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Reduced study load (student visa holders)
It is a requirement of your student visa that you are enrolled in a full-time study load (24 credit points). In certain circumstances you may be able to apply to reduce your study load.
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A full-time study load for student visa holders requires you enrol in the following credit points.
For Semester 1, you need to enrol in a minimum of 24 credit points from January to 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 Semester 2, you need to enrol in a minimum of 24 credit points from July to December. At least 18 credit points need to be completed in the Semester 2 session, or sessions other than Intensive July or Intensive December.
If you're looking to study in a reduced study load or drop a unit of study after last day to add but before census, you will need to follow the process to apply for reduced study load.
Removing a unit after last day to add
If you want to remove a unit after the last day to add deadline for the main semester, but before census, you can't do this yourself as you won't see the rubbish bin symbol next to the unit in Sydney Student. This applies even if you’re enrolled in a late intensive with its own last day to add deadline. To remove the unit, you'll need to apply through a reduced study load request, even if you are still maintaining a full time study load. You will not need to outline compassionate or compelling reasons, just attach a document stating you want to remove a unit after the last day to add deadline.
Eligibility
To be eligible you will need to outline your compassionate or compelling reasons, which can include but are not limited to:
- serious illness or injury
- death of a close family member
- childcare/maternity reasons
- major political upheaval or natural disaster in your home country that has impacted your 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, that has impacted you (these cases should be supported by a police or psychologist report)
- if your faculty or school is unable to offer any other units of study because of the structure of your program
- 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.
You will need to provide supporting documents with your application. A request without evidence of compassionate or compelling circumstances will not be approved.
If receiving a waiver results in a reduced study load, speak with an academic adviser about enrolling in a unit in its place.
Completing an intensive unit or receiving credit for previous study is not a valid reason for a reduced study load. If you have 24 credit points available to enrol in for each semester, then you are required to undertake them. If the intensive unit or previously awarded credit reduces the total number of credits you would need to study, it is likely that you would have less than 24 credit points to enrol in in your final semester. Student visa holders are permitted to study less than 24 credit points in their last semester.
Remember that 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.
Applying
You should apply for a reduced study load as early as possible. If you apply for a reduced study load to drop a unit after last day to add but before census, you will be withdrawn from your selected units without financial or academic penalty.
Before applying, you should seek some advice from an academic advisor, or a compliance officer at student.compliance@sydney.edu.au.
If you decide to reduce your study load, you need to apply through Sydney Student ;(go to ‘My studies’, ‘Units of study’, then ‘Apply to reduce your study load’).
You should continue attending classes for the unit(s) you have applied to withdraw from until your reduced study load request has been approved.
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, in which case they'll email you once you've submitted your application.
A request without evidence of compassionate or compelling circumstances will not be approved.
Any supporting document issued in a language other than English needs to be translated into English by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
Reason for application |
Type of documents needed |
|---|---|
| COVID-19 related circumstances | The University wishes to avoid placing an additional burden on the health care system during the COVID-19 crisis. As an alternative to a medical certificate or other medical documents, you can submit a Student declaration for suspension and reduced study load requests – COVID-19 form (docx, 55KB), with any available supporting evidence, that describes the misadventure, illness or injury that you suffered and for how long. The form needs to be signed and include the following information:
|
Serious illness or injury |
A signed medical certificate/report with appropriate letterhead from a doctor/psychologist stating that you are unable to attend classes. Medical certificates should:
You can provide a detailed statement from a counsellor from the University’s Student Counselling Service team who has been involved in your assessment and/or treatment. If you are unable to obtain the required medical documents and/or your condition is a result of COVID-19 related circumstances, please complete the Student declaration for suspension and reduced study load requests – COVID-19 form (docx, 55KB) outlining the reasons for not being able to obtain this documents. |
Compelling circumstances that have resulted in you missing study |
Relevant documents such as medical certificates, death certificates, proof of relationship, birth certificates or police reports If you are unable to provide the documents required, you may complete the general student declaration form (docx, 52KB) outlining the reasons for not being able to obtain the documents and/or if you wish to provide us with more information about your circumstances. |
You have previously been identified as not meeting academic progression requirements |
Evidence of an Academic Progression and Advice session (provided by faculty). 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. |
You are unable to enrol in a full-time load due to availability of units of study |
Confirmation letter from faculty or school |
You have previously completed a unit of study as an intensive in the summer or winter break and you are in your final semester of study |
Supporting documents not necessary |
What happens next
Your application will be assessed within 10 working days. We will email you the outcome of your application to your University email address.
If your application is declined, you will be provided with the reason for this decision. You will remain enrolled in your units of study.
Help and support
Before you apply to reduce your study load, speak with our compliance team at student.compliance@sydney.edu.au for advice about your eCoE. We encourage you to discuss with an academic adviser for advice about how reducing your study load may impact your enrolment and course progression.
If you’re struggling academically or personally, the University has many services that can support you, such as the Learning Hub (Academic Language and Learning) or the Student Counselling Service.
If you need any help with the wording of the application or submitting the form, we encourage you to reach out to the Student Centre by making an online enquiry.
Our Peer Support Advisors can also assist in helping write your student declaration. The team work hours which are designed to suit offshore students who are located in east, south and southeast Asia and are available on Zoom Monday to Friday between 12.30pm – 6.30pm Sydney local time. Complete our enquiry form to talk with a peer support advisor.
Applying to drop a unit after census
If you're looking to drop a unit after census, you will need to apply for a late discontinuation under special circumstances and you will need to meet the criteria for special circumstances. If your application is approved you will be given a grade of DC and your unit fees will be repaid, recredited or remitted as appropriate.
Remember that 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 extend your visa.
Before applying, you should seek some advice from an academic advisor or compliance officer at student.compliance@sydney.edu.au.
You should continue attending classes for the unit(s) you have applied to discontinue from until your reduced study load request has been approved.
Last updated: 14 December 2022
