Study load and attendance

Study load

Full-time and part-time

To complete a course, you need to complete a certain number of credit points. Most units run for a semester and have a value of 6 credit points. We measure your enrolment load in an academic year in credit points:

  • a full-time study load is 48 credit points.
    We call this an Equivalent Full-Time Student Load (EFTSL)
  • a part-time study load is less than 36 credit points, or less than 0·75 EFTSL.
  • we regard a study load between 36 and 48 credit points as full-time.

Time limit to complete a degree

This formula sets the maximum time limit:

  • maximum course length = (full-time study course duration × 2) + 2 years.

This does not include approved study leave (intermission). For example:

  • (3 year Bachelor degree × 2) + 2 = 8 years, if studying full-time
  • one semester of approved study leave changes the time limit to 8·5 years.

Some faculties may set lower time limits. Check with your faculty before you choose to study part-time.

Underloading and international students (on a student visa)

You must complete your course in the time stated on your Confirmation of Enrolment. To do this, you need to do a full-time study load (24 credit points per semester). You can only study part-time:

  • in exceptional circumstances
  • with approval from your faculty.

To apply, submit an underload application - international students (pdf 59kb)

Wait for formal approval from your faculty before reducing your study load.

Youth Allowance and Austudy payments

Domestic students can usually choose to study part-time. If your enrolment drops below 18 credit points per semester, you may not be eligible for government payments such as Youth Allowance and Austudy.

Overloading

Overloading is to enrol in more than the standard number of units in each year. It is usually limited to students who have:

  • completed 48 credit points in one calendar year
  • achieved a credit average or higher in the previous year.

Exceptions may apply to high achieving students in approved programs. Some courses may not allow acceleration. This may be due to professional accreditation and/or clinical requirements.

See faculty overloading in ask.monash or contact your faculty for advice.

Attendance

On or off-campus study mode

ModeAttendance and study details
On-campus
  • Most courses are on-campus
  • You attend lectures, tutorials etc in person, with other students
  • We teach some units online. You may be able to study some of your on-campus degree without attending a campus
Off-campus
  • Some courses are offered off-campus (distance education)
  • You are not required to attend classes on campus (or this is kept to a minimum)
  • Units have the same content and equivalent assessment as on-campus units
  • You use independent or online learning materials
  • Some units have regular group tutorial/study sessions
Mixed or multi mode
  • Some courses have units that are offered on and off-campus
  • You may be able to study a limited number of off-campus units as part of an on-campus course

Research students may do some or all of their research on or off-campus, depending on the course requirements.

Day or evening class type

Some faculties do not offer:

  • night classes for undergraduate units
  • day classes for postgraduate units.

Where possible, you can change your unit class type in WES, eg day to evening. For instructions, see ask.monash