When enrolling in units, students are expected to follow the rules outlined in their handbook and University policies. To make this process easier, many of these rules have been built directly into the unit of study selection screen in Sydney Student, to guide you with your choices.
In limited cases you may need to request an exception to the rules. Exceptions will only be approved for valid reasons, explained in the Eligibility section below.
Examples of reasons which are unlikely to be approved include:
In the unit of study selection screen, if you make a selection that doesn’t meet the rules a message will pop up outlining the rule and giving you the option to adjust your selections or submit an enrolment exception request.
Reduced study load for student visa holders
If you're on a student visa and you select less than the full-time load, you’ll be prompted to apply for a reduced study load - you won't be prompted to apply for an enrolment exception request.
A prerequisite is a unit you need to complete before being allowed to enrol in the unit you’re trying to select.
A co-requisite is a unit of study that you must complete before, or at the same time as another unit of study.
A prohibition is a unit which prohibits your enrolment in another unit. This will usually be where two units contain a significant overlap of content.
If you've undertaken study which you believe is a direct equivalent to a unit of study at the University of Sydney then you should apply for credit for previous study.
However, there are some situations where you may not be eligible for credit but you may still be eligibile to have the prerequisite/co-requisite rule waived:
In your application you'll be asked to include:
You’re eligible to apply if you completed the unit on overseas exchange.
If we’ve received your results and updated the grades for your shell units to Satisfied Requirements (SR), you’ll need to state in your application that you studied the unit on exchange. You don’t need to attach supporting documents.
If your shell unit has not yet been updated with your results, you'll need to provide:
If you completed the unit as part of a non-exchange program, you should apply for credit for previous study - don't submit an enrolment exception request.
You’re eligible to apply for an exception to the prerequisite/co-requisite rule if you’re a Dalyell scholar and either:
For an accelerated unit, you’ll need to attach your coordinator’s written approval (e.g. email) when you apply.
You don’t need to attach supporting documents for enrichment units.
You’re eligible to apply for an exception to the prohibition rule if:
Supporting documents and information
In your application you’ll need to include:
When we consider your request, we may look at whether credit from the prohibition unit you studied can be applied towards the new unit.
Collections are the way that different types of units are grouped together in Sydney Student (e.g. a collection for 1000-level core units for your major, a collection for electives etc). These are in place to make sure you complete all the requirements of your course without going over your credit point limit.
Generally, you won’t be permitted to exceed a collection credit point limit.
Some units are available under multiple collections. Before requesting to exceed a collection credit point limit, check your other collections.
For example, ANHS2622 is a selective unit offered for the History major, Ancient History major and as a Table A/S elective. If you’re enrolled in one or both of these majors, you can choose whether you’ll allocate this unit to a major collection or elective collection. Allocating to a different collection may open up the space you need.
In most cases, if a unit is a requirement of your course, you should be able to select it within your collection rules. There are some situations (e.g. a change in course structure between years) where you may need to apply for an exception to a collection rule.
In your application you’ll need to include:
Make sure to read the information on our Changing your study load page so that you're aware of the recommended study load and maximum permitted study load.
Expand the relevant section below to see if you qualify for an exemption.
Generally, it’s recommended you don't complete more than 24 credit points during the standard semester, but all courses will let you enrol in up to 32 credit points during each Teaching period (Teaching period 1: 1 January to 30 June and Teaching period 2: 1 July to 31 December). This allows you to select an OLE unit or an intensive unit that falls outside of the semester.
Sometimes you may need to complete an intensive unit in order to complete your requirements and maintain progression through your course.
If taking this unit will mean you exceed the maximum study load of 32 credit points for the Teaching period, you may need to submit an enrolment exception request. You can only ever be approved for a maximum of 38 credit points for one teaching period.
In your application you’ll need to include an explanation of why you are seeking to complete the intensive.
Generally, exceeding 32 credit points is not recommended.
Depending on the structure and rules of your course, if you have demonstrated your ability to manage a higher workload, you may be able to apply for academic approval from the Associate Dean.
You’ll be assessed on your progression and results so far and the combination of units you’re requesting to enrol in.
In your application you’ll need to include:
Sometimes you may need to exceed your course credit point limit in order to complete your requirements and maintain progression through your course. For example, you may have changed stream late in your course and you now need to complete additional units to meet your requirements.
In your application you’ll need to include:
Some courses have strict study load requirements, such as requiring all students to be enrolled in a full-time study load. If this applies to you, it will be stated in the course resolutions in your handbook. (e.g. Bachelor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Medicine).
If you’re a domestic student and you try to select less than 18 credit points for a semester, you’ll be prompted to submit an enrolment exception request. If you’re on a student visa, you’ll be prompted to apply for a reduced study load.
Depending on how your course is structured, students may also be prompted to submit an exception request to waive co-requisite rules for units of study.
Sometimes you may find you’ve selected all available units for the semester but still haven’t reached your minimum study load requirement.
Before applying make sure you’ve checked all collections in the unit of study screen in Sydney Student to make sure there are no other units available.
In your application you’ll need to include an explanation of your requirements and why you’re unable to select the required unit of study load.
If you’re enrolled in a course that normally requires a full-time study load but you have less than 18 credit points remaining to complete, you can submit an enrolment exception request.
Before applying make sure you’ve compared the units you’ve completed against the units required by your handbook.
In your application you’ll need to include an explanation of the situation.
