E/4.4 Time limits for completion of an award course

Policy Owner	Director, Student Administration
Approval Date	25/07/2022
Approval Authority	University Academic Board
Date of Next Review	31/07/2025

4.4.1 Purpose
4.4.2 Application
4.4.3 Roles and responsibilities
4.4.4 Measurement of time limits
4.4.5 Consequence of exceeding time limits
4.4.6 Course level time limits
4.4.7 Definitions
4.4.8 Delegations
4.4.9 Supporting procedures
Related Documents
Modification History

4.4.1 Purpose

QUT is committed to providing clear information to ensure students are aware of the requirement to complete their course within the maximum allowable time.

This policy should be read in conjunction with the procedural information provided on the HiQ website - Grades, reviews and academic issues (QUT staff and student access only).

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4.4.2 Application

This policy applies to domestic and international students, research, post graduate and undergraduate students and award courses.

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4.4.3 Roles and responsibilities

Position	Responsibility
University Academic Board	specifies time limits for completion of an award course, and may impose different time limits for different categories of courses
Director, Student Administration	manages the maximum time process (by Student Administration) on behalf of the Vice-President (Administration) and University Registrar
Students	ensure they maintain satisfactory academic progression to ensure completion of their course within specified time limits

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4.4.4 Measurement of time limits

Time limits are measured in calendar years from the first day of the first teaching period in which the student was enrolled in a particular course of study or discipline. Periods of exclusion, periods of approved leave of absence or other approved periods of interruption will be included in the calculation of time limits.

Students re-admitted to a course after non-approved periods of leave will also have this time included in the calculation of time limits.

Students granted advanced standing may have the maximum completion time reduced by the full time equivalent of the credit points granted.

In the case of research degree students, time limits are measured from the first day of enrolment in the research degree.

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4.4.5 Consequence of exceeding time limits

The policy on exceeding course limits (E/6.7.5) provides details on consequences.

Students excluded because of failure to complete a course within time limits have the right of appeal (E/6.7.11)

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4.4.6 Course level time limits

Doctoral degrees	In accordance with specific course requirements Maximum time: normally 4 years full-time; 8 years part-time
Masters degrees by research	In accordance with specific course requirements Maximum time: normally 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time
Graduate diplomas and masters degree courses equivalent to two years of full-time study	Maximum time 5 years
Graduate diplomas, graduate certificates, honours degrees, and masters degrees equivalent to one year of full-time study	Maximum time 3 years
Graduate diplomas and masters degrees equivalent to one and a half years of full-time study	Maximum time 4 years
Bachelor degrees and diploma courses equivalent to three years of full-time study	Maximum time 8 years
Bachelor degree courses including Double degree and Bachelor Honours cluster qualifications courses equivalent to at least four years of full-time study	Maximum time 9 years
Associate degree and associate diploma courses	Maximum time 5 years
Graduate certificate courses equivalent to half a year of full-time study	Maximum time 3 years

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4.4.7 Definitions

Exclusion means a student is not permitted to enrol in any units forming part of the program they have been excluded from.

Probationary enrolment indicates that academic progress has been unsatisfactory.

Time limits are the maximum time allowed to complete a course.

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4.4.8 Delegations

Refer to Register of Authorities and Delegations (QUT staff access only).

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4.4.9 Supporting procedures

Student Administration procedures for identifying students that are in breach of maximum time limits for their course

Academic breach management procedures, including show cause and appeal procedures

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Modification History

Date	Sections	Source	Details
25.07.22	All	University Academic Board	Periodic review - no change required
29.03.19	All	University Academic Board	Periodic review - no change required
10.10.18	E/4.4.4	Chair, University Academic Board	Minor editorial amendment to clarify the measurement of time limits
25.11.16	All	University Academic Board	Revised policy
20.09.13	All	University Academic Board	Revised policy to reflect SAMS changes - effective 01.01.14
04.04.08	E/4.4.2	University Academic Board	Revised policy relating to periods of exclusion - effective from 01.01.09 (endorsed by Academic Policy and Procedures Committee 10.03.08)
01.12.05	E/4.4.2	University Academic Board	Revised policy relating to periods of exclusion - effective from 01.01.06
15.06.05	All	Student Business Services Department	Policy reviewed - no change required (endorsed by Academic Policy and Procedures Committee 15.06.05)
20.06.03	All	University Academic Board	New policy (effective from 01.01.04)

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