If you’re an international student on a student visa, you must obtain formal permission to reduce your study load. The deadline to apply is the census date of the session in which you are intending to reduce your study load.
Permission to reduce study load
Do I need to apply to reduce my study load?
You are required to formally apply for a reduced study load for the session in which you need to study less than 24 credit points, unless:
- you are in your final session of study;
- you have been granted a non-student temporary visa and have notified the International Student Centre; or
- you are enrolled in a course which requires you to enrol in less than 24 credit points in the relevant session. Refer to the UTS handbook for information about your course program.
Why do I need to apply to reduce my study load in a session?
To meet your student visa requirements, you need to be enrolled in a 100 per cent study load in Autumn / Spring which is usually 24 credit points. Therefore, you need to have formal approval to reduce your study load in a session.
What happens if I do not apply for a reduced study load?
If you enrol in less than 24 credit points in a session without formal approval, you may not be able to extend your student visa to complete your course.
Reasons for applying and supporting documentation required
Academic difficulties
Who should apply?
- Students who are on early intervention or academic caution, and have been recommended to take a reduced study load in a session
- Students who have recently failed a subject and wish to reduce their study load for the subsequent session
Important
If you are in your first session it is not possible to reduce your study load on the basis of academic difficulties. Students must have attempted at least one session before applying for this reason.
What supporting documents are required?
- A personal statement, explaining the reasons for your application
- Students on early intervention or academic caution should attach a copy of their early intervention or academic caution form signed by an Academic Advisor
Compassionate grounds
Who should apply?
Students whose course progression has been impacted by:
- A health-related matter
- Personal reason(s)
- Other circumstances that were beyond your control
Important
Circumstances related to financial and employment reasons will not be considered.
What supporting documents are required?
A personal statement, explaining the reasons behind your application
AND
- Official supporting documentation that supports your circumstances. For example, a medical certificate signed by a health practitioner or counsellor.
The medical certificate must include:
- Issued on official letterhead
- Address and contact details of health practitioner or counsellor
- Date of issue (must be within the last 3 months)
- Confirmation that you are unable to maintain a full study load for the session
- Include a treatment plan, if relevant
- Signature of health practitioner or counsellor
Any medical certificates that are in a language other than English must be accompanied by an English translation performed by a NAATI – accredited translator (opens an external site)
Note: The medical certificate will not be accepted if any of the details listed above are missing.
No other subject available to enrol
Who should apply?
Students who cannot enrol into a subject because:
- There is no other relevant subject available in the session
- There is an unavoidable timetable clash between two core subjects
Important
If there are other subjects available for you to enrol in for the session, such as elective subjects, you cannot apply based on this reason. This reason can only be used if there are no other subjects available to enrol in the session.
What documents are required?
- A personal statement, explaining the reasons behind your application, and the steps you have already taken to try to resolve your issue
- Screenshot of evidence of the timetable clash, if relevant
Less than 100% study load
Who should apply?
- Students who have failed subjects in their last session and need to extend their course to complete, meaning that they have less than a full-time load required to complete the degree.
- Students who have received recognition of prior learning, meaning that less than a full-time load is required to complete their degree on time (reduced study load will usually be granted in the final two sessions of your course).
Important
If it is your final session and you have less than 24 credit points left to complete your course, you do not need to formally apply for a reduced study load.
What supporting documents are required?
- A personal statement, explaining the reasons behind your application, and a clear study plan of how you plan to finish your degree (which subjects you intend to study in which session/year).
How do I apply for a reduced study load in a session?
Application period:
Spring 2023 is now closed.
Autumn 2024 will open from Monday 18 December 2023 – Wednesday 20 March 2024
What supporting documents are required?
Before the census date of the session, submit the following in an Ask UTS online enquiry: A completed and signed Reduce Study Load application form.
1. Attach the required supporting documents with the application form.
- Check what supporting documents are required based on the reason for applying.
- Additional supporting documentation is required from the cohorts listed below.
- Sponsored Students – confirmation from sponsor to support your request to reduce your study load.
- Undergraduate Nursing students – approval and recommended enrolment plan from Course Director. Please refer to the SoNM Central Administration Enquiry Form - UG Nursing (opens an external site)
- Master of Law students – Approval from Director of Students.
Email Sophie.Riley@uts.edu.au (until 31 July 2023) or Karen.Lee@uts.edu.au (after 31 July 2023) - Master of Advanced or Master Health Services Management students – approval from faculty. Email health.academic.programs@uts.edu.au
When do I need to submit my application by?
You must submit your application before the census date of the session you are applying for. Applications submitted after the census date will not be accepted. Refer to the following website for the census date:
What happens next?
Your application will be assessed and an outcome will be sent to your UTS webmail. If additional information is required, an email will be sent to your UTS webmail.
Processing can take up to 2 weeks during peak time.
What do I do if I missed the deadline?
If you are enrolled in less than a full-time study load after the census date has passed, and you have not formally applied for a reduced study load, please email internationalstudent@uts.edu.au immediately to discuss your situation.
What additional support can UTS provide you?
UTS offers a range of services to assist you throughout your studies.
You may contact any of the following support services depending on your situation.
- UTS:HELPS provides a range of services that can assist you with your English language and studies.
For further information see the link provided: https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/support/helps/about-helps - U:PASS is a Student Learning Program that provides peer support.
For further information see the link provided: https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/support/upass/upass - The Student Services Unit has counsellors and doctors that will assist and advise you.
For further information see the link provided: https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/support/health-and-wellbeing/counselling-service-and-self-help/how-we-can-help
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