Faculty of Arts

The term overload refers to enrolment in more than the University's standard, annual or semester, full-time load of units.

An overloaded course is enrolment in more than 48 points in one academic year and/or enrolment in more than 24 points in a given semester. 

1. Standard loads
2. Overloads permitted without special approval
3. Overloads requiring special approval
4. Responsibilities of students taking overloads

Standard loads

A standard enrolment in nearly all courses across the University is 48 points per year (24 points per semester).

The two exceptions in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences are the concurrent fourth-year honours programs in the Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Music Education.

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Overloads permitted without special approval

There is a difference in the allowable overloads for combined courses and single degrees. This is because the entry requirements for combined courses are generally higher than for single degree courses.

Combined courses

Students in combined courses will be permitted to take up to a 25% overload each calendar year without special approval.

This means a total enrolled load of up to 60 points per year or 30 points per semester.

Combined course students must take at least a small overload each year in order to complete their course in the minimum time frame. For example, five years for a BA/LLB and four years for a BA/BCom.

• The Student Office can provide more information about suggested pathways through combined courses.

Single degree courses

Students in single degree courses will be permitted to take up to a 12.5% overload each calendar year without special approval.

This means a total enrolled load of up to 54 points per year or 30 points in one semester and 24 points in the other.

Single degree students will rarely be permitted to overload in their first semester and will normally be required to wait until their second semester of enrolment.

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Overloads requiring special approval

The overloads stated above are the only maximums permitted without special approval.

Special approval for heavier loads will usually be granted where you can demonstrate you are able to manage the load without jeopardising your academic progress - for example, by showing good results in previous studies.

If you are considering taking on a heavier load, you should contact the academic student adviser at the Faculty Student Office on telephone 6488 2091.

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Responsibilities of students taking overloads

If you are enrolling in overloads, it is your responsibility to manage your load appropriately to ensure you successfully complete all units.

We recognise that all students have different capabilities and strongly discourage students from taking on excessive loads.

We also recommend a weighted average of 65% or better in your previous semester as a guide to whether an overload might be advisable.

You should bear in mind the census dates for units of study, and the last dates to withdraw each semester, in case you find your workload is too heavy.

The Faculty Student Office will not approve any late alterations to enrolments on the grounds that students have taken on a load which is too heavy.

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