Maximum time policy

Policy

Intent and objectives

To provide a maximum time limit for the completion of RMIT award programs.

  • To ensure currency of knowledge for RMIT graduates by limiting the time a student can take from commencement to completion of an award program
  • To improve the University’s capacity to accept new students by limiting the time existing students can occupy a place in a particular program.

Scope

This policy applies to all RMIT students enrolled in Coursework Award Programs

Exclusions

This policy does not apply to

  • Students enrolled in non-award programs or single courses.
  • Student enrolled in TAFE programs.
  • Students enrolled in a Higher Degree by Research (Masters and PhD) (Refer: Operating Procedure 7.42.1.0 – Higher Degrees by Research (Policy and Procedures)).
  • Students undertaking a Professional Doctorate Research Award (Refer: Operating Procedure 7.43.1.0 – Professional Doctorates (Policy and Procedures))

Policy Provisions

1. The University requires students to complete their award program within certain time limits.

2. Time limits are measured in Teaching Periods as this permits different areas of the University to work with a locally accepted measure of time.

3. The maximum time for completion of an undergraduate coursework program is:

  • for students enrolled full-time: normal full time duration plus 50% of normal full time duration.
  • for students enrolled part-time: normal part time duration plus 50% of normal part time duration.

Subject to the continued availability of the program and/or the availability of transition arrangements where a program has been revised or renewed.

4. The maximum time for completion of a postgraduate coursework program is:

  • for students enrolled full-time: normal full time duration plus 50% of normal full time duration,
  • for students enrolled part-time: twice normal part time duration.

Subject to the continued availability of the program and/or the availability of transition arrangements where a program has been revised or renewed.

5. The measurement of time taken commences on the first day of the first teaching period in which the student was enrolled in a particular program.

6. Teaching Periods often considered optional such as spring and summer are not to be included in the calculation of maximum time unless that teaching period has been specified as compulsory in program information.

7. In the event of a dispute over the definition or inclusion of a teaching period in a maximum time calculation the matter should be resolved by adopting the interpretation that provides the longest time for completion.

8. Leave of Absence & Suspension: When calculating the consumption of time for this policy, periods of suspension are to be included as a period of study but periods of approved Leave of Absence are excluded (for suspension refer: Regulation 6.1.1 Student Discipline, for Leave of Absence refer: Operating Procedure 7.22.1.4 Deferment, Leave of Absence, Subject Withdrawal and Cancellation of Enrolment).

9. CO-OP & WEI: When calculating a student’s consumption of time for this policy, CO-OP years and / or Work Experience in Industry (WEI) are excluded. They are also excluded from determinations of Normal Duration.

10. A student admitted to a program after a period of exclusion will be treated as a commencing student for the purposes of maximum time.

11. A student who cancels their enrolment in a program (or has their enrolment cancelled), who is then readmitted following a successful application and admission process will be treated as a commencing student for the purposes of maximum time.

12. Administrative transfer to a new plan or program code as part of a program renewal or discontinuance does not extend maximum time. Students in these circumstances will have study under the previous code(s) included when calculating their consumption of time.

13. Extensions to maximum time: Portfolio and University appeals committees (or equivalent) may approve extensions to maximum time. A Student Progress Committee may affect an extension to maximum time by determining not to recommend an ‘At Risk’ student for exclusion.

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