Changes to your study situation as an International Student

If you finish your program at least one term earlier than the expected end date on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), we must inform the Immigration Department. 

Once you’ve finished your program, and before your visa expires, you must either:

• Enrol in another CRICOS Registered Program at UNSW, or
• Join another CRICOS approved Education Provider, or
• Leave Australia, unless you have been given authorisation by the Immigration Department to remain in Australia.

If you need more time to finish your program, you will need to request a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). An expired CoE can impact your visa status. You’ll also need a current CoE to apply for a new student visa. 
 
All visas are subject to approval by the Immigration Department.

As an international student, you are required to study 48 UOC in a year or 12 UOC per term. If you are struggling with a full-time study load and meet the criteria, you can apply to reduce your study load for the term and if approved, you will not breach your student visa requirements.

Do you need to pause your studies? You can take program leave for up to one year but must leave Australia during this time. Check with your program authority for more details. 

Once you have been approved to take Program leave, we will report your enrolment variation to the Immigration Department, by cancelling your Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE), and notify you. When you are ready to resume your studies and return to Australia you will need to apply for a new CoE. Failure to do so may impact your student visa and entry into Australia.

Further information on program leave:

• Check your visa status on Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO)
• Coursework students: Find details on applying for program leave
• Research students: Visit the Graduate Research Information System (GRIS) for information on how to apply

When you are ready to resume your studies, you will need to: 

1. Enrol for the upcoming term on myUNSW
2. Complete the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) Request
3. Your faculty will assess your application, and if approved, International Student Compliance will process a new COE
4. Your new CoE will be sent to your UNSW email account

If you plan to return earlier than intended in your program leave application, you will also need to contact your Program Authority to inform them of your intention so they can organise your enrolment access for the term you wish to return.

If you would like to discontinue your program and are a:

• Coursework student, you will need to lodge a Program Discontinuation application.

• Research student, you will need to complete a Variation of Candidature with the Graduate Research School.

If you would like to discontinue your program within the first 6 months of study and transfer to another institution, you must apply for a Release from UNSW. You cannot discontinue until your release request has been approved. See Transferring to another education provider below for more information. 

Once you have been discontinued from your studies, we will report your enrolment variation to the Immigration Department by cancelling your COE and notifying you. We recommend that you contact the Immigration Department to discuss your visa status once you discontinue your study with UNSW.

If you would like to discontinue your studies within the first 6 months of study and transfer to another institution, you must apply to UNSW for a Release. You cannot transfer education providers until your request has been approved.

If you have completed at least 6 months of study at UNSW, you can accept an offer from another education provider and transfer to that provider. You will need to submit a Program Discontinuation application.

When transferring to another provider, you must continue to meet your visa requirements and continue to comply with Condition 8516. Check your visa details and conditions.

For more information, visit the Immigration Department.