Study load

Most courses at UTS are offered on a full time basis and some are also offered on a part time basis. Depending on whether you are a local or international student, there are different options available when it comes to your study load. 

Equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL) is the standard measure of a student’s full time study load for one year. At UTS, one EFTSL is equal to 48 credit points per year. All subjects at UTS have a certain credit point value, and the number of credit points you enrol through the year contributes to your study load.

For most courses offered on a full time basis, the standard course program will include 24 credit points of subjects to enrol in Autumn session (the first half of the year), and 24 credit points in Spring session (second half of the year). A number of subjects also run in short sessions throughout the year and during the summer. Enrolling in these sessions will also contribute to your study load.

Local coursework students

What is considered a full time study load?

For most purposes (including Opal Concession eligibility and Centrelink) a local student is considered full time if they are enrolled in 0.75 of EFTSL.

A local student is therefore considered full time at UTS if they are enrolled in:

• Minimum 36 credit points across the entire academic calendar year, OR
• Minimum 18 credit points within a half year.

First half year is defined every year as those sessions whose census date fall within 1 January to 30 June. 
Second half year is defined every year as those sessions whose census date fall within 1 July to 31 December.

What is considered a part-time study load? Is there a minimum number of credit points I am required to enrol?

A part time study load is any enrolment that is less than full time enrolment (that is, anything less than 0.75 EFTSL). Some courses are offered in such a way as to support part-time attendance through the scheduling of classes in the evening. 

Local students may choose to alternate between full time and part time enrolment. There is no minimum number of credit points you must enrol, as long as you are enrolled in at least one subject in each main session (if you need to take time off from study, you should apply for leave of absence). 

You should also be aware that there is a maximum time to complete your course. If you choose to enrol in a part time study load without following a course program, this could extend the duration of your course due to prerequisite requirements and subject availability.

Can I enrol in more than a full-time study load?

To enrol in more than a full time study load in a particular session, you can submit an eRequest outlining your reasons for wanting to overload and your plan for ensuring your academic success. Students are not normally permitted to take more than 30 credit points a session.

Please also note: choosing to overload is not considered acceptable grounds to apply for Special Consideration in exams or assessment extensions. It also can’t be used as grounds for Remission (removal of subject academic and financial penalties), or applications to Withdraw after census (without academic penalty).

UTS Online students

UTS Online has six teaching sessions available to enrol in throughout the calendar year. If you enrol in 6 credit points in each session, you are considered a full time student. We recommend UTS Online students undertake a maximum of 6 credit points per session, which typically involves 15-20 hours of study per week.

Students wishing to overload their studies 

1. Need to submit an eRequest with:
   • A brief explanation on why you are applying to overload for the session, and
   • A brief overview study plan, e.g. study skill strategies, that outlines how you will manage the additional study load, and successfully complete all subjects attempted.
2. The study overload eRequest will be subject to Faculty approval. The general expectation is that you have
   • Successfully completed two subjects and,
   • A WAM (weighted average mark) of 65 or greater.

Students studying 12 credit point subjects over two consecutive sessions are not required to seek permission to overload. 

Please note: choosing to overload is not considered acceptable grounds to apply for Special Consideration in exams or assessment extensions. It also can’t be used as grounds for Remission (removal of subject academic and financial penalties), or applications to Withdraw after census (without academic penalty).

Local research students

Master's degrees by research take a maximum of two years of full-time (four years part-time) research and writing to complete.

Doctorates take a maximum of four years of full-time (eight years part-time) research and writing to complete.

For more information about study load and research degrees contact UTS: Graduate Research School

International students on student visas

International students studying on student visas are required to undertake full-time study as a condition of their visa, under the Australian Government's Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (opens an external site). These requirements do not apply to international students studying on other visa types. 

International students studying on student visas must ensure that their credit point load puts them in a position to complete their course within the standard duration, which normally requires the completion of 48 credit points a year. This means that international students must enrol in a 100% study load each session. 

The exceptions are:

• if they have formal faculty approval to reduce their load. For more information, see Applying for Reduced Study Load
• if they are in the final session of their course

Australian Government legislation prevents UTS from granting extensions to international students' courses except in limited circumstances. Failure to follow the above requirements may therefore mean that an international student is unable to extend their student visa to complete their course.

Further information on student visas and study loads is available from UTS International.