Overloading and Workload Limits

1. What is a normal full-time workload? What is an overload?

The normal full-time workload is 50 points in each of Semester 1 and Semester 2, and 25 points for Summer Semester. An enrolment greater than this is considered an overload.

2. How do I request an overload for the upcoming Summer Semester?

Requests to enrol in more than 25 points in the upcoming Summer Semester can be considered at course planning time. Such requests will only be considered if the subjects you which to undertake can be timetabled without clashes. See the Summer Semester Timetable for more information.

Remember that Summer Semester subjects are usually offered in an intensive mode (ie the material is covered in less time than would be the case if the subject was/is taught during Semester 1 or 2).

You should enter your preferred enrolment for the Summer Semester on the on-line course planning system. A Student Adviser will then contact you via your university ITS* e-mail account about your proposed enrolment.

After the course planning system has closed you can request to enrol in Summer Semester subjects by submitting an application to change subjects form to the relevant faculty office.

* University ITS e-mail accounts have the format (a.student@ugrad.unimelb.edu.au).

3. How do I request an overload for Semester 1 or 2?

If you are enrolled in the 'straight' law degree and are considering an overload, you should contact the Melbourne Law School Student Centre.

If you are a combined course student considering an overload in law subjects, you should contact the Melbourne Law School Student Centre. Combined course students considering overloading in their other course should contact the relevant faculty office.

Students who wish to overload who have not met the faculty requirements as outlined in point 4 In what cases will the Faculty allow students to enrol in more than a normal full-time workload? should make an appointment to see a course adviser in the relevant faculty.

4. In what cases will the Law School allow students to enrol in more than a normal full-time workload?

The Law School will usually only allow students to overload if they achieved good results for their university studies while enrolled full-time.

Before submitting a request to overload, you should also make sure you are aware of the issues raised in point 5 What should I consider before submitting a request to overload?

Overloads in Semester 1 and 2

The Faculty will normally only allow students to enrol in up to 62.5 points per semester if they have:

• successfully completed at least 37.5 points in the previous semester ; and
• no fails in the previous semester ; and
• achieved an average of at least H2B (ie 70% +) for all subjects undertaken in the previous semester.
• In cases where a student was on Leave in the previous semester, the Faculty will consider the workload attempted and results achieved in the most recent semester in which the student was undertaking subjects.
• The H2B requirement may be waived if an overload of 62.5 points will enable the student to complete course requirements at the end of the semester.
• Requests to enrol in more than 62.5 points per semester will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Approval to enrol in more than 62.5 points will normally only be granted to students who have demonstrated an ability to achieve consistently high marks while enrolled in a workload of at least 50 (but usually 62.5) points in a semester.

Overloads in the Summer Semester

An enrolment of more than 25 points in the Summer Semester (Semester 3) is only allowed if the conditions applied to overloading in semester 1 and 2 are met and subjects the student wishes to undertake can be timetabled without clashes. Remember that Summer Semester subjects are usually offered in an intensive mode (ie the material is covered in less time than would be the case if the subject was/is taught during Semester 1 or 2).

5. What should I consider before submitting a request to overload?

Before requesting permission to overload, please note that:

• An overload may compromise your academic results.
• An overload is not grounds for Special Consideration or an acceptable excuse for poor results.
• You need to ensure that your university workload reflects what is manageable for you. For example, if you have commitments which cannot be changed (eg paid employment, family, music, sport etc), or if you spend considerable time commuting to the university, you should consider enrolling in less than a normal full-time workload. As a guide, the Faculty recommends that students enrolled on a normal full-time workload of 50 points per semester devote at least 40 hours per week to their studies throughout the entire semester. An overload of 62.5 points would therefore increase the time you need to devote to your studies to at least 50 hours per week throughout the entire semester.
• An overload may increase the likelihood of timetable clashes.

If you wish to overload in order to recoup points lost by failing a subject/s, you could alternatively:

• Extend your completion date (eg take 4.5, rather than 4 years, to complete the LL.B single degree course). You can change your expected completion date on the on-line course planning system or at the Faculty Office.
• Undertake subjects offered in the Summer Semester.

As HECS and student fees are determined by students' workload, an overload increases the HECS/fees payable for the semester in which the overload is attempted.

Students should note that permission to overload is given on a case by case basis and is awarded at the discretion of the Law School.