If you wish to vary any part of your Victoria University (VU) Brisbane enrolment, you will need to complete the appropriate student forms. You can amend your enrolment without penalty until the Census Date.

The University has a legal responsibility to report any changes to your enrolment to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). This includes changes in your study load, and when you are no longer a student with the University.

If your enrolment at the University is reported to DHA, you will need to contact DHA directly to discuss your student visa options. Contact DHA for advice by calling 131 881 (within Australia).

Reduce study load

You can request to reduce your study load or overload in compassionate and compelling circumstances, such as:

  • You have an unusual course structure / unavailability of units / pre-requisite units not met.
  • You wish to withdraw from units recommended by College as part of an intervention strategy following an Academic Progress Hearing.
  • You are in your final semester and remaining units do not amount to 48 credit points.
  • You wish to withdraw from units or enrol in additional units for other compassionate or compelling reasons that are beyond the control of the student.

Apply to reduce your study load

Obtain approvals and submit your completed Reduced Study Load form according to the form submission advice.

Visa information

The University will notify the DHA when you have been granted a reduced study load.

As outlined in your International Student Written Agreement, you are required to complete your course within the time stated on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

Increase study load

Increasing your study load ('overloading') may also be an option if you need to make up for delayed progress through your course e.g. due to failing units.

Permission to overload during a regular study period (semester one or two) will not be granted if your college believes it could have a negative impact on your academic progress (e.g. where you are repeating failed units).

Apply to overload your units

To add units of study to your enrolment, you need to obtain approvals and submit the relevant form.

Complete a Unit of Study Amendment form (add units only) according to the form submission advice.

Non-enrolment & withdrawal

Your student enrolment details must be finalised for each semester by the census date. If you withdraw from your course after this date, you will have to pay fees and there will be academic penalties.

Withdraw from your course

International students need to complete Course Discontinuation form. Please email Student Services Team at studentservices@vusydney.edu.au if you wish to discontinue your course.

When you withdraw from your course, the University will notify the Department of Home Affairs that you are no longer a student of Victoria University by cancelling your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). This may lead to the cancellation of your visa. In this situation, you should contact the Department of Home Affairs as soon as possible on 131 881.

Failure to lodge a withdrawal application for a unit/s of study or the whole course before census date means you will be charged fees for all units you are enrolled in whether you have attended classes or not.

If you withdraw, you must do so at least ten days before the census date, to avoid fees and academic penalties.

Change your course preference

If you are an international student, and currently enrolled in a higher education course, you could submit another application online to apply for a different course at VU.

You need to make sure you continue to meet the conditions of your student visa. You should review the information about changing course on the Department of Home Affairs website for more information.

Visa information

If you are thinking about changing your course, you need to ensure that you continue to meet the conditions of your student visa.

Find out more about changing courses and meeting your Visa conditions from the DHA website.

Refund policy

If special or exceptional circumstances prevent you from continuing your studies, you may be eligible for a full or partial refund. If you need to discontinue your course and seek a refund, you must supply documentary evidence in support of your application. Find out more on refund eligibility and how to apply on our forms page under 'Fees'.

Transfer to another course

If you are an international student you must complete six months of your principal course before you can transfer to another registered provider (a ‘provider’ is a university, or private college registered to provide courses to international students).

If you have not completed six months of your course, your application to transfer may be refused.

If you have completed six months at Victoria University Brisbane and you want to transfer from Victoria University to another place of study, you need to withdraw from your course.

If you have not completed six months at Victoria University, you need to:

  • obtain a 'letter of offer' from where you intend to study
  • complete an International Student Release Letter Application
  • provide detailed reasons for transferring from VU on the application form(s)
  • submit your completed form and supporting documents to the Student Services team at studentservices@vusydney.edu.au
  • all applications for release must be submitted by the student.  Release requests submitted on behalf of students will not be processed.

All transfers to and from Victoria University Brisbane are assessed on a case-by-case basis in line with the University's Transfer Policy. The University can refuse to release you from your course if we believe the transfer would be detrimental to you.

If you have completed six months at another provider and want to transfer to Victoria University Brisbane, find out how to submit an international application to study with us.

If you haven't completed six months at your current place of study and you want to transfer to Victoria University Brisbane you need to:

  • obtain a ‘letter of release’ from your current provider
  • submit the ‘letter of release’ with your international application.

Deferring your course intake

Deferring your course intake is available only to commencing (new) students. If you intend to defer, you need to consider the following:

  • If your course is not available for commencing students in subsequent intakes, you may need to negotiate an alternative study option.
  • Applicants do not enrol before deferring. A deferment is a guarantee that the place of offer will be available for the applicant to enrol subject to course availability.

If you wish to defer your course, you are required to complete a Defer Your Studies/Change of Course Preference application and submit by email to apply@vusydney.edu.au before your scheduled enrolment session.

Take leave of absence

In some limited circumstances, you may need time away from your studies. This is known as a leave of absence or intermission. We advise you to speak to your student welfare officer before you apply.

You may be able to apply for intermission if you have been affected by:

  • serious illness or injury
  • death of a close family member such as parents or grandparents, husband/wife or child
  • major political upheaval or natural disaster in your home country requiring emergency travel and which has affected your studies
  • traumatic experiences such as being involved in an accident or being the victim of a serious crime.

If you decide to apply, you must submit an Application for Intermission to a VU Sydney Student Welfare Officer with certified or original copies of any of the relevant supporting documents including your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and documents such as medical certificates.

Your application for intermission must be received by census date and must be approved by the Associate Director Students.

Visa information

The University will notify the DHA that you have been granted an Intermission (also known as a leave of absence). Taking a leave of absence may affect your student visa.

Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) extensions

Some students may require an extension of their CoE. Applications for CoE extensions should be lodged as early as possible, up to 6 weeks before your student visa expires by completing an International Request for a Confirmation of Enrolment extension.

Internal course transfer

If you find that the course you enrolled in is not right for you and wish to take up another course at Victoria University Brisbane, you may consider applying for a change of course.

Students currently enrolled in a VU course at any level, may make an internal application by submitting change of course application for another VU course.

Applicants must satisfy the entry requirements for the proposed course transfer.

Change of course requests can only be processed between results release date and commencement of a subsequent study session. Change of course is not permitted if a student has enrolled in a subsequent study period.

Semester 1, Block 1

  • Course start date: 21 February 2023
  • Course change period: 16–18 February 2023.

Semester 2, Block 1

  • Course start date: 1 August 2023
  • Course change period: 27–29 April 2023.

Intake 1

  • Study period: 8 Week, Block 1
  • Course start date: 21 February 2023
  • Course change period: 16–18 February 2023.

Intake 2

  • Study period: 8 Week, Block 2
  • Course start date: 26 April 2023
  • Course change period: 22–25 April 2023.

Intake 3

  • Study period: 8 Week, Block 3
  • Course start date: 1 August 2023
  • Course change period: 20 June–29 July 2023.

To apply for a course transfer, you will need to apply for the course that want to study and send an email to our Student Administration Team (studentadministration@vusydney.edu.au).

You will be subject to the same requirements as all other applicants at the time of applying.

When you're ready to apply, find the VU Brisbane course that you're interested in, and click 'Apply direct to VU' (only visible when applications are open for that course).

Course pages include details of the entry requirements and any required supporting documentation needed to complete your application.

There is no guarantee that your application will be successful. Please do not withdraw from your existing course until you have received confirmation that you have been accepted into the new course.