Swapping units
Higher education students can withdraw from a unit and enrol in another (a substitution or swap) in My Admin before the last date to add units for the study period.
To swap a unit in My Admin:
- Select the My Study tile on the homepage, then select Swap a Unit in the menu on the left.
- Press the Swap this Unit button next to the unit you wish to swap, choose the replacement unit, then select Swap into this Unit.
- Select your study combination (year, semester, location and attendance mode) and confirm.
- Add a reason for the change using the dropdown menu, confirm, and if satisfied with the enrolment quote, select Finish.
If you cannot complete the swap through self-service, submit an Enrolment Support Request. You do not need to submit a separate withdrawal request.
Refer to the academic calendar to view the last date you can add a unit:
- Select the relevant teaching area from the 'Teaching Area' drop down menu.
- Select ‘Add units of study’ from the 'Key Date' drop-down menu.
- Select the relevant year from the 'Year' drop-down menu.
You can swap a major, co-major and minor in My Admin , provided you've not yet started any of the units in your major or minor. Go to the My Study tile and remove your major, co-major or minor from within the Manage My Course window. You will then need to return to the home page and click back into the My Study tile to select a replacement, enrol in your new units and plan your new timetable.
To swap once you've started any of your major or minor units you need to submit the Amend Your Enrolment form.
Most times, students are able to self-manage adding or enrolling into units via My Admin. If a unit is on your study plan but you cannot enrol in it yourself, use the Enrolment Support Request form.
This form is available to Higher Education, VET and Unilink/Foundation students enrolled at Swinburne. Swinburne Online (SOL), Open Universities Australia (OUA) and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students should submit an Enrolment Amendment form.
Higher education students can request:
Enrolment in a unit already on your study plan that you cannot access through self-service
A unit substitution (Special Course of Study)
An elective not available through your current course structure
Re-enrolment where you have reached the maximum number of attempts (3 or more) and cannot self-enrol.
Vocational Education students can request:
Enrolment in all planned units on your study plan that are currently available for enrolment; or
Enrolment in specific planned units on your study plan
Request limits:
Higher Education students can include up to 4 unit requests in a single submission.
VET students can request units for the year from their study plan (subject to enrolment being open)
Prerequisite or co-requisite issues
If your issue is related to a prerequisite or co-requisite, complete the requisite waiver process first. You will not need to separately submit this form — once the requisite waiver is approved, you should be able to self-manage enrolment into the unit
When your request is approved
The Enrolments team will update your study plan and action the unit enrolment. You remain responsible for scheduling your own classes. Requests are normally assessed within 5 business days, or up to 10 business days during peak periods.
Late enrolment: This form is not available after the last date to add units. For late enrolment, contact Student HQ via Ask George with the reason for your request.
If you have enrolled part-time but want to take up more units later, you can enrol in extra units in My Admin. See How to enrol for more information about the enrolment process.
If you want to enrol in a unit that is on your study plan but you cannot enrol yourself, or if you need to add an elective or request a unit substitution, submit an Enrolment Support Request.
To change your major or minor, submit an Enrolment Amendment form.
Contact StudentHQ if you have any questions about what you can and can't change in My Admin.
To study above full-time load (overload) in an upcoming semester:
You must meet eligibility requirements including completing at least 50 credit points and having a WAM of 60 or above, and not having previously been on show course or progress review.
Submit an Overload Enrolment Request form
NOTE: You must be enrolled in a full study load for the relevant period of study before submitting the Overload Enrolment Request
International students – to reduce your study load below full-time (underload):
Submit an Underload Enrolment Request form.
You will need to provide supporting evidence and a reason for your request.
You must continue to attend classes until your request is approved in writing.
Contact StudentHQ if you have any questions about what you can and can't change in My Admin.
OUA students who want to change or transition from their current course to a newer version should refer to our course transition process.
Do you know your key enrolment dates?
To avoid academic and financial penalties, make sure that you enrol or make changes to your enrolment by the correct cut-off dates. Learn more about your key enrolment dates.
Looking for your course planner?
Ensure you enrol in the correct units by downloading your course planner and find information on core units, the number of required completed units and the recommended study sequence for your course.
Withdrawing from a unit
Before census date
If you are a local student enrolled in a higher education course, vocational education diploma, advanced diploma or graduate certificate and withdraw on or before the census date for a unit, you will not incur fees for the unit. There is no fee to withdraw from a unit.
You can withdraw from units online in My Admin.
- Go to the My Study tile and select Withdraw From a Unit in the menu on the left.
- Tick the box next to the unit you’d like to withdraw from and click Confirm
After census date
If you want to withdraw after the census date, or have made a mistake with a unit withdrawal and you need to re-enrol after the census date, you will need to submit an enrolment amendment form. We do not charge an additional fee to withdraw from a unit.
If you want to withdraw after the census date you will be liable for tuition fees that relate to that unit.
If you’re a higher education student, you will also incur an academic penalty (fail grade) if you withdraw from a unit after the academic penalty date.
View the academic calendar to check when the academic penalty date falls for the unit you want to withdraw from.
Check the census dates on the indicative course fees page or on your Statement of Account and Tax Invoice in the My Finances tile of My Admin.
Withdrawing from a unit without adding another unit may mean that you're studying less than a full-time study load (underloading). You may need to apply to underload on a semester-by-semester basis.
Most study visas require that international students study full-time.
You'll need to provide documents, such as a medical impact statement, to support your application.
International Students holding a student visa can only be approved for underloads based on Compassionate and Compelling Circumstances with supporting documentation. If you hold an international student visa, you must attend classes until you receive confirmation that your underload application has been granted.
Open Universities Australia (OUA) students should refer to the OUA website for information on withdrawing.
All requests to withdraw from a unit of study must be submitted directly through the OUA website.
Need help withdrawing from a unit?
Speak with studentHQ or make an appointment with an enrolment specialist if you're unsure about what's involved or want more advice when it comes to withdrawing from a unit. We also encourage you to make use of our support services if you're having problems with your studies.
More information
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