This policy applies to all coursework* students.
It covers a range of topics related to the structure of coursework programs and a student’s progression in the course, for example:
A summary of key topics is outlined below, as are some specific faculty rules.
Students should always consult with the managing faculty of their course about course structure issues.
Opportunities for individual students to to accelerate study in an enrolled course are normally limited to students who have:
- completed at least one year of university study
- achieved at least a credit average in the previous academic year.
Exceptions may be made to high achieving students in approved programs.
Students with at least a credit average are normally permitted to undertake a maximum of 72 points of units per calendar year, but no more than 30 credit points in a standard semester, and no more than 24 credit points in a non-standard semester.
Some professional courses may not allow acceleration due to professional accreditation and/or clinical requirements.
Specific faculty rules
Faculty of Arts
A normal year’s workload for a full-time student for the majority of courses is 48 points (eight units). Students may overload by up to six points per semester in a calendar year. Over-enrolment in first year is not permitted, except for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts Dean’s Scholars Program.
You have a responsibility to complete course requirements given in the relevant degree regulations and faculty policies and not exceed the specified number of credit points. You must seek the written approval of the faculty if you wish to enrol in more than the number of credit points described in the degree regulations as necessary for course completion, or for units which will not contribute to course completion. Other than in exceptional circumstances, this approval will only be granted for enrolment on a full-fee basis.
Important: if you overload in a semester and then struggle to meet assessment or attendance requirements because of your workload, please be aware that the fact you are undertaking additional studies will not be suitable as a reason for requesting special consideration.
Faculty of Business and Economics
Full-time students normally enrol in four units (24 points) per semester. However, you may apply to enrol in five units (30 points) per semester provided that the total for first and second semester does not exceed nine units (54 points), and a credit average is achieved in the four most recently studied units (24 points) and in the previous semester of study.
You may apply to enrol in up to two units (12 points) in summer semester where the proposed enrolment meets course rules. This may be increased to three units (18 points), provided that a credit average is achieved in the four most recently studied units (24 points) and in the previous semester of study. The provisions regarding the credit average (in the above) may be varied at the discretion of the course director.
Up to three units may be taken over summer and winter semester, but no more than two units (12 points) may be taken during the winter semester. When deciding whether to apply to study two winter units, you should note that the assessment for these units is conducted during semester two. When deciding whether to approve the enrolment in two winter units, the course director will consider your enrolment load in second semester, and may require your enrolment in semester two to be less than the standard full-time load in order to adequately accommodate the additional academic requirements during that period.
With approval, you may enrol in a total of 12 units (72 points) during one academic year including semester one, semester two, and summer and winter semesters.
Note about undergraduate double-degree duration in the Faculty of Business and Economics
The course duration for undergraduate double degrees shown in the regulations is expressed as the minimum period for completion of the course requirements. Some of the double-degree programs offered have a course length which is more than the minimum duration: either four-and-a-half years, or five-and-a-half years, depending on the program. However, you may undertake an undergraduate double-degree program in an accelerated manner and complete the requirements in the minimum time. In such cases, an overload in any year is voluntary and will incur an additional cost for those units taken over and above the standard yearly load (see also information about ‘overloading’ above).
Faculty of Engineering
Students are advised that an overload of 6 credit points may be allowed in one semester each year. However, such an overload must first be approved by the student’s academic course adviser.
Faculty of Science
You have a responsibility to complete course requirements given in the relevant degree regulations and faculty policy and not exceed the specified number of credit points. Unit enrolments not meeting the requirements of this policy will be charged on a single unit fee basis unless the associate dean (teaching) or nominee has verified that the additional studies are required to complete your course requirements due to having changed your major or minor sequence of study.
Course progression
You are required to follow the course as structure for the year in which you commence studying. The course structure and duration of study is specified annually in the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Handbooks. This means you need to check the archived copy of the Handbook for the year you started your course if you have already commenced your studies (available at www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks). Different faculties and courses may have differing rules regarding course progression, so you should speak to your course coordinator and/or staff in the faculty that manages your course about your unit choices or if you have any concerns.
Note:
- If you defer your offer of a place in a course, the course structure specified in the Handbook of the year in which you take up your place will apply.
- If you are readmitted after an unauthorised intermission in study, or after a period of exclusion for misconduct or unsatisfactory academic performance, you will be regarded as a new student, and you will undertake a course of units according to the structure specified in the Handbook of the year in which you are readmitted. Credit for work previously completed may be granted subject to approval by the relevant course authority.
Repeating units
Where a unit has not been satisfactorily completed, you may be advised to repeat that unit, if offered, the following semester. Different faculties and courses may have differing rules regarding course progression, so you should speak to your course coordinator about your unit choices or if you have any concerns.
Maximum time for completion of a course
The maximum time allowed to complete a course is determined by the following time limit formula (which does not include intermission):
- Maximum course length = full-time study course duration x 2 + 2 years (faculty boards may set lower time limits if required).
For example:
- An undergraduate three-year bachelors pass degree x 2 = 6 + 2 = 8 years.
- A graduate/postgraduate two-year masters program x 2 = 4 + 2 = 6 years.
Workload expectations
Credit points and student workload
Research students
The Code of Practice for the Supervision of Doctoral and masters by research students outlines the rights and responsibilities of the University, academic unit, supervisor and higher degree by research candidate and can be found at www.mrgs.monash.edu.au.
Coursework students
The study commitment of a full-time student is defined as approximately 48 hours per week for each of the two standard semesters. A 48 credit-point year is standard for all courses (and represents 1.0 EFTSL - 100 percent - in terms of SCA and fee structures and student statistics). One credit point implies a student workload of about two hours of study per week over a standard semester; a six credit point unit taught in a semester therefore implies twelve hours work a week by the student in varying combinations of formal class contact and self-directed study.
The University uses a standard credit point range in relation to University taught unit offerings, normally involving 6 point units or multiples thereof (eg 12, 18, 24).
