Assessment and Teaching: Student Enrolment Load

Back to main index

Policy: The enrolment of students is provided for by Statute 6.2 Enrolment and by the following:

1	Student Load
	A unit is the measure of weighting given to a topic as specified in the syllabus for that topic. A normal year's work by a full-time student is valued at 36 units. Awards are structured around this principle and student contributions, tuition fees and student services fees are calculated on the basis that 36 units represents a standard full-time load. Such standard loads operate in the students' best interests, allowing them to perform well in their studies without dispersing their efforts too much across a large number of topics.
2	Overload
	Notwithstanding this, in some circumstances it may be appropriate for some students to enrol in a combination of topics which amounts to more than 36 units in any year and corresponds to an academic overload. Student Overload comprises those topics which students take in any year which are in excess of the standard workload of 36 units. Normally the maximum workload for which a student may enrol in any year will be 48 units spread evenly over the two semesters. Students must pay any fees and charges associated with the additional load.

Procedures for Student Overload

3	Students may enrol in a topic or topics comprising more than 36 units, but not more than 42 units, in any year without special approval.
4	Students who wish to enrol in a topic or topics comprising more than 42 units in any year must seek approval from the staff member responsible for approval of variations to their programs. The student must indicate:
	4.1	the topics in which they seek enrolment;
	4.2	the results of previous study in the University;
	4.3	reasons for wishing to take the overload.
5	The relevant staff member will:
	5.1	examine the student's overall academic record in relation to the stated reasons for the student wishing to take the overload;
	5.2	take into account the student's previous academic record in considering the appropriateness of authorising the overload in terms of the policy;
	5.3	having checked the student's record, either authorise or refuse the application by endorsing the applicant's enrolment form, except that any authorisation of a workload in excess of 48 units per year or 24 units per semester, is to be subject to further endorsement by the Executive Dean of the Faculty or nominee.