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» Current students » Program admin » Program management » Reducing your study load as an international student » Current students » Program admin » Program management » Reducing your study load as an international studentAs an international student on a student visa, you are expected to complete your course within the time given on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE). In most instances, this requires you to enrol in a full-time study load (24 units per semester), each semester until the completion of your program requirements.
In accordance with Australian legislation, ANU can only extend a student's program duration and issue an extension eCoE if there are compassionate or compelling circumstances that necessitate the extension.
You can only reduce your study load or extend your course duration in limited, exceptional circumstances. You will need to seek permission from your ANU Academic College to reduce your study load. Please note that in most cases, you will be required to substantiate your request for a reduced study load with supporting documentation (e.g. medical/ counselling certificates).
A reduced study load can be approved in the following circumstances:
- Your course duration will not change;
- You are undertaking the final subjects of your course and are enrolled in your last semester; or
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The duration of your course is extended due to:
- Course structure or subject availability
- Illness, bereavement or traumatic experience
- Academic progress assistance
If you reduce your study load without approval or supporting documentation throughout your degree and then require an extension to your program, you may find ANU denies your request for an extension and refuses to issue you with a new eCoE. This will mean that you will not be able to extend your student visa, and you may not be able to complete your program at the University.
There are potentially serious consequences to your eCoE and visa when reducing your study load.
Prior to your application
We encourage you to make an appointment with your ANU Academic College to discuss your course plan and reasons for requiring a reduced study load.
Visa information
The Australian Government has announced a range of visa measures to support students impacted by COVID-19. For further information, please refer to the 'Visa Information' section of the COVID-19 Advice webpage.
Step 1
Complete application
Applications are completed using the Manage My Degree eForm, via ISIS (Navbar (Compass Icon) > ISIS > Degree Management > Manage My Degree > Select "MMD - Coursework - Manage My Degree - Coursework").
It is important that you provide independent supporting documentation to support your claims. It is not sufficient to provide only a personal statement outlining your special circumstances, even if it is a statutory declaration or an affidavit.
Requirements for independent supporting evidence
- You must not submit photographs, audio files or videos with content that may be considered distressing or graphic. In addition, for any application where you are required to provide supporting evidence, photographs, audio files or videos are generally not considered appropriate evidence as their authenticity cannot be verified.
- You are not required to provide certified copies of documents during the initial application process. However, the University reserves the right to require applicants to provide original documentation subsequently. Any document submitted may be audited and is subject to verification from the issuing body.
- Documentation must be in English or an official translation must be provided. You should submit copies of the original documentation and the English translation of these documents.
Examples of supporting documentation
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For medical reasons - a statement from a doctor including:
- the date your medical condition began or changed;
- how your condition affected your ability to study; and
- when it became apparent that you could not continue with your studies.
- Please Note: You should inform your doctor that the statement will be sent to ANU in support of your application.
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For family/personal reasons - a statement from a doctor, counsellor or independent member of the community (e.g., a Justice of the Peace or a Minister of Religion) stating:
- the date your personal circumstance began or changed;
- how your circumstance affected your ability to study; and
- when it became apparent you could not continue your studies.
You will be notified of the outcome of your application and reasons for the decision via email within 20 working days of the receipt of your application.
Step 2
Formal appeal
If your application for reduced study load is unsuccessful, we encourage you to seek advice from an independent person knowledgeable about the process and aware of potential outcomes. The Dean of Students, the ANU Student Association (ANUSA), and the Postgraduate And Research Students Association (PARSA) are available to provide you with advice. You can approach more than one of these bodies if you are unsure of the advice you have received. Depending on your circumstances, Counselling or Access and Inclusion may be able to provide you with some assistance as well.
If you remain dissatisfied with the decision made, you can lodge an appeal to be considered by the Associate Dean of the College where the decision was made. Your appeal should be in writing and contain the following information:
- What decision was made;
- Why this decision was not correct, with reference to the Awards Rules if appropriate; and
- Any evidence that you have.
If you submit an appeal that does not contain information relating to the three points above, this may significantly affect the chances of your appeal being successful.
Once you have written your appeal, you should submit it to the following email address for the College that manages the course.
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College |
Contact |
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ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences |
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ANU College of Asia and the Pacific |
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ANU College of Business and Economics |
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ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science |
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ANU College of Health and Medicine ANU College of Science |
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ANU College of Law |
Your appeal MUST be submitted within 20 working days from when you were advised of the decision. Appeals received after this time will not be accepted.
Your appeal will then be considered by the Associate Dean, who may discuss it with parties relevant to the appeal. The Associate Dean will not discuss your appeal with any other individual, and your appeal will not affect any aspect of your future study at the ANU.
Within 20 working days of receiving your appeal, the Associate Dean will let you know the result of their consideration and whether your appeal was successful or unsuccessful.
For most students this is the conclusion of the available appeals process.
Step 3
Procedural appeal
A procedural appeal is an appeal claiming that rules, policies or procedures have not been followed by the University, and this has unfairly disadvantaged you. In this case, it is where the Awards Rules were not appropriately followed by the University and correct process was not followed.
Examples of procedural grounds may be (but are not limited to):
- The University did not adhere to published timeframes;
- The original decision was made by someone without delegation;
- You did not receive notification of the decision in writing.
If you are unsure of what a procedural appeal is or whether you may have grounds for one, we encourage you to discuss it with the Dean of Students prior to lodging a procedural appeal to ensure that you have a case.
If you believe that you do have grounds to lodge a procedural appeal, your appeal needs to be submitted to the Office of the Registrar (OTR) at appeals@anu.edu.au. You must lodge it within 20 working days from when you received the decision of the Associate Dean in Step 2. OTR will then organise for your procedural appeal to be passed on to the relevant Deputy Vice-Chancellor for consideration.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor will only consider whether correct University procedure was followed when reviewing a procedural appeal. As a result, your appeal at this level should not be the same as the appeal submitted to the Associate Dean in Step 2.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor may discuss your appeal with relevant individuals to ensure they have all of the relevant information to make an accurate decision.
Once the decision has been made, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor will notify you of the outcome in writing within 20 working days.
The decision of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor is the final decision of the University.
Step 4
External appeal
Students who have appealed unsuccessfully to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor may appeal the decision to an external agency. Commonly students appeal these decisions to the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
Students have 20 working days from the date of the internal appeal outcome letter. Students must follow the lodgement instructions provided by the external agency.
Important: You must advise OTR at appeals@anu.edu.au that you have lodged your appeal and provide the appeal lodgement number. Failure to do so may result in the termination of your enrolment or electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) in error.
Step 5
Apply for a fee refund
If you applied for reduced study load before census date and your application has been successful you will be required to apply for a refund.
Advice to help
Fee refundsPrincipal dates
20
Feb
2023
Semester 1 begins
31
Mar
2023
Semester 1 census date
24
Jul
2023
Semester 2 begins
31
Aug
2023
Semester 2 Census Date
Advisory information
Contact
