical certificates should:
- be issued within three months of the request date
- have a clear duration of recommended time away from studies
- include a treatment plan if applicable
- indicate that you will be impacted for a substantial period of the semester
- be translated into English by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) if in a language other than English. Provide the original language document and NAATI translation in your request.
Include in your application:
- Details of why you are unable to select a full-time study load e.g.
- you've failed a pre-requisite and have less than a full time study load available this semester
- you've changed your major, specialisation or pathway and not all subjects are available in the semester
- there is limited core subject availability in your major or specialisation area.
- any written advice or approval provided by your faculty or school.
- Evidence of an Academic Progression and Advice session with your faculty or school. An academic progression letter is not sufficient evidence, you will also need to attach your formal academic progression plan and recommendation from your faculty's academic advisor.
or
- show cause outcome letter stating that reduced study load is a condition of your re-enrolment.
Last updated: 17 January 2024
