The Program Director is responsible for reviewing student progression in reference to the maximum time to complete the program, notifying students of their status and considering applications for an extension as specified in The Student Administration Policy.
Students who are at risk of not completing their program within the maximum program duration are identified by the School Administrative Officer or Program Service Officer, via a public query, in two periods each year:
* period 1 in late June-July and
* period 2 in late December-January
Program Directors then notify these students of their status and provide advice on:
* what is required for the student to complete the program
* how to apply for an extension of the maximum period of completion
* how to notify the University of their intention to discontinue enrolment and withdraw from courses.
A job aid has been prepared to assist you with carrying out this process and includes communication templates to be used when advising students.
Extension
On application from the student, the Program Director may grant an extension of up to 1 year (12 months) to the maximum period for completing the program where he or she is satisfied that exceptional circumstances affected the student's progress in the program and that the student has an expectation of completing the program.
The period of extension must be specified in each case.
An extension of the maximum period for completing the program is not permissible in the case of students in Honours programs that are end on to a bachelor degree.
Exceed maximum time
Ensuring student are notified of their status and given appropriate advice to complete their program in time is important as policy specifies that students who have exceeded the maximum time to complete their programs will be administratively withdrawn from the University.
Student administration carries out this process, after graduation but prior to open enrolment, in the semester subsequent to the semester in which the ‘At Risk’ process was administered by the Schools.
Maximum time durations
The table below specifies the maximum period for satisfying the requirements for completion of a program. The period refers to elapsed calendar years starting from the year in which admission to the program was accepted and is inclusive of periods of leave of absence, discontinuation or exclusion.
Maximum period for completing a program for students admitted to the program on or after 1 January 2016:
| Program | Maximum time to complete |
|---|---|
| Diploma | 4 years |
| Diploma offered concurrently with another award (e.g., Bachelor Degree) | 10 years |
| Degree (3 year) | 8 years |
| Degree (4 year) including concurrent Honours | 10 years |
| Double / Vertical Degree | 10 years |
| Honours (end on to Bachelor degree) | 3 years |
| Graduate Certificate | 2 years |
| Graduate Diploma | 4 years |
| Masters (Research) | 6 years |
| Masters (up to 120CP) | 5 years |
| Masters (more than 120CP) | 6 years |
| Masters (Extended) | 8 years |
| Professional Doctorate | 8 years |
Maximum period for completing a program for students admitted to the program before 1 January 2016:
| Program | Maximum time to complete |
|---|---|
| Diploma | 10 years |
| Degree | 10 years |
| Honours (end on to Bachelor degree) | 3 years |
| Graduate Certificate | 2 years |
| Graduate Diploma | 4 years |
| Masters (up to 120 credit points) | 5 years |
| Masters (more than 120 credit points) | 6 years |
Further information
- Student Administration Policy
- Job Aid: Risk of exceeding maximum time
- Process workflow diagram
