A student’s course study load is calculated over a six month study period (1 January – 30 June and 1 July – 31 December). In accordance with ANU policy: Student Academic Load and Progression a student is considered to be overloading if they undertake more than 24 units in a single study period.
Students undertaking enrolment in non-standard teaching sessions (Summer, Winter, Autumn, Spring) that do not overlap with the standard semester are not considered to be overloading if they only undertake 24 units during the semester (see specific program information below).
Overloading is considered an unusual event, although it is recognised that in some special circumstances it may be necessary. Permission will only be granted where the minimum criteria set out in the ANU policy have been met by the student. Those criteria include minimum grade averages attained by students in their prior courses. Overloading with permission is undertaken on the basis that students do so at their own risk. It will not be grounds to seek any adjustements authorised by the extenuating circumstances application (ECA) process.
Students seeking to overload should carefully read the ANU policy at Student Academic Load and Progression and any program specific information below.
LLBHons and JD
An LLBHons student will be overloading if they are undertaking more than 24 units in semester 1 or 2, more than 12 units over summer, or more than 6 units in winter. Permission codes will be required for summer and winter courses. Overloading is generally discouraged, although it is recognised that in some special circumstances it may be necessary. Overloading by more than 6 units in any session will not be approved. ISIS will not allow students to overload. Students who wish to do so will need to follow the university requirements at Overload your enrolment. Overloading is undertaken on the basis that students do so at their own risk and it will not be considered a valid reason for seeking special consideration, extensions and/ or special exams.
The same considerations, limits and processes apply to JD students who are seeking to overload. However, the particular characteristics and pattern of the JD program (including the fact that JD students will sometimes need to study intensive postgraduate courses alongside their semester long courses) are additional factors taken into account by the delegate in considering applications to overload from JD students.
Master of Laws, Master of Financial Management and Law, Master of International Law and Diplomacy, Graduate Certificate of Law and Graduate Certificate of New Technologies Law
Overloading by 12 units in any one Study Period will not be approved except in extraordinary circumstances. Overloading by 6 units in any one session will be considered on a case by case basis.
Students who wish to do so will need to follow the university requirements at Overload your enrolment.