Course duration and attendance

Teaching periods

There are two main semesters in the academic year. Autumn semester runs from the beginning of March to the end of June. Spring semester runs from the beginning of August to the end of November. The majority of subjects are offered within Autumn and Spring semesters.

Summer session occurs during University summer vacation for undergraduate and postgraduate subjects. Summer session is designed so that students can fast-track their studies and complete subjects in an intensive format. Students should note that only a limited range of subjects is offered in this session. Any student interested in Summer session should contact the relevant Student Centre regarding details of subjects offered and timetabling information.

The 2008 academic year dates are (including the examination period):

• Summer session: 3 December 2007 – 8 February 2008
• Autumn semester: 25 February – 27 June 2008
• Spring semester: 28 July – 28 November 2008

Some subjects are offered in block or intensive mode in the following short teaching periods:

• March session: 17 March – 25 April 2008
• May session: 5 May – 13 June 2008
• July session: 30 June – 8 August 2008
• August session: 18 August – 26 September 2008
• October session: 6 October – 14 November 2008
• December session: 24 November 2008 – 2 January 2009

Standard duration

The standard course duration is listed within the detailed entry for each course. Course duration may vary depending on attendance pattern and student load and the timetabling of chosen elective subjects.

Masters' degrees by research take a maximum of two years of full-time (three years, part-time) research and writing to complete.

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

Study load

Full-time students typically undertake 24 credit points per semester. Part-time students have a reduced semester load. Students are not normally permitted to take more than 30 credit points per semester, but there is no lower limit apart from those dictated by the maximum time and leave of absence rules.

Some courses are offered in such a way as to support part-time attendance through the scheduling of classes in the evening. Others are primarily designed for full-time students. Information on modes of study is provided in the detailed entry for each course.

Enrolment restrictions

The only restrictions on subject enrolment are that the subject requisites are met, the subject has not reached its enrolment quota, and that the subject is a valid component of the student's Study Plan. Note: Entry into preferred subjects is not guaranteed.

Attendance modes

For each specific subject, teaching period and location, one or more attendance modes will be available: standard, block, distance (off-campus), and mixed. Standard attendance mode involves attendance at weekly, on-campus classes over a 14-week semester. Block mode involves an intensive period of study in classes scheduled over one or more weeks of the teaching period. In distance (off-campus) mode, students are provided with materials that they work through in their own time, supported by online and print materials and possibly one or two face-to-face sessions. Mixed mode attendance combines the flexibility of on-campus, distance and block study.

Students undertaking a Master's (Research) or Doctoral degree are, in general, not required to attend classes. However, regular contact is maintained with the candidate's supervisor(s) throughout enrolment.

International students

International students studying on student visas are subject to specific enrolment requirements imposed by Australian Government legislation known as the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000. These requirements do not apply to international students studying on other kinds of visa.

Credit-point load and course duration

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. This normally requires the completion of 48 credit points per year. Hence, by default, international students must enrol in 100 per cent load each semester. The exceptions are:

• if they have made up, or intend to make up, credit points by overloading or enrolling in non-standard sessions, or
• if they have formal faculty approval to reduce their load.

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.

Attendance mode

International students may enrol in distance subjects, subject to faculty approval. However, students studying on student visas must enrol in at least one on-campus subject each semester, and can study a maximum of 25 per cent of their total course by distance.

Students should contact UTS: International for details.

Class attendance

On-campus classes may be timetabled between 9.00 am and 9.00 pm Not all subjects are available in the evenings. Evening classes can start as early as 5.00 pm. Part-time students may need to attend some day classes and full-time students may need to attend some evening classes.

Regular attendance at classes is a requirement of the University. It is the student's responsibility to attend lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions and carry out all assignment and examination work in every subject in which he or she is enrolled. Students are issued with a subject outline for each of their subjects that includes further details of specific attendance requirements.

Timetable

The current timetable is available online at: