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Intensive Subjects

What are intensive subjects?

An intensive subject takes place over a short time frame rather than being taught regularly over a semester. An intensive subject might compress the equivalent of a semester's teaching into a week or two.

Intensive subjects can be taught at various times of the year including:

the beginning or end of a semester:
during non-assessment periods (for example some fieldwork intensive subjects);
during the mid-year June/July break;
during the end of year November - February break;
during semester one or two.

Many intensive subjects have a quota (meaning that only a certain number of students may enrol in the subject) or special entry conditions.

If an intensive subject's Assessment Period ends after the fourth week of the standard semester period, and you are enrolled in 50 points for that semester, you will need to submit an overload request via the Enrolment Assistance Form. The Assessment Period is listed in the University Handbook entry for each subject.

Winter intensives and timeframes

Winter intensives are generally taught over one of three timeframes:

Winter Term subjects are taught across June and July
some June subjects are taught across an intensive timeframe commencing in June*
some July subjects are taught across an intensive timeframe commencing in July*
* not all June and July subjects run over intensive timeframes, check the Handbook for teaching and assessment dates on specific subjects.

If you are already fully enrolled into the standard 50 point Semester 2 study load, you might be required to apply to overload via the Enrolment Assistance Form depending on where the study load for the intensive subject falls. While overloading is not required for taking up to 25 points across the ‘Winter’ period (in addition to the standard 50 points in Semester 2), not all mid-year intensives will fall wholly into this period. Check the teaching period and assessment end dates in the University Handbook.

Summer intensives and timeframes

Summer intensives are generally taught over one of three timeframes:

Summer Term subjects are taught anywhere across the Summer period, which spans from the end of one year’s Semester 2 to the start of the following year’s Semester 1.
some January subjects are taught across an intensive timeframe commencing in January*
some February subjects are taught across an intensive timeframe in commencing in February*
* not all January and February subjects run over intensive timeframes, check the Handbook for teaching and assessment dates on specific subjects

If you are already fully enrolled into the standard 50 point Semester 1 study load, you might be required to apply to overload via the Enrolment Assistance Form depending on where the study load for the intensive subject falls. While overloading is not required for taking up to 25 points across the ‘Summer’ period (in addition to the standard 50 points in Semester 1), not all summer intensives will fall wholly into this period. Check the teaching period and assessment end dates in the University Handbook.

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Last updated: June 2, 2023, 4:26 p.m.