Maximum Time to Complete Program

Go to the Handbook and search for your program.

The maximum time to complete a program is calculated from the first day of the first teaching period for the program in which you are enrolled.

All absences (both approved and unapproved) and any recognition of prior learning (RPL), either from UNSW or another higher education provider, towards your program are included in the calculation.

If you are granted RPL (sometimes known as credit or advanced standing) towards your program, the normal full-time duration of your program used in the maximum time to complete calculation will be reduced on a pro rata basis to the nearest term/semester.

For example, if you are admitted to a 3 year undergraduate program with 1 year RPL, the maximum time to complete the program will be:

2 x 2 years plus 2 years = 6 years

Following the release of results at the end of the term/semester, you will receive an email to your student email account requesting you to meet with an academic advisor if you fall into one of the following categories:

1. You are 50% of the way through the maximum time to complete but have yet to complete 50% of the requirements of your program.
2. You are 75% of the way through the maximum time to complete but have yet to complete 75% of the requirement of your program
3. You have exceeded the maximum time to complete and have not completed the requirements of your program.

It is important that you meet with your academic advisor, ideally by the end of week 1 but no later than the end of week three of the following term/semester.

If you are at risk of not completing your program within the maximum time to complete, it is important that you meet with an academic advisor from your program authority to develop an action plan for completing your program.

If you exceed the maximum time to complete, you will not be permitted to re-enrol in your program until you have met with your program authority and agreed on a realistic timeline for completion.

If you do not meet the agreed timeline for completion, or if you have not been granted an extension by your program authority, your enrolment in your program will be terminated.

Yes, you have the right to appeal the termination of your enrolment in your program to the Re-Enrolment Appeal Committee.

If your enrolment is terminated, you will be provided with information on how to appeal and the deadline by which you must submit your appeal.

If your enrolment is terminated, you cannot apply for either re-admission or internal program transfer to the same program at UNSW. You can, however, apply for admission to a different program and apply for RPL in accordance with the Recognition of Prior Learning (Coursework Programs) Procedure.