Study load
A standard full-time study load is 18 units per semester, which is normally equivalent to four 4.5-unit topics. The length of your course is based on successful completion of this standard study load. For example, a Bachelor of Arts is a three-year degree if 36 units (eight 4.5-unit topics) per year are successfully completed. Enrolling in a lesser study load will extend the length of the course.
Some topics may have a different unit value, like 9, 13.5 or 18 units. Non-semester topics are included in calculating your study load for each semester, however summer topics are not.
If you are in receipt of or are eligible for an income support payment through agencies such as Centrelink, you must confirm the study load requirements with the relevant agency.
You are permitted to overload and enrol in 22.5 units per semester without approval, with some exceptions. However, this is not recommended as a standard full-time study load has the equivalent hourly commitment of a full-time job. Requests for overload in excess of 22.5 units must be submitted through an Ask Flinders support request.
International students must maintain a standard full-time study load to comply with their visa obligations. Further information is available on the International Students webpage.
If you are enrolled in a 75% equivalent load (13.5 units per semester), you will be eligible for a full-time student ID card (or a full-time sticker to extend your ID card expiry date).
Course rule
All students must enrol in topics according to their course rule which is linked in the My Enrolment tab in the Student System. Please ensure you follow the program of study in the course rule applicable to the year you commenced your degree. See the Handbook for a complete list. The Program of Study section will outline the overall requirements of your course and will usually separate topics by year and/or semester to help you with your topic selection each year.
To further assist you with planning your study, many courses have a study plan template available. These are guides only, so you must ensure that your course rule matches. If you need assistance with a study plan template, please submit an Ask Flinders support request.
Course advice
Commencing students may have a compulsory or recommended course advice or orientation session to attend. Please check the course advice details page for this information.
If you require further assistance with choosing topics to enrol into, please submit an Ask Flinders support request in the first instance. If you require more specific advice about your course such as changing your major or minor, choosing topics to suit your desired career path, or you have not been following your course rule correctly, we may refer you to your college or course coordinator.
Topic availability
Not all topics are run every year, particularly option topics. The university timetable will list topics being offered for the academic year. Please note that sometimes due to unavoidable circumstances a topic may be cancelled after being advertised. If you are enrolled in a topic which is subsequently cancelled, you will receive communication from the relevant College.
We also offer a range of intensive undergraduate and postgraduate topics during the summer teaching period and in non-semester periods (topics with dates outside the standard semester periods). Summer and non-semester topics may accelerate your study, spread your study load over the whole year, or assist you to repeat topics that you have not successfully completed. Dates and locations vary for all summer and non-semester topics. The university timetable provides this information.
View further information about summer topics.
