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. We measure your enrolment load in an academic year in credit points.

An Equivalent Full-Time Student Load (EFTSL) is 48 credit points. Most units run for a semester and have a value of six credit points (0.125 EFTSL).

• A full-time study load is between 36 and 48 credit points.
• A part-time study load is less than 36 credit points (less than 0.75 EFTSL).

Time limit to complete a course

Each course of study must be completed within a set time limit. Check Course Finder for your course duration. The maximum time allowed to complete a course is determined by the following formula:

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

For example:

• (3 year Bachelor degree × 2) + 2 = 8 years
• (4 year double Bachelor degree x 2) + 2 = 10 years
• (2 year Masters program x 2) + 2 = 6 years

Exception
Law students have different time limits, see Law time limits and maximum intermission.

Varying your course duration
You can take approved intermission as long as you still complete your course within the maximum time limit. You should  check with your faculty before you choose to study part-time or vary your course duration. 

Underloading

International students
If you're on a student visa you must complete your course in the time stated on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE). To do this, you need to do a full-time study load (24 credit points per semester). The Web Enrolment System (WES) will not allow you to submit your enrolment unless you enrol in enough units to meet your approved study load requirement.

You can only reduce your study load for one or more of the following reasons:

• approval for compassionate or compelling circumstances
• approved intermission for semester one or two
• less than 48 credit points to complete your degree
• course progression issues due to credit received or unsuccessful unit attempts
• a credit point restriction from the Academic Progress Committee

To apply, submit an underload application - international students (pdf 58kb). Wait for formal approval from your faculty before reducing your study load, as this may affect your visa.

Domestic students
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

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.